Ombudsman Programs

Ombuds programs are created for companies, universities, and other organizations to provide an independent, neutral, alternate, and confidential channel of communication to help employees, students or others discuss workplace or institutional concerns. The goal of an ombuds program is to provide an informal resource where issues can be discussed off-the-record and without fear of retaliation and where people seek can guidance on how they can resolve disputes or report misconduct.

For twenty years, Shipman & Goodwin has served as independent counsel to organizational ombuds programs at major multinational corporations, universities, and government research laboratories throughout the country. Led by partner Chuck Howard, who has extensive experience representing organizational ombuds offices, the firm has helped organizations structure and document their ombuds programs to preserve the confidentiality of ombuds' communications with inquirers. Beginning with the seminal case of Roy v. United Technologies Corporation, Mr. Howard has represented ombuds offices in litigation on numerous occasions to protect this confidentiality, including filing motions for protective order and motions in limine in various jurisdictions throughout the country. In addition to his experience in representing organizational ombuds offices, Mr. Howard's extensive and wide ranging litigation experience in other areas is a unique asset in providing on-going counseling to ombuds offices to help them deal with the various legal issues they encounter and to function effectively in their organizations. Mr. Howard has been a frequent presenter and writer on ombuds issues. He is the author of The Organizational Ombudsman: Origins, Rules, and Operations - A Legal Guide, published by the American Bar Association. To order this book, please visit the American Bar Association's web store.

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Publications

Primary Contacts

Charles L. Howard
(860) 251-5616

Additional Contacts

Related Practices

Alternative Dispute Resolution

Labor and Employment

Government Investigations and White Collar Criminal Defense

The Organizational Ombudsman
Origins, Roles, and Operations
A Legal Guide
By Charles L. Howard
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