The dilemma facing the legal and compliance departments is common to many areas within organizations: The two departments have overlapping, but sometimes conflicting goals. The general counsel is an advocate for and sometimes defender of the organization, while compliance is charged with training employees on applicable regulations and policies and then uncovering and investigating wrongdoing. A compliance officer often must document the findings of the organization’s investigations, while the general counsel may believe the organization is better off not recording this information. At the same time, both areas must work together to further the organization’s goals.
