Serving development organizations & companies exposed to integrity risks
Why Drakensberg
Development organizations and companies face a wide range of legal, financial, operational, and reputational risks stemming from actual or potential integrity violations involving their employees or external stakeholders.
These risks escalate as public and investor scrutiny increases, local instability grows, and integrity regulations become stricter. Failure to respond adequately can result in reputational damage, restrictions on market access, and financial or legal sanctions.
Addressing such risks and integrity violations — such as fraud, corruption, collusion or workplace misconduct — is becoming essential for development organizations to fulfill their missions, and for companies to operate effectively while remaining competitive.
Drakensberg’s mission is precisely to help these organizations and companies prevent, and respond to, these integrity risks and violations.
We notably support entities:
operating or funding activities in countries/sectors exposed to high integrity risks;
participating in activities funded by international organizations (e.g., MDBs/IFIs) or national development agencies;
suspecting integrity violations involving their employees or external stakeholders;
subject to strict integrity regulations or extraterritorial anticorruption legislation (e.g., FCPA, Sapin II); or
involved in MDB or national proceedings.
We also advise entities exposed to ESG integrity risks (environmental, social and governance violations) and/or subject to ESG regulations.
How we Help
We provide investigative, compliance and legal advisory services.
We conduct investigations into suspected integrity violations – whether these investigations are launched internally or triggered by external proceedings.
We help our clients assess
their integrity risks and enhance their compliance programs – as part of preventive/regulatory efforts or in connection with MDB/national proceedings.
We advise our clients on
integrity issues, at all stages of a project cycle or contractual engagement – from the due diligence/bidding to the execution and monitoring phases.
Who we are
Drakensberg is a boutique international law firm serving development organizations (IFIs/MDBs, UN agencies, development/oversight agencies, impact investors, philanthropic foundations, non-profits and NGOs) and corporates (multinationals and SMEs) exposed to integrity risks and violations.
It was built on the unique expertise of its founder, Benoit Doublet, a lawyer admitted to the Paris and New York Bars, with prior experience at the World Bank (Integrity Vice Presidency) and within the United Nations system (IFAD).
Our edge
Specialized in integrity, investigations and compliance-related matters
Insider knowledge of regulators’ compliance expectations, investigative practices and sanctions frameworks
Expertise and proven track-record as both compliance counsel and investigator
Network of international and technical partners, including forensic and local intelligence firms
Experience in sensitive, forensic and field investigations, including in conflict-affected environments
Holistic approach to integrity risk management
International exposure and experience in developing countries, particularly in Africa
Legal insight into French, U.S., and international integrity standards
Rare investigative and multidisciplinary background amongst French attorneys
Boutique firm structure with highly responsive client service and pricing transparency