August Strategic Communications

CEO: Steven Goldberg

Number of Employees: 12

Languages:English

Firm Overview

August is a U.S.-based strategic communications advisory firm that believes nothing is more important than effective communication when it comes to influencing perception, driving value, and protecting reputation. The firm achieves excellence in client service by bringing together individuals with specialized talent and subject matter expertise and empowering them to focus on what they do best. The firm deploys its expertise to help clients most effectively tell their stories during their times of greatest need and opportunity.

August sets itself apart with a deep understanding of the legal and regulatory issues that must be considered when developing communications and media relations strategies. The firm recognizes that – particularly in litigation and investigations – the most effective communications strategies are those that align with and support the legal strategy. Its professionals are experts at finding the balance between legal and reputational considerations. For decades, August’s principals have worked alongside legal counsel to advise clients on how best to convey their narrative and manage reputation in the context of complex civil and criminal investigations and litigation, government and workplace investigations, financial restructurings, and allegations of discrimination and misconduct. The August team includes former practicing attorneys from both the government and private sectors, former journalists, and other experts with backgrounds in sports and entertainment; healthcare; education; philanthropy; blockchain and digital assets; and DE&I.

Litigation and Investigations

Led by former practicing attorneys, August’s litigation support team brings a sophisticated understanding of the legal and regulatory issues involved in litigation matters and internal and governmental investigations. The firm develops and helps implement media and communications strategies that align with and support legal strategies and client objectives. August’s professionals have a diverse range of experience and perspectives, and their multidisciplinary approach considers all relevant social, political, economic, and cultural factors that influence communications strategies and outcomes.

Recent client engagements include:

• Owner Daniel Snyder and the NFL’s Washington Commanders in matters related to an investigation by the House Committee on Oversight and Reform
• The Shanies Law Office in connection with civil lawsuits and subsequent settlements following the exoneration of two men wrongfully convicted of the murder of Malcolm X and related litigation against the State and City of New York
• Chris Cuomo in connection with his termination from and litigation against CNN
• BitMEX’s founders in connection with federal government enforcement actions
• Kodak in an investigation by the New York Attorney General
• Guardant Health in its defense against patent and trade secrets litigation brought by Illumina
• A major pharmaceutical company in its defense against FDA allegations and a threatened recall
• A leading electric vehicle manufacturer in a sexual discrimination lawsuit and shareholder litigations
• A leading executive search firm sued for workplace harassment
• Plaintiffs suing Johnson & Johnson in connection with talcum powder litigation
• A major NYC cultural institution in a racial discrimination lawsuit
• Board members of Black Girls CODE in connection with an internal investigation conducted by a special committee of its Board of Directors and related litigation
• BlueVine in connection with a Congressional investigation and related media scrutiny
• CORE Services Group on its litigation with the City of New York and related reputational issues

Practice Areas

• Litigation and Investigations
• Crisis Management
• Financial Restructurings and Chapter 11 Cases
• Healthcare
• Blockchain, Digital Assets, and Fintech
• Positioning and Reputation Management
• Transactions
• Shareholder Activism
• Diversity, Bias, and Discrimination

Offices

• New York City
• Los Angeles
• Dallas
• San Francisco