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Always Neutral.
Promoting Fair Workplaces and Safe Campuses Since 2010.
Van Dermyden Makus is recognized as one of the leading law firms in conducting workplace and campus investigations in the nation. We are one of the largest law firms dedicated to neutral work and therefore, we have the capacity and resources to staff any case, no matter how large or small.
Bigger than big law.
Unlike most law firms, our attorneys are exclusively committed to providing neutral investigative and client services. We are committed to leading and teaching developments in the ever-changing landscape of the world of investigations consistent with industry standards and local, state, and federal laws and regulations.
Guaranteed impartiality.
The Van Dermyden Makus Law Corporation is uniquely situated to act as third-party impartial investigators, unencumbered by any concerns about advocacy either for or against employers and employees. We view evidence in an objective manner and don’t have a stake in the outcome of investigations. This neutrality allows our clients to make sound business decisions upon which they can rely, knowing our process was neutral and fair and can withstand scrutiny.
Depth of experience.
Together, Senior Partners Sue Ann Van Dermyden and Eli Makus have over 50 years of legal experience, including over 30 years devoted exclusively to conducting investigations. They have conducted and overseen thousands of workplace and campus investigations, have been designated as expert witnesses, and lead a team of top-notch attorneys.
Van Dermyden Makus regularly conducts investigations involving all topics that occur in the workplace and on campus, including, but not limited to:
Assault
Improper Governmental Activities
Conflict of Interest
Sexual Assault
Substance Abuse
Theft
Threats of Violence
Training Services
Partner with Van Dermyden Makus for workplace and Title IX investigation training. Learn More
Workplace Investigations Training
Title IX Investigations Training
News and Updates
Van Dermyden Makus Law Corporation (VM Law) is pleased to announce the addition of four new professionals to its growing team: Attorney Investigators Dustin Hutton, Brendan Smith, and Winnie Vien, as well as Stephanie Del Rosario, who joins the firm as Law Firm Administrator. These strategic additions further strengthen the firm's ability to provide high-quality, impartial investigations and exceptional client service nationwide.
Van Dermyden Makus Law Corporation is proud to share that founding partner and Senior Partner Sue Ann Van Dermyden has been named to the Daily Journal’s 2026 Top Women Lawyers list, which recognizes distinguished women attorneys across California.
Join Erich Knorr, Partner at Van Dermyden Makus Law Corporation, for a practical, real-world look at how in-house counsel can effectively navigate workplace investigations from the moment a complaint lands on your desk through the final report. Drawing on extensive experience conducting investigations, Erich will walk you through the critical decision points that trip up even seasoned legal teams—including when to bring in an outside investigator, issues related to interim measures, and where the line falls between your role as counsel and the investigator's role as fact-finder.
Senior Partner Eli Makus recently presented at the 2026 Association of Workplace Investigators (AWI) Advanced Seminar for Workplace Investigators, leading a two-day training session on April 16–17 in Marina del Rey, California.
Sacramento, CA — April 2, 2026 — Van Dermyden Makus Law Corporation (VM Law), a nationally recognized leader in workplace and campus investigations and Title IX adjudications, today announced a significant ownership transition effective April 1, 2026.
Since its founding, VM Law has remained focused on creating a sustainable, evergreen business to ensure it serves its clients for years to come with independent investigation and adjudication services. To ensure VM Law’s enduring future, Founding Partner Sue Ann Van Dermyden has transferred her full ownership interest in the Firm, with three longstanding partners: Liz DeChellis, Jennifer Doughty, and Erich Knorr, purchasing the majority of her shares.
We’re excited to share that Partner Erich Knorr will be taking the stage at Courageous Conversations — a dynamic, hands-on experience designed for HR professionals ready to elevate how they lead, communicate, and investigate.
Van Dermyden Makus is thrilled to celebrate an incredible achievement—Sue Ann Van Dermyden has been named to the 2026 San Diego Super Lawyers list!
We're thrilled to announce that Eli Makus will join a powerhouse panel for a timely and essential session on one of the most contested areas in employment law today at the ABA ERR Committee Midwinter Meeting & National Symposium on Technology in Labor & Employment Law.
Lexi Weyrick spoke at the Labor and Employment Law Section of the California Lawyers Association's 2026 New Employment Practitioner Conference on Thursday, February 5th.
We're thrilled to announce that Sue Ann Van Dermyden will take the stage as moderator for a cutting-edge session exploring the future of employment law practice at the ABA ERR Committee Midwinter Meeting & National Symposium on Technology in Labor & Employment Law.
VM is pleased to announce that Eli Makus will be presenting at the 2026 National Labor and Employment Law Symposium, alongside Liz Rita of the Investigations Law Group.
Their session, “Workplace Investigations: Lessons from the Trenches,” is scheduled for 7:30 a.m. and will focus on practical insights drawn from real-world investigative experience.
Partner Erich Knorr will serve as a trainer for CALPELRALearn’s virtual training program, Conducting Effective Investigations, taking place January 21–22, 2026. Erich will co-present alongside Christina Ro-Connolly of Oppenheimer Investigations Group, bringing practical insight and real-world experience to this in-depth program designed for public sector professionals.
NEW YORK, NY – December 2, 2025 – HR Acuity, the category leader in employee relations case management and investigations software, today announced its strategic partnership with Van Dermyden Makus Law Corporation, an investigations law firm recognized nationally for its deep expertise in conducting neutral workplace investigations.
In this episode of Conversations With Investigators, Senior Partner Sue Ann Van Dermyden sits down with host Keith Rohman for a wide-ranging discussion, “From the Farm to the Boardroom.” Sue Ann reflects on her journey from her agricultural roots to building one of the nation’s leading practices dedicated to workplace and Title IX investigations, sharing how grit, curiosity, and a commitment to fairness have shaped her career. She and Keith explore lessons learned from high-stakes investigations, the evolution of industry standards, and what it means to lead with integrity in complex organizational environments. The conversation offers practical insights for investigators, attorneys, and leaders looking to elevate the quality and impact of their investigative work.
Essential to every workplace investigation is initiating the investigation and providing notice to the parties of the investigation, including notifying the respondent or subject of the investigation and the nature of the allegations made against them. Most investigators, employers, and other stakeholders would agree that the subject of an investigation deserves to know the allegations against them, and have an opportunity to provide a thorough response to them. AWI members often talk about “prompt, thorough, and impartial” investigations.
Van Dermyden Makus Law Corporation is pleased to announce that Liz DeChellis and Lexi Weyrick presented at the 2025 AASPA Virtual Legal Summit, offering an important and timely session titled “Tackling Title IX with Confidence: Conducting Legally-Compliant Title IX Investigations in K-12 Schools.”
CALPELRA's 2025 Annual Training Conference, the 50th annual CALPELRA conference will be held in beautiful Monterey, California, the week of November 18-21.
Senior Partners Eli Makus and Sue Ann Van Dermyden are presenting at the 2025 AWI Virtual Training Institute for Workplace Investigators. Sue Ann will lead a session on “Report Writing” on October 17, 2025, at 11:00 AM PDT. Eli will present on “Evidence” on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, at 11:00 AM PDT.
Partner Liz DeChellis will lead a focused session titled “Effective Strategies for Managing External Investigations” as part of the CCSA Fall Virtual Workshop on September 19, 2025.
Eli Makus and Matthew Rose will present “As If: Managing Complaints Made Against Local Officials” at the 30th Annual California JPIA Risk Management Educational Forum, taking place at the Omni La Costa Resort in Carlsbad, California, on Thursday, October 2, 2025, at 10:14 AM.
Senior Partner Eli Makus presented virtually at the 2025 AWI Australia & New Zealand Conference on Thursday, September 4, at 9:00 AM, delivering his session titled “Navigating the Impact of AI on Workplace Investigations: Speaking from Experience.
Managing Partner Eli Makus, will be presenting at CALPELRALearn’s virtual Training Program: Conducting Effective Investigations, on September 10-11, 2025.
VM’s Managing Partner Eli Makus and Alex Travin will present the AWI Workplace Investigations Credibility Workshop, a three-hour interactive online program focused on assessing credibility in workplace investigations. The workshop includes in-depth discussions on credibility factors and hands-on practice with realistic evidence scenarios in small group breakout sessions.
Addressing complaints against high-level executives and C-suite members presents unique challenges for in-house counsel, from managing intense scrutiny and power imbalances to preserving privilege. This one-hour virtual presentation provides counsel with practical guidance on conducting and overseeing these high-stakes investigations, including selecting the appropriate investigator, managing conflicts of interest, maintaining confidentiality, and determining interim measures. Attendees will gain insights on protecting the organization while ensuring fairness for all involved, with an emphasis on minimizing legal exposure and preserving the integrity of the investigation.
We’re proud to celebrate VM Partner Liz DeChellis, honored as one of the 2025 Women Who Mean Business by the Sacramento Business Journal.
Now in its 30th year, the Women Who Mean Business Awards recognize some of the region’s most accomplished and influential professional women across a wide range of industries. Over the past three decades, this award has highlighted leaders at every stage of their careers—women making a lasting impact on their organizations and the broader Sacramento business community.
Van Dermyden Makus is proud to announce that Senior Partners Eli Makus and Sue Ann Van Dermyden, along with Senior Attorney Investigator Mark Gabel, have been named to the 2025 California Super Lawyers list — a distinction awarded to only the top 5% of attorneys in the state.
In addition, Senior Attorney Investigator Kayleigh Birks has been selected to the 2025 California Rising Stars list, an honor given to just 2.5% of emerging lawyers in California. To qualify, candidates must be 40 years old or younger or have been practicing law for 10 years or less.
VM’s Anurag Jain and Sue Ann Van Dermyden, present “Conducting Workplace Investigations to Uncover Hidden Financial Risks” at the 36th Annual Global Fraud Conference on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, at 9:00 AM Central Time.
VM’s Liz DeChellis and Lexi Weyrick, will present ‘Tackling Title IX Confidence: Conducting Legally Compliant Title IX Investigations in K-12 Schools’ at the American Association of School Personnel Administrators (AASPA) 2025 Virtual Legal Summit on Thursday, November 13, 2025.
Senior Partner Eli Makus delivered the keynote presentation at the 2025 Workplace Investigations in Canada Hybrid Conference. His session, titled “When AI Joins The Investigation,” took place on Thursday, June 5 at 1:15 PM, and addressed the rapidly evolving role of artificial intelligence in workplace investigations.
This online workshop is a three-hour interactive program designed to improve participants’ investigative report writing skills. Attendees will discuss effective report writing skills and have the opportunity to practice writing the analysis section of a report through small group activities in breakout rooms.