Webcast: The False Claims Act – 2021 Update for Government Contractors

Webcasts  |  October 14, 2021

Second of four industry-specific programs

The False Claims Act (FCA) is one of the most powerful tools in the government’s arsenal to combat fraud, waste, and abuse involving government funds. After several years of statements and guidance indicating that the Department of Justice (DOJ) might alter its approach to FCA enforcement, the Biden Administration appears to be taking a different, more aggressive approach. Meanwhile, newly filed FCA cases remain at historical peak levels, and the government has recovered nearly $3 billion or more annually under the FCA for a decade. The government also continues to pursue new, large spending projects in COVID-related stimulus and infrastructure—which may bring yet more vigorous efforts by DOJ to pursue fraud, waste, and abuse in government spending. As much as ever, any company that receives government funds—especially in the government contracting sector—needs to understand how the government and private whistleblowers alike are wielding the FCA, and how they can defend themselves.

Please join us to discuss developments in the FCA, including:

  • The latest trends in FCA enforcement actions and associated litigation affecting government contractors;
  • Updates on the Biden Administration’s approach to FCA enforcement, including developments impacting DOJ’s use of its statutory dismissal authority;
  • New proposed amendments to the FCA introduced by Senator Grassley; and
  • The latest trends in FCA jurisprudence, including developments in particular FCA legal theories affecting your industry and the continued evolution of how lower courts are interpreting the Supreme Court’s Escobar decision.

View Slides (PDF)

PANELISTS:

Jonathan M. Phillips is a partner in the Washington, D.C. office where he is co-chair of the False Claims Act/Qui Tam Defense practice. Mr. Phillips focuses on compliance, enforcement, and litigation in the government contracting and health care fields, as well as other white collar enforcement matters and related litigation. A former Trial Attorney in DOJ’s Civil Fraud section, he has particular experience representing clients in enforcement actions by the DOJ, Department of Health and Human Services, and Department of Defense brought under the False Claims Act and related statutes.

Nicola Hanna is a partner in the Los Angeles office and co-chair of the firm’s global White Collar Defense and Investigations practice.  Mr. Hanna previously served as the presidentially appointed and Senate-confirmed United States Attorney for the Central District of California for three years. In this role, he was the chief federal law enforcement officer for the Los Angeles-based district, the largest Department of Justice office outside of Washington, D.C., and oversaw approximately 280 Assistant U.S. Attorneys. Under his leadership, the Central District brought and litigated some of the most impactful cases in the country and recovered nearly $4.5 billion in criminal penalties, civil recoveries, forfeited assets, and restitution.  During his tenure as U.S. Attorney, Mr. Hanna served as the Chair of the Attorney General’s Advisory Committee’s White Collar Fraud Subcommittee. He also was a member of the Department of Justice Corporate Enforcement and Accountability Working Group, and one of two U.S. Attorneys on the Task Force on Market Integrity and Consumer Fraud chaired by the Deputy Attorney General.

James Zelenay is a partner in the Los Angeles office where he practices in the firm’s Litigation Department. He is experienced in defending clients involved in white collar investigations, assisting clients in responding to government subpoenas, and in government civil fraud litigation. He also has substantial experience with the federal and state False Claims Acts and whistleblower litigation, in which he has represented a breadth of industries and clients, and has written extensively on the False Claims Act.

Lindsay Paulin is an associate in the Washington, D.C. office. Her practice focuses on a wide range of government contracts issues, including internal investigations, claims preparation and litigation, bid protests, and government investigations under the False Claims Act. Ms. Paulin’s clients include contractors and their subcontractors, vendors, and suppliers across a range of industries including aerospace and defense, information technology, professional services, private equity, and insurance.

MCLE CREDIT INFORMATION:

This program has been approved for credit in accordance with the requirements of the New York State Continuing Legal Education Board for a maximum of 1.5 credit hours, of which 1.5 credit hours may be applied toward the areas of professional practice requirement.

This course is approved for transitional/non-transitional credit. Attorneys seeking New York credit must obtain an Affirmation Form prior to watching the archived version of this webcast. Please contact [email protected] to request the MCLE form.

Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP certifies that this activity has been approved for MCLE credit by the State Bar of California in the amount of 1.5 hours.

California attorneys may claim “self-study” credit for viewing the archived version of this webcast. No certificate of attendance is required for California “self-study” credit.

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