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July 30, 2018 False Claims Act Information

National Whistleblower Appreciation Day: Why We Practice Qui Tam Law

In honor of National Whistleblower Appreciation Day, which takes place on July 30, we asked some of our Whistleblower, Qui Tam & False Claims Act Practice Group attorneys why they practice qui tam law. Each of their reasons and motivations is unique, but there is a common theme throughout all of their answers: a deep respect for their clients.

Chair Emeritus and Department Co-Chair Sherrie Savett:

“It is very satisfying to simultaneously represent these courageous and highly ethical individuals, our whistleblower clients, and at the same time pursue legal action against the perpetrators of fraud against our federal and state governments. My experience is that the whistleblowers who come to us are highly intelligent and their moral compasses will not allow them to be silent in the face of wrongdoing. I feel that doing this work and fighting corporate schemes to defraud is important, almost sacred work.”

Shareholder Joy Clairmont:

“Certain people just ‘go along to get along.’ Those are not our whistleblower clients. Our clients are committed and determined individuals who are unwilling to tolerate fraud and wrongdoing and want to hold the wrongdoer responsible. I’m proud to fully support and guide our clients in bringing a case under the False Claims Act or other whistleblower laws. I aim to provide enthusiastic, vigorous and high-quality representation on their behalf.”

Of Counsel Susan Schneider Thomas:

“I am attracted to the qui tam practice because I strongly believe in government programs and hate the fact that vast amounts of money are diverted from the true goals of those programs because some companies cheat. In my experience, many of our clients have the same motivation for bringing their cases to us – a strong sense of justice and dislike of cheating. I have an enormous amount of respect for our clients because they are willing to proceed even after I spend a lot of time warning them about the likely employment and career risks, the long time period for cases to get resolved and the uphill battle for any case to prevail. When a case is successful, it gives me a great deal of satisfaction to see companies and individuals held accountable for their frauds and to see my clients rewarded for their courageous efforts and long-term commitment to their cases.”

Associate William Ellerbe:

“Up to the time I graduated from law school and started practicing law as a litigator, I really had no idea how widespread fraud was in America today. Everyone I knew growing up worked hard and honestly, as do the vast majority of workers, business owners, and corporations in this country. However, I now understand that it is precisely because most people play by the rules that some fraudsters are able to get away with taking advantage of a trusting society. Even still, I’m grateful to live in a country where there are laws on the books that allow the honest, hardworking people who become aware of fraudulent schemes on the government to step forward and stop the wrongdoing. A phrase that is sometimes used to describe the thinking behind qui tam cases and the False Claims Act is “it takes a rogue to catch a rogue,” but I think the characterization of whistleblowers as “rogues” cast from the same mold as fraudsters is flat wrong. To step forward and call out a fraud on the government that is being perpetrated by your employer, your fellow co-workers, and maybe even your friends takes intelligence, integrity, and resolve. Not that anyone is a perfect person, but I think a more accurate description of qui tam work would be “it takes a hero to catch a rouge,” and I’m proud to say that I go to work in the trenches every day alongside the heroes.”

Contact Us to Learn More

Do you need a Whistleblower Lawyer or want to know more information about Qui Tam Law and your rights under the False Claims Act?

There are three easy ways to contact our firm for a free, confidential evaluation with one of our whistleblower attorneys:

  1. Fill out the contact form on this page.
  2. Email [email protected]
  3. Call (844) 781-3088

Your information will be reviewed by a Berger Montague qui tam attorney and remain confidential.