
Qui Tam
Main Contact(s)
Overview
Qui Tam actions constitute a unique class of cases, as the plaintiff is either the United States or, if the United States does not participate directly in the action, represents the interests of the United States in the case.
Such matters are often complicated and time-consuming, and are exactly the type of litigation where you need experienced counsel that can help you through what can be a challenging process.
SKV has both defended and brought qui tam actions. While SKV lawyers are always ready to go to trial and relish the opportunity to do so, our track record of success and reputation as a formidable opponent in the courtroom means that we are often able to negotiate successful outcomes for our clients long before trial is necessary.
SKV’s boutique size and entrepreneurial spirit give clients numerous advantages. First, because we are a trial firm, nearly all of our team, from senior partners to paralegals and secretaries, has significant experience in trials and arbitrations. Second, we staff matters leanly, which means that as a client, you will receive a dedicated and appropriately-sized team that learns your case thoroughly and is available to address your needs. Third, we play nicely with others, and have a reputation for working well with co-counsel in complex, largescale matters. And finally, we have never been wedded to the billable hour and are always willing to discuss alternative fee arrangements with clients. At SKV, we use a straightforward approach to evaluating your case and your needs, making sure we never lose sight of your goals.
Representative Matters
- AECOM: Craig Smyser and Justin Waggoner represent a number of present and former military contractors with backgrounds ranging from domestic law enforcement to special forces in a False Claims Act case against AECOM, in which the firm seeks $120 million in damages associated with a multi-year contract for provision of atmospherics services in connection with military operations in Afghanistan. The case recently substantially survived AECOM’s motion to dismiss, in which AECOM argued that SKV’s clients had failed to satisfy the heightened pleading standard required of fraud allegations under the federal rules of civil procedure.
- Texas ex rel. Thurmond v. Molina Healthcare, Inc., et al.: Razvan Ungureanu represents Molina Healthcare in a qui tam claim relating to alleged overcharges for home healthcare for to Medicaid recipients.
- United States ex rel. Mendez & Rushing v. Lone Star National Bank, et al.: Lee Kaplan and Karima Maloney represented Lone Star National Bank in a False Claims Act suit related to alleged Medicare and Medicaid overbilling. After extensive discovery, the district court dismissed all claims against the bank.