Nichols Liu Further Expands Its False Claims Act and Investigations Capabilities with Litigation Partner Robert Rhoad

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Nov 15, 2018, 08:55 ET

WASHINGTON, Nov. 15, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Robert "Bob" Rhoad is the latest partner to join the growing ranks of Nichols Liu LLP. Rhoad is a trial lawyer with more than 25 years of experience litigating matters involving the federal False Claims Act, state false claims laws, fraud and abuse matters, and criminal and civil government enforcement actions initiated by whistleblowers.

Rhoad joins Nichols Liu from Sheppard Mullin where he was a partner in the Government Contracts, Investigations & International Trade Practice Group. Prior to Sheppard Mullin, he was a partner at Crowell & Moring, where Rhoad and Nichols Liu partner Andy Liu co-led the firm's Government Procurement Fraud/False Claims Act team. Rhoad also led Crowell & Moring's Health Care Litigation team.

"Bob is a dynamic and highly-regarded litigator and his experience in handling high-stakes False Claims Act cases, investigations and health care and financial services fraud matters will be a tremendous asset to our clients," said co-founder Andy Liu. "His addition gives us exceptional depth in a number of key areas and we are excited to welcome Bob to the firm."

"I couldn't be more elated to practice with many of my former colleagues and join them in building a powerhouse government contracts firm," said Rhoad. "The firm's entrepreneurial spirit and top-flight team are a perfect fit for me and my clients."

In recognition of his success, among other accolades, Rhoad has been listed as a Washington, D.C. "Super Lawyer" by Super Lawyers® in the Civil Litigation category and as a "Top Lawyer" by Washingtonian magazine in the Whistleblower Defense category – one of only six attorneys so designated.

Among Rhoad's high-profile cases is a jury reversal in U.S. ex rel. Purcell v. MWI Corp., a case in which the government intervened. Defending MWI Corp. against claims filed in 1998 over alleged false submissions to the Export-Import Bank of the United States in connection with loans it guaranteed for Nigerian irrigation projects, Rhoad and his team convinced the D.C. Circuit in 2015 to overturn a $22.5 million verdict for the government. The jury verdict itself was a fraction of the $225 million sought by the government. In January, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to review the circuit decision.

"With the addition of Bob to our already-strong FCA and investigations capabilities, Nichols Liu has one of the top procurement fraud practices in the country," said co-founder Robert Nichols.

Rhoad began his career in the Navy Judge Advocate General's (JAG) Corps in successive assignments as a prosecutor, defense attorney, and as a civil litigation attorney. During his six-year tenure in the JAG Corps, he assembled an almost perfect winning record. Rhoad served as lead counsel in numerous felony cases involving complex fraud issues. As a civil litigation attorney, Rhoad was lead agency counsel for the Department of the Navy working with U.S. Attorney Offices throughout the country in the litigation and trial of healthcare-related cases brought under the Federal Tort Claims Act.

Since 2002, Rhoad has taught as an Adjunct Professor at The George Washington University Law School, where he also earned a LL.M., summa cum laude, in 1999. He received his J.D. from Vermont Law School in 1994 and B.A. from the University of Vermont in 1989.

About Nichols Liu

Nichols Liu LLP is a multidisciplinary boutique law firm dedicated to serving the needs of government contractors. Our unique advantage is our combination of premium expertise, modern approaches, and value-driven service. Nearly all of our professionals have experience working inside government agencies as well as representing Top 100 contractors and Fortune 100 companies. The firm is headquartered in the heart of Washington D.C. with national and international reach.