Wiggin and Dana Launches False Claims Act Defense and Compliance Practice Group

NEW HAVEN, Conn., June 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Wiggin and Dana is pleased to announce the launch of its new False Claims Act (FCA) Defense and Compliance Practice Group, created in response to a significant rise in FCA investigations and litigation. This new group unites the firm's extensive experience on both sides of FCA matters—defense and prosecution—offering clients a comprehensive and strategic approach to navigating today's heightened enforcement landscape.

The formation of this group comes amid increased federal scrutiny, including the Department of Justice's (DOJ) recent commitment to pursuing FCA cases tied to civil rights violations in federally funded programs. DOJ has encouraged private whistleblowers to bring similar suits, further amplifying the risk for federal contractors and grantees.

The FCA Defense and Compliance Practice Group is composed of a powerhouse team of former high-level federal criminal and civil prosecutors and seasoned defense attorneys with deep expertise across healthcare enforcement, national security, higher education, financial services, and complex regulatory matters. The group provides strategic counsel on FCA investigations, qui tam defense, compliance programs, and internal audits.

The team is led by former federal prosecutors with meaningful experience in FCA enforcement, litigation, and compliance. Collectively, they bring a wealth of knowledge from senior roles across DOJ, including leadership in healthcare fraud, national security, and export control enforcement. Their backgrounds include overseeing major investigations involving pharmaceutical companies, hospital systems, and healthcare providers, as well as advising on matters related to national security and regulatory compliance.  Our practice leaders have distinguished careers in private practice, defending clients in FCA, FCPA, and other complex regulatory matters. The group also includes attorneys with significant experience in civil litigation, including the defense of FCA claims involving financial institutions, higher education, and other research institutes.

"DOJ has made clear its intent to ramp up new kinds of FCA claims against federal grantees and contractors in areas like civil rights and cybersecurity. Tariff and custom compliance will also increase FCA scrutiny on importing companies," said Jolie Apicella. "We've built a team that understands how these cases are developed and how to help clients respond strategically."

Visit Wiggin and Dana’s False Claims Act Defense and Compliance Practice Group webpage to learn more.

About Wiggin and Dana

Wiggin and Dana is a full-service law firm of highly talented, creative and experienced lawyers dedicated to exceeding our clients’ expectations every day. With offices in Boston, Connecticut, New York, Philadelphia, Washington, DC and Florida, we represent clients throughout the United States and globally on a wide range of sophisticated and complex matters. From defending a Fortune 500 institution in “bet-the-company” litigation, to helping the next generation of inventors bring new technologies to market, to preserving the wealth that a family business has worked so hard to create, we pride ourselves in offering value-driven solutions and results. 

SOURCE Wiggin and Dana LLP