Firm’s Managing Principal Takes Responsibility for Driving Results for Clients under False Claims Act, Dodd-Frank, Other Laws
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WASHINGTON, D.C. (October 1, 2018) — The Employment Law Group® law firm today redoubled its commitment to obtain rewards for whistleblowers who uncover fraud, naming its managing principal, R. Scott Oswald, to lead the firm’s growing rewards practice.
“Scott already is deeply involved in all of our individual cases — and his direction of the firm already reaches deep into every practice,” said Nicholas Woodfield, principal and general counsel of The Employment Law Group. “But now he has shouldered the specific responsibility of driving our rewards results. I can’t imagine a clearer sign that we’re determined to excel in this area.”
Mr. Oswald, a seasoned trial lawyer, is well-established as a champion for whistleblowers; he is quoted frequently by media outlets such as The Washington Post and The Wall Street Journal. Newly installed as chair of the Qui Tam Section of the Federal Bar Association, he will be convening the country’s top False Claims Act (FCA) lawyers and prosecutors for a high-profile conference in February 2019.
OswaldThe FCA is the most prominent federal rewards statute; it forbids deceiving the U.S. government for financial gain. It includes a “qui tam” provision that allows whistleblowers to file a legal complaint on behalf of taxpayers — and, if they prevail, to claim a share of the proceeds.
Mr. Oswald has represented whistleblowers in numerous qui tam and other whistleblower lawsuits, leading to settlements that so far have returned more than $190 million to the U.S. government — not counting the pending settlement in a case filed by The Employment Law Group, which is expected to increase the total by at least $150 million.
In addition to his pursuit of FCA cases, Mr. Oswald will continue to increase the firm’s representation of whistleblowers who claim rewards under the Dodd-Frank Act, the IRS Whistleblower statute, and other federal and state rewards laws.
He will continue to represent employee plaintiffs in other matters, too, particularly at trial.
Mr. Oswald will be backed by the full resources of The Employment Law Group — and by the dedicated efforts of Janel Quinn, an associate of the firm with substantial experience in rewards cases.
David L. Scher, a principal of the firm who also worked on rewards cases, will leave The Employment Law Group to pursue other opportunities. Prior to his departure, which is effective today, Mr. Scher spent several weeks helping Mr. Oswald and Ms. Quinn to manage the transition.
“Dave may no longer be our partner, but he remains our friend,” said Mr. Woodfield. “We wish him the best on his new path.”
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About The Employment Law Group
The Employment Law Group® law firm represents whistleblowers and other employees who stand up to wrongdoing in the workplace. Based in Washington, D.C., the firm takes cases nationwide.
