Joel M. Androphy
Background
Joel M. Androphy is a member of the Texas, Colorado, New York and Washington D.C. Bar Associations and has been a partner in Berg & Androphy since 1985. Androphy began his career as a law clerk to The Honorable Norman W. Black, late Chief Judge, United States District Court, Southern District of Texas. A long-time participant in bar matters, Androphy was formerly a member of the Board of Directors of the State Bar of Texas, and an appointed member of the Texas Commission for Lawyer Discipline.
Joel Androphy has served as Program Directors for the American Bar Association’s National False Claims and Qui Tam Trial Institute from 2013 to the present. Joel has handled the jury selection, opening, and closing arguments. To learn more about Joel’s participation in the Workshop, and phases of the “Trial” please view an earlier False Claims Institute’s Program Brochure.
The firm of Berg & Androphy was awarded, in 2013 and 2014, the prestigious “Best Law Firms” Tier 1 Ranking for Multiple Practice Areas by U.S. News & World Report.
The prestigious “Best Law Firms” Tier 1 Ranking designation, awarded to the firm of Berg & Androphy by U.S News & World Report is given only to the best-of-the-best in the specified practice areas. Merit is based on an in-depth firm evaluation derived from actual client feedback and the high regard in which other firms practicing in the same areas communicated to U.S News.
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Joel and Sheryl Androphy are honored by Child Advocates at 2014 Pull For Kids Classic. Child Advocates, Inc. is a private, non-profit organization in Houston dedicated to breaking the cycle of child abuse through the court appointed special advocate system. They stand up for abused children who are lost in the system and guide them into safe environments where they can thrive.
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Learn More About Fundraiser Honoring Joel And Sheryl Androphy
In September 2009, the Houston Press named Joel Androphy the Best Civil Attorney in the 2009 Best of Houston® publication for the city of Houston, Texas. In October 2010, Joel was selected as one of the Top 75 Plantiffs’ Lawyers in the country. View a list of the top 75 plantiffs’ attorneys.
Civil Cases
Over the years, Androphy has tried dozens of white collar crime cases to verdict, but his practice has always included civil matters, including qui tam, banking, healthcare, government procurement, health insurance fraud, environmental violations, breach of contract, conspiracy, and personal injury.
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DynCorp International, LLC and Damco U.S.A., Inc. Pay $25.4M to End False Claims Act Suit Alleging Fraud Related to Military Contract
DynCorp International, LLC and Damco U.S.A., Inc. have agreed to pay $25.4 million to resolve a False Claims Act suit alleging that the companies submitted false claims for payment to the Department of Defense related to freight forwarding services provided in Afghanistan as part of the LOGCAP IV program. The settlement resolves a lawsuit against the companies filed in 2014 by two former employees of DynCorp on behalf of the federal government.
$20 MILLION FOR WHISTLEBLOWERS AND THE STATE OF TEXAS
Joel M. Androphy of the Berg & Androphy law firm, along with the State of Texas and fraud attorneys of other law firms, have reached settlements in Texas Medicaid Fraud Prevention Act litigation against AstraZeneca, which charged that AstraZeneca illegally marketed Crestor and profited from its alleged deception through reimbursement from Medicaid garnered by fraudulent activity.
$31 MILLION FOR WHISTLEBLOWER ATTORNEYS AND GOVERNMENT
Joel Androphy and David Berg, with Esdaile, Barrett, Jacobs & Mone, won a settlement with drug manufacturer, Organon USA Inc., in two qui tam actions in the U.S. District Courts in Massachusetts and in Texas. Organon agreed to settle allegations that it underpaid rebates to state Medicaid programs for several of its drugs, including Remeron, Remeron SolTab, NuvaRing, Mircette, Cyclessa and Desogen; in addition, it offered improper financial incentives to nursing home pharmacy companies to induce prescriptions of its drugs, Remeron and Remeron SolTab to Medicare patients. The settlement netted the clients and government approximately $31 million.
$21 MILLION FOR WHISTLEBLOWERS AND GOVERNMENT
Joel Androphy and David Berg won a settlement to end a False Claims Act case brought by medicare fraud whistleblowers alleging fraudulent Medicaid claims and kickbacks to healthcare providers that prescribed an antidepressant drug.
PHARMERICA PAYS $4.9M TO END FALSE CLAIMS ACT SUIT ALLEGING KICKBACKS AND MEDICAID FRAUD
PharMerica Corporation has agreed to pay $4.9 million to resolve a False Claims Act whistleblower lawsuit alleging that it took kickbacks from a drug maker to promote two antidepressants, according to Berg & Androphy.
$50 MILLION FOR WHISTLEBLOWERS AND GOVERNMENT
HOUSTON, TEXAS Sept. 6, 2017 /PRNewswire/ — Joel M. Androphy of the Berg & Androphy law firm, along with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and 50 state Medicaid healthcare programs plus the District of Columbia and the City of Chicago, have reached settlements in The False Claims Act (FCA) litigation against Novo Nordisk and their subsidiaries.
JOEL ANDROPHY WINS SETTLEMENT INVOLVING BEST PRICE VIOLATIONS NETTING THE GOVERNMENT AND WHISTLEBLOWER LAWYERS $119 MILLION
Joel Androphy won a settlement with King Pharmaceuticals in a qui tam action in United States District Court. The case involved the underpayment of Medicaid rebates, false claims, and best price violations. This settlement netted the client and government about $119 million.
$256 MILLION SETTLEMENT FOR QUI TAM ATTORNEYS
Joel Androphy of Berg & Androphy along with Esdaile, Barrett, Jacobs & Mone, represented Ryan Uehling, one of the whistleblowers in a government settlement with Millennium Laboratories, a case that involved multiple qui tam actions in the United States District Court in Massachusetts.
Bering Straits Technical Services, L.L.C. and Bering Straits Native Corporation have agreed to pay $2 million to settle civil charges involving alleged violations of the False Claims Act. The settlement was finalized April 26, 2016, without an admission of liability.
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Androphy has written more than 75 criminal law and qui tam litigation articles. Androphy has also written a book, entitled Federal False Claims Act and Qui Tam Litigation (Law Journal Press).
Criminal Cases
Androphy has represented many high-profile defendants.
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Androphy also has been successful in preventing indictments or obtaining dismissal of charges in the following types of cases:
- Securities fraud
- Mail and wire fraud
- Health care fraud / Medicare fraud
- Antitrust violations
- Perjury
- Environmental crimes
- Public corruption
- Governmental procurement
Over the years, Androphy has distinguished himself as a legal scholar. Certified in criminal law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, he has written a widely used 6-volume treatise, White Collar Crime (West Group), as a practical guide for both civil and criminal lawyers. Houston, Texas’ famed Richard Racehorse Haynes has hailed the work as a must-read for any lawyer desirous of adequately representing clients charged with white collar crimes.
Certification/Specialties
Criminal Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization
Federal Court Bar Admissions
U.S. District Court Southern District of Texas, 1979
U.S. Court of Appeals 5th Circuit, 1981
U.S. Court of Appeals 11th Circuit, 1981
U.S. Supreme Court, 1982
U.S. District Court Northern District of Texas, 1982
U.S. Court of Appeals 6th Circuit, 1984
U.S. District Court Western District of Texas, 1984
U.S. District Court Eastern District of Texas, 1985
U.S. Court of Appeals 9th Circuit, 2005
U.S. Court of Appeals 3rd Circuit, 2006
U.S. Court of Appeals 2nd Circuit, 2010
U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York, 2014
U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York, 2014
U.S. District Court of New Mexico, 2015
U.S. Court of Appeals, 1st Circuit, 2018
State Court Bar Admissions
Texas, 1978
Colorado, 1990
New York, 2008
Washington, D.C., 2011
Education
South Texas College of Law, Houston, Texas, 1978
J.D., Doctor of Jurisprudence
Clark University, Worcester, Massachusetts, 1975
B.A., Bachelor of Arts
Treatises
White Collar Crime: Civil and Criminal Practice Treatise
6 volumes with forms on CD ROM , West Group, 2012 (updated annually)
Federal False Claims Act & Qui Tam Litigation
Law Journal Press, 2010 (updated semi-annually)
Law Reviews
Whistleblower and Federal Qui Tam Litigation – Suing the Corporation for Fraud, 45 S. Tex.L.Rev. 23, 2004
Major News Publications
The Government’s Dirty Laundry: How Prosecutors Use Money Laundering Laws to Threaten Prison Time, Impose Fat Penalties, and Extract Pleas, Forbes, April 2008
Articles and Other Publications
- “Taking The Department Of Justice Out Of Qui Tam Cases Might Improve Enforcement Actions” May 30, 2021
- “Defense Contractor Misconduct and Government Procurement Fraud Take Center Stage in the Government’s Civil and Criminal Prosecutions”, Nov 2019
- “Lawful Search and Seizure Under the False Claims Act: A Zone of Safety in Preserving Evidence Fraud,” The Federal Lawyer, Dec. 2016
- “Georgia Taxpayer Protection False Claims Act,” www.hg.org, August 29, 2012
- “Indiana False Claims and Whistleblower Protection Act,” www.hg.org, August 29, 2012
- “Illinois Whistleblower Reward and Protection Act,” www.hg.org, August 10, 2012
- “Colorado Medical Assistance Act,” www.hg.org, July 20, 2012
- “Connecticut False Claims Act,” www.hg.org, July 20, 2012
- “Delaware False Claims and Reporting Act,” www.hg.org, July 20, 2012
- “Georgia False Medicaid Claims Act,” www.hg.org, July 20, 2012
- “Hawaii False Claims Act for False Claims to the State,” www.hg.org, July 20, 2012
- “The Intersection of the Dodd-Frank Act and the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act:
What All Practitioners, Whistleblowers, Defendants, and Corporations Need to Know,”
Vol. 59, The Advocate: Litigation Section of the State Bar of Texas, Summer 2012
www.hg.org, January 31, 2012 - “Defense Contractor Fraud,” www.hg.org, January 3, 2012
- “Prevailing Wage Laws and the False Claims Act,” www.hg.org, January 3, 2012
- “New York City False Claims Act,” www.hg.org, December 8, 2011
- “District of Columbia Procurement Reform Amendment Act,” www.hg.org, December 8, 2011
- “Gathering Evidence in Qui Tam Actions,” ALM: Medical Malpractice Law and Strategy, April 2012, www.hg.org, December 8, 2011 and CafePharma.com, November 18, 2011
- “California False Claims Act,” www.hg.org, September 22, 2011
- “Florida False Claims Act,” www.hg.org, September 22, 2011
- “False Claims Act Damages in Antikickback and Self-Referral Cases,” ABA, June 2011
- “Survey of Penalties and Damages in False Claims Act Cases,” www.hg.org, June 8, 2011
- “Survey of Damages in False Claims Act Retaliation Cases,” www.hg.org, June 8, 2011
- “False Claims Act Penalties,” www.hg.org, June 2, 2011
- “False Claims Act Damages,” www.hg.org, May 25, 2011
- “Best Value and the False Claims Act,” www.hg.org, October 19, 2010
- “Fraudulent Medical Billing and the False Claims Act,” www.hg.org, October 19, 2010
- “Pharmaceutical Best Price Obligations and the False Claims Act,” www.hg.org, October 19, 2010
- “Government Procurement Fraud and the False Claims Act,” www.hg.org, October 18, 2010
- “Defective Medical Devices and the False Claims Act,” www.hg.org, October 18, 2010
- “12 Step Guide For Successfully Handling Criminal Maritime Cases,” Maritime Advocate, December 2010
- “Honest Doctors Do Not Fear The Aggressive Pursuit of Health Care Fraud,” Westchester NY Guardian, May 2010
- “21 Rules Every Corporate Executive Should Know,” 70 Texas Bar Journal No. 6, June 2007
- “The Enron Finale: Justice Or Retribution,” 70 Texas Bar Journal No. 1, January 2007
- “The Perils of Off-Label Marketing,” Script Magazine, September 2005
- “The Modern-Day Government Informant: Corporations,” Texas Lawyer Executive Legal Adviser, July / August 2005
- “Whistleblower and Federal Qui Tam Litigation – Suing the Corporation for Fraud,” 36 False Claims Act & Qui Tam Quarterly Review 63, 2005
- “Federal Qui Tam: The Government’s Watchdog,” Vol. 42 Houston Lawyer 4, January / February 2005
- “The Modern-Day Government Informant: Corporations,” 20 Texas Lawyer No. 44, January 2005
- “Federal Criminal Appellate Update,” State Bar Appellate Advocate Quarterly, 1988-1996, 1998 – 2004
- “The Boutique Competitive Advantage,” 19 Texas Lawyer 33, October 2003
- “White Collar Crime Update,” 66 Texas Bar Journal No. 1, January 2003
- “Bringing Rogues to Justice: The Qui Tam Provisions of the False Claims Act,” 65 Texas Bar Journal No. 2, February 2002
- “Criminal Prosecutions of Trade Secret Theft: The Emergence of the Economic Espionage Act,” 38 The Houston LawyerNo. 1, July-August 2000
- “Beware of Trade Secret Thieves,” Business Law and Litigation Series, 15 Texas Lawyer No. 32, October 1999
- “General Corporate Criminal Liability,” American Corporate Counsel Association, January 1999
- “Federal Contempt of Court,” 61 Texas Bar Journal No. 1, January 1998
- “General Corporate Criminal Liability,” American Corporate Counsel Association, January 1999
- “General Corporate Criminal Liability,” Texas Bar Journal Vol. 60, No. 2, Feburary 1997
- “Health Care Fraud,” 33 Houston Lawyer No. 1, July-August 1995
- “Informers in Civil Cases: Keeping the Snitch a Secret,” 31 Houston Lawyer No. 5, March / April 1994
- “Crimes and Campaign Contributions,” 30 Houston Lawyer No. 6, June 1993
- “Environmental Crimes,” 29 Houston Lawyer No. 4, January 1992
- “Immunity,” 28 Houston Lawyer No. 4, January 1991
- “Money Laundering: The Money Laundering Crimes Act,” 28 Houston Lawyer No. 1, July / August 1990
- “Avoiding Criminal Exposure While Seeking Bankruptcy Relief,” 53 Texas Bar Journal No. 6, 1990
- “Mitigating Criminal Exposure In The Bankruptcy Court: The Debtor’s Perspective,” 44 Consumer Law Quarterly Report No. 4, 1990
- “Money Laundering: The Bank Secrecy Act,” 27 Houston Lawyer No. 6, May / June (cover article) 1990
- “Changes in Bank Fraud Statutes,” 27 Houston Lawyer No .4, January 1990
- “Mitigating A Client’s Criminal Exposure In The Bankruptcy Court,” 27 Houston Lawyer No.2, September 1989
- “Challenging Federal Grand Jury Investigations: What To Do With What is Left,“ 26 Houston Lawyer No. 5, April 1989
- “Imprisonment for Debt: Civil Debt Collection in the Criminal Courts,” 26 Houston Lawyer No. 2, September 1988
- “The Criminal Cloud Over S.E.C. Investigations of Insider Trading,” 25 Houston Lawyer No .5, April (cover article) 1988
- “Procedure Before Appellate Courts: A Comparative Overview of the Fifth Circuit and Texas Courts of Appeal,” 51 Texas Bar Journal No. 5, March 1988
- “Sentencing Under the New Federal Guidelines,” 25 Houston Lawyer No. 4, January 1988
- “Keeping Up With Changes in Bank Fraud Statutes”
By Joel M. Androphy – On August 9, 1989, President Bush signed into law the Financial Institutions Reform Recovery, and Enforcement Act - “What Corporate Counsel Needs to Know About Criminal Investigations and Prosecutions,” 50 Texas Bar Journal No. 9, October 1987
- “Whistleblower and Federal Qui Tam Litigation – Suing the Corporation for Fraud” (PDF)
By Joel Androphy and Mark Correro, 45 S. Tex. L. Rev. 23 (2004). - “Federal Criminal Appellate Update,” State Bar Appellate Advocate Quarterly, 1988-1996, 1998 – 2004
- “What the Civil Practitioner Needs to Know About RICO and Defense of White Collar Crime: How to Defend Civil and Criminal RICO Cases,” 50 Texas Bar Journal No .2, February 1987
- “What the Civil Practitioner Needs to Know About RICO and the Defense of White-Collar Crime: How to Help Your Client Avoid Indictment for White Collar Crimes, Particularly Under RICO; How to Attack Forfeiture of Property and Legal Fees,” 50 Texas Bar Journal No. 1, January 1987
- “The Comprehensive Crime Control Act of 1984,” 23 Houston Lawyer No. 4, April 1986
- “Commercial Racketeering: What the Civil Practitioner Needs to Know and Understand,” 22 Houston Lawyer No. 5, May (cover article) 1985
- “Structuring Transactions in Recessionary Times,” 46 Texas Bar Journal No. 9, October 1983
Presentations & Seminars
- National Italian American Bar Association – Conversations with Leaders in the Law, May 12, 2021
- “Effectively Resolving White Collar Criminal Matters,” Handling Your First (or Next) White Collar Crime Case TexasBar Seminar, Austin, Texas, April 10, 2019.
- “Qui Tam. The Growing Role of “Private Attorneys General” in EDTX Under the Federal False Claims Act. How Does the Qui Tam Statute Work?” Panelist at Eastern District of Texas 2018 Bench Bar Conference, Plano, Texas October 17-19, 2018.
- “Choice of Venue: What Circuits and District Courts the Relators and Defense Favor and Those They Try to Avoid,” Panelist at Life Sciences & Healthcare Qui Tam and False Claims Summit, New York, NY, May 22, 2018.
- “Navigating Ethical Issues in False Claims Litigation,” 5th Advanced Forum on False Claims and Qui Tam Enforcement, January 29, 2018
- “Lawful Search and Seizure Under the False Claims Act: A Zone of Safety in Preserving Evidence Fraud,” The Federal Lawyer, December 2016
- “Evaluating Potential False Claims Act Cases.” Federal Litigation and Qui Tam Conference, Washington, D.C., October 18, 2016.
- Joel Androphy is pleased to be a presenter at the Medical Device Law: Compliance Issues, Best Practice & Trends on October 15-16, 2015 in Washington D.C . Mr. Androphy will lead a discussion on Regulatory Risk Management and Mitigation. Along with David L. Douglass, John Reed Thomas, Jr., and Jennifer Short, Mr. Androphy will host a practice discussion of approaches to manage, assess and mitigate medical device regulatory risk and associated FCA/qui tam exposure with emphasis on ethical considerations. Click here to learn more about this upcoming event: http://shop.americanbar.org/PersonifyImages/ProductFiles/203587083/CE1510MDM%20Final%20Print%20Brochure.pdf
- “Board of Directors: Outside Counsel Report,” Panelist at ABA Medical Device & Legal Professionals: A Collaborative Exchange, Washington, D.C. December 12, 2014
- “Inside the Defense of the O’Shea Prosecution: What Recent Cases Reveal About the Future of FCPA Enforcement.” Guest Speaker at Corporate Compliance Summit: FCPA 2014: Trends, Tips and Technology for More Defensible Compliance, Houston, Texas, November 5, 2013. More Information, Press Release and Agenda.
- Served as Program Director for the ABA’s National False Claims and Qui Tam Trial Institute in Washington DC, from June 5-7, 2013.
- “National Whistleblower Litigation: Qui Tam, False Claims Act, Dodd-Frank and Tax Cases,” by Joel Androphy. 4 Video Collection. Watch Now.
- “Inside the Defense of the Lindsey Manufacturing, Africa Sting, and O’Shea Prosecutions: What Recent Cases Reveal About the Future of FCPA Enforcement Against Individuals,” 28th National Conference on the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, November 15, 2012
- KPMG Anti-Bribery and Corruption Share Forum, Houston, Texas, June 25, 2012
- “The Whistleblowers Among Us: The Implications of the Dodd-Frank Act and Other Government Whistleblower Programs,” ABA National Institute on Internal Corporate Investigations and Forum for In-House Counsel, May 18, 2012
- “The Trial of a Health Care Fraud Case: Trial Practice Demonstration,” ABA National Institute on Health Care Fraud, May 11, 2012
- “Quality of Care: The New Frontier of Health Care Fraud Enforcement,” ABA Webinar, May 3, 2012
- “Parlez-vous Kickback? – The Application of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act to the Healthcare Arena,” ABA 13th Annual Conference on Emerging Issues in Healthcare Law, San Diego, February 22, 2012
- “The Trial of a Foreign Corrupt Practices Case,” Houston Bar Association Securities Law Section, February 14, 2012
- “Current Legal Events,” North Shore Rotary Club, December 9, 2010
- “How Will Investigations and Lawsuits Arising Under the Qui Tam Provisions of the False Claims Act Affect You and Your Company,” ABA 11th Annual Conference on Emerging Issues in Healthcare Law, February 18, 2010
- “Qui Tam Prosecutions,” United States Attorney’s Office, Southern District of Texas, Federal Prosecutors’ Seminar, September 22, 2009
- “Qui Tam Claims: The Whistleblower Employee Teaming up with the Federal Government,” South Texas College of Law, July 17, 2009 (materials only)
- “Qui Tam Practice, Emerging Trends in Litigation,” State Bar of Texas, Padre Island, May 1, 2009
- “National Pharma AudioConference: Lessons of Eli Lilly’s $1.4 Billion Off Label Zyprexa Settlement,” March 24, 2009
- “Trends in White Collar Crime,” Houston Commercial Finance Lawyer’s Forum, March 3, 2009
- “Preventing White Collar Prosecutions: Lost Opportunities,” International Association of Defense Counsel Midyear Meeting, February 18, 2009
- “Real Estate Crimes,” Houston Bar Association, January 21, 2009
- “Battling Health Care Fraud: Criminal and Civil Perspectives,” West Webinar, December 18, 2008
- “False Claims Act and Qui Tam Litigation,” Commercial Litigation Program, Texas Trial Lawyers Association, Austin, December 3, 2008
- “Prosecuting and Defending Qui Tam Cases Under the False Claims Act: What it Takes to be Successful,” Law Journal Newsletters and Webinar, November 11, 2008
- “Handling State and Federal White Collar Cases including Mail Fraud,” University of Houston, September 18, 2008
- “A Conversation with the Judges,” Moderator, White Collar Practice for the Business Lawyer and In-House Counsel, South Texas College of Law, July 31, 2008
- “Qui Tam Lawsuits and Whistleblowers,” White Collar Practice for the Business Lawyer and In-House Counsel, South Texas College of Law, July 31, 2008
- “White Collar Crime and Qui Tam Cases,” State Bar of Texas, In House Counsel Course, July 24, 2008
- “White Collar Crime and Qui Tam Cases,” International Association of Defense Counsel, Greenbriar, July 5, 2008
- “White Collar Crime and Qui Tam Cases,” State Bar Annual Meeting, June 27, 2008
- “White Collar Crime and Qui Tam Litigation,” Federal Bar Association, May 15, 2008
- “What Corporations and Executives Need to Know About White Collar Criminal Investigations,” Houston Bar Association, April 10, 2008
- “What Corporations and Executives Need to Know About White Collar Criminal Investigations,” Eleventh Annual Meeting of the Bar Association of United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, October 25, 2007
- “What Corporations and Executives Need to Know About White Collar Criminal Investigations,” The Houston Chapter of RIMS Fall Conference, October 19, 2007
- “What Civil Lawyers and Corporate Counsel Need To Know About White Collar Crime,” International Association of Defense Counsel Midyear Meeting, February 20, 2007
- “Off-Label Promotion,” Food and Drug Law Institute’s Fifth Annual Enforcement and Litigation Conference, February 5, 2007
- “Off -Label Qui Tam Lawsuits: How to Avoid Them and What to Do if You Get Sued,” Fifth Annual Off-Label Usage Conference, Pharmaceutical Education Associates, September 20 – 21, 2006 (Chair of the Seminar and Moderator on several panels)
- “The Woman’s Role in the Investigation of Enron,” Houston Woman’s Political Forum, April 3, 2006
- “Sentencing Issues,” University of Houston Law School, Houston, February 17, 2006
- “Transitions of the Past – Lawyers and Firms that have Survived and Thrived During Past Transitions,” State Bar of Texas, Houston, February 2, 2006
- “Conflicts Between Civil and Criminal Investigations,” Mealey’s Environmental Litigation Conference, April 18, 2005
- “White Collar Crime,” University of Houston Law School, April 7, 2005
- “Bankruptcy Litigation: Advanced Pre-Trial Practice and Procedure Workshop,” University of Texas CLE, January. 20, 2005
- “What Pharmaceutical Companies Need to Know About Preventing and Dealing with Qui Tam Cases: Kickbacks, Off-Label Marketing Violations, and Other Crimes,” Pharmaceutical Education Associates, September 21, 2004, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- “White Collar Crime: What to do When the Government Comes Knocking,” University of Houston – Corporate, Partnership and Business Law, June 10, and 17, 2004, Dallas and Houston, Texas
- “White Collar Crime,” University of Houston Law School, March 30, 2004
- “White Collar Crime/Qui Tam for Health Care Facilities,” Houston Bar Association, Health Care Section, Houston, January 14, 2004
- “Whistleblower and Qui Tam Litigation, Advanced In-House Counsel Course,” State Bar of Texas, San Antonio, Texas, August 14, 2003
- “Qui Tam Litigation, Fraud and False Claims,” American Health Lawyer’s Association, San Antonio, Texas, July 1, 2003
- “White Collar Crime: What You Should Know if the Government Comes Knocking,” Corporate, Partnership, and Business Law Seminar, University of Houston, Houston, Texas, June 19, 2003, Dallas, Texas, June 26, 2003
- “Whistleblower and Qui tam Litigation: Suing the Corporation for Fraud,” White Collar Crime Conference, State Bar of Texas Annual Meeting, June 13, 2003, Houston, Texas
- “Discovery and Strategies in Accounting Fraud and Corporate Malfeasance,” State Bar of Texas, Dallas, March 3, Houston, May 2, and San Antonio, May 23, 2003
- “Criminalization of Corporate Conduct – Do Gucci’s Go with an Orange Jumpsuit,” Texas General Counsel Forum, April 23, 2003, Houston, Texas
- “Whistleblower and Qui tam Litigation: Suing the Corporation for Fraud,” Business Crimes and Civil Responsibility, South Texas College of Law, April 11, 2003, Houston, Texas
- “Are You Working for Free? Payment of Attorney Fees For Criminal Counsel When in Bankruptcy,” Bankruptcy Law Conference, South Texas College of Law, April 10, 2003, Houston, Texas
- “Criminal Liability for Corporations, Executives, and Employees: Strategies, Prevention, Responsibility, Mitigation, and Consequences,” American Corporate Counsel Association, January 10, 2003, San Antonio, Texas
- “Lifting the Veil of Sarbanes-Oxley,” NASDAQ sponsored program along with Jackson Walker and PricewaterhouseCoopers, December 5, Houston, Texas, December 6, Dallas, Texas
- “Business Crimes in Civil Litigation: Issues in Parallel Proceedings,” Litigation and Trial Tactics, University of Houston Law Center, November 22, 2002, Dallas, Texas, December 6, 2002, Houston, Texas
- “Qui Tam Litigation,” Pharmaceutical Regulatory and Compliance Congress and Best Practices Forum, November 15, 2002, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- “Qui Tam Litigation – Suing the corporation, a Whistleblower’s Jackpot,” White Collar Crime for the Civil Practitioner, State Bar of Texas, November 14 – 15, 2002
- “Criminal Liability for Corporations, Executives, and Employees: Strategies, Prevention, Responsibility, Mitigation, and Consequences, Advanced In-House Counsel Course,” State Bar of Texas, July 27, 2002
- “White Collar Crime and Enron,” University of Houston Law Center, February 2002
- “Environmental Prosecution and Defense in Texas and Louisiana,” American Bar Association, Houston, Texas, January 1, 2001
- “White Collar Crime Update,” Federal Practice Seminar, Federal Bar Association, Houston, Texas, September 14, 2000
- “Handling Fraud Investigations,” Certified Fraud Examiners, Houston, Texas, September 12, 2000
- “Handling Grand Jury Subpoenas, Search Warrants and Law Enforcement Agents,” South Texas College of Law White Collar Crime Conference: Business Crimes in State and Federal Court,” South Texas College of Law, May 11, 2000
- “Presentation of the Case: Plaintiff’s Perspective,” The University of Houston Law Foundation, Advanced Civil Litigation Under the New Rules, Dallas, April 2000
- “Admiralty and Maritime Conference at Royston, Razor, Vickery & Williams: Handling Subpoenas, Search Warrants, and Interrogations,” October 16, 1999
- “Admiralty and Maritime Law Conference: Recognizing and Defending Against Criminal Liability,” The University of Texas at Austin, Houston, Texas, September 17, 1999
- “White Collar Crime: What Every Business Lawyer Needs to Know,” University of Houston Dallas, Texas, August 6, 1999
- “White Collar Crime,” American Corporate Counsel Association, Houston, Texas, May 11, 1999
- “White Collar Red Flags: What Every Civil Lawyer and Corporate Counsel Should Know,” White Collar Crime Conference, South Texas College of Law Affiliated with Texas A & M University, May 6-7, 1999
- “So You Want To Be a Judge,” Texas Women Lawyers Seminar, Houston, Texas, March 26, 1999
- “Criminal Exposure for Executives,” BDO Seidman Executive Series of Seminars, March 1999
- “Inside Story: Great Texas Trial Lawyers Tell Their Secrets, Trying the High-Profile Case,” Houston Bar Association, January 15, 1999
- “Barratry,” Texas District & County Attorneys Association, Elected Prosecutor Conference, Laredo, Texas, December 3, 1998
- “Closing Arguments,” State Bar of Texas 21st Annual Advanced Civil Trial Course, Dallas, Texas, September 4, 1998
- “Grand Jury,” Advanced Criminal Law Seminar, Legal Assistants Division, State Bar of Texas, Houston, Texas, May 15, 1998 (article only)
- “What Every Civil Lawyer and Corporate Counsel Should Know Representing Individuals,” White Collar Crime Conference, South Texas College of Law Houston, Texas, April 24, 1998
- “Legislative Update Institute,” Criminal Law, Houston Bar Association, September 5, 1997
- “Harris County Criminal Lawyers’ Association Defender Advocacy Workshop,” Opening Statement and Jury Argument, Houston, Texas, April 2, 1997
- “White Collar Crime,” Houston FBI Legal Conference, Houston, Texas, March 26, 1997
- “Corporate Criminal Liability,” Advanced Business Litigation Seminar, University of Houston Law Foundation, Houston, Texas, April 25, 1996; and San Antonio, Texas, May 2, 1996
- “Criminal Law Issues & Civil Litigation,” Mainland Bar Association, League City Merchant’s Bank, League City, Texas, April 26, 1996
- “Ethics and Maritime Law: Criminal Law Aspects,” State Bar of Texas Admiralty and Maritime Law Course, League City, Texas, March 14 – 15, 1996
- “Criminal Law Issues in Civil Litigation,” State Bar of Texas 18th Annual Advanced Civil Trial Course, Houston, September 1, 1995; Dallas, September 29, 1995; and Austin, Texas, October 13, 1995
- “Defending Federal White Collar Crimes,” Federal Public Defender Tenth Annual Staff Conference and Seminar, Houston, Texas, August 25, 1995
- “Representing a White Collar Client,” Houston FBI Legal Conference, Houston, Texas, February 24, 1995
- “White Collar Crime,” Houston Bar Association, Continuing Legal Education, Houston, Texas, February 17, 1995
- “Public Corruption,” Houston FBI Conference, Houston, Texas, January 11, 1995
- “Parallel Civil and Criminal Proceedings,” Northeast Harris County Bar Association, November 17, 1994
- “Advanced Evidence and Discovery,” Seminar State Bar of Texas, Houston, Texas, November 11, 1994; and South Padre Island, Texas, October 28, 1994
- “Aids and the Law,” Houston Bar Association, HIV/AIDS Round Table Seminar, Houston, Texas, April 16, 1994
- “Ethical Considerations in Preparing for and Defending a Criminal Antitrust Case,” Houston Bar Association, Houston, Texas, April 26, 1994
- “Grand Jury and Indictments,” Advanced Criminal Law Short Course, University of Houston Law Foundation, Dallas, Texas, October 1993
- “Bank Fraud,” Advanced Criminal Law Seminar, San Antonio, Texas, July 1993
- “Criminal Law Issues in Bankruptcy: Mitigating Criminal Exposure in Bankruptcy Court,” Eleventh Annual Advanced Business Bankruptcy Course, State Bar of Texas, May 1993
- “Criminal Aspects of Discharge Ability Proceedings,” State Bar of Texas Advanced Bankruptcy Seminar, Houston, Texas, May 1993
- “Grand Jury and Indictments,” University of Houston, Houston, Texas, November 1992
- “Federal Motions,” Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association, Houston, Texas, October 1992
- “Criminal Law Issues in Civil Litigation,” Advanced Civil Law Seminar, State Bar of Texas, San Antonio, Texas, September 1992; and Dallas, Texas, September 1992
- “Parallel Civil and Criminal Litigation,” Advanced Criminal Law Seminar, State Bar of Texas, Houston, Texas, July 1992
- “White Collar Crime and Money Laundering,” Advanced Criminal Law Seminar, Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, Cayman Islands, June 1992
- “White Collar Crime: Money Laundering,” Attorney General’s Advocacy Institute, Houston, Texas, March 1992
- “Frayed-Collar Crime: Financial Fraud,” Advanced Criminal Law Seminars, January 1991
- “Houston Bankruptcy Conference: Mitigating A Client’s Criminal Exposure In The Bankruptcy Court,” Texas State Bar Committee on Minimum Continuing Legal Education, November 1990
- “Advanced Consumer Bankruptcy: Working With Criminal Counsel,” State Bar of Texas, September 1990
- “Bankruptcy Crimes,” Houston Bar Association, Houston, Texas, April 1990
- “Civil and Criminal Forfeitures Under Federal and State Law: New Developments,” Texas Young Lawyers Association, June 1990
- “Advanced Creditor Rights: 5th Amendment,” State Bar of Texas, April 1990
- “Mitigating Criminal Exposure In Bankruptcy Proceedings,” Federal Bar Association, 1989
- “The Grand Jury and Your Client,” Houston Bar Association, Continuing Legal Education Seminar, May 1989
- “Ethics in Criminal Law,” American Inns of Court, South Texas College of Law, March 1989
- “Criminal Law Institute,” Program Co-Chairman, Houston Bar Association, 1987 – 1989
- “White Collar Crimes,” South Texas College of Law, Criminal Law institute, November / December 1988, Dallas and Houston
- “Criminal Law and RICO Issues in a Banking Context,” 11th Annual Banking Law Institute, Texas Tech University, April 1988, General Chairman of Federal Practice Institute, Federal Bar Association: How To Prepare For Civil Litigation, How To Deal With Federal Agencies, How to Defend a Criminal Case, June 1987
- “Civil RICO,” Federal Bar Association, Houston Chapter, Federal Practice Institute, Professional Development Program, June 1987
- “What the Civil Practitioner Needs to Know About White Collar Crime,” Houston Bar Association, Continuing Legal Education Seminar, December 1986
- “Pre-Trial Motion Practice-Injunctions/Extraordinary Relief,” State Bar of Texas, Litigation Section, Professional Development Program, April 1983
Honors and Awards
- Harris County Bench Bar Pro Bono Award, 2017 Small Firm Winner
- Awarded “Best Law Firms” Tier 1 Ranking for Multiple Practice Areas by U.S. News & World Report’s Best Lawyers, 2017-2019
- The National Trial Lawyers, Top 100 Trial Lawyers, Criminal Defense, 2014
- Top 100 Houston, Texas Lawyers, Super Lawyers®, 2004-2007 & 2010-2014
- Top 100 Texas Lawyers, Super Lawyers®, 2006 & 2014
- Houston Press’ Best Civil Attorney in the Best of Houston® publication, 2009
- Distinguished Alumnus of the Year, 2002
- Best Lawyers in America
- Outstanding Legal Article, Houston Lawyer, 1985, 1996, 2006
- President’s Award, Outstanding Service to Houston Bar Association as Editor of the Houston Lawyer, 1990
- President’s Award, Outstanding Service to the Houston Bar Association as Chairman of the Houston Volunteer Lawyers Program, 1994
- President’s Citation, Outstanding Service to the State Bar as Chair/Editor of the Texas Bar Journal, 2001
- Recognized for years as an AV Preeminent Peer Rated Attorney
Professional Associations and Memberships
ABA False Claims and Qui Tam Institute in Miami
Co-Chair, 2015 – current
American Bar Association
Chair, Health Law Section, Fraud and Compliance, 2013 – current
Commission for Lawyer Discipline, 2001 – 2004
U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals
Host Committee, 55th Judicial Conference
U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals
Merit Selection Committee for Public Defender, 1993
United States District Court
Merit Selection Committee for U.S. Magistrates, 1989, 1992, 1997
Houston Bar Association
Editor, Houston Lawyer, 1988 – 1990
Houston Bar Association
Chair, Continuing Legal Education Committee, 1992 – 1993
Houston Bar Association
Officer, Director, 1989 – 1996
Texas Young Lawyers Association
Chairman, Criminal Law Section, 1989 – 1990
Federal Bar Association
President, Houston Chapter, 1986 – 1987
South Texas College of Law
Adjunct Professor, White Collar Crime, 1998 – 1999
Houston Volunteer Lawyer Program
Chairman, 1993 – 1994
University of Houston Law Center
Adjunct Professor, 1994 – 1996, 2012
State Bar of Texas
Board of Directors, District 4, Place 6, 1997 – 2000