When brave individuals choose to speak out, they should be praised for their courage. However, whistleblowers put themselves at great personal risk when they expose corporate wrongdoing. The whistleblower attorneys at Herman Nelson LLP are honored to fight for justice and to help whistleblowers achieve maximum recovery and qui tam awards.
Although employees shouldn’t have to fear reprisal to report illegal conduct, that’s exactly what happens when wrongdoing is reported. Fortunately, laws and policies exist to protect, and even reward, whistleblowers for their bravery.
However, it’s critical that whistleblowers retain the counsel of experienced whistleblower attorneys who can develop a strategic game plan to avoid any potential fallout or risk.
The legal team at Herman Jones LLP has represented clients in high-profile, high-stakes cases. Our relentless commitment to justice on behalf of our clients and experience with confidential, sensitive matters makes us the ideal representation for whistleblowers who have taken the courageous step of exposing criminal or unethical activity.
To schedule a free, confidential evaluation for your whistleblower lawsuit, call our team at 404.504.6500 or send us a message online. We look forward to assisting you with your case.
What is a whistleblower?
Whistleblowers inform government agencies or other regulatory bodies on people or organizations engaged in illegal activity. Typically, whistleblowers have either witnessed the wrongdoing or have strong evidence that illegal activity has taken place.
Illegal, unethical, or harmful activity can occur in any sector and at any level of an organization or company. Reporting these actions can be especially difficult when the perpetrator is a high-level executive or officer of a company.
Whistleblowers have exposed fraud in all industries over the years. Some common criminal activities that have been brought to light thanks to whistleblowers include:
SEC Violations:
- Accounting fraud
- Insider trading
- Foreign bribery and other FCPA violations
- Investment fraud
- Hedge fund fraud
- Investment adviser fraud
- Financial statement inflation
- Violations against shareholders
Defense Contractor Fraud
- Fraud in government contracting or procurement
- Billing fraud
- Defective parts and machinery
IRS Tax Fraud
- IRS and tax fraud, evasion, and underpayment
- Offshore tax havens
- Shell accounts
- Money laundering
- False reporting
- False payroll tax returns
- Failure to pay payroll taxes
- Fraudulently claiming tax-exempt status
- Medicare or Medicaid fraud
Environmental Crime and Violations
- Illegal logging
- Illegal trafficking of wildlife or plants
- Ocean pollution
- Illegal discharge of oil
- Poaching
What protections do whistleblowers have?
Fortunately for whistleblowers, several regulations and laws exist to provide protection for those reporting violations and misconduct. If you are considering blowing the whistle, we strongly urge you to reach out to one of our leading whistleblower attorneys now. Consulting with our legal team can clarify what protections exist and if they apply to your case.
Sarbanes-Oxley Act
The Sarbanes-Oxley Act covers reporting violations of mail fraud, wire fraud, bank fraud, securities fraud, or any related SEC regulation violations.
Title 18 U.S.C. 1514 provides strong protection against employer retaliation for corporate whistleblowers who provide information to covered federal agencies or employers.
Retaliation can include:
- Firing or laying off
- Demotion
- Withholding overtime requests
- Withholding promotions
- Denial of benefits
- Intimidation
- Harassment
- Threats
- Reduction of pay or hours
- Creating a hostile work environment
- Blacklisting
- False reports of poor performance or workplace infractions
Due to the potentially long-lasting effects of retaliation, such as career delay or loss of income, SOX whistleblowers can obtain substantial qui tam recovery.
The Sarbanes-Oxley whistleblower attorneys at Herman Jones LLP represent clients in high-profile whistleblower cases and fight aggressively for relief. Remedies can include:
- Lost wages or benefits
- Front pay
- Special damages for other injuries
False Claims Act
Under 31 U.S.C. §§ 3729 – 3733, the False Claims Act provides protections for employees of federal government contractors who expose fraud against the government. Thanks to the help of courageous whistleblowers, the U.S. government has recovered over $30 billion. False Claims Act whistleblowers themselves have been awarded hundreds of millions of dollars in rewards.
While False Claims Act whistleblowers are eligible for large awards for their service, it’s a complicated maze to avoid potential pitfalls and to prove liability. False Claims Act whistleblower attorneys at Herman Jones LLP will put together a strategy to obtain the best possible outcome for your situation and achieve the maximum reward.
Herman Jones LLP Stands Up to Corporate Fraud
The legal team at Herman Jones LLP knows that no business is too big to stand up against. Every business, no matter the industry, needs to be held accountable for following the law. We’ll aggressively defend whistleblowers’ right to expose criminal activity and wrongdoing. Our whistleblower attorneys will fight for you and help you avoid retaliation.
Whether it’s in a settlement or court, we’re not afraid to stand up to corporate fraud. Our trial experience makes us ready to fight on your behalf and that of future whistleblowers.
Herman Jones LLP’s Promise to You
- We will analyze your whistleblowing case from every angle and find the right solution for you.
- We bring a strong trial background and a team of expert litigators into all of our whistleblowing cases.
- We will help you get the best results possible for you.
- We will aggressively fight for justice on your behalf.
Work with a Nationally Leading Whistleblower Attorney
Herman Jones LLP is here to help you with your whistleblower case. If you have yet to blow the whistle, we urge you to schedule a free evaluation with one of our attorneys to learn more about what protections may exist. Or, if you’re ready to pursue legal action immediately, we can help you choose the right path for your case.
We will use our deep experience and success in whistleblower cases to win justice for you and prevent future retaliation.
Schedule your contact us for a review of your case today by calling 404.504.6500 or send us a message now. We look forward to hearing from you.
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In re Orbital ATK, Inc., et al., Civil Action No. 1:16-cv-01031-TSE (E.D.Va.). One of the lead counsel in a securities class action before Judge Ellis in the U.S.D.C. for the Eastern District of Virginia in a case that was recently settled for $108 million after the close of discovery.
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Herman Jones LLP attorneys successfully negotiate over $150 million in patent licenses for client SIPCO and IPCO on their mesh network IOT technology
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$60 million awarded to Community Health in derivative case in the Middle District of Tennessee
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$9 million award to Herman Jones LLP in settlement of patent licensing dispute in Fulton County Superior Court.
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$87.5 million awarded to the shareholders of Southern Company in securities fraud action in the Northern District of Georgia
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Herman Jones attorneys successfully enforce the patented fiber optic acoustic sensor technology of client Adelos in the District of Montana
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Herman Jones LLP attorneys reach landmark corporate governance for shareholders of Home Depot in shareholder derivative action