Christian Sheehan represents clients across a range of industries with internal and government investigations and litigation. Christian focuses his practice on False Claims Act (FCA) defense, and has represented clients in high-stakes FCA matters involving government contracts and procurement, disaster recovery work, pharmaceutical pricing and sales, and the Anti-Kickback Statute (AKS). He has successfully represented clients at every phase of a FCA matter—from persuading the government not to intervene to winning at trial, and when necessary, winning on appeal. He has extensive experience helping clients navigate parallel administrative proceedings, including before the Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals. Christian also has significant experience litigating issues relating to attorney-client privilege and work product protection in the context of internal investigations.
Christian is an accomplished appellate advocate as well, and has presented oral argument before multiple federal courts of appeals in FCA and other matters. He also counsels clients on diverse and sensitive compliance issues.
Christian is the managing editor for the firm's Qui Notes blog, which publishes regularly on significant FCA and related legal developments. He also maintains an active pro bono practice.
Before entering private practice, Christian served as a law clerk for the Honorable D. Michael Fisher on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.
Experience
- AECOM in a years-long FCA investigation and subsequent litigation involving FEMA and Hurricane Katrina. Negotiated favorable settlement with DOJ.
- National architecture and engineering firm in connection with a FCA investigation by DOJ related to work at a facility in Hawaii.
- (E.D. Mich.)—Defended government contractor in FCA case brought by the government alleging violations of Truth in Negotiations Act in price negotiations and claiming damages of potentially upwards of $400 million that resulted in a cost of litigation settlement.
- (C.D. Ill.)—Successfully defended government contractor in FCA case brought by the government seeking damages of $150 million based on alleged fraud in connection with settlement of subcontractor's requests for equitable adjustment. Government voluntarily dismissed FCA claims with prejudice.
- (New York)—Successfully defended large government contractor and construction company in case under New York FCA related to alleged timekeeping fraud; won dismissal of all claims.
- (D. Md./4th Cir.)—Successfully defended pharmaceutical manufacturer in non-intervened qui tam related to pharmaceutical pricing; obtained dismissal in district court and affirmance on appeal.
- (D.S.C.)—Successfully defended government contractor in FCA retaliation suit; won summary judgment on all claims.
- (C.D. Ill.)—Successfully defended government contractor in intervened qui tam related to former employees' alleged acceptance of kickbacks from subcontractors; negotiated favorable settlement for fraction of government’s claimed damages.
- (C.D. Cal.)—Successfully defended pharmaceutical manufacturer in non-intervened qui tam asserting false price reporting and kickback claims; negotiated favorable settlement.
- (D.S.C.)—Defending government contractor in non-intervened qui tam related to logistics support contract for Afghanistan.
Perspectives
Recognition
Credentials
Education
- J.D., Boston College Law School, 2011, magna cum laude, Order of the Coif
- B.A., Communications, Legal Institutions, Economics, and Government, American University, 2007, magna cum laude
Admissions
- District of Columbia
- Pennsylvania
- Massachusetts
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit
- U.S. District Court, District of Columbia
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania
- U.S. District Court, Central District of Illinois
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan
- U.S. Court of Federal Claims
Clerkships
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, The Honorable D. Michael Fisher