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Christopher M. Denig

Partner

Washington +1 202 662 5325

  • About
  • Representative Matters
  • Credentials
  • About

    Chris Denig, who has been named by The American Lawyer as "Litigator of the Week" for his False Claims Act litigation work, represents major corporations, boards of directors, and senior executives in high stakes government enforcement matters, sensitive internal investigations, and complex False Claims Act investigations and litigation, as well as other litigation and compliance matters. Chris was co-lead counsel in U.S. ex rel. Polansky v. Executive Health Resources (EHR) an important False Claims Act case, successfully representing EHR in the EDPA, Third Circuit, and ultimately a win in the United States Supreme Court.  

    As a partner in the White Collar Defense and Investigations practice, Chris routinely represents clients before the U.S. Department of Justice, Securities & Exchange Commission, Congress, State Attorneys General, and other law enforcement and regulatory agencies. Chris has advised clients in the life sciences, financial services, defense, technology, Gaming, and manufacturing industries on a variety of white collar matters including those relating to corporate whistleblowers, cybersecurity, accounting fraud, insider trading, export controls, foreign bribery, government contracting, the Animal Welfare Act, and Clean Water Act.

    He regularly represents major pharmaceutical and medical device companies with issues relating to current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP), off-label promotion, kickbacks, Park issues, state consumer protection/unlawful trade practices issues, as well as False Claims Act and other civil litigation.

    Chris clerked for Judge Richard M. Berman of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. He earned his J.D. from Columbia Law School and B.A. from Swarthmore College.

    Areas of Expertise

  • Practices and Industries
  • Representative Matters

    Pharmaceutical Investigations

    • Regularly represents major pharmaceutical and medical device companies in DOJ and State Attorney General investigations regarding cGMP issues, off-label promotion, kickbacks, state consumer protection/unlawful trade practices investigations, and related FCA matters.
    • Counsel to Indivior, Inc. in criminal investigation in the WDVA.
    • Counsel to Johnson & Johnson and McNeil Consumer Healthcare in DOJ investigation, two congressional hearings, and recently concluded resolutions with state Attorneys General involving the recall of several over-the-counter medications.
    • Counsel to a medical device company in an unlawful trade practices investigation before a state AG.
    • Counsel to a major pharmaceutical company in its successful defense of a DOJ investigation concerning the promotion and marketing of a major drug resulting in a declination by DOJ and dismissal of a related FCA case.

    False Claims Act and Other Litigation

    • Co-lead counsel in complete defense win for UnitedHealth Group subsidiary in U.S. ex rel. Polansky v. Executive Health Resources (EDPA). Selected as "Litigator of the Week" by The AmLaw Litigation Daily for this victory.
    • Represented McKesson Corporation in challenge to the use of a medication in lethal injection death penalty proceedings, as reported in the New York Times.
    • Represented more than 50 defendants in United States ex rel. Taylor v. Gabelli, et al. (SDNY), a significant FCA case involving allegations of fraud against the Federal Communications Commission.

    SEC/Board Committee Matters   

    • Represented Audit Committee of a publicly-traded REIT in an internal investigation regarding accounting issues.
    • Represented Audit Committee of a natural foods company in an SEC investigation regarding inventory accounting issues.
    • Represented Special Litigation Committee of the Board of Hewlett-Packard Co. in shareholder derivative litigation arising out of the Board's response to leaks of confidential company information to the press.
    • Represented Audit Committee of one of the largest radio broadcasting companies in the United States in an SEC investigation of accounting practices relating to the dating of stock options.
    • Represented Special Committee of the Board of Tyco International, Ltd. regarding issues of corporate looting and accounting improprieties.
    • Represented Special Committee of the Board of Adelphia Communications Corp. regarding issues of corporate fraud being investigated by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Manhattan and the SEC.
    • Represented Special Committee of the Board of a major computer company to investigate issues raised in shareholder derivative demand letter relating to alleged insider trading.
    • Mr. Denig also represents companies before the NASDAQ Listing Qualifications Panel.

    Anti-Corruption, Foreign Trade Controls, and AKA Matters   

    • Regularly assists major companies in handling sensitive internal, whistleblower, and government anti-corruption investigations in Asia, South America, Africa, and Europe.
    • Assists major companies with internal investigations regarding foreign trade controls issues and making voluntary disclosures to the State Department.
    • Represented a major company in an AKA investigation by the DOJ, resulting in a declination.
    • Represented a large technology company in an OFAC investigation, resulting in a declination.

    Anti-Corruption Compliance, Training, and Due Diligence   

    • Counsels companies on compliance with the FCPA, UK Bribery Act, and other anti-corruption laws, designs anti-corruption compliance and training programs, and provides companies with due diligence advice during corporate transactions.

    Areas of Expertise

  • Credentials
    Education
    • Columbia Law School, J.D.
    • Swarthmore College, B.A.
    Bar Admissions
    • District of Columbia
    • New York
    Judicial Clerkship
    • Hon. Richard M. Berman, U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York
    Pro Bono
    • Has successfully led § 1983 actions against police and prosecutors in Louisiana arising out of wrongful convictions, Brady violations, and similar issues.
    • Successfully represented a putative class of deaf postal workers seeking sign language interpreters at safety and other important work meetings in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia and before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
    Accolades
    • Am Law Litigation Daily, "Litigators of the Week" (11/8/2019)
    • Washington DC Super Lawyer, Criminal Defense: White Collar (2013; 2017-2020)
    Memberships and Affiliations
    • The George Washington University Law School, Adjunct Professor of Law

    Areas of Expertise

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