Spotlight on American Whistleblower Programs: Insights from the latest WOLEP Webinar

The webinar, which attracted a diverse and sizable audience, demonstrated the guests' keen interest in the topic and their commitment to professional development.

Mr. Marc Raspanti, a highly respected legal professional with almost four decades of experience, delivered an exceptional presentation on the complex field of whistleblowing law, alongside Ms. Brecht, a distinguished attorney specializing in whistleblowing and healthcare litigation.

The webinar commenced with an overview of the history of American Whistleblower Laws, tracing their origins back to the Middle Ages in England and their subsequent enactment in America during President Abraham Lincoln's term with the False Claims Act of 1863. The presentation emphasized the significance of the term "qui tam", which serves as a synonym for whistleblower, also known as a relator. The speakers also shed light on the robust anti-retaliation provisions of the FCA, revealing interesting details such as whistleblowers being able to pursue cases independently and potentially receiving substantial awards of 15% to 30% of the recovery, along with legal fees and costs.

Ms. Coyle Brecht shared intriguing insights during the presentation, mentioning that some whistleblowers choose not to disclose their status even to their spouses. In certain cases, the identity of whistleblowers remains unknown to the public. The webinar covered all the essential steps of an FCA Whistleblower Process, encompassing filing the complaint, federal investigation, enforcement and resolution, and the subsequent award.

The presentation concluded with a vibrant question-and-answer session, during which several members, including Mr. Kamil Bechta from Poland, shared insightful comparative perspectives. Both speakers expressed their hope that this presentation would serve as a foundation for productive collaborations with their WOLEP counterparts. This webinar marks a significant milestone in a series of WOLEP events in 2023 dedicated to fostering collaborations among members.

The WOLEP webinar on "A Practitioner's Guide to American Whistleblower Programs" provided invaluable insights into the complexities of whistleblowing law, highlighting the robustness of American laws and the potential for foreign participants to engage in such cases. The event's success and the active participation of members further emphasize our network's commitment to professional development and collaborative opportunities.

Care to be a speaker at a WOLEP Webinar and showcase your expertise to your peers on a topic relevant to your professional practice? Contact the WOLEP team now at office@wolep.com!

Are you a legal eagle with a passion for collaboration? Join forces with other legal professionals and elevate your practice to the next level. Don't wait, sign up now to WOLEP and connect with like-minded lawyers today. Register your account here.