Sheppard Mullin Washington, D.C. Expands Government Contracts and Investigations Practice With Litigation Partner Robert Rhoad

WASHINGTON, DC--(Marketwired - August 09, 2016) - Robert T. "Bob" Rhoad has joined Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP as a partner in the Government Contracts, Investigations & International Trade practice group and as a member of the Healthcare Team, based in the firm's the Washington, D.C. office. Rhoad joins from Crowell & Moring LLP where he co-led the firm's Government Procurement Fraud/False Claims Act and Health Care Litigation Teams.

Rhoad represents government contractors, healthcare clients and entities/individuals in other industries (e.g., financial services, business consultancy, telecommunications, hotel/hospitality, and environment and natural resources) in complex litigation matters involving the federal False Claims Act, state false claims laws, fraud and abuse matters, and criminal and civil government enforcement actions initiated by whistleblowers and/or brought by federal and state governmental authorities. He has extensive experience representing healthcare clients, including providers (private, Medicaid and Medicare), insurers/payors, and pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers. In addition, Rhoad represents non-healthcare industry government contractors, including defense contractors and other companies that contract with federal and state governments as well as with international entities.

"Bob is a talented and high-performing litigator who is highly regarded in the market. His work with healthcare companies and government contractors is synergistic with our capabilities," said Guy N. Halgren, Chairman of the firm. "Healthcare and government contractors regularly face costly litigation exposure as they are operating in a more complex environment than ever. Bob's experience in handling high-stakes litigation matters will greatly benefit our clients."

"I'm thrilled to be joining such an established and nationally recognized government contracts and investigations group. I have been impressed with Sheppard Mullin's successful growth and expansion in recent years," said Rhoad. "The firm's full service capabilities and entrepreneurial environment are a perfect fit for my book of business. I look forward to again practicing with my former colleague, D.C. office partner David Douglass, and many more talented attorneys across the firm."

Rhoad, who has been routinely named a "Top Lawyer" in the Whistleblower Defense category by Washingtonian magazine and a "Super Lawyer" in the Civil Litigation Defense category by Super Lawyers, began his career in the Navy Judge Advocate General's (JAG) Corps in successive assignments as a prosecutor, defense attorney, and as a civil litigation attorney. During his six-year tenure in the JAG Corps, he assembled an almost perfect winning record. Rhoad served as lead counsel in numerous felony cases involving complex fraud issues. As a civil litigation attorney, Rhoad was lead agency counsel for the Department of the Navy working with U.S. Attorney Offices throughout the country in the litigation and trial of healthcare-related cases brought under the Federal Tort Claims Act.

Since 2002, Rhoad has taught as an Adjunct Professor at The George Washington University Law School, where he also earned a LL.M., summa cum laude, in 1999. He received a J.D. from Vermont Law School in 1994 and a B.A. from the University of Vermont in 1989.

Sheppard Mullin has 70 attorneys based in its Washington, D.C. office. The firm's Government Contracts practice includes more than 50 attorneys firmwide.

Sheppard Mullin's Washington, D.C. office also recently welcomed Labor & Employment partner Garen Dodge from Jackson Lewis and Corporate partner Michael Paddock from Pillsbury Winthrop.

About Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP
Sheppard Mullin is a full service Global 100 firm with 770 attorneys in 15 offices located in the United States, Europe and Asia. Since 1927, companies have turned to Sheppard Mullin to handle corporate and technology matters, high stakes litigation and complex financial transactions. In the U.S., the firm's clients include more than half of the Fortune 100. For more information, please visit www.sheppardmullin.com.