Careers

Position Description

Title:                 Partner – Investigations and False Claims Act Litigation
Reports to:       Managing Partner, Management Committee
FLSA Status:    Exempt
Effective Date:  February 18, 2026

Qualifications

Education and Licensing

• • • Juris Doctor from an accredited law school
    • Member in good standing of the bar of at least one U.S. jurisdiction (District of Columbia bar membership or eligibility preferred)

Experience

• • • 10+ years of experience in complex civil litigation and government investigations
    • Significant experience handling False Claims Act investigations and litigation, including qui tam matters and government-initiated enforcement actions
    • Substantial experience conducting and supervising internal investigations involving allegations of fraud, regulatory noncompliance, or misconduct
    • Demonstrated experience responding to civil investigative demands, subpoenas, grand jury subpoenas, and agency inquiries
    • Experience interacting with the U.S. Department of Justice, U.S. Attorney’s Offices, agency Inspectors General, and other federal or state enforcement authorities
    • Experience managing parallel proceedings (civil, criminal, administrative, suspension and debarment, and regulatory enforcement)
    • Experience advising boards, executives, and compliance personnel on risk mitigation and disclosure strategy
    • Portable business and demonstrated ability to originate and maintain

Skills and Competencies

• • • Exceptional strategic judgment in high-stakes enforcement matters
    • Strong leadership and team management capabilities
    • Excellent written and oral advocacy skills
    • Ability to oversee complex, document-intensive investigations and litigation
    • Sophisticated client counseling skills, including advising senior executives and boards
    • Strong negotiation skills in settlement and disclosure contexts
    • Demonstrated business development and relationship-building capabilities
    • Commitment to ethical practice and client service
    • Proficiency with legal research tools, e-discovery platforms, and Microsoft Office

Position Description

The Investigations and False Claims Act Litigation Partner will help lead and expand the firm’s investigations practice and FCA defense practice. The Partner will represent companies, government contractors, healthcare entities, grant recipients, and executives in high-stakes False Claims Act matters, government investigations, and related compliance proceedings. This role blends proactive risk management and internal investigations with aggressive litigation defense. The Partner will serve as trusted advisor to clients facing whistleblower allegations, civil investigative demands, DOJ inquiries, and parallel regulatory or administrative actions. The ideal candidate is a strategic, entrepreneurial, and collaborative leader who is experienced in navigating complex enforcement environments and capable of building a robust investigations and FCA practice within a dynamic and growth-oriented firm. The candidate must also be an empowered, proactive, and accountable attorney who is focused on providing value and impact for our clients and who thrives in a fast-paced, intellectually rigorous, collaborative, respectful, and supportive environment.

Responsibilities

Government Investigations and Enforcement Defense

• • Lead responses to civil investigative demands, subpoenas, and agency investigations
  • Conduct and supervise internal investigations related to alleged fraud, compliance failures, or misconduct
  • Advise clients regarding voluntary disclosures, self-reporting considerations, and remediation strategies
  • Represent clients in meetings and negotiations with DOJ, U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, agency Inspectors General, and state enforcement authorities
  • Manage parallel civil, criminal, administrative, and suspension/debarment proceedings
  • Coordinate with forensic accountants, compliance professionals, and other subject matter experts

False Claims Act Litigation

• • Serve as lead counsel in FCA litigation, including qui tam and government-intervened matters
  • Develop case strategy from pre-suit investigation through motion practice, discovery, and trial
  • Oversee preparation of pleadings, dispositive motions, and appellate briefs
  • Lead depositions, expert development, and trial preparation
  • Negotiate resolutions and settlements aligned with clients’ business and regulatory objectives

Compliance and Risk Counseling

• • Advise clients on strengthening compliance programs and mitigating enforcement risk
  • Provide strategic guidance to boards and executive leadership during crisis situations
  • Conduct compliance assessments and develop remedial action plans
  • Assist clients in managing reputational and operational risks arising from investigations

Practice Leadership and Firm Contribution

• • Build and expand the firm’s Investigations and FCA practice
  • Develop new business through client outreach, industry engagement, and thought leadership
  • Mentor and supervise associates and other team members
  • Participate in firm strategy, recruiting, and growth initiatives
  • Maintain financial oversight of matters and ensure efficient case management
  • Contribute to a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performing firm culture

Compensation and Benefits

• • Competitive and flexible partner compensation structure, with significant incentives for business generation
  • Performance-basßed compensation aligned with originations and leadership

Work Environment

This position is based in Washington, D.C., with flexibility for hybrid or remote work as appropriate. Occasional travel may be required for hearings, depositions, conferences, or client meetings.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Nichols Law is committed to fostering an inclusive environment where each team member’s talents and perspectives are valued. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds.