The Internet can be a helpful tool for choosing the very best whistleblower attorney for you. You ought to be aware, however, that some websites misrepresent law firms'experience and success representing whistleblowers. There also are websites that target whistleblowers and seem like they are put up by lawyers, when actually they participate in referral services.
Here are some ideas to consider whenever choosing a whistleblower lawyer, whether it's for a qui tam case or a whistleblower submission with the US Securities and Exchange Commission, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission or the IRS. Successful attorneys in whistleblower cases
Make certain the lawyer has already established experience and success with the type of whistleblower case you've (such as success with “qui tam” whistleblower cases or SEC whistleblower submissions). Some law firms'websites claim that the firms have won large cases but fail to say that the cases were not actually whistleblower cases. Request specific examples of the firm's success. The lawyer's part of expertise
Some lawyers and law firms have websites designed to create it appear the firm specializes in representing whistleblowers, but their experience is in fact in other areas. Whistleblower laws, such as the False Claims Act and Dodd-Frank, are complicated, and a misinterpretation of the provisions could be harmful to your case. Lists of whistleblower cases
Are the whistleblower cases listed on a law firm's website ones that the law firm itself actually filed and litigated? Some firms list sample whistleblower cases like these were their own, when in reality they are not.
Is it a law firm or a referral service?
Referral companies have websites that produce them look as if they are law firms. Those companies take cases then sell them to law firms willing to pay for a fee. Ensure you are hiring the one who actually works on your qui tam lawsuit. Look on the website for the names of the lawyers or regulations firm. If there aren't any specific attorneys listed, that is a strong indication it's a referral service – not just a law firm. Another red flag may be the lack of an actual address on the site. When it is a mailbox number or no specific address is listed, then it's likely to be a referral service.