Cleary Gottlieb Launches FCA Task Force to Address Expanding False Claims Act Enforcement

Cleary Gottlieb announced today the launch of its False Claims Act (FCA) Task Force, which brings an enhanced slate of FCA capabilities to guide clients facing evolving enforcement priorities. The Task Force assembles Cleary’s premier FCA and qui tam experience to advise clients through the ongoing, expansive use of the False Claims Act by enforcement authorities, and will be led by Breon Peace, the former U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York.

“Cleary has a long history of successfully representing clients in investigations, qui tam actions, whistleblower-related claims, and complex False Claims Act matters,” said Americas Litigation Practice Group Co-Leader Breon Peace. “Our newly launched False Claims Act Task Force draws on our track record of delivering exceptional results for our clients in government investigations and high-stakes litigation, particularly as they navigate the Department of Justice’s ramped up enforcement efforts.”

Cleary’s FCA Task Force includes formidable litigators and a deep bench of former federal prosecutors with extensive trial experience. They include two former acting United States Attorneys for the Southern District of New York, the United States Attorney for the Western District of Virginia who oversaw multiple high profile FCA cases across and variety of sectors, and the Appellate Chief for the Northern District of California who oversaw the briefings and arguments of the Office’s FCA appeals before the Ninth Circuit.

“We have arrived in a new era of False Claims Act enforcement,” said partner Chris Kavanaugh, the former U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Virginia who was a member of the Attorney General’s Advisory Committee and served on the Corporate Criminal Enforcement Working Group. “As we head into 2026, the Justice Department’s unprecedented and expansive use of the False Claims Act to enforce its top priorities requires careful attention for clients looking to mitigate potential exposure.”

“Our False Claims Act Task Force leverages experience from our world-class litigators to provide comprehensive counsel on the full spectrum of these challenges. What’s more, our global footprint is a valuable asset to companies navigating matters at the intersection of changing U.S. enforcement priorities and international law,” said partner Jennifer Kennedy Park, who has successful track record defending large companies in FCA matters.

In 2025, the DOJ significantly expanded its FCA enforcement agenda through multiple strategic initiatives. The Task Force leaders have provided analyses on these developments throughout 2025, including a review of whistleblower program developments and the Supreme Court’s recent decision on wire fraud. On January 9, the Task Force published an article related to advising boards of directors on these initiatives.

Cleary has an extensive history of representing a wide variety of clients in FCA matters, including multinational corporations, government contractors, healthcare companies, tech companies, and major financial institutions.