Akin Adds Leading False Claims Act Partner Colin Huntley, Former DOJ Deputy Director of Civil Fraud Section
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(Washington, D.C.) – Akin announced today that Colin Huntley, former Deputy Director of the U.S. Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Civil Fraud Section and one of the nation’s foremost False Claims Act (FCA) enforcement leaders, has joined the firm as a partner in Washington, D.C. Colin’s arrival comes as FCA activity reaches record highs, with surging qui tam filings, increased use of data analytics by qui tam relators and the government, and rapidly expanding federal enforcement priorities, and further strengthens Akin’s ability to help clients navigate increasingly complex investigative and regulatory challenges.
Bringing nearly two decades of senior leadership experience in DOJ’s Civil Division, Commercial Litigation Branch (Fraud Section), Colin most recently served as a Deputy Director of the Civil Fraud Section, where he led nationwide FCA enforcement across every major industry and sector and supervised more than 125 attorneys responsible for investigating and prosecuting hundreds of complex civil fraud matters. A hands‑on strategist and accomplished trial lawyer, he has served as lead counsel on more than 100 affirmative civil enforcement cases, and supervised hundreds of others across every judicial district in the nation, developing deep experience in health care and life sciences enforcement, pandemic fraud, trade and customs enforcement, procurement and small business contracting fraud, and conflict‑of‑interest laws. Colin has shaped national enforcement priorities as a senior member of DOJ’s inter-agency Trade Fraud Task Force, directing the government’s expanding FCA enforcement relating to duty and tariff evasion; as leader of the COVID‑19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force, where his strategies have driven more than $850 million in civil recoveries; and as a key member of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS)–DOJ FCA Working Group guiding enforcement in the health care and life sciences sectors. Throughout his tenure at DOJ, Colin received numerous awards, including the Attorney General’s Award for Exceptional Service, the highest award given by the Justice Department to recognize professional achievement, along with honors from HHS-Office of Inspector General (OIG), TRICARE and the Federal Bar Association.
“Colin is a standout leader in one of the most consequential enforcement arenas today—the False Claims Act. The federal government has made clear that FCA enforcement is expanding in both scope and priority. Colin’s arrival cements our team’s position at the forefront of leading clients through that evolution,” said Akin co-chair Abid Qureshi.
“Colin strengthens the broad scope of our investigations capabilities and significantly enhances our ability to handle the full spectrum of FCA matters, from health care and life sciences to trade and customs enforcement, cyber, government contracts and procurement,” said Tom McCarthy, head of Akin’s regulatory group. “His experience adds meaningful depth to our FCA bench and builds on the momentum of the talented former DOJ leaders who have recently joined our team.”
Akin has had a renowned health care FCA practice for over three decades, which has been spearheaded by Robert Salcido who joined the firm from the Civil Fraud Section. Colin’s arrival is part of a coordinated and strategic expansion of the firm’s market‑leading investigations and regulatory platform. Additions in just the past few months include Sara McLean, former DOJ Assistant Director of the Civil Fraud Section and Laura Hill, former Senior Trial Counsel in the Civil Fraud Section. Collectively, the team brings more than six decades of FCA government enforcement experience across a broad range of industries.
“I’m thrilled to join Akin and reunite with former colleagues from the Civil Fraud Section as the firm continues to expand its FCA capabilities,” said Colin. “Akin’s platform offers a unique opportunity to collaborate alongside leading health care, international trade, government contracts, cybersecurity and litigation attorneys to meet the evolving FCA needs facing clients.”
Akin’s regulatory practice offers wide-ranging experience for clients operating in heavily regulated industries, such as, among others, health care & life sciences, energy & infrastructure, and technology. Our practice is distinctive, in terms of the number of regulatory lawyers and the scope of practice areas in which we advise clients, including antitrust, communications, cybersecurity, financial services, environmental, government procurement, health care, international trade, privacy and transportation issues.
About Akin’s False Claims Act/Qui Tam Defense Practice
Akin has extensive experience advising clients on FCA and defending FCA lawsuits and related civil and criminal investigations. Our practice includes a multidisciplinary team of lawyers from the firm’s health care, government contracts, litigation, and white collar defense practices, with many decades of experience representing clients in FCA matters involving, among other areas, health care reimbursements, government contracts, payments to education institutions, cybersecurity, international trade, technology, and energy.
About Akin’s Health Care & Life Sciences Practice
Akin’s health care & life sciences practice has over 45 years of industry-leading experience representing health care providers and manufacturers on a wide range of matters involving regulatory compliance, Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement, legislative and policy advocacy, HIPAA, fraud and abuse, transactions, financial restructuring, tax and antitrust.
Our practice is a recognized market leader in False Claims Act (FCA)/fraud and abuse and Medicare reimbursement litigation, as well as regulatory challenges under the Administrative Procedure Act (APA).
Akin is a leading international law firm with more than 1,000 lawyers in offices throughout the United States, Europe, Asia and the Middle East.
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