Planning the 2023 Whistleblower Law Symposium–False Claims Act, IRS, CFTC and SEC Whistleblowers in Cyber, Crypto, Financial Fraud, and Other Emerging Areas of Enforcement

Update: On a date to be determined, top government officials in the “whistleblower” arena and leading lawyers from across the country will once again convene for the “Whistleblower Law Symposium.”   In this program that we have organized since 2009, we are planning a streaming option so our colleagues across the globe can join those who attend in person.

Here is the updated Agenda:

Newest Whistleblower Trends: Cyber, Crypto, Financial Fraud, and

Other Emerging Areas of Enforcement: 

2023 Whistleblower Law Symposium

PRESIDING:

Michael A. Sullivan, Program Chair, Finch McCranie, LLP, Atlanta

8:15                Brief Overview of the False Claims Act and the SEC, CFTC, IRS, and Other Major Whistleblower Programs

 Michael A. Sullivan, Finch McCranie, LLP, Atlanta

8:30                 What Makes a Successful Whistleblower Claim? Hear from the Directors of the SEC and CFTC Whistleblower Programs

Christopher Ehrman, Director of Whistleblower Office, Commodities Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), Washington, D.C.

Creola Kelly, Director of the SEC Office of the Whistleblower, Washington, D.C.

Michael A. Sullivan, Moderator

9:20                 Internal Investigations of a Potential Whistleblower’s Complaint: Protecting the Company’s Interests and the Whistleblower’s Interests

 Christopher C. Burris, King & Spalding LLP, Atlanta, GA

Michael A. Filoromo, III, Katz Banks Kumin, Philadelphia, PA   

Ashley Futrell Hinkson, Jones Day, Atlanta, GA

Michael A. Sullivan (Moderator)

 10:10               What You Must Know About the SEC to Present an Effective Whistleblower Claim: Process and Priorities

Thomas Bosch, Assistant Regional Director for Enforcement, U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC), Atlanta

Walter Jospin, Finch McCranie, LLP, Atlanta (former SEC Atlanta Regional Director)

Aaron Lipson, King & Spalding, LLP, (former Associate Director of Enforcement in the Atlanta SEC Regional Office), Atlanta

Michael A. Sullivan (Moderator)

11:00               Break

11:15               Newest Whistleblower Laws and Trends: Banks (Anti-Money Laundering),

Automakers (Motor Vehicle Safety Whistleblower Act), Insurance, and Other Emerging Whistleblower Areas

Sarah Poppy Alexander, Constantine Cannon LLP, San Franciso, California

Lauren Caserta, OFAC

Kaveh Miremadi, FINCEN

Mark Pugsley, Pugsley Wood LLP, Salt Lake City, Utah

Jacklyn DeMar, Taxpayers Against Fraud, Washington, D.C. (Moderator)

12:05               Lunch (with short presentations)

 Brief Remarks by Georgia’s Top Federal Officials on Their Goals for False Claims Act Enforcement

 Hon. Jill E. Steinberg, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia, Savannah, GA

Hon. Ryan K. Buchanan, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia, Atlanta, GA

Hon. Peter D. Leary, U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia, Macon, GA

Brief Remarks from Tennessee Attorney General’s Office

 Kevin Kreutz, Deputy Attorney General, Nashville, TN

1:00                 What Should You Know About Handling Qui Tam Cases in Georgia? Hear from the Government Attorneys Who Will Evaluate Your Qui Tam Case

Neeli Ben-David, United States Attorney’s Office, Atlanta

Bradford C. Patrick, United States Attorney’s Office, Savannah

William Taylor McNeill, United States Attorney’s Office, Macon

Sara Vann, Assistant Attorney General for the State of Georgia, Atlanta

Ramsey Prather, Butler Prather, Columbus, Georgia (Moderator)

1:50                 Crypto-Currencies and Corruption: Hot Areas of Enforcement Relating to Modern Technologies

 JonMarc Buffa, CFTC, Washington, D.C.

Christopher Ehrman, CFTC, Washington, D.C.

David Oakland, CFTC, Washington, D.C.

Michael A. Sullivan, Moderator

 2:40                 False Claims Act – Ethical & Legal Dilemmas for Relator & Defense Counsel

 Emily Ward, Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP, Atlanta

Courtney Finnerty-Stelzner, Getnick & Getnick, New York, NY

Neil V. Getnick, Getnick & Getnick, New York, NY

James J. Breen, The Breen Law Firm, Alpharetta, GA (Moderator)

3:40                 Practical Lessons from the Trials of Whistleblower Cases

James J. Breen, The Breen Law Firm, Alpharetta, GA

Bart Daniel, Nelson Mullins, Charleston, S.C.

Jennifer Verkamp, Morgan Verkamp, Cincinnati, Ohio

Michael A. Sullivan (Moderator)

 4:30                 Adjourn

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We will provide updates on the date for the Symposium.