Carolyn Fitzhugh McNiven
101 Second Street, Suite 2200 San Francisco, California 94105
Firm:
Greenberg Traurig LLP
Overview
Clients rely on Carolyn to handle their most challenging government enforcement problems because she is a strong client advocate, whether the matter is criminal, civil or both. Carolyn’s understanding of government decision-making is grounded in her 14-year experience as a federal criminal prosecutor. As a federal prosecutor, Carolyn handled several high-profile corruption prosecutions of federal and state government officials (including a sitting governor and U.S. State Department official) and spearheaded taskforces in the areas of health care fraud, financial fraud, and bankruptcy fraud. She served as a criminal health care fraud coordinator for over 6 years and handled numerous parallel investigations.As a trial attorney, Carolyn is not afraid to take a case to trial where appropriate. Although Carolyn enjoys trying cases, she is particularly skilled at negotiating with enforcement authorities before charging decisions are made. None of Carolyn’s individual clients who received target letters from federal law enforcement authorities has ever ended up being prosecuted. In several other cases where charges were brought before Carolyn was retained, Carolyn has been able to convince prosecutors to drop all charges with prejudice. In one year, Carolyn convinced federal prosecutors to dismiss three separate indictments and was later awarded the California State Bar Wiley W. Manuel Certificate for that work.In light of her multidisciplinary health care enforcement background, Carolyn is routinely called upon to represent individuals and companies operating in the health sector (including all types of providers and manufacturers). This representation has included preparing executives to testify before Congress, defending False Claims Act complaints (intervened and non-intervened; federal and state), resolving actual or suspected regulatory violations, self-reporting overpayments, conducting internal investigations, and defending individuals and companies in criminal investigations and prosecutions. Carolyn is known in the False Claims Act defense bar for working well in joint defense teams and employing novel legal arguments. She prides herself on providing clients cost effective representation and, in particular, on developing strategies to seek favorable outcomes while at the same time minimizing legal fees.In addition to her health sector work, Carolyn counsels companies faced with sensitive legal and practical problems relating to anti-corruption matters, suspected cybercrime, cybersecurity breaches, economic espionage, and more routine financial crimes. Carolyn has experience in designing and operating corporate compliance programs, particularly those operating in challenging international environments, such as India, where she has spent significant time supervising compliance matters for a Fortune 50 company.Carolyn is active in many professional associations and community organizations and is a sought-after speaker. She currently serves as co-chair of the Rankings Initiative for the Women’s White Collar Defense Association (WWCDA) and as a board member of the Bay Area Council (BAC), the Head-Royce School Alumni Board, and the Berkeley Architectural Heritage Association (BAHA).
What legal services does this lawyer offer?
What is the scope of this lawyer's practice?
How is this lawyer compensated?
Hourly
This lawyer is compensated by clients, often based on an hourly fee.
Fixed Fees
This lawyer is compensated by clients, often based on a flat fee.
Retainer Fees
This lawyer is compensated by clients, often based on a retainer fee.
Bar Admissions
California
Admitted in 1993
Illinois
Admitted in 1993
United States District Court for the Central District of California
United States District Court for the District of Colorado
United States District Court for the Eastern District of California
United States District Court for the Northern District of California
United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
Awards
California State Bar Wiley W. Manuel Certificate
Organizations & Affiliations
American Bar Association (Member)
Member
American Health Law Association (AHLA)
Member
Federal Bar Association (FBA)
Member
Women's White Collar Defense Association
Co-Chair, Rankings and Endorsement Committee
Work Experience
Greenberg Traurig
2013 - Current
DLA Piper
2010 - 2013
United States Department of Justice
1997 - 2010
Winston & Strawn
1994 - 1997
Education
University of California - Berkeley, JD
Graduated 1991
Amherst College, BA
Graduated 1986
Contact Details and Office Locations
Office: (415) 655-1270
101 Second Street, Suite 2200
San Francisco, California 94105
San Francisco, California 94105
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