One of the first questions you should ask after discovering wrongdoing by your employer and deciding to come forward is how to choose a whistleblower lawyer. Whistleblowers face many risks when they come forward to report corruption, fraud, or greed, and these types of cases are time-consuming and complex. In many cases, whistleblower cases involve large corporations with teams of attorneys. To protect yourself against retaliation, you will need to find a whistleblower lawyer who can advocate for you throughout your case. Here are some factors you should consider when you are searching for a whistleblower lawyer.
Key factors to look for in a whistleblower lawyer
When you are searching for a whistleblower lawyer, look for an attorney who demonstrates the following criteria:
- Experience in handling cases on behalf of whistleblowers
- Successful track records for winning whistleblower lawsuits
- In-depth knowledge of various whistleblower laws and the available legal options
- Willingness and ability to dedicate the resources and time necessary
- Protection of clients’ best interests at all times
We will take a look at each of these factors in-depth below.
Experienced with handling whistleblower claims
Whistleblower cases and laws are complex. When you want to come forward with information about your employer’s illegal practices, it is critical to hire an attorney with significant experience handling many different types of whistleblower lawsuits. At Swartz Swidler, an attorney will talk to you about your situation and will explain whether you have a valid claim. If they accept your case, your attorney will know how to protect you from start to finish.
Successful track record of winning whistleblower lawsuits
Look for an attorney who has built a successful record of winning whistleblower lawsuits. YOu do not want to hire an attorney who has never won a whistleblower claim. Ask the attorney to give you examples of past cases and results. Ask for references from past whistleblower clients, and follow up with them to learn more about the lawyer.
In-depth knowledge of whistleblower laws and legal options
A good whistleblower lawyer should be able to explain the various state and federal laws that protect whistleblowers. While retaliation is generally prohibited, it still occurs. Some of the major whistleblower laws that your lawyer should be able to explain include the following:
- False Claims Act– Fights against corruption by government contractors and allows people to bring fraud claims on the government’s behalf
- Dodd-Frank Act – Fights against corruption and fraud and protects employees who report fraud to the SEC
- Stark Law – Prohibits doctors from referring Medicaid and Medicare patients for services at facilities in which the doctors have financial interests
In addition to these laws, many other laws protect whistleblowers in a broad variety of industries. Your attorney should be able to explain the laws that apply to your specific situation.
Whistleblower lawsuits also have set deadlines and paperwork. You will want your attorney to understand these laws to increase the chance that your lawsuit will succeed.
Willingness and ability to use the resources and time needed to build a strong case
Whistleblower cases are complex. They require your attorney to have extensive resources and take a substantial amount of time to resolve. When you look for an attorney, you will want to choose a firm that has the resources and time needed to build the strongest possible case. Your attorney will need to conduct in-depth research, hire experts, depose witnesses, and much more.
Dedicated to protecting your best interests
When you retain an attorney, remember that he or she works for you. You should look for someone who will be dedicated to your case and best interests. Your lawyer should carefully listen to your concerns and questions and take the time to answer your communications. You will want to find a lawyer who is willing to explain all of the steps of the process so that you know what to expect.
How to choose a good whistleblower lawyer
When you have decided to come forward with information to expose your employer’s wrongful actions, it is not the type of situation that you should try to handle on your own. When you search for a whistleblower attorney, you should find someone who meets the criteria outlined above. After your first meeting with a good attorney, you should feel confident that he or she will provide the type of help that you need. If you do not, you should keep searching.
Contact Swartz Swidler to find a whistleblower attorney near me
Understanding how to find the right whistleblower lawyer is critical when you want to disclose your employer’s wrongdoing. The whistleblower attorneys at Swartz Swidler have extensive experience and legal knowledge and are equipped to handle a broad variety of whistleblower cases. We have built a successful track record and have a thorough understanding of the state and federal whistleblower laws. To learn more, schedule your free and confidential consultation by calling us at (856) 685-7420.
