Erin Harrigan

Practice Areas

Regulatory Investigations, Strategy + Enforcement, State Attorneys General, False Claims Act + Other Whistleblower Actions, White Collar Defense, Internal Investigations, Regulatory Compliance

Career

Erin provides comprehensive guidance to clients facing federal and state government investigations and enforcement actions. As a first-chair litigator, she guides clients through federal and state government investigations and enforcement actions. Erin has lead teams defending against white collar criminal matters and complex civil litigation involving federal and state regulations. She recognized for her strategic skills in the courtroom on behalf of her clients.

Erin also advises clients on regulatory compliance, helping clients navigate the rules, regulations, and policy provisions affecting highly regulated industries, such as government contracting, health care, higher education, pharmaceuticals, consumer financing, and multifamily housing. Additionally, Erin directs internal investigations for clients facing allegations of noncompliance and misconduct.

Erin’s strategies are informed by years of work as a federal prosecutor. As assistant United States attorney in the Western District of Virginia, she prosecuted and investigated public corruption, money laundering, regulatory offenses, human trafficking, and fraud cases. Erin also served as Virginia assistant attorney general, positioning her to assist clients facing inquiries from state attorneys general.

Professional Memberships

Virginia Chapter Leader, Women’s White Collar Criminal Defense Association

American Bar Association, Criminal Justice Section

Federal Bar Association, Richmond

Virginia Bar Association, Criminal Section

Experience

Represented multiple pharmaceutical clients in various federal criminal and civil investigations and litigation relating to the manufacture of controlled substances and involving multimillion-dollar allegations of violations of the Food, Drug & Cosmetic Act (FDCA), the False Claims Act (FCA), and federal Anti-Kickback Statutes (AKS).

Obtained favorable resolution for national commercial real estate development and management firm against federal class action civil litigation involving allegations under the Virginia Consumer Protection Act (VCPA) and Virginia Fair Housing Law (VFHL).

Defended international pharmaceutical client against civil enforcement action under the Virginia Consumer Protection Act (VCPA) brought by the Consumer Protection Unit of the Virginia Attorney General’s Office involving the manufacture of opioid medications.

Co-led a team of 35 auditors and 35 attorneys in a multiyear internal investigation for institutional client into allegations of mismanagement and financial misconduct in a highly-regulated industry.

Successfully defended a public official in a high-profile, politically charged criminal jury trial against novel charges of making false statements to the media and retaliatory employment actions under the Virginia State & Local Conflicts of Interest Act brought by the Virginia Attorney General’s Office, resulting in jury acquittal on one count and dismissal of two remaining counts.

Led rapid-response internal investigation for board of publicly traded manufacturing company into executive misconduct and discrimination allegations, resulting in the dismissal of top executive leaders for cause.

Successfully defended high-profile federal licensee in a white collar criminal jury trial alleging violations of state and federal regulations regarding the transport and exhibition of exotic animals, securing the pretrial dismissal of several counts, striking of several counts midtrial, jury acquittal on several additional counts, and reversal and dismissal of two felony counts on appeal based on arguments made during the trial.

Provided appellate representation before the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals and United States Supreme Court to transportation executive accused of over $4 million in federal program fraud and money laundering.

Conducted internal investigation on behalf of client non-profit organization into serious allegations of gross sexual assault, sexual harassment, financial mismanagement, and discrimination in the workplace.

Counselled a finance executive of a sports, media and entertainment organization through federal, state, and congressional investigations into allegations of financial misconduct by the entity.

Provided rapid response to conduct an internal investigation involving allegations of violations of the False Claims Act by employees of client defense contractor, providing advice and recommendations for remedial action within 24 hours.

Advised defense contractor clients on compliance with FCA, Defense Federal Acquisition Regulations Supplement (DFARS), and other defense industry regulations, and provided rapid response and internal investigation services to clients facing allegations of employee misconduct violating these provisions.

Successfully negotiated the resolution of allegations of more than $5 million in violations of the Virginia Fraud Against Taxpayers Act (VFATA) by the Consumer Fraud Team of the Virginia Office of the Attorney General, resulting in no admission of liability and a settlement of $150,000 for a consumer retail goods client.

Successfully represented former executive of defense contractor against allegations of paying illegal gratuities to civilian employees of the U.S. Department of Defense involving a multimillion-dollar defense contract, resulting in the closing of criminal and civil investigations without any enforcement actions.

Counseled private investment managers through investigation by Virginia State Corporation Commission regarding private securities offerings and consumer mortgage lending.

Conducted an internal investigation into management of financial account and provided compliance recommendations under Virginia procurement regulations for client partnered with government agency on projects.