Band 2
Provided by Erin Harrigan
White Collar Defense, Government Investigations, Internal Investigations, Compliance, Healthcare, Whistleblower Claims & Qui Tam, Appellate
Erin Harrigan is a Partner and leads Gentry Locke’s White Collar Defense, Investigations & Compliance practice group.
Erin guides clients through high stakes litigation, federal and state government investigations and enforcement actions, and has directed internal investigations for businesses confronting allegations of misconduct. Chambers USA recognized Erin from 2021-2024 as a leading attorney for White Collar Crime & Government Investigations in Virginia, one of the legal industry’s most prestigious rankings and a distinction that is awarded based on a commitment to the qualities most valued by a client.
Erin previously served as Assistant United States Attorney in the Western District of Virginia, based in Charlottesville, where she prosecuted and investigated public corruption, money laundering, regulatory offenses, human trafficking and fraud cases of local origin and involving multi-national corporations. As a former Virginia Assistant Attorney General, Erin is particularly well-suited to assist clients facing inquiries from state Attorneys General.
American Bar Association, Criminal Justice Section
Women’s White Collar Criminal Defense Association
Federal Bar Association, Richmond
Virginia Bar Association, Criminal Section
Representative Matters:
- Represented multiple pharmaceutical clients in various federal criminal and civil investigations and litigation relating to the manufacture of controlled substances and involving multi-million-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 multi-year internal investigation for institutional client into allegations of mismanagement and financial misconduct in a highly-regulated industry.
- Successfully defended 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, 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 multi-million-dollar defense contract, resulting in the closing of criminal and civil investigations without any enforcement actions.
-Counselled private investment managers through investigation by Virginia State Corporation Commission regarding private securities offerings and consumer mortgage lending.
-Conducted internal investigation into management of financial account and provided compliance recommendations under Virginia procurement regulations for client partnered with government agency on projects.
Provided by Chambers
Provided by Chambers
Provided by Gentry Locke Attorneys
Business and Professional Services
Government and Public Sector
Health and Life Sciences
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