Nathaniel Smith represents whistleblowers in both employment retaliation cases and qui tam whistleblower lawsuits brought under the False Claims Act (FCA). These cases require him to work closely with governmental entities, including the United States Attorney’s Office, Inspectors General, FBI, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Department of Health and Human Services, and the Small Business Administration to recover fraudulently obtained payments on behalf of the government and his clients. Nathaniel’s commitment to combating fraud against the government stems from his parent’s involvement in the medical community and the issues they have observed, especially in geriatric care. Nathaniel entered the legal profession to fight against fraudulent conduct that hinders the government from providing the best possible benefits to its citizens and making the best possible use of taxpayer dollars.

“Fraud against the government can come in many forms, from illegal kick-backs, to billing for services or products never delivered, to improper hospice admissions, to falsely certifying contract compliance, to failing to report government overpayment. This work is so exciting because each case can involve differing areas of the law, as well as government agencies, and you have to put all the pieces of the puzzle together to show what’s really going on. Being able to see that complete picture and put an end to the fraud is extremely rewarding.”

Nathaniel graduated from the University of Minnesota with a Psychology degree and Business Management Minor. He then attended William Mitchell College of Law in Saint Paul, where he focused on employment and health care law. He also participated in the American Association for Justice Student Trial Advocacy Competition, an annual nationwide mock trial competition. Nathaniel worked on False Claims Act cases as a law clerk at Halunen Law while attending law school. After graduating magna cum laude, he joined the firm to represent whistleblowers and their rights as an attorney. Nathaniel is also an ADR- Rule 144 qualified mediator, which gives him a unique insight into the dispute resolution process for his clients.