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March 16, 2023 | Hiring an Attorney

How to Choose the Best Whistleblower Lawyer for You: Questions to Ask

By: Bill Nettles

Very few people expect to be in your position. Someone is defrauding the government – and therefore taxpayers like you. While others may be aware, it’s not clear they have the courage to stop it. That’s where you come in.

In addition to protecting taxpayers, being a whistleblower can net you significant rewards. You want a whistleblower attorney to help you build and pursue the case, but which one is right for you?

Here are some questions a potential whistleblower should ask prospective attorneys. With the answers in hand, you can select the right attorney for you, help fight fraud against the government, and possibly collect a significant award.

Trying to decide on the right whistleblower attorney for you? Here's a handy checklist with space for your notes! Download now.

Under each question, we’ve let you know our answer. You’ll see that we have the experience, resources, and skill to help you.

Questions about the whistleblower process

View from behind of a man making a confidential phone call.How much will my case cost me?

A firm that works on contingency (like ours) will advance all case costs and their attorney’s fee is only a percentage of any award you win.2

How do you gather evidence and build my case?

An experienced whistleblower attorney can guide you to secure key proof, while also conducting their own investigation. If they’ve done this before, they’ll have a process and know who to call and what to look for.

How do you protect my identity?

You want an attorney who’s concerned with protecting you. This is so important to us that we developed our You-First Policy to try to ensure that you have maximum privacy and protection.

What if I was involved with the fraud?

Anyone who has worked a significant number of whistleblower cases has likely faced this situation before. During his tenure as U.S. Attorney, Bill Nettles saw it many times! Depending on the circumstances, you may have nothing to worry about. And you may still be eligible for an award.

What is your process for a whistleblower case?

With us, it’s very straightforward:

  1. We discuss your situation, and you’re free to ask us questions at no charge.
  2. If we decide to pursue a case together, we take steps for your protection.
  3. We gather evidence and build your case.
  4. We file the complaint, and fight for your best interests.

Questions about whistleblower experience

Attorney Bill Nettles waving at a podium in a courtroom.How many whistleblower cases have you handled?

Most attorneys have never worked a qui tam case to conclusion. We’ve handled many — and have the knowledge to fight for you.4

How many years of combined whistleblower case experience do your attorneys have?

For reference, our skilled team has decades of combined experience litigating whistleblower cases.

Have you worked in the District my case would be filed in?

We have great relationships with the Department of Justice and U.S. Attorneys’ Offices in the Carolinas.

Have you tried or settled a case after the government declined to intervene?

Many attorneys may prefer to drop the case if the government is not interested. Our experience has taught us that this is not always wise, and we have successfully resolved several lucrative cases after the government declined to intervene.1,4

How many of your attorneys previously worked for the government on qui tam cases?

Two of our attorneys previously led government qui tam units, including former White House-appointed U.S. Attorney Bill Nettles, whose office brought the District of South Carolina into the top four districts in the country for whistleblower recoveries during his tenure.1

Some of Bill’s successes:4

nettles-whistleblower-recovery-headlines-768x503

Questions about whistleblower results

How much have your attorneys recovered in government funds in their careers?

Before creating Carolina Whistleblower Attorneys, Bill Nettles helped whistleblowers return nearly $300 million to the government during his tenure as U.S. Attorney.

What is your largest overall whistleblower recovery?

Two of our attorneys helped a mortgage industry whistleblower net an $18 million award from a $95 million recovery.1,4

How have you protected clients from retaliation from their employer?

It’s illegal for an employer to retaliate against a whistleblower. We let you know your rights, so you can look out for anything awry. And if your employer tries to retaliate, we can seek compensation on your behalf — on top of any whistleblower award.

Two silhouetted figures sitting a table in an office, having a discussion.

You have the questions and our answers, what now?

If you suspect fraud against the government, the time to act is now. Not only does the fraud likely continue if you don’t act, delay gives someone else the opportunity to step in and beat you to the whistle. The first to file a whistleblower case is in the best position to get a possible reward.

Whether you simply suspect fraud or know for a fact it’s happening, we can help. Ask us questions. Tell us what you’re seeing. We’ll evaluate your situation discreetly, and give you our perspective. And if you decide to hire us, we’ll fight for your best interests in accordance with our You-First Policy.

Call 1-888-292-8852 today or reach out online for a free and confidential conversation.

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Bill Nettles

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About the Author

Bill Nettles has dedicated much of his career advocating for whistleblowers. He spent six years as the U.S. Attorney for the District of South Carolina where he redirected resources to the False Claims Division of the office, bringing the state to a top-4 ranking in the country for whistleblower recoveries during his tenure.1 He is admitted to practice to the U.S. Supreme Court, the U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. In addition to serving as a Board Member of the False Claims Division of the Federal Bar Association, Bill is a frequent lecturer on false claims issues throughout the country.

Contact the Carolina
Whistleblower Attorneys

If you’re wondering if it’s a good idea to speak with a whistleblower lawyer about what you know, let us set the record straight.

  • Corporate ethics hotlines can be risky and may lead to termination. If you’ve already done this, call us immediately.
  • Your coworkers could be aware of the fraud – or complicit in it – and you should not talk to them about it.
  • The first claim to be filed under the False Claims Act can proceed – if you’re not first, you’re at a serious disadvantage and may get nothing (another reason not to speak to your coworkers about it).
  • A confidential discussion costs you a few minutes, but could save you time, stress, and money.

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