Whistleblower Associate Attorney

Sanford Heisler Sharp McKnight, LLP, a national public interest law firm with offices in the District of Columbia, New York, California, and Tennessee, is seeking an experienced Whistleblower Associate Attorney for our Washington, DC office. This Associate will focus on representing plaintiffs in qui tam and whistleblower matters. In addition, Associates may assist in individual and class action employment discrimination matters on a range of gender discrimination, Title IX sexual assault cases, wage and hour actions, ERISA matters and consumer fraud cases.

We have represented thousands of individuals in some of the most significant class-action cases before the courts, securing landmark victories through trial and settlements. In addition, we have a number of cases currently before the district and federal appellate courts that raise novel issues of law. We are currently litigating and have litigated matters against major corporations and law firms throughout the United States and against universities such as Harvard, Columbia, Dartmouth, NYU, and Yale.

The ideal candidate for the Whistleblower Associate Attorney position will have a minimum of 3-5 years of experience in complex litigation, securities fraud, procurement fraud, and federal regulations. Additional experience with U.S. government agency whistleblower programs, including those managed by the SEC, CFTC, DOJ, FinCEN, and others, is highly preferred. Experience with the Dodd-Frank Act, including Rule 10b-5, and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act is also a significant plus. Applicants with experience at a government agency, clerkship experience and/or demonstrated interest in whistleblower and civil rights litigation are preferred.

Associates work one-on-one with clients to develop submissions to be submitted to government agencies and assist clients through relator’s meetings and government investigations. Associates will also be expected to work with clients, where needed, to develop their claims for litigation and any related direct settlement negotiations or mediation. Associates are expected to conduct factual and legal research; draft legal documents (including pleadings, motions, briefs, legal memoranda, mediation statements, discovery requests and responses, and settlement agreements); participate in discovery; participate in government investigations; provide legal advice to clients; assist and participate in government interviews/meetings, depositions, mediations, arbitrations, trials, and court hearings and conferences; and attend industry, networking, and community outreach events.

Our Associates are given significant responsibility commensurate with their experience and are expected to learn quickly from the firm’s more experienced attorneys. Associates draft substantive briefs and government submissions with limited input from senior attorneys, take and defend depositions, argue motions in court, and conduct negotiations with opposing counsel. Attorneys are required to supervise legal assistants on their cases.

Prospective applicants must be a member in good standing of the District of Columbia Bar or expect to be admitted in the immediate future. Familiarity with complex civil litigation, large-scale discovery and e-discovery preferred.

Salary: The Firm utilizes lock-step salary scales for non-partner attorney positions based on law school graduation year and practice experience. The scale begins at $130,000 in annual base salary for 2024 and 2025 law school graduates, and increases, based on law school graduation year and practice experience, up to a maximum of $180,000. Attorneys also receive benefits, such as a contribution to health insurance premiums, and may also be eligible for a discretionary bonus.

This position is available now and is currently in a hybrid environment with regular in-person attendance required 3 days per week. Occasional travel may also be required.

Applicants seeking consideration should email a one-page cover letter and current resume to Kiara Pagan, Human Resources Coordinator, at careers@sanfordheisler.com. Please include “DC Whistleblower Associate Attorney Application” in the subject line of the email.

We are committed to EEO principles and value a diverse workplace. We strongly encourage people of color, LGBTQ , all genders, all ages, differently abled, and other minority applicants to apply.

COVID-19: Sanford Heisler Sharp McKnight employees must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, including obtaining the COVID-19 boosters within the time frame recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). If you accept an offer from the firm and choose not to get vaccinated for religious, medical reasons, or other applicable legal requirements, you may seek a reasonable accommodation.

Reasonable Accommodations: Sanford Heisler Sharp McKnight welcomes applications from individuals with disabilities. If you require reasonable accommodations during any part of the hiring process, please send your request to us by email at careers@sanfordheisler.com or by mail to the following address

ATTN: Kiara Pagan, Human Resources Coordinator

Sanford Heisler Sharp McKnight, LLP

17 State Street, Suite 3700

New York, NY 10004