Was Instrumental in First Major Governmental Action Brought Against a Pharmacy Benefit Manager
Philadelphia, Pa. – March 15, 2007 – LAWFUEL – Pepper Hamilton LLP announced that David T. Shapiro, a former attorney in the Civil Division of the U.S. Department of Justice, has joined the firm as of counsel in the white collar criminal defense and pharmaceutical and medical device litigation and counseling practices, resident in the Philadelphia office.
“David is an exceptional litigator,” said Robert E. Heideck, Pepper’s executive partner. “His years of experience at the Justice Department handling government investigations will translate well to the corporate internal investigations we conduct for our pharmaceutical and health care clients. We’re pleased to welcome him to the firm and our robust white collar and corporate investigation practice, where he will join Tom Gallagher and other former prosecutors.”
“Pepper represents numerous health care organizations across the nation that are facing government investigations,” added Nina M. Gussack, chair of Pepper’s pharmaceutical and medical device litigation and counseling practice, and chair of the firm’s Executive Committee. “David will make an immediate contribution to our busy practice.”
At the Justice Department, Mr. Shapiro investigated and litigated cases under the federal False Claims Act, anti-kickback laws, and other fraud and abuse laws and regulations. He investigated and litigated a number of cases involving pharmaceutical manufacturers, pharmacy benefit managers, pharmacies and health care providers.
Mr. Shapiro was one of the lead DOJ attorneys in the Justice Department’s successful resolution in 2006 of three False Claims Act lawsuits against Medco Health Solutions, Inc. – the first major governmental action brought against a pharmacy benefit manager, which resulted in a $155 million settlement and industry-changing injunctive relief. He also was involved with several other investigations and prosecutions relating to PBMs and pharmaceutical manufacturers. He received the Award of Excellence from the GSA Office of Inspector General.
Prior to his tenure at DOJ, Mr. Shapiro represented a variety of health care companies, and he successfully defended a retail pharmacy, its PBM and corporate executives in an antitrust trial. He also has significant experience defending nursing homes, medical device suppliers and biotech companies.
“Pepper is a terrific place for me to rejoin private practice,” said Mr. Shapiro. “The health effects litigation group has an excellent reputation, and I’m looking forward to adding to that reputation while expanding my practice.”
Mr. Shapiro had been with the Justice Department since 2003. Before that, he practiced for four years with Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C. in Washington, D.C., handling federal, complex commercial litigation. He started his legal career as an associate at Kelley Drye & Warren in Stamford, Conn.
Mr. Shapiro is a graduate of Trinity College (B.A. 1992) and the University of Connecticut School of Law (J.D. 1997), where he was an editor for The Connecticut Law Review.
About Pepper Hamilton
Pepper Hamilton LLP (www.pepperlaw.com) is a multi-practice law firm with 450 lawyers in seven states and the District of Columbia. The firm provides corporate, litigation and regulatory legal services to leading businesses, governmental entities, nonprofit organizations and individuals throughout the nation and the world. The firm was founded in 1890.
Pepper’s criminal defense practice is centered in three areas: white collar criminal litigation and counseling, corporate compliance programs and internal corporate investigations. The firm represents companies and individuals (including directors, officers and other professionals) designated as targets, subjects or fact witnesses in investigations conducted by the U.S. Department of Justice, U.S. Attorney’s Offices, and federal and state investigational agencies, as well as Congressional investigations. The practice includes former federal and state prosecutors experienced in all aspects of such proceedings.
Pepper has counseled and litigated in the pharmaceutical and medical device area for 50 years, and its experience spans the defense of class actions, complex multidistrict litigation and individual claims. The firm’s health effects lawyers focus on claimed adverse health effects from ingestion or exposure to pharmaceuticals, medical devices, radiation, chemicals and environmental substances. The firm also is experienced in litigation involving personal injury from using various commercial and consumer products.
