Christopher R. Hall

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Christopher R. Hall

Partner

Contact Info

Phone: (215) 972-7180
Fax: (215) 972-7725
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Primary Office

Philadelphia
Centre Square West
1500 Market Street, 38th Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19102-2186

Secondary Office

New York
1270 Avenue of the Americas
Suite 2005
New York, NY 10020

Christopher R. Hall

Partner

Christopher R. Hall

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Industries

Industries: 
Life Sciences
Health Care
Financial Services
Higher Education
Energy
Government Contracts

Services

Services: 
Corporate Governance
Cybersecurity and Privacy
Appellate
Litigation
Commercial Litigation
White Collar and Government Enforcement
Congressional Investigations
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Whistleblower Wire Blog

Intelligence for Industry on Whistleblower Law

The defining moment for anyone subject to regulatory scrutiny occurs when the government expresses its intent to prosecute or to bring a civil enforcement action. Government attorneys use the terms "target," "intervention," and "Wells Notice"  to communicate these decisions. Christopher Hall draws on his experience as a former federal prosecutor to represent clients who seek to convince the government to decline or reverse these designations and to avoid the stigma, uncertainty, and expense of trial. Chambers USA ‒ a leading directory of attorneys ‒ ranks Chris in its Band 1 for white collar defense and government investigations. Chris focuses on the life science, health care, financial service, and defense industries, and has deep expertise with the FCA, FCPA, and anti-competition, securities, environmental, trade secret, and public corruption laws. He has responded to hundreds of grand jury subpoenas, search warrants, civil investigative demands, HIPAA subpoenas, depositions, and law enforcement requests for interviews--all with an eye toward convincing the government to take no action. 

While Chris admires his former colleagues at the Department of Justice, he is not afraid to go to court when they cannot agree.  He obtained a verdict of not guilty after a month-long jury trial on federal felony bank fraud charges brought by the FBI, IRS, and Postal Inspection Service.  The judgement of acquittal vindicated his client. Chris is also not afraid to appeal.  When a state court judge in a separate case believed the law permitted the Pennsylvania Attorney General to falsely accuse Chris' client and others in a grand jury report, Chris and his partner Justin Danilewitz (along with 20 other leading criminal defense attorneys) appealed to the State Supreme Court, argued the case on behalf of all appellants, and won - obtaining due process protections for future subjects of state grand jury investigations. The Pennsylvania Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers recognized Chris and Justin for their successful efforts in this matter with the prestigious Alan Jay Josel Award for Advocacy. More recently, in 2020, the government agreed after a demonstration of our defense to dismiss an indictment against a client with prejudice after the U.S. Attorney’s Office had improvidently indicted the client on charges of conspiracy, mail fraud, and theft of government funds.

Chris speaks Spanish fluently, can explain the nuances of federal criminal law in that language, and serves as U.S. counsel to a former president of a country in Central America.

Experience

Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices

Chris's work for the pharmaceutical and medical device industries requires him to draw on his knowledge of the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, the False Claims Act, the Anti-Kickback Statute, the Controlled Substances Act, the Civil Monetary Penalty law, the HHS safe harbor regulations, the First Amendment, and the HHS-OIG's authority to exclude individuals and entities from federally-funded health care programs pursuant to the Social Security Act.

Persuaded Deputy Attorney General of United States not to bring charges after Chief of Department of Justice Criminal Division and FDA Office of Criminal Investigations approved charges against three clients employed by a medical device manufacturer.
Represented board member of global medical device manufacturer in DOJ and HHS-OIG off-label marketing probe, resulting in no charges against or disbarment of client.
Collaborated with five national law firms to create "virtual law firm" to represent global 50 medical device manufacturer in DOJ and HHS-OIG investigation of whistleblower/qui tam complaint under False Claims Act. The government declined to intervene and the whistleblower voluntarily dismissed the complaint.
Assessed sales and promotional practices of global pharmaceutical company after former employee alleged violations of Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act and Anti-Kickback Statute. Chris then helped the client design a remedial action plan. No federal investigation or whistleblower action under the False Claims Act ensued.
Financial Services

Chris represents clients in the financial services industry during investigations by the Department of Justice, including the Antitrust Division, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and State Attorneys General.  He is well versed in: Sarbanes-Oxley; Dodd-Frank; the Securities Act; the Securities Exchange Act; wire, mail and bank fraud statutes; the RICO statute; the federal money laundering statute; and the FDIC statute and regulations governing insured depository institutions.

Persuaded Antitrust Division of DOJ to decline to prosecute founder and president of financial advisory firm in probe of public finance markets after the FBI and IRS executed a search warrant and DOJ sent a "target" letter. Chris also convinced the SEC not to proceed after the SEC sent a "Wells Notice" by which the SEC staff expressed their intention to recommend a civil injunctive action and an administrative enforcement proceeding pursuant to the Securities Act, the Securities Exchange Act, and Rule 10b-5.
Convinced the U.S Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, the FBI, and the Securities and Exchange Commission to reverse their decisions to charge the client – a former executive vice president of one of the nation’s largest brokerage firms – with criminal and civil insider trading charges, which could have resulted in imprisonment, a $500,000 fine, and disgorgement of several hundred thousand dollars. In addition, despite a two-year probe and issuance of a Wells Notice, the client's name and reputation remained protected from publicity throughout the investigation.
Convinced DOJ and several State Attorneys General not to proceed against client who had allegedly acted as "robo-signer" of mortgages for one of nation's largest mortgage service companies.
Resolved DOJ wire fraud and money laundering investigation of senior executive at large commodities broker with agreement to forfeit proceeds but no criminal or civil enforcement charges.
Health Care

Chris's work in the health care industry includes proactive counseling on compliance with key regulations facing the industry, including the Stark laws, the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, the False Claims Act, the Anti-Kickback Statute, the Civil Monetary Penalty law, the HHS safe harbor regulations, and the HHS-OIG's authority to exclude individuals and entities from federally-funded health care programs.

Obtained "declination" from U.S. Attorney of both criminal and civil fraud charges against health care practice alleged to have created fatal risk of infection by misusing medical devices during surgical procedures. Chris conducted an emergency internal assessment, counseled the practice on remedial and disciplinary steps, and helped the client self-disclose to the State Medical Licensing Board. The State Medical Licensing Board - like the Department of Justice - took no action.
Assessed effectiveness of compliance program and policies of nationally recognized health system.
Government and Defense Contracts

Chris's experience on behalf of companies who contract with the government includes allegations of criminal and civil fraud, FAR and set-aside violations, sexual misconduct and the Contracts Dispute Act.

Obtained declination by U.S. Attorney of all criminal and civil fraud charges against government contractor after FBI executed search warrant.
Convinced DOJ Inspector General to reverse order suspending government contractor's federal grant award and to replace that sanction with three-year, self-monitored compliance program.
Conducted internal investigation on behalf of Audit Committee of Board of Directors of publicly-traded defense contractor to assess allegations by Navy that client had submitted false claims for payment.
Represented senior official in large government agency funded by HUD during federal investigation of sexual and other misconduct by agency's Executive Director. The U.S. Attorney took no action. Chris also obtained dismissal of two civil class actions filed against his client.
Environmental Enforcement, FCPA, FCA, and the Economic Espionage Act - Regulatory Schemes Spanning Industries

Some criminal and civil enforcement statues - like the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, the False Claims Act, and the Clean Air and Water Acts, and the Economic Espionage Act - span multiple industries.  Chris' experience with these and other regulatory enforcement schemes permits him to operate across numerous sectors of the economy. 

Convinced US DOJ Tax Division, “Main Justice” Environmental Crimes Section, and U.S. Attorney to decline to bring charges of criminal violations of EPA regulations governing renewable fuel tax credits. Then convinced EPA civil regulatory authorities not to pursue an administrative enforcement action.
Convinced U.S. Attorney to reverse decision to prosecute chemical manufacturer after tragic environmental disaster. The Department of Justice had approved an indictment on behalf of the EPA that would have charged the client with criminal violations of the Clean Air Act.
Persuaded U.S. Attorney not to charge CEO of global pharmaceutical company with trade secret theft in wake of complaint lodged by competitor.
Counsels domestic manufacturer with extensive international sales channel on FCPA compliance.
Represented employee who performs internal audit function for international, publicly-traded company in joint FCPA investigation by the DOJ and SEC. The government took no action against Chris' client.
Convinced State Attorney General not to charge Fortune 50 company during a statewide investigation of oil and gas industry where the grand jury returned charges against our client’s competitors.
Past federal prosecution work

Chris's past work as an Assistant U.S. Attorney allows him to help clients understand the tactics and strategies behind government investigations and prosecutions.  As a federal prosecutor, he won jury verdicts in more than 30 federal felony criminal prosecutions and handled cases involving a diverse array of matters, including the Clean Water Act, the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, and mail and wire fraud.

Pursued first environmental justice prosecution in Eastern District of Pennsylvania, which resulted in jury conviction of demolition contractor on felony Clean Air Act charges and felony guilty plea by international conglomerate by which it agreed to fund $1 million cleanup of under-served neighborhood in Philadelphia.
Brought first predatory lending charges to trial in Eastern District of Pennsylvania, resulting in mail and wire fraud convictions.
Obtained conviction of former, disgruntled employee under Computer Fraud and Abuse Act for compromising company's firewalls and exposing proprietary information and confidential personal data to internet hackers.
Traveled to South America for Department of Justice to help Bolivian government draft money laundering legislation.
Public corruption
Obtained sentence of probation for high-level state public official charged with receiving stream of bribes to influence purchasing decisions.

Thought Leadership

News Press Releases Alerts & Newsletters Articles Blogs Events Media
February 20, 2020
Bloomberg Quoted Hall on Roger Stone Sentencing
January 13, 2020
Law360 Quoted Hall on SCOTUS Case
December 5, 2018
Danilewitz and Hall Interviewed on Radio Show
December 3, 2018
Danilewitz and Hall Quoted in Law360 Discussing Their Recent Supreme Court Case
September 13, 2018
Hall Discusses the Breakthrough Bike Challenge
August 21, 2020
Saul Ewing Arnstein & Lehr Attorneys Named to the 2021 Best Lawyers in America and Inaugural Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch Lists
April 24, 2020
Forty-Six Saul Ewing Arnstein & Lehr Attorneys Recognized for Excellence by Chambers USA Directory
August 15, 2019
Saul Ewing Arnstein & Lehr Attorneys Named to the 2020 Best Lawyers in America List
May 9, 2019
Firm's Pennsylvania Attorneys Recognized as Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
April 26, 2019
Forty-Three Saul Ewing Arnstein & Lehr Attorneys Recognized for Excellence by Chambers USA Directory
September 30, 2014
Whistleblower verdict upheld against Chicago State University
August 28, 2014
Court of Appeals asked to clarify scope of Dodd-Frank Act whistleblower protections
June 3, 2014
Whistleblower’s one-two punch: Confidential informant/employee spurs criminal investigation, then successfully sues individual company owner in qui tam action
May 1, 2014
Qui tam relators target – and gain access to – internal investigation on ground that attorney-client privilege does not apply
April 15, 2014
Heartbleed Bug Creates Risk for Businesses and Consumers
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No results.

October 9, 2017
Simpson v. Bayer Healthcare and the “Original Source” Exception: Eighth Circuit’s Interpretation Ups the Ante for Defendants in FCA Suits by Limiting Scope of the Public Disclosure Bar
May 12, 2016
Court Throws Out Counterclaim That Alleged That Whistleblower Divulged Confidential Information
May 4, 2016
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Updates Criteria for Permissive Exclusion Under Section 1128(b)(7) of the Social Security Act
February 26, 2016
Third Circuit Clarifies Prima Facie Burden of Whistleblowers for SOX Retaliation Claims
December 7, 2015
When Government Walks in Industry’s Shoes, FCA May Not Apply (and Vice Versa)
Seminar, Webinar & Podcast
August 11, 2020
Attorneys from Saul Ewing Arnstein & Lehr's White Collar and Government Litigation Practice present to the Marcellus Shale Coalition
Speaking Engagement
November 15, 2018
Danilewitz and Hall Present at the 2018 White Collar Practice Seminar
Seminar, Webinar & Podcast
October 25, 2016
Trouble on Campus: Playbook for Government Investigations and Crisis Management
Speaking Engagement
October 20, 2015
Hall to discuss chief compliance officer role at ACC Annual Meeting
Sponsored Event
October 18, 2015
Saul Ewing Sponsors ACC’s Annual Meeting 2015

No results.

Credentials and Accolades

Honors and Awards

Awarded the Alan Jay Josel Award for Advocacy by the Pennsylvania Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers for advocating for constitutional rights in a statewide investigative grand jury, 2019

Named one of "America's Leading Lawyers in White Collar Crime & Government Investigations" by Chambers USA, 2013 to present

Named to The Best Lawyers in America list, Criminal Defense, White Collar 2015 to present

Named to the Pennsylvania Super Lawyers List for Criminal Defense: White Collar, 2007 to present

Director's Award for Outstanding Performance, U.S. Department of Justice

Prosecutor of the Year Award, International Association of Financial Crimes Investigators

AV Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

Memberships and Affiliations

Current Board Member and Past Chair, Federal Criminal Law Committee for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania

Co-Chair, ABA Qui Tam Committee, Criminal Justice Section's White Collar Crime Committee

Vice Chair, White Collar Crime Committee, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

Past Co-Chair, ABA Criminal Law Section, Sub-Committee for White Collar Crime, Mid-Atlantic Region

Board Member, Philadelphia Diversity Law Group

Chair, Breakthrough Bike Challenge

Member, Abramson Cancer Center Director's Leadership Council

Education

J.D., Georgetown University Law Center, 1985

  • Editor, The American Criminal Law Review

B.A., Amherst College, 1981, cum laude

Bar Admissions

New Jersey
New York
Pennsylvania

Firm Involvement

Board Member and Liaison to Philadelphia Diversity Law Group

 

Clerkships

Honorable James S. Holden, U.S. District Court for the District of Vermont

The defining moment for anyone subject to regulatory scrutiny occurs when the government expresses its intent to prosecute or to bring a civil enforcement action. Government attorneys use the terms "target," "intervention," and "Wells Notice"  to communicate these decisions. Christopher Hall draws on his experience as a former federal prosecutor to represent clients who seek to convince the government to decline or reverse these designations and to avoid the stigma, uncertainty, and expense of trial. Chambers USA ‒ a leading directory of attorneys ‒ ranks Chris in its Band 1 for white collar defense and government investigations. Chris focuses on the life science, health care, financial service, and defense industries, and has deep expertise with the FCA, FCPA, and anti-competition, securities, environmental, trade secret, and public corruption laws. He has responded to hundreds of grand jury subpoenas, search warrants, civil investigative demands, HIPAA subpoenas, depositions, and law enforcement requests for interviews--all with an eye toward convincing the government to take no action. 

While Chris admires his former colleagues at the Department of Justice, he is not afraid to go to court when they cannot agree.  He obtained a verdict of not guilty after a month-long jury trial on federal felony bank fraud charges brought by the FBI, IRS, and Postal Inspection Service.  The judgement of acquittal vindicated his client. Chris is also not afraid to appeal.  When a state court judge in a separate case believed the law permitted the Pennsylvania Attorney General to falsely accuse Chris' client and others in a grand jury report, Chris and his partner Justin Danilewitz (along with 20 other leading criminal defense attorneys) appealed to the State Supreme Court, argued the case on behalf of all appellants, and won - obtaining due process protections for future subjects of state grand jury investigations. The Pennsylvania Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers recognized Chris and Justin for their successful efforts in this matter with the prestigious Alan Jay Josel Award for Advocacy. More recently, in 2020, the government agreed after a demonstration of our defense to dismiss an indictment against a client with prejudice after the U.S. Attorney’s Office had improvidently indicted the client on charges of conspiracy, mail fraud, and theft of government funds.

Chris speaks Spanish fluently, can explain the nuances of federal criminal law in that language, and serves as U.S. counsel to a former president of a country in Central America.