Washington, DC – Feldesman Tucker Leifer Fidell LLP (FTLF) is pleased to announce that Kristen M. Schwendinger has joined the firm as a Senior Counsel where she will advise clients in the healthcare, nonprofit, and higher education fields. With more than a decade of experience in fraud enforcement, Ms. Schwendinger has a unique perspective on the financial, administrative, and scientific management of grants and cooperative agreements. She is also known as a “go-to” resource for institutions facing government fraud allegations related to federal grants, with a particular focus on preventing False Claims Act liability and protecting organizations before and after the government questions compliance.
“I joined FTLF to help protect federally-funded organizations so that their important missions are preserved during the stress of government investigation and beyond. I know the stakes, and appreciate that FTLF does too.”
As a Senior Counsel to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Office of the Inspector General (OIG), Ms. Schwendinger represented HHS on a government-wide grant fraud task force presenting case studies to her peers about universities and healthcare ventures. During her tenure, she helped resolve nearly two hundred matters, including parallel administrative, civil, and criminal cases. Ms. Schwendinger also championed an initiative for OIG to obtain new grant and contract Civil Monetary Penalty Law (CMPL) authority, which was enacted as a part of the 21st Century Cures Act.
“We are delighted to welcome Kristen to the firm,” said Managing Partner Ted Waters. “Her familiarity with emerging HHS-OIG priorities will provide our clients with valuable insight and advice when faced with government scrutiny. We are especially excited for the wealth of knowledge that Kristen brings to our university and health care clients.”
Ms. Schwendinger received her B.A., cum laude, and J.D., with distinction, from Washington University and a M.P.A. from Indiana University. She can be reached at kschwendinger@ftlf.com or 202.466.8960.
