John Lawrence is the co-leader of the firm’s Healthcare and FDA practice group. He primarily counsels healthcare clients nationwide in responding to civil and criminal governmental investigations and defending False Claims Act lawsuits. John frequently represents hospitals, hospital systems, academic medical centers, healthcare corporations, laboratories, pharmaceutical companies, durable medical equipment companies, and individuals in healthcare fraud investigations involving the US Department of Justice, US Attorneys' Offices, and other federal and state agencies. His background also includes significant experience handling complex civil litigation inside and outside of healthcare. In addition to his litigation practice, John advises clients on healthcare regulatory matters, including those involving the Stark Law and Anti-Kickback Statute.
Prior to joining the firm, John was an associate at law firms in Nashville and Chattanooga, Tennessee where he concentrated his practice on healthcare fraud and abuse, compliance and government investigations, and commercial litigation.
- Recognized by Chambers USA for Healthcare in North Carolina, 2024-2025
- Recognized by The Legal 500 United States as a Recommended Lawyer for Healthcare: Service Providers, 2024-2025
- Recognized by Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America for Health Care, 2023
- Named to the North Carolina Rising Stars list for Health Care, 2020-2022
- Named to the Mid-South Rising Stars list for Business Litigation, 2015-2018
- American Health Lawyers Association
- North Carolina Bar Association
- Tennessee Bar Association
- Council Member, North Carolina Bar Association Health Law Section (2018-2020)
- “Government Investigations – Lessons Learned,” Association of Corporate Counsel – Tennessee, 29 September 2022
- “The Telemedicine Explosion: Policy Considerations and Practical Realities,” North Carolina Bar Association – Health Law Section, 22 April 2022
- “Speaker, Risk Adjustment Compliance – Best Practices For Avoiding Legal Action,” 9 November 2021
- “Investigation Hydras: Navigating Complex Issues in Internal Investigations,” AHLA Fraud & Compliance Forum, 1 October 2021
- “False Claims Act Healthcare Year-in-Review,” Health Ethics Trust: Compliance Certification Intensive Course, 11 August 2021
- “False Claims Act Healthcare Year-in-Review,” Health Ethics Trust: Washington Executive Certification Course for Healthcare Compliance Executives, 5 May, 2021
- “Reevaluating the Government’s Dismissal Authority Pursuant to the FCA,” American Conference Institute (ACI) - 8th Annual Advanced Forum on False Claims Act and Qui Tam Enforcement, 25 March 2021
- “Fiscal Year 2020 - False Claims Act Healthcare Year-in-Review,” Health Ethics Trust Webinar, 25 February 2021
- “Fiscal Year 2020 - False Claims Act Healthcare Year-in-Review,” The Florida Department of Health Webinar, 18 February 2021
- “CARES Act Provider Relief Funding: Key Compliance Obligations and Guidance, Best Practices and Potential Liability,” Louisiana Bar Association’s 11th Annual “J. Barrett Benton” Health Law CLE, 4 December 2020
- “Provider Relief Funding and Government Enforcement,” Health Ethics Trust Webinar, 2 December 2020
- “COVID-19 Government Enforcement Update,” Medtrade Virtual Conference, 5 November 2020
- “CARES Act Provider Relief Funding: Key Compliance Obligations and Guidance, Best Practices and Potential Liability,” Health Ethics Trust Webinar, 19 October 2020
- “Anticipating Criminal Investigations of Long-Term Care and Senior Care Providers Relative to the COVID-19 Pandemic,” American Conference Institute (ACI) - COVID-19 Liability for Long-Term Care and Senior Care Providers, 18 August 2020
- “Traversing Borders - Coordinating National and International Investigations Initiated Internally and Externally by U.S./International Law Enforcement,” Under the Wire, 19 February 2020
- “Government Perspectives: Emerging Trends and Priorities in Health Care Fraud & Abuse,” North Carolina Health Care Fraud and Abuse Conference, 17 October 2019
- “Ethical Considerations in Health Care Fraud Investigations,” AHLA Fraud & Compliance Forum, 26 September 2019
- “Internal and External Healthcare Fraud Investigations,” Healthcare Council of Western Pennsylvania Compliance Committee, 13 September 2018
- “The Ethics of a Healthcare Fraud Investigation,” South Carolina Bar Association Conference - False Claims Act/Qui Tam Whistleblower Litigation Involving Health Care Providers, 13 April 2018
- “Overview of Fraud & Abuse Laws,” Tennessee Bar Association 17th Annual Health Law Primer, 4 October 2017
- “The Causation Conundrum: The Growing Circuit Split Surrounding Causation and Kickback-Premised False Claims Act Cases,” American Health Law Association, 13 February 2024
- Quoted, “The Litigation Jolting Health & Life Sciences In 2023’s 2nd Half” Law360, 21 July 2023
- Quoted, “After Self-Disclosing During Investigation, Provider Settles FCA Case,” COSMOS, 5 June 2023
- Quoted, "In Updated DOJ Compliance Guidance, Compensation Is a Lever; One-Word Change 'Slapped Me in the Face,'" COSMOS, 13 March 2023
- Mentioned, "SCOTUS Considers DOJ’s Ability To Dismiss FCA Qui Tam Suits," WestLaw, 8 December 2022
- Quoted, "Supreme Court Seems To Support Government’s Later Dismissal Of False Claims Act Cases," Pink Sheet, 6 December 2022
