Recent Blog Posts
Firm Obtains $1.54 Million Settlement on Unjust Enrichment Claim Over Finder’s Fee
Rabin Kammerer Johnson (RKJ), Rafferty Domnick Cunningham & Yaffa (RDCY), and Harris Appeals recently settled a case in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida (Matthew Hayden v. Steven F. Urvan v. Brew First, Inc., Case No. 9:21-CV-82051-MATTHEWMAN) for $1.54 million. The parties vigorously litigated the case for nearly 4 years,… Read More »
Understanding the False Claims Act Public Disclosure Bar: What “Substantially the Same” Means for Whistleblower Cases
The False Claims Act (“FCA”) empowers whistleblowers—known as relators—to bring lawsuits on behalf of the Government when they discover fraud involving federal funds. But not every whistleblower case can move forward. One of the most litigated obstacles is the FCA’s public disclosure bar, which requires dismissal if the allegations in a qui tam complaint… Read More »
Appellate Court Reinstates Whistleblower’s Claims Where the District Court Dismissed an Amended Complaint Because the Allegations Were Based on Information Learned in Discovery
On July 25, 2025, in United States ex rel. Sedona Partners LLC v. Able Moving & Storage, Inc., — F.4th —, 2025 WL 2087871 (11th Cir. 2025), the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals issued an opinion in a False Claims Act case reversing the dismissal of a whistleblower’s second amended complaint on the basis… Read More »
Florida Law Levels the Playing Field on One-Sided Attorney’s Fee Clauses
Section 57.105(7), Florida Statutes, makes reciprocal all contracts with unilateral attorney’s fee provisions that benefit one party over the other.1 Under the statute, where a contract contains an attorney’s fee provision that benefits only one party to the contract, a court may award attorney’s fees to the other party when that party prevails “in… Read More »
10 Tips for Creating a Good Electronic Discovery Plan
The ever-changing technology landscape has increased the volume, complexity, and costs of discovery in litigation. Many clients who find themselves in litigation, however, are not as familiar with the rules, practices, and protocols related to electronic discovery. The purpose of this blog is to help potential litigants understand the process of electronic discovery and… Read More »
Can We Talk? –Florida’s New Conferral Rule for Non-Dispositive Motions in State Court
Under new Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 1.202, the moving party must 1) confer in good faith with the opposing party prior to filing a non-dispositive motion; and 2) file a statement certifying that the movant has conferred with the opposing party and state whether the opposing party agrees on the resolution of the… Read More »
Florida Adopts the New CHOICE Act Impacting Noncompete and Garden Leave Agreements for High-Earning Employees
As of July 1, 2025, a new Florida law has taken effect that governs covered noncompete agreements for certain high-earning employees and covered “garden leave agreements” for employees who continue to receive compensation from their employer after giving notice of their intent to resign and are restricted from competing during the notice period. The… Read More »
RKJ Partner Lauren Johnson Installed as President of the Florida Association for Women Lawyers, Palm Beach County Chapter
On June 12, 2025, at a sold-out luncheon, RKJ Partner Lauren Johnson was installed as President of the Palm Beach County Chapter of the Florida Association for Women Lawyers (PBC FAWL). During the upcoming year, Lauren will focus on honoring past leaders and inspiring future leaders of PBC FAWL. Over the last several years,… Read More »
Eleventh Circuit Rules False Claims Act Qui Tam Claims Barred by Prior Whistleblower Retaliation Claims Under Res Judicata
A recent decision by the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the district court’s dismissal of a False Claims Act (FCA) qui tam action as barred under the doctrine of res judicata due to the whistleblower’s previously filed and dismissed retaliation case. The court’s opinion highlights the importance of bringing both FCA qui tam… Read More »
$300 Million DOJ Settlement in National Opioid Case Against Walgreens Stemming from Medicare Fraud Exposed by Whistleblower
Whistleblower represented by Rabin Kammerer Johnson and Searcy Denney Scarola Barnhart & Shipley WEST PALM BEACH, FL—In a landmark victory for justice and public health, Rabin Kammerer Johnson (RKJ) and Searcy Denney Scarola Barnhart & Shipley—are announcing a $300 million settlement in a whistleblower qui tam action against Walgreen Co., Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.,… Read More »