Overview
A veteran of high-profile trials and investigations, attorney Richard Westling represents executives and businesses in government enforcement matters and other complex litigation. Clients value his ability to enter a crisis and restore calm while mapping out a strategy to help them find closure and get back to business.
His greatest successes—convincing the government not to pursue a case—are often unheralded, but where litigation cannot be avoided, clients benefit from his courtroom experience trying more than 25 federal cases to verdict before juries throughout the United States and arguing more than a dozen federal appeals.
For more than 30 years, Rich has honed his advocacy skills in settings from the boardroom to the courtroom—as a corporate general counsel, a white collar defense attorney, and a federal prosecutor. Earlier in his career, Rich spent more than eight years with the U.S. Department of Justice, including service as the First Assistant U.S. Attorney and an Assistant U.S. Attorney (Health Care Fraud Coordinator; Asset Forfeiture Chief) in the New Orleans U.S. Attorney’s Office. He also served the Justice Department in Washington, DC, as Special Assistant to the Assistant Attorney General for the Tax Division and as a Trial Attorney in the Tax Division’s Criminal Section.
Rich has deep experience in health care fraud matters defending clients in criminal health care fraud cases and in False Claims Act matters (including qui tam litigation) based on allegations of Stark/Anti-Kickback violations, billing and coding irregularities, and/or lack of medical necessity. He also has experience handling a wide variety of white collar cases including tax violations, environmental crimes, bank fraud, public corruption, money laundering, and asset forfeiture.
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Focus Areas
Services
- Banking Litigation
- Environmental / Toxic Tort / Proposition 65 Litigation
- Federal and State False Claims Act (Including Qui Tam)
- Financial Services Litigation
- Fraud and Abuse Compliance Counseling and Defense
- Health Care
- Health Care and Life Sciences Investigations and Enforcement
- Health Care Litigation
- Litigation & Business Disputes
- Managed Care
- Medical Staff, Peer Review
- Stark and Self-Referral Laws
- White Collar Defense and Internal Investigations
Industries
- Academic Medical Centers
- Clinical Laboratories
- Financial Services
- Health Care Industry
- Home Health, Hospice & Community-Based Providers
- Hospitals and Health Systems
- Life Sciences Industry
- Pharmacies
- Physician Group Practices/Management
- Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Providers
- Suppliers & Distributors
Experience
Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances. Significant Litigation
- Defended a highly regarded interventional cardiologist in a two-week health care fraud trial relating to the medical necessity of coronary artery stent procedures.
- Defended a pain management clinic in a month-long criminal trial alleging violations of the Controlled Substances Act.
- Defended a corporate executive in a three-week criminal fraud trial involving charges of government contract fraud and taking kickbacks, and in related False Claims Act litigation.
- Defended a business owner in an eight-week criminal tax evasion trial involving allegations of unreported income, improper treatment of employees as independent contractors, and the illegal use of off-shore bank accounts.
Health Care
- Represented various health care businesses in civil enforcement litigation under the False Claims Act.
- Represented physicians facing administrative investigations and threatened exclusion by the Office of Inspector General, relating to alleged Anti-Kickback Statute violations.
- Conducted internal investigations and made voluntary disclosures for several hospitals in connection with improper physician arrangements and/or improper billing.
- Represented a managed care organization in criminal and civil investigations into alleged denials of care.
- Provided counsel to a nursing home operator in the first-ever criminal prosecution involving allegations of inadequate quality of care.
- Defended a multistate nursing home chain in parallel criminal and civil investigations into alleged quality of care issues.
- Represented several hospital systems in connection with a nationwide investigation involving the propriety of inpatient admissions.
- Represented a physician practice group in criminal and civil investigations into alleged violations of the Anti-Kickback Statute.
- Advised health care providers in connection with HIPAA data breach issues and related notification and reporting obligations.
Tax Controversy
- Represented an attorney in a criminal tax investigation relating to the POINT (Personally Optimized Investment Transaction) off-shore tax shelter.
- Counseled individuals on issues relating to undisclosed foreign financial accounts, and assisted in making voluntary disclosures to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and achieving Foreign Bank Account Report (FBAR) compliance.
- Represented numerous individuals in criminal tax matters being investigated by the Criminal Investigation Division of the IRS, various U.S. Attorney's Offices, and the DOJ’s Tax Division; such representation included pre-indictment advocacy before the attorneys in the Criminal Section of the Tax Division.
Environmental Crimes
- Defended a chief engineer in an investigation and prosecution brought in connection with an alleged bypass of a vessel’s oily water separator.
- Defended employees of a large oil company in an investigation into natural gas flaring on a deep water production platform in the Gulf of Mexico.
- Defended the plant manager of a petroleum refinery in a Clean Air Act investigation involving benzene emissions.
- Represented the president of an environmental testing corporation in a criminal investigation of alleged violations of the Clean Water Act.
Government and Congressional Investigations
- Represented a witness in the investigation and trial of a former member of the U.S. House of Representatives involving bribery and violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.
- Served as lead counsel to a U.S. district judge in impeachment proceedings before the U.S. House of Representatives.
- Served as counsel to a health care company in connection with an investigation by the Senate Finance Committee.
- Represented an equities trader in an investigation by the SEC into allegations of improper timing of mutual fund trades.
Asset Forfeiture
- Represented the former governor of Louisiana in civil forfeiture proceedings following the seizure of approximately $400,000 in cash from a safe deposit box.
- Represented the former president of a managed care company in post-conviction forfeiture proceedings.
- Handled the forfeiture proceedings arising from criminal prosecutions relating to health care fraud, public corruption, money laundering, and other white collar offenses.
Recognition
Listed in:
- The Best Lawyers in America©: Criminal Defense: White-Collar (2019 to 2025), and “Lawyer of the Year” for Criminal Defense: White Collar—Nashville (2022). This award is conferred by Best Lawyers. A description of the selection methodology is available here. No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.
- Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business: Tennessee—Healthcare: Government Investigations & Fraud (2013, 2020 to 2024); Tennessee—Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations (2024). This award is conferred by Chambers and Partners. A description of the selection methodology is available here. No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.
- The Legal 500 United States: recommended in Healthcare: Advice to Service Providers (2018, 2020, 2022 to 2023) and Healthcare: Advice to Health Insurers (2018, 2020). This award is conferred by The Legal 500. A description of the selection methodology is available here. No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.
- Mid-South Super Lawyers: Criminal Defense: White Collar, Health Care, and Business Litigation (2013, 2018 to 2023). This award is conferred by Thomson Reuters. A description of the selection methodology is available here. No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.
- Who’s Who Legal: Business Crime Defence, in “Corporates” and “Individuals” categories (2018 to 2022). This award is conferred by Who's Who Legal. A description of the selection methodology is available here. No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.
Credentials
Education
- Tulane University School of Law (J.D., cum laude, 1988)
- Board of Editors, Tulane Law Review
- Notes and Comments Editor, Tulane Journal of Maritime Law
- Sewanee: The University of the South (B.A., 1985)
Bar Admissions
- District of Columbia
- Louisiana
- Maryland
- New Jersey
- Oregon
- Tennessee
Court Admissions
- Supreme Court of the United States
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
- U.S. District Court, District of Columbia
- U.S. District Court, District of Maryland
- U.S. District Court, District of New Jersey
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Louisiana
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Texas
- U.S. District Court, Middle District of Louisiana
- U.S. District Court, Middle District of Tennessee
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas
- U.S. District Court, Western District of Louisiana
- U.S. District Court, Western District of Tennessee
Professional & Community Involvement
- American Bar Association, Litigation, Health Law and Criminal Justice Sections
- American Health Lawyers Association
- Federal Bar Association, Qui Tam Section
- Health Care Compliance Association
- National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
Media
Events
Past Events
- June 9, 2023
Insights
Insights
- Firm Announcements
Epstein Becker Green Attorneys Honored for Excellence in the Legal Profession by Best Lawyers 2025
14 minute read - Firm Announcements
Epstein Becker Green Honored for Exceptional Performance in Key Practice Areas by Chambers USA 2024
5 minute read - Media CoverageLaw360’s Hottest Firms and Stories Features Epstein Becker Green Insight on False Claims Act Enforcement Trends ...1 minute read
- PublicationsMid-2024 FCA Enforcement and Litigation Trends to Watch3 minute read
- BlogsDOJ’s FY 2023 Statistics: Highest Number of Settlements, Judgments, and Civil Investigative Demands in History and a ...7 minute read
- Firm Announcements
Six Epstein Becker Green Attorneys Named to the 2023 Mid-South Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Lists
10 minute read - Firm Announcements
Epstein Becker Green Attorneys Recognized by 2024 Best Lawyers for Excellence in the Legal Profession
12 minute read - Firm Announcements
Epstein Becker Green Earns National Recognition and High Rankings in the 2023 Edition of Legal 500
3 minute read - Firm Announcements
Epstein Becker Green Recognized for Focused Excellence Across Core Practice Areas in Chambers USA 2023
5 minute read - Firm Announcements
Five Epstein Becker Green Attorneys Named to the 2022 Mid-South Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Lists
9 minute read - Firm Announcements
Epstein Becker Green Attorneys Recognized by 2023 Best Lawyers for Excellence in the Legal Profession
11 minute read - Firm Announcements
2022 Edition of The Legal 500 Recognizes Epstein Becker Green with High Rankings in Health Care and Workforce Management ...
3 minute read - Firm AnnouncementsChambers USA 2022 Recognizes Epstein Becker Green's Focused Excellence in Core Practice Areas: Distinguished in ...4 minute read
- Firm Announcements
Richard W. Westling Named to the 2021 Mid-South Super Lawyers List
8 minute read - Firm AnnouncementsFifty-Eight Epstein Becker Green Attorneys Recognized for Professional Excellence–Three Attorneys Distinguished as ...7 minute read
- Firm Announcements
Epstein Becker Green’s Focused Excellence Lauded by Chambers USA in 2021 Edition of Leading Law Firms and Attorneys ...
3 minute read - PublicationsBiden’s DOJ Predicted to Up the Ante on False Claims Act Enforcement2 minute read
- Firm Announcements
Richard W. Westling, Clay Lee Named to 2020 Mid-South Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Lists
9 minute read - Firm AnnouncementsFifty-Five Epstein Becker Green Attorneys Recognized for Professional Excellence–Two Attorneys Distinguished as ...7 minute read
- Firm AnnouncementsThe Legal 500 United States Recognizes Epstein Becker Green as Top-Tier Law Firm in Health Care and Workforce Management ...4 minute read
- Firm Announcements
Epstein Becker Green’s Focused Excellence in Health Care and Workforce Management Recognized in 2020 Edition of Chambers ...
3 minute read - Firm Announcements
Richard W. Westling Named to 2019 Mid-South Super Lawyers List
8 minute read - Firm Announcements
Forty-Seven Epstein Becker Green Attorneys Named by The Best Lawyers in America 2020, One Attorney Distinguished as "Lawyer ...
5 minute read - Media CoverageJulie Watson Lampley, Machelle Dunavant Shields Featured in "National Firm Adds to Tennessee Health Care Team"2 minute read
- BlogsDOJ Updates Criminal Division's 2017 Guidance Emphasizing Proactive Compliance8 minute read
- BlogsDoes It Pay to Cooperate? Department of Justice Releases New Cooperation Credit Guidance for False Claims Act Targets ...2 minute read
- PublicationsThe SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act: Part 1: New Federal Anti-Kickback Law – Eliminating Kickbacks in Recovery ...13 minute read
- BlogsThe “Yates Memo” Revisited: Pursuing Individuals Remains a DOJ Top Priority – Senior Management and Members of Boards ...5 minute read
- Firm Announcements
Richard W. Westling Named to 2018 Mid-South Super Lawyers List
8 minute read - PublicationsProtecting the Attorney-Client Privilege in Corporate Compliance Matters3 minute read
- Firm Announcements
Epstein Becker Green Attorneys Selected for The Best Lawyers in America 2019 and Four Attorneys Named "Lawyer of the Year ...
5 minute read - Firm AnnouncementsLegal 500 United States Recognizes Epstein Becker Green as Top-Tier Recommended Law Firm, Awards Additional High Rankings ...4 minute read
- Media CoverageRichard Westling Featured in "2018 in Charge – Legal"1 minute read
- Media CoverageRichard Westling Quoted in "Work Carefully with Counsel to Ensure Best Results"2 minute read
- BlogsTwo Recent Department of Justice Memos May Signal a New Approach to False Claims Act Litigation and Reliance on Agency ...9 minute read
- Media CoverageRichard Westling Featured in "InCharge Health Care 2018"1 minute read
- Media CoverageRichard Westling Featured in "2017's Top Reads: Legal"2 minute read
- PublicationsFalse Claims Act Lawsuits Are Ready to "Go Viral" in the Health IT Industry2 minute read
- Media CoverageRichard Westling Featured in "Westling Establishes EBG Presence in Nashville"2 minute read
- Media CoverageRichard Westling Quoted in "Staying Compliant by Avoiding Complacency"2 minute read
- Media CoverageRichard Westling Featured in "People on the Move"1 minute read
- Media CoverageLaw360 Features Richard Westling's Move to Epstein Becker Green2 minute read
- Media CoverageRichard Westling Featured in "Ex-Waller Partner to Start National Firm's Nashville Office"2 minute read
- Firm AnnouncementsEpstein Becker Green Welcomes Richard W. Westling in Nashville and Washington, D.C.3 minute read
- PublicationsDirectors' and Officers' Insurance and Its Role in Government Investigations
- PublicationsChapter: "Managed Care Fraud and Abuse: Risk Factors for Government Program Participants"
- PublicationsQuality of Care, Medical Necessity, and the Peer Review Process: A Compliance Risk That Every Hospital Should Understand ...
- PublicationsForecasting the Future of FCPA Enforcement: How Recent Setbacks Will Affect the Government's Approach to Foreign Bribery ...
- Publications
Chapter: "Nursing Home Litigation Failure of Care: United States v. Melville Borne"