Hear from Our Customers
You know something’s wrong at your workplace. Maybe it’s healthcare fraud, government contract violations, or financial misconduct that’s costing taxpayers millions. The question isn’t whether you should act—it’s how to do it safely and effectively.
When you work with an experienced whistleblower lawyer, you’re not just reporting wrongdoing. You’re potentially earning 15-30% of whatever the government recovers, which often means hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars. More importantly, you get legal protection from retaliation before you need it.
The process works because it’s designed to protect you while holding powerful organizations accountable. Your identity stays confidential. Your job is protected by federal law. And if you do face retaliation, you have immediate legal recourse.
The Howley Law Firm brings 20 years of whistleblower law experience to Starrett City residents who need serious legal representation. We’ve handled cases at the highest levels—including arguments before the U.S. Supreme Court—and represented major corporations like Pfizer, Texaco, and Citibank.
But here’s what matters to you: we use that same level of expertise to protect individual whistleblowers. Our $80 million class action victory shows we know how to take on powerful defendants and win.
Starrett City’s diverse community of working families deserves lawyers who understand both the local challenges and the complex federal laws that protect whistleblowers. We’ve seen how employers in healthcare, government contracting, and financial services try to silence employees who speak up about fraud.
First, we meet confidentially to evaluate your evidence and explain your options. This consultation is free, and nothing you tell us gets shared without your permission. We’ll determine which whistleblower laws apply to your situation and what kind of protections and rewards you might be eligible for.
Next, if you have a strong case, we file the necessary legal documents under seal, meaning your identity stays protected while the government investigates. During this phase, which can last months or years, you continue working normally while federal investigators build their case using your evidence.
Finally, when the case resolves—either through settlement or trial—you receive your percentage of the recovery. Throughout the entire process, you’re protected from retaliation by federal law. If your employer tries to punish you for whistleblowing, we can take immediate legal action to protect your job and get you compensation for any damages you’ve suffered.
Ready to get started?
We handle the full spectrum of whistleblower cases that affect Starrett City residents. Healthcare workers who see Medicare or Medicaid fraud. Government contractors who witness overbilling or safety violations. Financial services employees who discover securities fraud or money laundering.
Each type of case has different procedures, different deadlines, and different potential rewards. SEC whistleblower cases can pay 10-30% of penalties over $1 million. False Claims Act cases typically pay 15-30% of government recoveries. IRS whistleblower cases pay 15-30% of collected taxes and penalties.
What they all have in common is the need for experienced legal representation. The government receives thousands of whistleblower complaints every year, but only the well-prepared cases with strong evidence and skilled legal advocacy result in significant recoveries. That’s where our experience makes the difference between a dismissed complaint and a life-changing financial award.
Whistleblower rewards vary significantly depending on the type of case and how much the government recovers. Under the False Claims Act, you can receive 15-30% of whatever the government collects from the fraudulent company. In 2024 alone, whistleblowers received over $400 million in awards.
The largest individual whistleblower award ever was $279 million for reporting Foreign Corrupt Practices Act violations. More typical awards range from hundreds of thousands to several million dollars. Even smaller cases can result in substantial payments—we’ve seen awards of $50,000 to $200,000 for cases involving local healthcare providers or small government contractors.
The key factors that determine your award are the strength of your evidence, how much fraud you can help the government prove, and how early you come forward. That’s why it’s crucial to speak with an experienced whistleblower lawyer as soon as you suspect wrongdoing.
Federal and New York State laws provide strong protections for whistleblowers, but you need to follow the proper procedures to qualify for these protections. Under the False Claims Act, employers cannot fire, demote, suspend, threaten, harass, or discriminate against you for reporting fraud to the government.
New York Labor Law Sections 740 and 741 provide additional protections for employees who report violations of law or threats to public health and safety. If you face retaliation, you can sue for reinstatement, back pay, compensation for emotional distress, and attorney’s fees.
The key is documenting everything and working with an attorney who understands these laws. We help you report the fraud in a way that maximizes your legal protections from day one. If retaliation does occur, we can take immediate legal action to protect your rights and get you compensation for any damages.
Most whistleblower cases take 2-5 years from filing to resolution, though some complex cases can take longer. The timeline depends on several factors: the complexity of the fraud, how much investigation the government needs to do, and whether the case goes to trial or settles.
After you file a whistleblower complaint, the government typically has 60 days to decide whether to intervene in your case, though they often request extensions. If the government intervenes, they take over the investigation and litigation, which usually leads to faster and larger recoveries.
During this time, your identity remains confidential and you continue working normally. The lengthy timeline actually works in your favor because it gives investigators time to build a strong case and often leads to larger settlements as the evidence mounts against the defendant.
Yes, in most whistleblower programs you can remain anonymous during the initial investigation phase. SEC whistleblower complaints can be filed anonymously through an attorney, and your identity is only revealed if you choose to claim a reward. False Claims Act cases are filed “under seal,” meaning your identity is kept confidential while the government investigates.
However, if your case goes to trial, you may eventually need to testify publicly. Most cases settle before reaching that point, but it’s something to consider. Even when your identity is revealed, you’re still protected from retaliation by federal law.
Working with an experienced whistleblower attorney is crucial for maintaining your anonymity as long as possible. We know how to structure your complaint to protect your identity while still providing the government with the information they need to investigate effectively.
The best whistleblower cases have documents that prove the fraud is happening systematically, not just isolated incidents. This might include emails discussing fraudulent billing practices, internal memos acknowledging safety violations, or financial records showing kickback payments.
However, you don’t need to have perfect documentation to have a viable case. Government investigators are skilled at using initial evidence to obtain additional documents through subpoenas and other legal tools. What matters most is that you can provide specific, credible information about ongoing fraud that the government wouldn’t otherwise discover.
The key is not to wait until you have “enough” evidence. Fraud schemes often destroy evidence once they suspect someone is watching. It’s better to consult with a whistleblower attorney early who can advise you on what additional evidence might be helpful and how to preserve what you already have.
Reputable whistleblower attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless you win a reward. We advance all the costs of investigating and litigating your case, including expert witness fees, document review costs, and court filing fees.
Our fee is typically a percentage of any award you receive, and it’s only paid if your case is successful. This arrangement ensures that your attorney is fully invested in achieving the best possible outcome for your case.
You should be wary of any attorney who asks for money upfront for a whistleblower case. The potential rewards in these cases are substantial enough that experienced whistleblower lawyers can afford to work on contingency. This also means you’re only working with attorneys who are confident in their ability to win your case.
Other Services we provide in Starrett City