Joe W. Harper

Biography

Joe focuses his practice on leading internal investigations, responding to government inquiries, and defending large corporations in lawsuits brought under the federal False Claims Act (FCA) throughout the United States. He has extensive FCA litigation and government investigation experience and has responded to Civil Investigative Demands, subpoenas, and requests for information involving the Department of Justice (DOJ), DoD IG, DCIS, AFOSI, FBI, CIA, NASA, National Reconnaissance Office, Department of the Interior, DCAA, and DCMA. He has successfully persuaded DOJ and other government agencies to decline intervention and/or terminate their investigations on favorable terms in these matters, which include cases implicating billions of dollars in alleged damages, alleged criminal conduct, and numerous high-profile, high-dollar defense programs.

An experienced FCA litigator, Joe has defeated claims brought by the United States in government-intervened cases. He has won numerous non-intervened cases, too, including obtaining dismissals of qui tam suits prior to discovery. He has represented defense contractors in investigations and litigation and has also represented DOE contractors, health care entities, pharmaceutical companies, financial services institutions, and individuals accused of white collar crime. His experience encompasses all phases of litigation and discovery, ranging from pre-litigation investigations through federal criminal jury trials. He has conducted training for in-house legal departments on government investigations and FCA litigation, including how to mitigate liability and damages in future proceedings through effective communication, and has led internal corporate compliance reviews.

Additionally, Joe has served on the firm’s Recruiting Committee and Women’s Initiative and is active in the community.

Dinsmore on FCA: News and Insights on the False Claims Act

Education

  • Northwestern University School of Law  (J.D., 2005)
  • University of Cincinnati  (B.S., 2001)

Bar Admissions

  • Ohio

Court Admissions

  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
  • U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin
  • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas

Affiliations/Memberships

  • Sycamore Advisory Commission
  • United Way Tocqueville Society

Distinctions

  • Ohio Rising Stars® for Business Litigation