Christopher J. Walsh
Associate, Litigation Department
Office603-628-1140
900 Elm Street
Manchester, NH 03101

Chris Walsh is an accomplished litigator who focuses his practice on white collar criminal defense, government and internal investigations, and other high-stakes commercial litigation.  He represents organizations and individuals in matters involving allegations of fraud, misconduct, corruption, price fixing, collusion, unfair and deceptive business practices, and breach of contract, among others.  In 2016, the Financial Times North America Innovative Lawyers report recognized Chris for his successful legal strategy that led to his client being freed after 30 years of wrongful imprisonment.

Chris is a graduate of Yale University and American University Washington College of Law, where he served as managing editor of the American University Law Review and competed as a member of the Moot Court Honor Society.  After law school, Chris worked for the Honorable Diana E. Murphy, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit.

Admissions

  • New Hampshire
  • New York
  • Massachusetts
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
  • U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts

 

Awards

  • The Best Lawyers in America – Ones to Watch (2022 – 2023)

Representative Clients

False Claims and Anti-Kickback Investigations and Litigation:

  • Represented prominent biopharmaceutical company in DOJ investigation and follow-on qui tam litigation alleging various kickback theories related to health care provider consulting arrangements and other company-sponsored programs.
  • Represented leading pharmaceutical manufacturer in declaratory judgment action against HHS-OIG relating to the company’s copay assistance programs.
  • Represented private equity firm defending against qui tam suit alleging scheme with firm’s portfolio company to submit claims for medically unnecessary lab tests.
  • Represented major biopharmaceutical company in investigations by DOJ and state enforcement authorities alleging various theories of kickbacks to health care providers and false claims violations in connection with the company’s blockbuster Hepatitis C products.
  • Represented health care services company and laboratory in qui tam suit alleging use of defective lab tests.
  • Represented global health care device and supply company in qui tam suit involving alleged fraudulently obtained government contract.
  • Represented pharmaceutical company in qui tam suit alleging payments to pharmacies violated the Anti-Kickback Statute.
  • Represented pharmaceutical manufacturer at mediation with potential qui tam relator, settling claims prior to him initiating formal litigation.

Criminal Defense:

  • Represents pharmaceutical manufacturer under criminal investigation relating to sales and marketing practices; relationships with health care providers, pharmacies, and distributors/wholesalers; and other issues.
  • Represented former Chief Commercial Officer of pharmaceutical manufacturer facing allegations of price fixing and collusion.
  • Represented Gordon Caplan in “Varsity Blues” college admissions prosecution.
  • Represented George Perrot in post-conviction proceedings resulting in his release after having wrongfully served nearly 30 years in prison.  Mr. Perrot’s conviction was based on now-discredited hair microscopy technique, and his conviction was the first in the country to be overturned resulting from the FBI’s historic hair microscopy review.  In 2016, the Financial Times North America Innovative Lawyers report recognized Chris for his successful legal strategy in this case.
  • Represented former employee of technology company under criminal investigation for alleged scheme to fraudulently obtain US visas for overseas workers.

SEC Investigations:

  • Represented special purpose acquisition company (“SPAC”) under investigation in connection with disclosures and financial representations made in public filings.
  • Represented former Chief Executive Officer of Fortune 500 company under investigation for alleged accounting violations.
  • Represented former General Counsel of public company under investigation alleging disclosure and accounting violations.
  • Investigated and defended technology company against various federal securities allegations.
  • Investigated and defended investment management firm against allegations surrounding the SEC’s “pay to play” rule.
  • Investigated and defended hedge fund against insider trading allegations.

Anti-Corruption Investigations and Diligence

  • Represented international medical device manufacturer in DOJ investigation regarding potential bribery and other ethics concerns with distributor relationship.
  • Performed pre-investment anti-corruption diligence for private equity and venture capital firms, and advised firms regarding global anti-corruption policies.
  • Conducted multiple proactive assessments of global anti-corruption risk exposure for life sciences companies.
  • Conducted wide-ranging investigation of foreign bribery allegations connected to large multinational pharmaceutical company.
  • Conducted investigation of political bribery allegations connected to portfolio company of leading venture capital firm.

Other Representative Matters:

  • Represents employee assistance program in responding to DOJ inquiry concerning potential discrimination in medical treatment and coverage decisions.
  • Represented Chief Executive Officer and director of leading agricultural producer and distributor in shareholder derivative action asserting breaches of fiduciary duty.
  • Appointed as Special Assistant Attorney General for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and represented the Department of Children and Families in appeal before the Massachusetts Court of Appeals.
  • Represented private school in connection with allegations of historical misconduct by former employee.
  • Part of team that filed amicus brief on behalf of industry association in Supreme Court case North Carolina State Board of Dental Examiners v. Federal Trade Commission (U.S. No. 13-534).
  • Conducted internal investigation of major consumer goods manufacturer in connection with allegations of fraudulent accounting practices.
  • Represented global medical device company in wide-ranging consolidated state consumer protection action brought by various state Attorneys General.
  • Advised private equity firm in connection with government subpoena concerning potential violations of false advertising laws.

 

 

Publications

  • “FRE 2014 Amendments: Clarifying Certain Hearsay Exceptions,” ABA Section of Litigation, Trial Evidence News & Developments (May 27, 2014).
  • “Out of Strike Zone: Why Graham v. Florida Makes it Unconstitutional to use Juvenile-age Convictions as Strikes to Mandate Life Without Parole Under section 841(b)(1)(A),” 61 American University Law Review 165 (2011).