Lauren DeSantis-Then represents clients in government investigations, internal investigations, crisis management assistance and white-collar litigation. She has significant experience representing corporate and individual clients in parallel enforcement proceedings by multiple government entities, and in connection with congressional matters. She represents clients in a wide variety of civil and criminal matters including: False Claims Act and qui tam litigation, Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, health care fraud and abuse, Anti-Kickback Statute, agency noncompliance determinations, and other complex federal and state investigations. Her experience includes representing clients before the U.S. Department of Justice, Internal Revenue Service, Environmental Protection Agency, Securities and Exchange Commission, Federal Trade Commission, Department of Energy, Department of Health and Human Services, Indian Health Services, the U.S. Congress, Inspector General’s offices, as well as various attorneys general and state regulatory and enforcement bodies.
Working with boards of directors, audit committees, and corporate management, Lauren has conducted numerous internal investigations, and advised on the creation and implementation of corporate compliance and ethics programs.
Proven success in representing clients in matters involving:
- Syndicated Conservation Easements: Lauren possesses unique experience in the complex world of syndicated conservation easements (SCEs) and provides civil and criminal defense for professional service firms, individual investors, and CPAs facing investigations or litigation related to SCEs.
- Home Health Care Billing Fraud: Lauren possesses a comprehensive understanding of healthcare regulations and experience defending individuals and companies facing accusations of home health care billing fraud. She works to identify weaknesses in the government's case and build strong defenses, focusing on mitigating potential fines and protecting professional licenses.
- Cybersecurity and Data Privacy Litigation: Lauren has a deep understanding of data breach response protocols and state and federal data privacy laws. She has experience litigating with cyberattacks, seeking damages and injunctive relief for victims of data breaches.
- Wire Fraud Investigations: Lauren has a keen eye for uncovering internal control weaknesses and has conducted successful internal investigations to combat wire fraud and ensure proper incident response. She helps clients mitigate future risks and recover stolen funds.
- Criminal Tax Issues: Lauren has an understanding of federal and state tax laws and experience defending clients accused of tax fraud, and other criminal tax offenses. She works diligently to minimize penalties and explore all available options, including negotiating favorable plea deals or challenging the government's case.
- EPA Criminal Charges: Lauren possesses a comprehensive understanding of the Clean Water Act and EPA regulations governing wastewater disposal. She has a proven track record of defending clients accused of exceeding discharge limits, failing to properly report violations, or making false statements. She is skilled at negotiating with the EPA to minimize penalties and explore all options, including challenging the government's case.
- Thermal Efficiency Tax Credit Violations: Lauren possesses an understanding of federal tax code provisions related to thermal efficiency tax credits, as well as EPA regulations governing these credits. She has extensive experience defending clients accused of exceeding credit limitations, failing to meet efficiency standards, or making false certifications with the EPA, IRS and DOJ.
In addition to government investigations, she practices in the areas of government contracts and Public-Private Partnerships (P3s). She serves as outside counsel to one of the largest global defense contractors. She has experience handling complex protests of federal procurements, prime-sub disputes, government contracts due diligence, and regulatory compliance.
Lauren also has experience in the restaurant and hospitality industry representing clients with trademark enforcement, employment disputes and contractual matters.
A strong advocate for providing legal services to individuals and nonprofits that cannot afford representation, Lauren dedicates time to providing pro bono assistance. Most recently, she defended an elderly citizen against a predatory contractor.
Education
- Duke University School of Law (J.D., 2006)
- Duke Journal of Gender Law and Policy, Articles Editor
- Truman State University (B.S., 2003)
- Maastricht Center for Transatlantic Studies (Certificate, 2001)
Bar Admission
- Missouri, 2006
- District of Columbia, 2007
Court Admissions
- U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, 2007
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Missouri
- U.S. Court of Appeals, District of Columbia Circuit, 2010
Professional Affiliations
- Duke Law Alumni Association President
- Duke Women’s Forum Steering Committee
- Women's Bar Association of the District of Columbia
- Truman Alumni Association
- Mid-Atlantic Chapter President (former)
- ABA Lawyer Member
- Learning for Life-Law Explorers Post Mentor (former)
- The District of Columbia Bar
- Health Law and Litigation Committees
- Polsinelli’s Women's Initiative Committee
Recognition
- Named to the St. Louis Titan 100, 2024
- Selected for inclusion in Best Lawyers in America® for Criminal Defense: White-Collar, 2023-2026
- Named to the POWER 30 White-Collar Defense list by Missouri Lawyers Media, 2020, 2021
- Selected for inclusion in DC Super Lawyers Rising Stars, Criminal Defense: White Collar, 2013-2017
- Master of Ceremonies for TEDx Talk South Capitol
- The Community Enterprise Legal Clinic, Duke University School of Law
- 2011 Young Alumni of the Year, Truman State University
