Amanda M. Santella

Partner

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Amanda Santella offers her clients deep and varied expertise in government investigations and internal investigations, with a focus on False Claims Act (FCA) defense. Amanda represents a diverse array of major health insurers, life sciences companies, defense contractors, and other government contractors in all phases and stages of high-stakes FCA matters. Her work in this area includes counseling and risk assessment, internal compliance investigations, responses to government civil investigative demands and subpoenas, self-disclosures and settlements, and litigation in federal district and appellate courts. Amanda is also a frequent public speaker on FCA legal developments and enforcement trends.      

In addition to her FCA practice, Amanda has represented numerous clients in congressional investigations before various House and Senate committees. Amanda’s experience with the unique demands of congressional investigations serves organizations and individual clients in these sensitive and high-profile matters as they navigate responses to congressional requests that often involve public hearings, media attention, and matters of political controversy. 

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Admissions

Bar Admissions

  • District of Columbia
  • Maryland

Court Admissions

  • US District Court, District of Columbia
  • US Court of Appeals, Ninth and Eleventh Circuits

Education

  • Georgetown University, J.D.: magna cum laude; Order of the Coif
  • Williams College, B.A. English

Professional Activities

Co-Author

  • “Cybersecurity Challenges and the False Claims Act: Insights from the SuperValu Decision,” ABA White Collar Crime Committee Newsletter, July 2023 (with Sid Mody and Hannah Dunham)
  • "2 FCA Settlements Highlight Gov't Cyber Liability Focus," Law360, May 31, 2022 (with Danny Ashby and John Dermody)
  • “Senators Introduce Bill to Curb FCA Materiality Defenses Under Escobar,” omm.com, July 27, 2021 (with David J. Leviss)
  • “Eleventh Circuit Issues Opinion Discussing Effect of Regulatory Ambiguity on Scienter,” healthlawyers.org, June 6, 2017 (with David J. Leviss)
  • “United States ex rel. Wichansky v. Zoel Holding Co.: Federal District Court Considers Definition of ‘The Government’ under the FCA,” healthlawyers.org, December 17, 2014 (with David J. Leviss)

Member

  • Edward Bennett Williams Inn of Court 
  • Board of Trustees, Eagles Mere Association 

False Claims Act

  • Represents numerous Medicare Advantage Organizations in responding to civil investigative demands issued by DOJ in FCA investigations related to Medicare risk adjustment, Medicare Part D, the Anti-Kickback Statute, and other federal health care laws and regulations
  • Represents a major national health insurance company in federal court litigation defending against FCA allegations related to the Medicare Part D bid process 
  • Represents a large medical device manufacturer in connection with a DOJ investigation into two FCA complaints predicated on alleged violations of the Anti-Kickback Statute 
  • Represents a large transportation industry client in an FCA investigation into allegedly inflated rates charged to a government agency 
  • Represents a manufacturer of parts used in military equipment in connection with an FCA investigation into government supply chain sales
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