Our Success
Recognized for winning the largest whistleblower rewards in history
$188 Million
Our firm obtained the largest award ever paid to a whistleblower in multi-jurisdictional anti-corruption cases (combined DOJ and IRS).
$104 Million
Client Bradley Birkenfeld was the first international banker to blow the whistle on illegal off-shore tax evasion in Switzerland by U.S. Citizens.
Top 10 SEC Awards
We've prevailed in multiple SEC whistleblower reward cases, including a case in the top 10 of the highest rewards ever granted to a whistleblower.
“The only lawyer on my side was Steve Kohn. He was as smart as they come and feisty as a pit bull. Steve was convinced the government owed me a fat reward, and he was going to get it, or die trying.”
“Most law firms it really is all about billable hours. For these guys it’s all about the justice.”
“They fought tooth and nail for me.”
“We would like to express our appreciation for all your efforts. Whatever the outcome, your perseverance and conviction on our behalf means so much to us. You both have been supportive, honest and dedicated when no one cared to listen. You are both exceptional. We thank you sincerely…”
About Our Firm
The most respected whistleblower attorneys in the world
International Whistleblower Attorneys
Our practice is solely focused on protecting and obtaining rewards for global whistleblowers and others who report fraud and misconduct. We specialize in federal contracting fraud, securities or commodities fraud, tax fraud and evasion, and foreign bribery cases.
Practice Areas
Our firm represents U.S. and international whistleblowers
PRO BONO
We wrote the rules on whistleblowing and advocate for stronger laws
Our team has helped lead the fight to pass amendments which would strengthen the False Claims Act (FCA). We've worked directly with Congressional offices to ensure that legislation gets passed which closes loopholes that have diminished the efficacy of the FCA.
Our firm has worked directly with the Congressional offices responsible for oversight and funding of the CFTC’s Whistleblower Office in order to insure that the program will continue to be an immense success.
Our pro bono team has taken the lead in advocating that laws protecting and incentivizing whistleblowers can and should be a central part of President Biden’s fight against corruption.
Our firm has worked directly with Congressional offices on drafting amendments to the AML Act that would solve issues and lead to a successful anti-money laundering whistleblower reward program.
Insights
Read whistleblower and qui tam news from our firm
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Questions?
Frequently Asked Questions
Blowing the whistle is serious business. Your job, reputation, and career may be on the line. Your first priority should be to find a whistleblower lawyer. Not all whistleblower disclosures are lawful or protected. You need to know how to blow the whistle and protect yourself. Moreover, many whistleblower laws permit you to obtain a financial reward. It is essential that when you blow the whistle, you understand your rights.
The three founding partners of our firm have exclusively represented whistleblowers since 1984 (Stephen Kohn), 1985 (Michael Kohn) and 1988 (David Colapinto). Our managing partner, Mary Jane Wilmoth, joined the firm in 1993.
The firm’s record on winning whistleblower cases is second to none. We obtained the largest award ever given to an individual whistleblower, won numerous reward and retaliation cases, and have worked with Congress and executive agencies in drafting the laws and rules governing whistleblowers.
Our partners have written the most books published on whistleblower laws. In 1988 the firm’s partners helped to found the National Whistleblower Center, and they are highly committed to advocating pro bono for whistleblowers. We’ve successfully established many of the whistleblower laws, regulation, and legal precedents that now benefit all whistleblowers.
In the United States, many whistleblower attorneys work for a “contingency” fee. If the whistleblower loses his or her case, the whistleblower does not have to pay the attorney any money. But if the whistleblower wins the case, their attorney will generally obtain a contingency fee of between 30-40%. Additionally, many whistleblower laws have “statutory fee” provisions. Under these provisions, if the whistleblower wins, the company must pay all “reasonable” attorney fees incurred on behalf of the client.
Finally, although many whistleblowers have a “contingency fee” arrangement, many firms will charge a whistleblower an hourly fee. There are many reasons that firms charge such a rate. Having to pay an attorney a fee is not a good reason to reject retaining legal representation. It is Kohn, Kohn and Colapinto’s general practice to represent whistleblowers on a contingency fee basis.
Outside of the United States, most attorneys charge their clients fees. However, the United States has a different pay-model based on a contingency fee (see above). Thus, international whistleblowers who retain attorneys in the United States often do not have to pay any up-front attorney fees. For more information about attorney fees, please refer to our standard whistleblower attorney fees resource page.
Under the virtually universally followed general rule, if a whistleblower loses their case, he/she does not have to pay the attorney fees incurred by opposing counsel. This general rule is especially true in whistleblower cases litigated within the U.S. Department of Labor. In these cases, there are strict rules preventing companies from ever obtaining any fees or costs from whistleblowers who lose their cases.
There are even limits on the number of sanctions given if a whistleblower files a frivolous lawsuit, in bad faith. In federal court, whistleblowers do not have to pay fees to a corporation if they lose their case. However, if a lawsuit is frivolous and pursued in bad faith, the whistleblower may be liable for sanctions. A losing party in federal court is often liable to pay court costs, which are very small when compared with attorney fees.
It is nearly impossible for a whistleblower who files under the SEC and IRS reward laws to be liable for attorney fees from his or her employer. This situation is especially true if they maintain their confidentiality.
The whistleblower lawyers of the law firm of Kohn, Kohn and Colapinto all have over 30 years of experience representing whistleblowers. If KKC agrees to represent you, one of our founding partners will manage your case. This hands-on approach by KKC partners makes it very difficult for the law firm to represent all of the whistleblowers who contact our firm. A founding partner does review every intake form received through the contact form on our website.
It is often difficult to find a whistleblower lawyer and obtain qualified counsel. Many whistleblowers still proceed pro se (i.e., represent themselves), often because they cannot afford or locate an attorney. We strongly recommend that whistleblowers seeking representation carefully read The New Whistleblower’s Handbook. This book sets forth the essential elements of all modern whistleblower laws. You must understand how these laws work, so you are in the best position to “sell” your case to a prospective attorney.