AGG Launches Civil Rights and False Claims Act Risk & Response Team to Address DOJ’s Expanded DEI Scrutiny

WASHINGTON, D.C., July 14, 2025 – Arnall Golden Gregory LLP (AGG) has launched a dedicated Civil Rights and False Claims Act (FCA) Risk & Response Team to address the U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Fraud Initiative, which was announced on May 19, 2025. The cross-disciplinary team combines AGG’s deep experience in FCA defense, government investigations, employment law, federal grants and contracts, and compliance audits to counsel federal funding recipients on the DOJ initiative’s expansion of the FCA to cover alleged violations of diversity, equity, and inclusion policies.

The team is led by a group of highly experienced attorneys in AGG’s Atlanta and Washington, D.C. offices who are leaders in their practice areas, with decades of experience in civil and criminal DOJ matters, including FCA litigation, Qui Tam defense, employment discrimination audits, and regulatory compliance. Government Investigations partners Aaron M. Danzig, Sara M. Lord, and Gabriel H. Scannapieco, along with Employment practice co-chair Ashley S. Kelly, lead the group.

“This new era of FCA fraud and violations enforcement calls for a similarly innovative response when it comes to mitigating risk and maintaining compliance,” said Gabe, who previously served as a former assistant director at the DOJ’s Consumer Protection Branch. “This team allows us to provide our clients with complete, comprehensive strategies to manage risk and prevent FCA violations as regulations quickly shift.”

The Civil Rights and False Claims Act Risk & Response Team provides strategic guidance across the full lifecycle of risk, including internal investigations, defense of DOJ and whistleblower actions, compliance audits and updates, training and legal opinions, and crisis management. It also offers rapid response capability for clients facing urgent inquiries or subpoenas involving these emerging FCA theories.

The team works closely with general counsel, compliance officers, and HR leaders to proactively assess and adjust their internal policies, particularly those related to DEI initiatives, employment practices, and federal grant or contract certifications, to minimize exposure and demonstrate compliance.

“Race- and gender-based DEI programs may now be treated as fraud, and the ensuing FCA penalties may include things like civil penalties, reputational harm, prolonged litigation, and more,” Sara said. “It is critical for our clients that we meet the moment, and our team’s diverse skillset allows us to provide efficient legal review of organizations’ internal policies, essential in demonstrating good-faith compliance.”

 

 

ABOUT ARNALL GOLDEN GREGORY LLP

Arnall Golden Gregory (AGG) is an Am Law 200 law firm with offices in Atlanta and Washington, D.C. Our client-service model is rooted in taking a “business sensibility” approach of fully understanding how our clients’ legal matters fit into their overall business objectives. Our transaction, litigation, regulatory, and privacy counselors serve clients in healthcare, real estate, retail, technology, fintech/payment systems, global commerce/global mobility, life sciences, logistics and transportation, government investigations, and government contracts. With our rich experience and know-how, we don’t ask “if,” we figure out “how.” Visit us at www.agg.com.