Standing Up For Whistleblowers Rights Across Silicon Valley and The San Francisco Bay Area
When you want to do the right thing after spotting fraudulent business practices, you do not have to move forward alone. Our experienced attorneys are ready to help you use federal statutes like the False Claims Act to call out wrongdoing, fight for justice and pursue rewards you may be entitled to for your actions.
Qiaojing Ella Zheng
Palo Alto and San Francisco Managing Partner and Chair of Asian American Litigation and Finance Practice Group
Why Work With Us
Blowing The Whistle Is The Right Thing To Do
Whistleblowers play a key role in protecting American workers, businesses and the government by assisting authorities in identifying and rooting out fraudulent activity.
You May Be Eligible For A Financial Reward
Federal and state governments incentivize whistleblowers to come forward by offering substantial monetary awards. You may be eligible for significant compensation.
Skilled Advocacy and Client-Centered Representation
Sanford Heisler Sharp McKnight is one of the most experienced whistleblower law firms in the country. We have helped recover millions of dollars for the U.S. Government and state governments.
Fraud and Corruption Are Not Uncommon: What Are Your Options?
Employees are often privy to inside information and may be aware of wrongdoing by their employers. Such wrongdoing may involve fraudulent actions against the government. These activities may violate the federal False Claims Act and other laws – and the U.S. Government has a vested interest in stopping such illegal behavior.
California Whistleblowers Are Protected By Law
The process of coming forward as a whistleblower is intimidating and can be overwhelming. But there are many reasons why speaking out is important.
Whistleblowers are protected by the False Claims Act and similar laws, which can shield them from retaliation by their employer and allow for monetary compensation for their bravery. It is advantageous to work with a law firm that has specific experience in this area – a firm that has a reputation and experience handling high-stakes, multimillion-dollar qui tam cases.
At Sanford Heisler Sharp McKnight, we are interested in speaking with potential whistleblowers across the U.S. and have a unique experience representing Silicon Valley and Bay Area Whistleblowers in the technology industry. As the only national law firm committed exclusively to social justice, civil rights, and corporate accountability with offices in the heart of Silicon Valley, we work with executives, employees, and other professionals serving in the tech industry and emerging businesses on a wide scope of employment matters. As such, we have learned and understand the intricacies of businesses in cutting-edge technology as we represent clients in this region and advance their cases.
Qiaojing “Ella” Zheng is a Managing Partner of the Palo Alto and San Francisco offices of Sanford Heisler Sharp McKnight and Chair of the firm’s Asian American Litigation and Finance Practice Group. As a native Mandarin Chinese speaker with law degrees from the U.S. and China, Ella is uniquely qualified to represent clients in the tech industry. Through individual and class litigation, Ella’s employment practice has included securing tens of millions of dollars on behalf of her clients.
Our Palo Alto office works closely with our Washington D.C.-based partner Vince McKnight who Co-Chairs our firm’s Whistleblower/Qui Tam Practice Group with John McKnight – both which possess significant tech industry knowledge and experience. Sanford Heisler Sharp McKnight offers legal services in English, Mandarin Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Cantonese, Spanish, French, Punjabi, Sindhi, Urdu, German, and other languages.
Case Results
International Vitamin Corporation–$22.865 Million Settlement
In January 2023, attorneys at Sanford Heisler Sharp McKnight helped the U.S. Government reach a $22.865 million settlement with International Vitamin Corporation, one of the largest-ever settlements in a False Claims Act case involving customs fraud.
The Importance Of Acting Quickly
There are a range of reasons why you may want to act quickly when you become aware of wrongdoing by your employer, including that:
- The False Claims Act has a public disclosure bar, meaning you would not be rewarded if you relay information that is already in the public domain.
- The False Claims Act also has a first-to-file element, meaning that if you are not the first whistleblower to report the wrongdoing and your information is consistent with what has already been relayed to the government, you might not be rewarded.
Do you have knowledge of fraudulent activity, such as import fraud? We help with all kinds of whistleblower cases. Reach out today to find out how we can help you.
Learn More About Coming Forward: This Is Your Starting Place
Reach out to us today by filling out the form below. Virtual consultations available. Serving whistleblowers in Silicon Valley, the San Francisco Bay Area, California and nationwide.
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