Daniel R. Walworth

Partner

  • Daniel R. Walworth
  • Phone: +1 215 979 1194

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  • Duane Morris LLP
    30 South 17th Street
    Philadelphia, PA 19103-4196
    USA

Daniel R. Walworth is a partner at Duane Morris LLP whose practice focuses on False Claims Act defense, internal investigations, and state attorneys general enforcement, within a broader white collar criminal defense and government investigations practice. He represents organizations and individuals in a range of sensitive and significant matters including government and internal investigations and enforcement actions. Dan represents clients in complex FCA matters –including in qui tam litigation brought under the federal FCA and analogous state statutes, and related administrative issues and compliance risks involving the Anti-Kickback Statute, the Stark Law, Medicare and Medicaid billing, and grant and research funding across healthcare, higher education, and government contracting.

False Claims Act Defense

Dan advises clients on the full range of FCA liability theories and handles matters spanning healthcare fraud, research grant fraud, and government contracting fraud. He guides clients through the full potential lifecycle of government enforcement — from advising on early compliance issues, internal investigations and disclosures, receipt of a civil investigative demand or subpoena through investigation, litigation, and resolution.

Internal Investigations & Privilege

Dan conducts and oversees internal investigations for healthcare systems, academic medical centers, and other organizations, with sophisticated command of attorney-client privilege and work product protection. Key areas include:

  • Structuring investigations to preserve privilege
  • Navigating privilege issues involving in-house counsel, compliance personnel, and outside advisors
  • Balancing cooperation with government agencies against protection of privileged materials

State Attorneys General Enforcement

Dan represents clients in state AG investigations and enforcement actions nationwide, spanning healthcare fraud, consumer protection, and multi-state matters involving parallel federal and state enforcement activity.

Healthcare

Dan's healthcare practice includes representing:

  • Pharmaceutical and medical device companies in FCA matters and criminal investigations
  • Hospitals, health systems, academic medical centers, and physician practices, including in CMS compliance, Medicare and Medicaid billing disputes, and audit defense
  • Clients navigating Stark Law and Anti-Kickback Statute issues

Higher Education

Dan serves as team lead of Duane Morris's Education Industry Group and advises colleges, universities, and academic medical centers on FCA exposure and government enforcement risk across institutions’ sponsored research and enterprise wide, including:

  • Cost accounting issues
  • Conflicts of interest and conflicts of commitment
  • Foreign affiliations
  • Cybersecurity and research security obligations
  • Title IV federal student aid funding and compliance

A former Assistant Federal Defender in the Middle District of Alabama, Dan joined Duane Morris in 2009. He is admitted to practice in Pennsylvania, California, New York, and Alabama. Dan earned his J.D., cum laude, from Cornell Law School and his B.A., cum laude, from the University of Dayton.

Representative Matters

    Healthcare Enforcement

  • Obtained judgment on the pleadings on behalf of Plaintiff anesthesia practice in breach of contract suit arising from Defendant’s resolution of potential AKS issues with HHS OIG, in Anesthesia Advantage v. TEC.

  • Represented academic medical center in connection with criminal investigation and prosecution of former employee arising from false testing in genetic cancer screening tests.

  • Represented home healthcare agency in federal and state criminal and False Claims Act investigations arising from alleged billing and AKS issues.

  • Represented hospital in suit and in connection with allegations made by former physician arising from credentialing decision-making, and related investigation.

  • Conducted investigation relating to potential controlled substances diversion issues for academic medical center.

  • Represented Penn State Health in qui tam brought by former surgeon, alleging false billing for pathology testing and retaliation; secured declination by the government, and dismissal of FCA and Stark Act claims with prejudice in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

  • Obtained, on behalf of a medical practice, a ruling that auditors contracted by Medicare used faulty statistical methods in alleging that the client was required to refund approximately half a million dollars in services previously paid by Medicare.

  • Represented relator in qui tam against genetic testing defendants in connection with alleged false billing of genetic testing.

  • Obtained dismissal of physicians in FCA qui tam affiliated with two healthcare systems.

    • Higher Education, Research Universities, and Internal Investigations

  • Obtained judgment on the pleadings on behalf of a University in suit brought by former student in Pires v. Holy Family University.

  • Secured the partial dismissal of claims on motion to dismiss against a University, and the ultimate voluntary dismissal following favorable resolution of the remaining claims in a suit brought by a former graduate student in Voltarelli v. Immaculata University.

  • Obtained dismissal of university and summary judgment on behalf of university police officer in suit brought by former researcher, on claims malicious prosecution and conspiracy based on alleged falsification of evidence in Manivannan v. County of Centre, et al.

  • Obtained individual defense verdict arbitration awards on behalf of educational institution in numerous individual arbitrations brought by former students, following successful defeat of putative class action and referral to arbitration.

  • Represented R1 research university in connection with FCA investigation and qui tam involving Department of Defense cybersecurity requirements for Controlled Unclassified Information.

  • Representation of large public research university in the federal and state criminal and administrative investigations and proceedings—and coordination of related civil proceedings—arising from the allegations and prosecutions surrounding former coach, and senior administrators, from the initial charges through to the present.

  • Conducted investigations and represented research universities in connection with multi-agency government investigations into research accounting and compliance matters, and in responding to government requests for information regarding present responsibility as federal government contractors.

  • Investigation and representation of a research university in connection with multi-agency government investigation into research accounting and compliance matters.

  • Advised small private college in connection with discipline involving alleged criminal conduct of students.

  • Investigated and represented private university in connection with allegations by former student athlete.

  • Represented a university in an investigation into allegations against an athletic trainer, who had been accused of giving players prescription drugs and performing procedures requiring special certification or a medical license.

  • Represented individuals and organizations in investigations arising from pandemic funding, including PPP Loan forgiveness.

  • Conducted internal investigations and represented numerous corporations and educational institutions in connection with government investigations.

  • Representation of large public research university on cyber-security and research compliance issues in connection with cyber-attack of academic research systems.

  • Conducted internal investigation and represented profit college in connection with allegations of misconduct by admissions personnel.

  • Represented Philadelphia charter school in state and federal investigations into alleged self-dealing by founder and former CEO, and assisted school in navigating structural and leadership changes permitting its continued operation and success.

    • Other Matters

  • Obtained judgment on the pleadings on behalf of Plaintiff, IMAX, in suit arising from a breach of contract in IMAX v. Whitaker Center.

  • Obtained resolution and voluntary discontinuance of suit against police officers and bi-state agency arising from alleged excessive force in Simpson v. DRPA et al.

  • Obtained a dismissal of a complaint filed in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, New York County, alleging fraud, malpractice, unjust enrichment, illegal fees, and negligence against a former tax partner at an AmLaw 100 law firm. The complaint demanded $140 million, and arose from the implementation of allegedly illegal tax shelters.

  • Obtained a decision from the Superior Court of Pennsylvania affirming the dismissal for improper venue of criminal charges filed against a client.

  • Successfully secured a declination on behalf of a large pharmaceutical company in an industry-wide criminal antitrust investigation.

  • Represented clients in connection with criminal tax fraud investigations.

    • Pro Bono

  • Obtained through the Immigration IMPACT pro bono project lawful permanent residency for a domestic violence survivor, originally from Haiti, under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA).

  • Obtained an acquittal on behalf of an individual charged with homicide in leading case involving child hyperthermia.

  • Obtained a dismissal of murder charges brought against a pregnant woman following a miscarriage.

  • Obtained a new sentence for a client, securing his release after forty-three years in prison.

Areas of Practice

  • Commercial Litigation
  • White-Collar Criminal Defense

Admissions

  • Pennsylvania
  • California
  • New York
  • Alabama
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
  • U.S. District Court for the Central District of California
  • U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York
  • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama
  • U.S. Tax Court

Education

  • Cornell Law School, J.D., cum laude, 2003
  • University of Dayton, B.A., cum laude, 1998

Experience

  • Duane Morris LLP
    - Partner, 2012-present
    - Associate, 2009-2011
  • WolfBlock LLP
    - Associate, 2007-2009
  • Brune & Richard LLP
    - Associate, 2006-2007
  • Habeas Corpus Resource Center
    - Attorney, 2004-2006
  • Federal Defenders, Middle District of Alabama
    - Assistant Federal Defender, 2003-2004

Honors and Awards

  • Fellow of the American Bar Foundation

  • Named a Future Star by Benchmark Litigation, 2019

  • Listed in Pennsylvania Super Lawyers, 2016-2019

Board Memberships

  • The Public Interest Law Center
    - Board Member

Dan’s publications reflect his engagement with the evolving legal landscape of FCA enforcement, whistleblower litigation, internal investigations, and privilege. He is a contributor to the Duane Morris State Attorneys General Blog. Select publications include:

Selected Publications

Dan is an active speaker on topics related to the FCA, internal investigations, privilege issues, healthcare compliance, and government enforcement. His presentations demonstrate his commitment to educating clients and industry audiences on navigating complex regulatory and enforcement challenges.

Selected Speaking Engagements

  • Speaker, "Navigating the False Claims Act for Government Contractors: A Guide on Compliance with Requirements Relating to Cybersecurity and Other Controlled Information," Duane Morris LLP, Webinar, July 15, 2025
  • Speaker, "Responding to Government Inquiries and Investigations for Educational Institutions," Duane Morris LLP, Webinar, May 20, 2025
  • Speaker, "Navigating the False Claims Act for Government Contractors," Duane Morris LLP, Webinar, May 7, 2025
  • Speaker, "Anatomy of the False Claims Act for Educational Institutions," Duane Morris LLP, Webinar, March 13, 2025
  • Panelist, “Civil Cyber-Fraud Initiative,” NDIA Cybersecurity Division Meeting, November 14, 2024
  • Speaker, "Investigations and College Operations – Best Practices for Internal Investigations and Responding to Government Investigations and Inquiries," Duane Morris LLP Boot Camp for Education Legal Leadership, Webinar, October 15, 2024
  • Speaker, "Investigations by In-House Counsel: Privilege and Ethical Issues," Duane Morris Institute (DMi) Webinar, December 8, 2022
  • Speaker, "In House Counsel and Privilege and Work Product Issues," Duane Morris Institute (DMi) Webinar, October 6, 2022
  • Speaker, "Dobbs: Post-Roe World," Duane Morris Institute (DMi) Webinar, July 27, 2022
  • Presenter, "Implications of the False Claims Act for University Research," Georgia Tech University, Webinar, June 8, 2021
  • Speaker, "Investigations by In-house Counsel: Privilege and Ethical Issues," Duane Morris Institute (DMi), Webinar, March 25, 2021
  • Presenter, "The Next COVID-19 Wave: False Claims Act Liability and Enforcement," Duane Morris LLP, Webinar, February 3, 2021
  • Presenter, "Data Breaches and Sponsored Research Web Conference," Society of Corporate Compliance and Ethics (SCCE), October 21, 2015