Maryland

Joseph Greenwald & Laake’s litigation practice has a strong plaintiff-side focus, with particular depth in whistleblower, False Claims Act, employment and class-action disputes. Based in Greenbelt, Maryland, Virginia “Gia” Grimm, Jay Holland and Veronica Nannis feature prominently in the firm’s most consequential publicly disclosed matters. The team’s reputation in the market appears closely aligned with the scale of its work, with one source describing the lawyers as, "They are skilled lawyers who can run big cases. Good communication. Good settlement skills. Good deposition skills."

The practice’s standout result is its representation of whistleblower Thomas Fischer in the Community Health Network litigation. Led by Nannis, with Holland and Grimm among the supporting lawyers, the Indiana healthcare-fraud matter produced two settlements totaling $480 million. The result also required the hospital system to operate under a five-year corporate-integrity agreement. The matter reflects the firm's ability to secure outcomes that combine significant financial recoveries with broader institutional reforms.

Nannis’s broader public record reinforces the firm’s credentials in complex healthcare litigation, most notably through her leadership in the Community Health Network matter. She has also held a court-appointed leadership role in the Marriott customer data-breach multidistrict litigation. Market feedback further highlights the regard in which the firm’s lawyers are held, with one commentator stating, "The listed partner are amazing lawyers and litigators. They portray effective communication to clients; intentional advocates for their clients; works well with all players in the case--judges, opposing counsel, lawyers on their team, and clients."

Holland adds significant experience across whistleblower and employment disputes. His public matters include the $600 million Allergan/Botox off-label-marketing resolution, a $3 million Adobe kickback settlement and Clark v. Prince George’s County, where he obtained an injunction requiring the county to hire 64 firefighters. Grimm provides further bench strength in employment and False Claims Act work. She supported the Community Health Network matter and works with Holland on a publicly disclosed federal-contracting dispute involving alleged improper charges under Department of Defense contracts, with more than $15 million at issue. Together, their practices demonstrate the firm’s ability to handle high-stakes disputes involving government programs, regulated industries and large-scale employment issues.
Beyond specific matters, peer commentary points to a litigation team that combines technical expertise with long-term client service. One source noted that "The firm consistently meets client needs, resulting in high retention," while another observed, "They are very knowledgeable, diligent, properly aggressive, and have tremendous perseverance. The cases I've had with them have run for many years. They never give up. The people I've worked with there are smart, practical, excellent advocates (orally and in writing), and have a great depth of experience. They also work very well with others, unselfishly and with the client's interest always in view." These assessments complement the firm’s public track record and suggest that its strengths extend beyond obtaining favorable results to maintaining strong client relationships and managing complex litigation over extended periods.

Overall, Joseph Greenwald & Laake’s public casework shows an ability to manage technically demanding litigation involving government programs, regulated industries and collective claims. Its clearest strengths are coordinated case strategy, sustained whistleblower advocacy and securing remedies that extend beyond financial recovery, supported by market feedback emphasizing strong advocacy, practical judgment and client-focused representation.

Updated October 2026