
Andrew W. Schilling
Partner
Biography
Andrew Schilling heads Buckley LLP’s New York office and represents entities and individuals in government investigations, internal investigations, and complex civil litigation. A leader of the firm’s False Claims Act and FIRREA practice, Mr. Schilling regularly represents companies and individuals in responding to civil fraud, civil rights, and consumer protection investigations by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), United States Attorney’s Offices, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), and state attorneys general. Mr. Schilling is a former Assistant U.S. Attorney (AUSA) and Chief of the Civil Division at the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York (SDNY). As Civil Chief at the SDNY, he supervised all federal civil litigation by that office and established that office’s Civil Frauds Unit, which investigates cases in such areas as mortgage fraud, health care fraud, grant fraud, procurement fraud, and customs fraud. Mr. Schilling also served as Chief of the Civil Rights Unit of that office, supervising and handling both criminal civil rights prosecutions and civil enforcement actions, including under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Fair Housing Act, the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA), and laws protecting the rights of service members.
Mr. Schilling is an experienced trial and appellate attorney, and regularly defends companies in False Claims Act qui tam litigation and employment litigation, including actions in federal and state court alleging unlawful discrimination and retaliation. As an AUSA, he handled jury trials and bench trials in bankruptcy, civil rights, employment discrimination, retaliation, and law enforcement misconduct cases. He has also argued more than a dozen federal and state appeals. Mr. Schilling was recognized in 2019 by Benchmark Litigation as one of the nation’s Top 100 Trial Lawyers. He has also been recognized by Legal 500 for his expertise in Financial Services Litigation (2014-2018), and by Super Lawyers for General Litigation in the New York metropolitan area (2013-2020).
Noteworthy matters include the representation of:
- Multiple top mortgage lenders and servicers in False Claims Act and FIRREA investigations by the United States Department of Justice and United States Attorney’s Offices, including the representation of eight mortgage servicers in U.S. ex rel. Grubea v. Rosicki, Rosicki & Assoc., 318 F. Supp. 2d 680 (S.D.N.Y. 2018), an FCA qui tam litigation in the Southern District of New York, which resulted in a dismissal with prejudice that the American Lawyer called “a big win for a veritable army of outside counsel led by Buckley”; the representation of PHH Corp. in a multi-district False Claims Act and FIRREA investigation, resulting in a $74 million settlement of all claims; the representation of U.S. Bank, N.A., in United States ex rel. Advocates for Basic Legal Equality v. U.S. Bank, N.A., 816 F.3d 428 (6th Cir. 2017), resulting in a declination by the government and ultimate dismissal of all claims; and the representation of a mortgage lender in a FIRREA investigation by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York, which resulted in a favorable, pre-suit settlement
- Multiple indirect auto finance companies in DOJ and state AG investigations into subprime auto loan origination and securitization practices
- A bank in successive DOJ and CFPB investigations into payment processing practices, resulting in declinations by both agencies
- A university in state and federal court litigation brought by professors and students
- A mortgage lender in a Fair Housing Act (FHA) lawsuit in the United States District Court for the SDNY, resulting in an early, pre-discovery settlement
- A national financial services firm in a False Claims Act qui tam investigation by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the SDNY, resulting in a declination by the government and voluntary dismissal by the relator
- A committee of the board of directors of a top regional bank in an internal investigation into whistleblower allegations
- A research university in a False Claims Act qui tam investigation relating to grant funding
- Multiple banks in connection with DOJ’s “Operation Choke Point” FIRREA investigation into payment processing, all resulting in declinations
- An individual and trust in SEC enforcement litigation in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey alleging insider trading and reporting violations
- An auto finance company in a CFPB investigation into loan servicing practices, resulting in a declination
Mr. Schilling has served as an adjunct professor of law at Fordham Law School and at New York University School of Law. He has also served as a court-appointed mediator for the United States District Court for the SDNY, as a member of the Second Circuit Pro Bono Panel, and as a member of the Local Rules Committee of the SDNY. Mr. Schilling is also a member of the National Association of College and University Attorneys (NACUA) and the International Association of Independent Corporate Monitors.
Mr. Schilling received his B.A. from the College of the Holy Cross and his J.D. from Fordham University School of Law. After law school, Mr. Schilling clerked for the Honorable Joseph M. McLaughlin of the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.
In The News
Andrew W. Schilling quoted in New York Times article, “Trump administration spares corporate wrongdoers billions in penalties”
Andrew W. Schilling was quoted on November 3, 2018 in a New York Times article, “Trump administration spares corporate wrongdoers billions in penalties,” which discussed the decline in penalties for financial fraud following the change from the Obama administration to the Trump administration. The...
In The NewsBenchmark recognizes Buckley Sandler litigation team; David Krakoff inducted into American College of Trial Lawyers
Benchmark Litigation has recognized Buckley Sandler as one of the nation’s top litigation law firms, awarding it a National Tier 1 ranking for its White Collar practice and deeming its District of Columbia litigation team “Highly Recommended” — Benchmark’s highest...
AnnouncementsThe Legal 500 2018 recognizes five practice areas and 17 attorneys at Buckley Sandler
Buckley Sandler LLP again has been noted as one of the nation’s top law firms by The Legal 500 in its 2018 rankings, with recognition in five practice areas:
- Financial Services: Litigation
- Financial Services: Regulation
- Corporate ...
Andrew W. Schilling Quoted in Inside Mortgage Finance Article, “FHA Lenders Win Big in Seventh Circuit FCA Ruling That Makes It Harder for DOJ, HUD to Argue Cases”
Andrew W. Schilling was quoted on December 21, 2017 in an Inside Mortgage Finance article, “FHA Lenders Win Big in Seventh Circuit FCA Ruling That Makes It Harder for DOJ, HUD to Argue Cases,” which discussed the significant ruling for FHA lenders in United States v. Luce. The article stated, “ In...
In The NewsThe Legal 500 2017 Recognizes Four Practice Areas and 20 Attorneys at Buckley Sandler
Buckley Sandler has again been cited as one of the nation’s top law firms by The Legal 500 in its 2017 rankings, with the recognition of four practice areas:
- Financial Services: Litigation
- Financial Services: Regulatory
- Cyber Law (Data Protection and ...
Legal 500 Recognizes Four Practice Areas and 14 Attorneys at Buckley Sandler in 2016 Rankings
Buckley Sandler LLP has again been noted as one of the nation’s top law firms, with recognition of four practice areas by The Legal 500 in its 2016 rankings: Financial Services: Litigation Financial Services: Regulatory Technology: Data Protection and Privacy White-Collar Criminal Defense In...
In The NewsRenowned Trial Lawyer Preston Burton Joins Buckley Sandler
WASHINGTON, DC (June 1, 2016) – Buckley Sandler LLP, a premier financial services, government enforcement, and litigation law firm, announced today that renowned trial and white collar criminal defense lawyer Preston Burton , has joined the firm as a Partner in its Washington, DC office, effective...
Press ReleasesAndrew Schilling Quoted in Mortgage Banking Magazine Article, "The Litigation Factor"
Andrew Schilling was quoted in Robert Stowe England's article, "The Litigation Factor," on April 1, 2016. Five years ago, federal false claims litigation was a tiny cloud on the horizon. Since then, the clouds have filled the sky and released a relentless deluge of lawsuits and settlements on...
In The NewsAndrew Schilling Quoted in Bloomberg BNA Article, "Ninth Circuit Blocks False Claims Act Suit, Doesn't Rule Out All GSE-Based FCA Claims"
Andrew Schilling was quoted in Chris Bruce's Bloomberg BNA article, "Ninth Circuit Blocks False Claims Act Suit, Doesn't Rule Out All GSE-Based FCA Claims," on February 29, 2016. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit blocked a False Claims Act (FCA) lawsuit that said Bank of America,...
In The NewsAndrew Schilling Quoted in Inside Mortgage Finance/Inside The GSEs Article, "FCA Targets Could Blur the Lines with Increased GSE Focus"
Andrew Schilling was quoted in Carisa Chappell's Inside Mortgage Finance/Inside GSEs article, "FCA Targets Could Blur the Lines With Increased GSE Focus," on February 19, 2016. The case is currently in the U.S. Court of Appeals, where the Ninth Circuit will make a decision and Schilling said it’s...
In The News
Publications
"The False Claims Act, higher education, and the risks for research universities" by Andrew W. Schilling (NACUA Note)
Andrew W. Schilling wrote an article for the National Association of College and University Attorneys covering the risks these institutions face from Department of Justice enforcement of the False Claims Act. The article summarizes recent FCA cases of relevance to colleges and universities, while...
Articles"5 FCA enforcement predictions after Coronavirus relief bill" by Andrew W. Schilling (Law360)
On March 27, President Donald Trump signed into law the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act, also known as the CARES Act. Although the False Claims Act is not mentioned in this stimulus bill, the implications of the act on FCA enforcement are likely to be significant. Click here to...
Articles"Cooperation in False Claims Act investigations: The benefits of conducting a proactive internal investigation" by Andrew W. Schilling (Bloomberg Law)
Most companies that receive a civil investigative demand (CID) in a False Claims Act (FCA) investigation decide early that they will ‘‘fully cooperate’’ with the government’s investigation. That’s an easy decision because there really is no alternative: Failure to cooperate with the Justice...
Articles"The False Claims Act seal: Does it bind and gag the defendant?" by Andrew W. Schilling and Megan E. Whitehill (Business Crimes Bulletin)
A company that finds itself the target of a federal fraud investigation often faces the fraught question of whether it may, or even must, disclose the existence of that investigation to third parties, such as its investors, shareholders, major creditors, or insurers. The question can be even more...
ArticlesAndrew W. Schilling and Megan E. Whitehill Authored a Law360 Article, "Revisiting Bishop In Light Of Escobar"
Last year, the Second Circuit Court of Appeals in New York handed the banking industry some much-needed ammunition to fight back against False Claims Act suits premised on broad certifications of compliance. Specifically, in Bishop v. Wells Fargo & Co ., the court affirmed the dismissal of a...
ArticlesSpecial Alert: Election Results - Preliminary Thoughts and Reactions
As a result of last Tuesday’s election, Republicans will control the White House and both houses of Congress in 2017. It is likely there ultimately will be some significant changes affecting financial services regulation and enforcement, but they will take time to implement. The President-elect has...
ArticlesSpecial Alert: Second Circuit Rules Fraud Claim Based on Contractual Promise Cannot Support FIRREA Violation Without Proof of Fraudulent Intent at Time of Contract Execution
On May 23, in an opinion delivered by Circuit Judge Richard Wesley, the Second Circuit Court of Appeals reversed the District Court for the Southern District of New York’s (SDNY) July 30, 2014 judgment ordering a bank and its lender subsidiary to pay penalties in excess of $1.2 billion for alleged...
ArticlesA False Claims Act Win for the Banks
In the years following the financial crisis, the U.S. Department of Justice and the relators bar have aggressively used the False Claims Act to target banks and nonbank mortgage lenders and servicers, using increasingly creative theories of liability to hold these companies responsible for failing...
ArticlesAmending FIRREA: An Alternative Proposal
Near the end of his tenure, Attorney General Eric Holder publicly raised the prospect of amending FIRREA—the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act of 1989—to increase the incentives for blowing the whistle on financial fraud. FIRREA is the federal statute the Department of...
ArticlesFannie And Freddie Loans Could Be Next FCA Targets
By now, lenders that make loans insured by the federal government are well acquainted with the False Claims Act. Following the financial crisis, the U.S. Department of Justice has aggressively used the FCA to collect billions of dollars in settlements from mortgage lenders whose loans are backed by...
Articles
Awards and Recognitions
Awards & Recognitions
- Benchmark Litigation 2019: Top 100 Trial Lawyers
- Benchmark Litigation 2019: White Collar Crime
- Legal 500 2017-2018: Financial Services: Litigation
- Legal 500 2014-2016: Litigation - White-Collar Criminal Defense
- Super Lawyers 2013-2020: New York Metro: General Litigation
Practice Areas
- Appellate
- Class Actions
- Colleges & Universities
- Complex Civil Litigation
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
- Enforcement Actions & Investigations
- Escheatment
- False Claims Act & FIRREA
- Federal Trade Commission
- Inspector General Investigations
- Internal Investigations
- Monitorships
- Pro Bono
- Securities
- State Attorneys General
- Unfair, Deceptive, or Abusive Acts or Practices
- Whistleblower
- White Collar
- Workplace Cultural Compliance
Education
- J.D., Fordham University, 1992
- B.A., College of Holy Cross, 1988
Admissions
- District of Columbia
- Massachusetts
- New York
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of New York
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York
- U.S. Supreme Court
Government Service
- Assistant U.S. Attorney and Chief of the Civil Division at the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York
- Law Clerk, Hon. Joseph M. McLaughlin, U.S. Court of Appeals, Second Circuit