Shareholder Rachel Naor published an article titled “The Top Five Lesson I Learned in My First Five Years of Practice” for the American Bar Association’s Solo and Small Firm Litigation Committee, which is available on the Committee’s website page. Rachel’s top tip for new lawyers is to be the one who owns the facts of a case. In other words, be the member of the team who commits the case timeline to memory, identifies key documents, and know the witness testimony down cold. Rachel also emphasized that it is important for young lawyers to raise their hands and ask for opportunities to help them feel fulfilled and to round out their experience. Other key tips Rachel shared: learn and execute excellent time management skills; be a team player and support the other lawyers on your team; and focus on building relationships, both internally at your firm and with your clients.
Publication on Pleading Standards in Anti-Kickback Statute FCA Cases
Ellen London, Li Yu, and Gregg Shapiro published an article in Law360 entitled “Recent Cases Clarify FCA Kickback Pleading Standards.” The article provides a summary of the Second Circuit Court of Appeals’s decision in U.S. ex rel. Camburn v. Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp. and an analysis of how the Second Circuit’s three main holdings may affect ongoing and future AKS-based FCA cases.
Ellen London Attends WWCDA’s Annual Attorney Meeting
Ellen London traveled to the Sunshine State for two days of dynamic programming and catching up with colleagues at the Women’s White Collar Defense Association Annual Attorney Meeting, held in Miami. Ellen enjoyed visiting her home state, attending informative and insightful panel discussions covering hot legal topics, and connecting with fellow female practitioners. She especially enjoyed catching up with fellow members from small firms (pictured below), who are a part of the WWCDA Small Firm Initiative.
Ellen London Attends Federal Bar Association Annual Qui Tam Conference
Ellen London attended this year’s annual Federal Bar Association Qui Tam Conference in Washington, D.C. where over 400 attendees gathered to network and learn about the practical side of False Claims Act investigations and litigation. Ellen enjoyed connecting with her friends and colleagues from the FCA world and hearing about the latest developments.
Ellen London Presents MCLE on Whistleblower-Reward Programs for Bar Association of San Francisco
Ellen London attended the 2025 Labor and Employment Law Conference, hosted by The Bar Association of San Francisco, at the historic Ahwahnee Hotel in Yosemite, California. At the Conference, Ellen London, Jane Mackie, and Ari Yampolsky gave an MCLE presentation on February 8 titled “Rewards for Some, Risks for Others: What Every Employment Lawyer Should Know about Whistleblower-Reward Programs,” moderated by Jeff Osofsky, in which they discussed aspects of Whistleblower-reward programs that employment lawyers should be especially attuned to, including anti-retaliation provisions that protect individuals who come forward, the enforceability to releases in post-employment agreements, and best practices for compliance programs.
Ellen London Presents CLE on Ethics for Bar Association of San Francisco
Ellen London, Lily Becker, and Sharon Frase gave an MCLE presentation on January 30 titled “Ethics in Action – Client, Company, and Counsel Collide” at the 2025 Solo & Small Firm Annual Conference, hosted by the Bar Association of San Francisco, in which they discussed ethical dilemmas that may arise at different stages of litigation and how practitioners can navigate them.
Ellen London Publishes Article on Medicare Advantage Fraud
In December, Ellen London and Allison Cook published an article in the Winter 2025 Newsletter of the Federal Bar Association Qui Tam section covering the application of the False Claims Act to Medicare Advantage fraud. The article can be found here.
Rachel Naor and Michael Lundholm Present CLE for the Beverly Hills Bar Association
Rachel Naor and Michael Lundholm gave a CLE presentation on December 12 for the Beverly Hills Bar Association regarding key distinctions between state and federal privilege law. The presentation covered the differences between the treatment of invoices, retainer agreements, and tax returns under California state and federal law, and provided tips to practitioners. The presentation drew over 80 attendees.
Rachel Naor and Michael Lundholm Publish Article in Journal of the Litigation Section of the California Lawyers Association
In August, Rachel Naor and Michael Lundholm published an article in the Journal of the Litigation Section of the California Lawyers Association on the key distinctions between California state and federal privilege law. The article focuses on three distinct areas where California and federal courts take different approaches to the application of the attorney client privilege. The article can be found here.
Publication on Motion to Transfer Venue in FCA Cases
Ellen London, Li Yu, and Corey Lipton published an article in Law360 entitled “Motion to Transfer Venue Considerations for FCA Cases” covering recent developments on this area of the law.
Ellen London Presents CLE on Customs Fraud for the New York State Bar Association
Ellen London and Li Yu gave a CLE presentation on July 10 on the False Claims Act in the context of customs fraud, which was sponsored by the New York State Bar Association, Commercial and Federal Litigation Section, Civil Prosecution Committee, in which they discussed the basics of customs fraud cases, some trends, and tips for practitioners.
Ellen London Presents on Fraud Investigations
Ellen London, Staci Dresher, and Rosha Jones presented on the nuts and bolts of investigating allegations of fraud for AWI.
Publication on Pleading in AKS Cases
Ellen London, Li Yu, and Erica Hitchings published an article in Law360 entitled “McKesson May Change How AKS-Based FCA Claims Are Pled” covering recent developments on this area of the law.
Ellen London and Rachel Naor Attend AWI Annual Conference
Ellen London and Rachel Naor were fortunate to participate in this year’s annual conference of the Association of Workplace Investigators, which drew over 400 workplace investigators from around the country to Scottsdale, Arizona, to learn and network. Ellen and Rachel enjoyed connecting with other workplace investigators and attending the Conference’s informative and insightful presentations.
Benchmark Litigation has named Shareholder Ellen London as a “Future Star” for 2023
This recognition is awarded to attorneys who were chosen by peers and clients and are building their reputations in the market. They are also deemed likely to be noted as a “Litigation Star” in upcoming editions of the prestigious guide. Ellen, a decorated former Assistant United States Attorney in Manhattan and San Francisco, is a go-to litigator and trusted advisor to companies and executives, covering areas such as the False Claims Act and other government and internal investigations.
Benchmark Litigation is the definitive guide to the world’s leading litigation firms and lawyers. They provide law firm and lawyer rankings based on extensive interviews with litigators, dispute resolution specialists, and their clients, as well as analysis of the market’s most important cases and firm developments.
Dress for Success
London & Stout was thrilled to be one of the sponsors of Gather Social Club’s networking event to support Dress for Success on May 25. Shareholder Rachel Naor attended the event, which was held at the Capital One café in San Francisco. The event brought together a large group from diverse sectors, including tech, venture capital, and law, who came together to network and support Dress for Success, a nonprofit that empowers women to achieve economic independence.
Publication on Customs Fraud
Ellen London and Li Yu published an article in Law360 entitled “FCA Can Be An Effective Tool For Fighting Customs Fraud – Law360,” covering recent developments in this area under the False Claims Act.
Rachel Naor Becomes Co-Convenor of AWI Oakland Local Circle
Rachel Naor recently became a co-convenor of the AWI Oakland Local Circle. The Local Circle is a group of local investigators who meet every other month to network and discuss topics of general interest and concern to workplace investigators. As a co-convenor, Rachel and a partner identify areas of interest for the group and lead group discussions.
New False Claims Act Publication
Ellen London and Li Yu recently published an article in Law360 entitled “Emerging Trends in Electronic Health Record Enforcement,” which analyzes the increasing application of the False Claims Act to issues arising from the use of electronic health records, and which provides tips for practitioners.
Rachel Naor Elevated to Shareholder
London & Stout is pleased to announce Rachel Naor’s elevation to shareholder. Rachel joined the firm in 2021, and her practice has focused on complex civil litigation and internal and government investigations. Rachel serves clients in a variety of industries, including technology, insurance, education, energy, and utilities. A tireless advocate for her clients, Rachel brings to bear more than a decade of experience successfully representing plaintiffs and defendants in high-stakes matters both with the firm and at two international law firms. Since joining the firm, Rachel has played key roles in wildfire litigation, sensitive internal investigations, and litigation resulting from mergers and acquisitions, among other matters.
Rachel graduated from UCLA School of Law, where she served as Managing Editor of the UCLA Law Review, and from U.C. Berkeley phi beta kappa. She is an active member of the Association of Workplace Investigators and of the Women’s White Collar Defense Association San Francisco chapter. Rachel has been named a Rising Star by Super Lawyers in 2020, 2021, and 2022.
Updates on Materiality Under the False Claims Act
Shareholder Ellen London, along with Li Yu (with whom Ellen worked when she and Li were Assistant United States Attorneys in the Southern District of New York) have recently published an article in Law360 on developments on the issue of materiality under the False Claims Act (FCA Takeaways From Courts’ Recent Approach To Escobar – Law360). In addition, Ellen and Li presented on this topic to a group of practitioners who focus on white collar defense, government investigations, and whistleblower representation on December 9, 2022.
Recent Publications from the Team
We are excited to have recently published two articles in legal publications. Ellen London co-authored an article with Li Yu entitled “Weighing Risk and Reward of Cooperating in FCA Civil Cases,” in Law360 (Weighing Risk And Reward Of Cooperating In FCA Civil Cases – Law360), and Rachael Naor published an article in the California Litigation journal entitled “The Crest Opinions: Impeding Legislative Efforts to Diversify Corporate Boards” (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion – Fall 2022 (calawyers.org).
Ellen London Joins as Shareholder
We’re excited to announce that Ellen London has joined the firm, now known as London & Stout P.C. Ellen, a decorated former Assistant United States Attorney in Manhattan and San Francisco, is a go-to litigator and trusted advisor to companies and executives. Ellen brings a creative, pragmatic, and focused approach to the firm as well as deep experience in complex areas such as the False Claims Act, Anti-Kickback Statute, FOIA, FIRREA, and internal and government investigations. Ellen is widely admired in the Bay Area legal community for her intellect and integrity.
Federal Court Grants London & Stout’s Motion to Dismiss Securities Fraud Complaint with Prejudice.
On December 3, 2021, the Honorable R. Gary Klausner of the U.S. District Court for the Central District California granted the firm’s motion to dismiss a third-party securities fraud complaint against our client with prejudice. After being sued for a scheme to defraud investors, a group of defendants attempted to evade responsibility by shifting blame to our client.
Consistent with our general approach, we immediately looked for the most efficient path to victory for our client. Within days of being retained, we filed a motion to dismiss the third-party complaint as fundamentally flawed in incurable ways. Adopting our reasoning—and agreeing that any effort to amend would be futile—the court dismissed the third-party complaint without leave to amend as procedurally improper and untimely. We are proud to have achieved vindication for our client quickly and efficiently.
Rachel Naor Joins the Firm as Counsel
Rachel Naor has joined the firm from an internationally recognized law firm, bringing nearly a decade of experience representing plaintiffs and defendants in high-stakes litigation.