Claire M. Schenk is a partner in the Firm's Business Litigation practice group. She concentrates her practice in the areas of Health Care Fraud and Abuse, False Claims Act litigation and government contracts. Claire's practice includes representing and advising hospitals, health plans, nursing homes, physicians and physician groups, pharmaceutical companies, manufacturers and distributors of medical devices, and other health care entities and providers as well as registrants under the Controlled Substances Act and state and federal government contractors.
Prior to joining Thompson Coburn, Claire served with the United States Department of Justice for over fourteen years. During those years, Claire successfully resolved fraud cases resulting in recoveries to the United States in excess of $450 million. These complex disputes involved the following representative industries: dialysis (Gambro Healthcare, $350 million); Medicare and Medicaid contract carriers (General American Life Insurance Company, $76 million); and hospitals, health systems, healthcare providers and government contractors (e.g., Community Health Systems, $31 million, First Union Mortgage Corporation, $6 million).
During her tenure with the Office of the United States Attorney, Eastern District of Missouri, Claire was the Civil Chief and coordinated civil fraud cases on a national, state and local level. She provided guidance regarding legal developments, policies and litigation strategies. Claire also developed state, local and national training efforts to facilitate case development and fraud recoveries. Since 1986, the United States has recovered in excess of $20 billion from False Claims Act litigation. Claire also worked with the National and Missouri State Nursing Home Work Groups to address the substandard care received by some elderly nursing home residents.
Prior to becoming an Assistant United States Attorney, Claire was the Chief Counsel for Claims and Investment Company Liquidation with the United States Small Business Administration. In that role, she managed litigation involving Small Business Investment Companies licensed, regulated and funded by the Small Business Administration. In March of 2006, Claire was appointed as Principal Agent for the U.S. Small Business Administration, Receiver for Coqui Capital Partners, LP (the Receiver), for the purpose of marshaling and liquidating assets on behalf of the Receiver.
Claire has conducted jury and bench trials and has argued many times before appellate and administrative tribunals. Claire also has extensive experience in mediation and arbitration proceedings.