Ann M. St. Peter-Griffith stands out as a nationally recognized legal expert, adeptly handling a wide array of complex commercial litigation. Her practice spans across crucial sectors including health care, matters related to the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), the False Claims Act, product liability, constitutional law, and employment discrimination. She is a formidable presence in both federal and state trial and appellate courts, known for her strategic approach and deep understanding of the legal landscape.
A seasoned trial lawyer, Ann has substantial first-chair experience in both jury and bench trials, having successfully litigated numerous cases across various jurisdictions. Notably, she served as first-chair trial counsel for Liggett Group in several protracted, multi-week Engle progeny tobacco product liability jury trials, consistently securing complete defense verdicts. This track record underscores her prowess in high-stakes litigation and her ability to navigate complex legal challenges effectively.
Her expertise extends significantly into the healthcare sector, where she represents clients in both civil and criminal proceedings throughout the United States. Ann is a sought-after consultant on critical healthcare issues, including qui tam actions, False Claims Act allegations, Medicare fraud, pricing disputes, Stark Law, Anti-kickback Statute, HIPAA, and HITECH compliance. Her comprehensive grasp of these intricate regulations makes her an invaluable asset to healthcare organizations facing legal and regulatory hurdles.
Beyond healthcare, Ann possesses considerable experience in ERISA litigation, defending plans on behalf of employers and major insurers. She has litigated numerous cases in U.S. District courts, effectively representing clients against individual and class action plaintiffs challenging diverse aspects of ERISA plans. Her strategic use of dispositive motion practice has been instrumental in overcoming challenges to coverage limits and plan management, consistently within ERISA’s administrative records framework, and successfully preventing unwarranted discovery attempts by plaintiffs.
Ann is also an engaging speaker on health care and Medicare fraud topics, sharing her insights and expertise with industry professionals. Her background includes serving as an Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) for the Southern District of Florida. During her tenure as an AUSA, she managed major multi-district litigation involving hundreds of millions of dollars in Medicare and Medicaid pharmaceutical pricing fraud. Her exceptional performance in this role was recognized with the United States Attorney’s Team Award for Exceptional Performance in Civil Health Care Fraud, along with two United States Attorney’s Special Service Awards. Furthermore, as an AUSA, she successfully represented the United States in jury trials in complex employment discrimination cases and defended the constitutionality of federal enforcement statutes against challenges.
Ann’s commitment to justice extends to pro bono work. She was an integral member of the litigation team honored with the Florida Supreme Court’s Voluntary Bar Association Pro Bono Service award for their representation of 34,000 Cuban detainees at Guantanamo Naval Base. Her dedication to public service is further exemplified through her representation of guardians ad litem and her service as a guardian ad litem for numerous severely abused and neglected children, advocating for their well-being and rights.
Ann’s legal acumen and ethical standards have earned her recognition from prestigious legal publications such as The Legal 500 and Best Lawyers. She also holds an AV Preeminent Peer Review Rating by Martindale-Hubbell, a testament to her high level of professional excellence and integrity within the legal community.
Work Highlights:
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Successfully defended a criminal defendant in a major Foreign Corrupt Practices Act prosecution and another in a significant health care fraud case involving tens of millions of dollars in alleged fraudulent claims.
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Served as lead arbitration counsel for a pharmaceutical provider in a complex health care contract and collection dispute arbitration, achieving a favorable settlement.
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As lead trial counsel for Liggett Group, secured complete defense jury verdicts in multiple Engle progeny cases, including Fannie Collar v. Philip Morris USA, Inc., et al., Rachel Baum as personal representative for the Estate of Paul Baum v. R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co., et al., and Robert LaMotte as personal representative for the Estate of Vivian Kemp v. R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co, et al.
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Acted as trial co-counsel for Alltel Communications (Verizon Wireless), achieving a complete defense verdict in a deceptive trade practices action brought by Florida’s Attorney General, and was recognized as one of South Florida’s “Most Effective Lawyers” by the Daily Business Review for her work on this case.
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Obtained a favorable settlement as lead counsel for a family of real estate investors in a specific performance equitable action concerning valuable commercial and residential property in downtown Miami.
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Served as lead co-counsel in a nationwide health care multi-district litigation against Abbott Laboratories over average wholesale drug pricing fraud, resulting in a $126.5 million settlement.
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As lead counsel in 24 coordinated health care fraud cases under Operation Equity Excise, successfully secured judgments of hundreds of millions of dollars from fraudulently-submitted Medicare claims.
In conclusion, Ann M. St. Peter-Griffith’s extensive experience, diverse expertise, and consistent success in high-stakes litigation mark her as a leading figure in the legal profession. Her dedication to her clients and to upholding justice, combined with her deep legal knowledge, makes her a highly sought-after attorney for complex legal challenges.
