Passionate Advocate
For Whistleblowers

Kathryn M. Schilling is a highly accomplished whistleblower attorney with a distinguished record of advocacy and a depth of experience that sets her apart in this specialized field. Her practice is dedicated to representing individuals who expose fraud against the U.S. Government, including cases involving healthcare fraud, federal grant fraud, government contractor fraud, mortgage fraud, as well as tax fraud and violations of securities laws.

Ms. Schilling is committed to guiding her clients through the often lengthy and demanding whistleblower reward process under the False Claims Act and the IRS and SEC Whistleblower Programs. She combines the role of a compassionate advisor with that of a relentless advocate, ensuring her clients are supported and empowered every step of the way. Notably, Ms. Schilling is among a select group of attorneys who have secured financial rewards for whistleblowers under all three major government reward programs — a testament to her expertise and unwavering dedication to justice.

Ms. Schilling has successfully represented whistleblowers in numerous high-stakes cases, securing landmark victories that have returned hundreds of millions of dollars to the U.S. Treasury. Her work has shaped enforcement under the False Claims Act and other federal statutes, resulting in some of the most significant settlements in U.S. history, including:

• A record-breaking $623 million settlement with Olympus Corp. of the Americas. This historic resolution under the False Claims Act remains the largest settlement ever reached with a medical device manufacturer. It also set a precedent as the largest amount paid in U.S. history for violations of the Anti-Kickback Statute, underscoring the gravity of the misconduct and the importance of whistleblower enforcement.
• An $85 million mortgage fraud settlement involving Fifth Third Bank. This case exposed systemic appraisal fraud and the bank’s failure to self-report defective mortgage loans, highlighting critical vulnerabilities in the mortgage industry and reinforcing accountability standards for financial institutions.
• A $22.8 million customs fraud settlement with Linde GmbH and its North American subsidiary. The case revealed a multinational industrial engineering company’s deliberate avoidance of U.S. tariffs and customs duties, demonstrating the global reach of whistleblower actions and the importance of fair trade compliance. Ms. Schilling served as local counsel on this matter.
• A $4.5 million grant fraud settlement involving the University of Pittsburgh and Magee-Womens Research Institute and Foundation. This matter uncovered the mishandling of federal research grant funds and deficient accounting practices, emphasizing the need for rigorous oversight in federally funded research programs.
• A recovery of over $86 million in collected proceeds through the IRS Whistleblower Program. These cases exposed sophisticated corporate tax evasion schemes that would have gone undetected without courageous insider clients bringing the cases forward. Ms. Schilling secured significant awards under these programs for her IRS whistleblower clients, including the attainment of exceedingly rare maximum award percentages, thus reinforcing the critical role whistleblowers play in safeguarding the integrity of the U.S. tax system. The IRS Whistleblower Program provides strong confidentiality protections, and in these matters, the whistleblowers exercised their right to remain anonymous.

Before dedicating her practice to whistleblower advocacy, Ms. Schilling worked as a partner at a prestigious litigation firm, where, for more than a decade, she played a pivotal role in advising high-profile clients and litigating complex, high-stakes commercial disputes.