Education

Cornell Law School, J.D.

University of Virginia, B.A.

Bar Admissions

Virginia
Massachusetts
District of Columbia

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Kwamina Thomas Williford

Partner
Washington, D.C.
t: 202-828-1857

Kwamina Thomas Williford is a partner with the firm's Litigation Department and a member of the firm's Compliance Services Team and White Collar Team. She represents clients in internal investigations responding to and anticipating government inquiries by various government agencies related to alleged fraudulent activity, such as the False Claims Act. Ms. Williford draws upon her experience to advise clients on the design and implementation of compliance programs for government contractors, higher education institutions and other highly regulated entities. She also represents clients before courts and administrative agencies related to contract disputes, statutory violations and D.C. regulatory matters.

Prior to joining Holland & Knight, Ms. Williford served as a law clerk for the Honorable Gerald Bruce Lee in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia.

Representative matters include:

  • defended medical device company in an investigation by the state attorney general in connection with False Claims Act allegations
  • conducted internal investigation of medical rehabilitation organization in connection with potential False Claims Act violations
  • conducted internal investigation of government contractor facing potential False Claims Act violations
  • led internal investigation into potential fraud and misuse of earmark funding for non-profit organization
  • defended pharmaceutical manufacturing company in a Department of Justice investigation involving claims regarding kickbacks, false claims, and off-label promotion
  • participated in internal investigation involving Foreign Corrupt Practices Act matters
  • conducted internal employment investigation involving claims of harassment
  • advised pharmaceutical manufacturing company on numerous compliance policies and procedures
  • advised national company regarding the development of a practical and cost effective records retention program and the implementation of e-discovery best practices
  • advised higher education institution regarding the development of a comprehensive compliance program
  • represented pharmaceutical company in congressional investigation by the U.S. House of Representatives’ Energy and Commerce Committee related to the contamination of a drug supply chain
  • represented chemical company in congressional investigation by the U.S. House of Representatives’ Energy and Commerce Committee related to concerns with flame resistant materials

Professional Honors & Awards

  • Rising Stars, Holland & Knight, Class of 2008
  • Stakeholders 100, Class of 2007
  • Pro Bono All Star, Holland & Knight, 2005-2006
  • Rising Star, Massachusetts Super Lawyers magazine, 2005
  • Individual Pro Bono Service Award, Family Advocacy Program

Memberships

  • National Bar Association Commercial Law Section, Executive Committee Member, 2011-2012
  • Just the Beginning Foundation, 2008 Conference Gala Committee Chair

Court Admissions

  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia
  • U.S. District Court for Massachusetts
  • U.S. Appeals Court, Fourth Circuit
  • U.S. Appeals Court, First Circuit

Speaking Engagements

  • "Internal Investigations Roundtable," National Bar Association Corporate Leadership Forum, August 2, 2011
  • "DCAA Audits of Compliance Systems and the Implications of Changes in the False Claims Act for Universities," Society of Corporate Compliance & Ethics, Higher Education Compliance Conference, June 12-15, 2011
  • "Lessons Learned When Responding to Governmental Inquiries," American Chemistry Council, June 9, 2011
  • "Are In House Counsel in the Cross-Hairs?," Association of Corporate Counsel Northeast Roundtable Discussion, May 19, 2011
  • "U.S. v. Lauren Stevens: The Prosecution of a Company Lawyer," Holland & Knight Institute, May 3, 2011
  • "Anatomy of a Voluntary Disclosure," Association of Corporate Counsel, March 15, 2011
  • Speaker, Current Developments in E-Discovery and Outsourcing, National Bar Association, Commercial Law Section Corporate Counsel Conference, 2009
  • Speaker, Beyond Diversity 2009: The Next Generation, Practising Law Institute, 2009
  • Freedom of Information Act Precedent from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, DC Bar Media Law Committee, February 13, 2008

Published Articles & Books