Christopher M. Loveland is a partner in the Business Trial and White Collar Practice Groups in the firm's Washington, D.C. office.

Areas of Practice

Mr. Loveland has represented corporate and individual clients in all phases of complex civil and criminal litigation in federal and state courts throughout the country. He has extensive litigation and appellate experience involving a wide range of issues, including commercial contract and partnership disputes, securities and accounting fraud, government contracts, and intellectual property. In addition, Mr. Loveland has substantial experience advising financial institutions and trusts regarding their fiduciary obligations, and representing trusts in fiduciary litigation.

Mr. Loveland also has represented clients in connection with investigations by government agencies, including the Department of Justice, the Securities and Exchange Commission, and Offices of the Inspector General. In addition, he has experience conducting and managing internal investigations of public companies and privately held entities regarding various issues, including allegations of accounting irregularities, fraud, and potential violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and the False Claims Act.

Experience

False Claims Act Litigation

Successfully moved to dismiss with prejudice qui tam False Claims Act case filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota alleging violations of the False Claims Act in connection with sales to the government of information technology products.

Obtained order granting summary judgment of claims in a qui tam False Claims Act case filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia alleging that a contractor violated the False Claims Act by offering products for sale to the government that allegedly did not comply with the Trade Agreements Act.

Obtained dismissal with prejudice of qui tam False Claims Act case filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts alleging violations of the False Claims Act regarding sales to the government that allegedly did not comply with the Buy American Act and the Trade Agreements Act.

Commercial Litigation

Successfully moved for summary judgment on behalf of a telecommunications company that was sued by a former salesperson who claimed he was owed $12 million in sales commissions, which was affirmed by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.

Obtained verdict on behalf of a limited partner on claims that the managing general partners breached their fiduciary duties through their acquisition, management and leasing of properties that competed with the properties owned by the partnership, which was affirmed by the Maryland Court of Special Appeals.

Represented one of the largest landowners in an eminent domain action brought by the District of Columbia in connection with the construction of the Washington Nationals Baseball stadium, which resulted in a favorable settlement.

Obtained summary judgment on behalf of a financial institution and its counsel who were sued for having allegedly engaged in a fraud-upon-the court in connection with enforcement of a loan guarantee, which was affirmed by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.

Investigations

Conducted internal investigation of the financing, construction, management and operation of a privately-owned gaming facility.

Conducted internal investigation regarding representations made to the government and commercial contractors under a Federal Supply Schedule Contract.

Represented corporate and individual clients in connection with a U.S. Department of Justice investigation of a pardon granted by President William Jefferson Clinton.

Represented high tech distribution company in an investigation by the Securities and Exchange Commission of alleged racketeering, conspiracy and fraud.

Government Litigation

Represented company in challenging an unlawful termination by the U.S. Department of the Interior in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims that resulted in a favorable $5 million settlement.

Developed claims valued in excess of $270 million in connection with a multibillion dollar information technology contract dispute that resulted in a settlement favorable to the client.

Successfully obtained judgment on the administrative record for a government contractor in a post-award bid protest, and obtained an order denying motions for a temporary restraining order and a permanent injunction.

Memberships

· Member, District of Columbia Bar Association

· Member, Maryland Bar Association

· Member, American Bar Association

Articles

· "Federal Courts Begin to Lose Patience With Opportunistic Relators," co-author, The Coalition for Government Procurement Far and Beyond Blog, May 23, 2012

· "Case Study: Sandager V. Dell Marketing," Law360, May 17, 2012

· "Another U.S. District Court Follows The Lead Of The D.C. Circuit In Addressing The "First-To-File Bar" Circuit Split And Pushes Back Against An Opportunistic Relator," Sheppard Mullin Government Contracts Blog, May 14, 2012

· "District Of Columbia Circuit Holds That Certifications In Financial Statements Do Not Constitute Omissions That Qualify For A Presumption Of Reliance In Fraud Claims Under Rule 10b-5," Sheppard Mullin Corporate & Securities Blog, February 2, 2011

· "D.C. Circuit Vacates Proposed Fee For NYSE Arca "Depth-Of-Book" Data And Remands To SEC For Further Review," Sheppard Mullin Corporate & Securities Blog, August 23, 2010

· "District Of Columbia Circuit Holds That Providing Attorney Work Product To Independent Auditors Does Not Per Se Waive The Protection Of The Work Product Doctrine", Sheppard Mullin Corporate & Securities Blog, July 23, 2010

· "Finally, A Ruling That Applies Some Common Sense To The False Claims Act", Sheppard Mullin Government Contracts Blog, May 12, 2010

· "Seventh Circuit Affirms Dismissal Of Consolidated Class Actions Under The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act Based On Faulty Survey Evidence", Sheppard Mullin Class Action Defense Strategy Blog, April 21, 2010

· "Eleventh Circuit Affirms Dismissal of Options Backdating Securities Fraud Class Action for Failure to Meet Reform Act's Heightened Pleading Standards", Sheppard Mullin Corporate & Securities Blog, February 12, 2010

· "The Fourth Circuit Bounces Express Check Class Action Back to State Court Based on Lack of Diversity Jurisdiction", Sheppard Mullin Class Action Defense Strategy Blog, January 15, 2010

· "The Must-Have Record: Board Meeting Minutes", January 31, 2005

· "Utilizing Cross Default Provisions in Franchise Agreements," co-author, The Franchise Lawyer, American Bar Association Forum on Franchising, Volume 6, Number 5, Summer 2003

Speeches

· "Law and Motion in the District of Columbia," November 30, 2009, Washington, D.C.

· "Best Practices in Electronic Discovery for Trademark Practitioners," International Trademark Association (INTA), July 22, 2008, Washington, D.C.