Rise in Reverse FCA Cases Amidst ‘America First’ Trade Policies
Client Alert | 1 min read | 04.25.19
On March 27, 2019, the U.S. Department of Justice intervened in United States ex rel Vale v. Selective Marketplace Ltd., a False Claims Act (FCA) suit brought against a clothing importer for allegedly evading customs duties. The suit is the latest example in a growing number of FCA actions brought against importers for allegedly concealing obligations to pay duties to U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The rise in qui tam suits based on avoidance of duties, combined with the administration’s protectionist policies, means that importers could face increased FCA risks for years to come. In an Expert Analysis article published in Law360, C&M attorneys analyze recent enforcement trends and discuss practical steps that importers can take to mitigate risks.
Contacts
Insights
Client Alert | 2 min read | 06.15.26
Kansas Federal Court Applies “Selective Enforcement” Theory to Reject DTSA Claim
A Kansas federal court held that inconsistent enforcement of trade secret rights can defeat a claim under the Defend Trade Secrets Act (DTSA). In Edelman Financial Engines, LLC v. Mariner Wealth Advisors LLC, No. 2:23-cv-02515-HLT (D. Kan. June 5, 2026), the court applied a selective enforcement theory, holding that when a company does not consistently pursue legal remedies against similarly situated former employees, that inconsistency can be affirmative evidence that it failed to protect its trade secrets. While the selective enforcement theory has appeared in academic hypothetical discussions, the decision appears to be one of the clearest judicial applications of a “selective enforcement” theory in a trade secret case.
Client Alert | 3 min read | 06.12.26
Client Alert | 4 min read | 06.12.26
Auto Dealers: The FTC Is Back in the Driver’s Seat — Warning Letters Signal Renewed Federal Scrutiny
Client Alert | 13 min read | 06.12.26
