About Barrett R. Howell

Barrett Howell defends companies and executives in government investigations, civil enforcement actions and criminal proceedings typically involving allegations of securities fraud or healthcare fraud. Barrett also conducts internal investigations and advises corporate boards on internal controls and potential self-reporting issues.

An informed defense

Barrett establishes a level of comfort with clients that helps them effectively navigate government investigations and enforcement proceedings. He represents companies and executives in investigations and enforcement actions involving allegations of securities and accounting fraud, Medicaid and Medicare fraud, bribery, kickbacks, and corruption. He brings a particularly detailed knowledge of the health care industry to his practice. When defending clients in that field and others, Barrett's clients benefit from his strategically proactive approach that often avoids indictment altogether and minimizes financial disruption. Barrett has guided clients to favorable outcomes in investigations, enforcement actions and criminal prosecutions involving alleged False Claims Act violations, health care fraud, securities fraud, FCPA and Anti-Kickback Statute violations, bribery and inducement payments, and insider trading.

Barrett has represented clients before a wide variety of federal and state agencies, including the Department of Justice, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Department of Health & Human Services Inspector General, the Department of Defense, the Food & Drug Administration, the US Drug Enforcement Agency, the US Secret Service, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority and multiple offices of state attorneys general.

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"He's the most responsive and pragmatic lawyer with whom I have ever worked. I know that Barrett represents multiple clients, but whenever I call or meet with him, he makes me feel like I am the only, or at least the most important, client."

Chambers USA 2022
(Texas, Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations) survey response

Practice Focus

  • White collar criminal and regulatory defense
  • Health care, including the Anti-Kickback Statute and Medicare and Medicaid fraud
  • Insider trading
  • Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA)
  • False Claims Act
  • Securities regulation and enforcement

Representative Experience

  • Defended physician-owned medical practice in criminal investigation alleging health care fraud, tax fraud, and wire and mail fraud.  *
  • Defended doctor-owned dental practice in qui tam Federal False Claims Act whistleblower lawsuit and parallel federal criminal and civil investigations.  *
  • Represented publicly traded real estate investment fund in SEC investigation and parallel DOJ criminal investigation.  *
  • Represented multiple individuals and companies in SEC accounting, disclosure, asset valuation and insider trading investigations.  *
  • Defended numerous companies and individuals in federal and state whistleblower lawsuits and resulting civil and criminal investigations conducted by HHS-OIG, the FBI, US Attorneys’ Offices and state Medicaid officials.  *
  • Represented health care providers and DME/pharma interests in Anti-Kickback, Stark Act and False Claims Act investigations and cases.  *
  • Conducted internal investigation for national bank’s audit committee into whistleblower allegations involving related-party transactions.  *
  • Defended Fortune 500 computer hardware company in qui tam False Claims Act lawsuit and parallel government investigation.  *
  • Defended large-scale energy and lighting systems management company in SEC investigation involving revenue recognition and related accounting issues.  *
  • Conducted international internal investigation for oil and gas drilling and production company into foreign transactions and possible FCPA violations.  *
  • Advised board of directors and special committee on governance matters related to whistleblower complaint from disgruntled former CEO of public company. Also conducted related internal investigation. *
  • Defended former CFO of Fortune 500 business process outsourcing company in SEC investigation and enforcement action involving resale transaction revenue accounting.  *
  • Conducted internal investigation on behalf of publicly traded company’s audit committee instigated by whistleblower complaint involving accounting and financial reporting issues.  *
  • Defended global investment advisor in SEC investigation involving valuation and financial reporting. *
  • Defended financial services and lending company in SEC investigation focused on goodwill valuation and impairment testing.  *
  • Defended health care company in parallel DOJ criminal and civil investigations.  *
  • Advised board of directors and audit committee of NYSE-listed company through whistleblower-initiated internal corporate investigation and accounting restatement.  *
  • Defended CEO of Nasdaq-listed company against SEC enforcement action involving allegations of improper revenue recognition.  *
  • Represented publicly traded personal care products company in SEC and General Accounting Office inquiries regarding intangible asset accounting and valuation methodologies. *
  • Defended former executive of publicly traded company against SEC enforcement action involving allegations of stock option backdating.  *
* Experience prior to Katten

News

Publications

Presentations and Events

  • June 14, 2021
    NACD Expert Series With Katten
    Presenter
  • October 29, 2020
    Katten Health Care Symposium: The Business of Health Care in the Wake of COVID, the Election and Social Uncertainty
    Presenter
  • September 20–21, 2018
    5th Annual Government Enforcement Institute
    Co-Chair
  • April 27, 2018
    Association of Corporate Counsel Annual In-House Symposium
    Presenter | Anti-Corruption Training and Compliance
  • May 18, 2017
    PLI's 32nd Midyear SEC Reporting & FASB Forum
    Presenter | Staying Out of Trouble: SEC Enforcement Results for FY 2016 – What Will 2017 Bring?
  • April 21, 2017
    Dallas Association of Corporate Counsel Annual In-House Symposium
    Presenter | What To Do When the Government Comes Knocking
  • November 17, 2016
    State Bar of Texas Annual Business Law Conference
    Presenter | Do's and Don’ts All Counsel Should Know About Government Investigations
  • October 23, 2015
    Business Valuation, Forensic & Litigation Services Conference
    Presenter | The Forensic Accountant: A Key Witness in the Defense Arsenal
  • June 15, 2015
    Southwestern Institute for International and Comparative Law
    Presenter | Whistleblowers: Are You Prepared? | Multi-National Counsel Boot Camp: Practical Solutions for International Lawyers
  • View All Presentations and Events
Practices
Industries
Education
  • Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law, JD
  • Emory University, BA
  • Emory University, BBA
Bar Admissions
  • Texas
Languages
  • French
Recognitions
Recognized or listed in the following:
  • Chambers USA
    Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations, 2022
  • D Magazine
    Best Lawyers in Dallas, 2014, 2017–2018, 2020, 2022
  • Super Lawyers
    Texas, 2014–2020
  • Super Lawyers Rising Stars
    Texas, 2011–2014
  • The Legal 500 United States
    Recommended Attorney, 2017, 2020
Award Methodologies