John Partridge stands as a highly regarded Co-Chair of Gibson Dunn’s FDA and Health Care Practice Group, recognized by Chambers as a leading white collar defense and government investigations lawyer. His extensive practice concentrates on government and internal investigations, intricate white collar defense cases, and complex litigation, serving a diverse clientele primarily within the life science and healthcare sectors.
Mr. Partridge brings to the table a deep well of experience navigating the complexities of the Anti-Kickback Statute, the False Claims Act, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), and the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA). He is particularly adept at defending major corporations facing intense scrutiny from U.S. regulatory bodies, including the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
Clients interviewed by Chambers & Partners consistently praise John Partridge as a “smart and strategic tactician,” highlighting his responsiveness, thoroughness, and profound knowledge of the law. Further solidifying his reputation for exceptional client service, BTI Consulting Group honored John as a Client Service All-Star in 2022.
Deep Dive into Health Care Fraud and Abuse Matters
A significant portion of John Partridge’s practice is dedicated to defending clients against criminal and civil enforcement actions related to alleged health care fraud and abuse. He has expertly navigated actions initiated by a wide array of agencies, including the DOJ, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Office of Criminal Investigations (FDA-OCI), the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG), and various State Attorneys General offices.
His substantive expertise spans a broad spectrum of cases involving allegations connected to critical areas such as:
- Clinical Trials: Defending against allegations of fraud and misconduct in clinical research.
- Drug Pricing: Addressing issues related to pricing practices and potential overcharging.
- Importation of Regulated Products: Navigating complex regulations surrounding the import of pharmaceuticals and medical devices.
- Off-Label Promotion: Defending against claims of improper marketing of drugs for uses not approved by the FDA.
- Product Manufacturing Issues: Handling investigations related to manufacturing deficiencies and quality control.
- Sampling Practices: Addressing regulatory concerns related to drug sample distribution and compliance.
- Anti-Kickback Issues: Expertise in cases involving alleged kickbacks related to speaker programs, meals and travel, consulting arrangements, product support activities, patient support programs, physician locators, royalties, and investment interests.
Currently, John Partridge is at the forefront of several high-profile matters, including:
- Defense of a multinational biopharmaceutical company in an Anti-Kickback Statute and False Claims Act investigation centered on nationwide educational speaker programs.
- Representation of a multinational pharmaceutical company in an Anti-Kickback Statute and False Claims Act investigation focusing on patient support program activities and relationships with physician-owned pharmacies.
- Defense of a multinational medical device company in Anti-Kickback Statute and False Claims Act litigation concerning marketing practices.
- Representation of a multinational pharmaceutical company in a False Claims Act case alleging fraud on the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
- Defense of a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company in DOJ and SEC investigations related to alleged clinical trial fraud.
John Partridge’s insights extend beyond the courtroom. He co-authored the criminal enforcement and pharmaceutical sampling chapters of PLI‘s Pharmaceutical Compliance and Enforcement Answer Book 2023, a key resource in the field. His rising prominence in the legal community was further recognized in 2018 when LMG Life Sciences named John “Best in Life Sciences” among its “America’s Rising Stars.”
Expertise in FCPA and International Anti-Corruption Matters
Beyond domestic healthcare law, John Partridge is a seasoned lawyer in Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) and international anti-corruption matters. He has represented companies across diverse industries, including life sciences, specialty chemicals, technology, and telecommunications, in both criminal and civil enforcement actions initiated by the DOJ and SEC. He also conducts internal investigations into allegations of corruption involving operations outside the United States.
Notably, John defended a multinational medical device and pharmaceutical company in parallel DOJ and SEC securities fraud and FCPA investigations spanning activities in over a dozen countries in Asia. His international experience also includes serving on an international Gibson Dunn team assisting the compliance monitor appointed in connection with the Siemens AG FCPA settlement, one of the largest in history. In this role, his compliance monitoring activities extended across Africa, Asia, Europe, and South America.
Compliance Counseling and Government Investigations
John Partridge’s practice encompasses proactive compliance counseling. He regularly advises publicly traded corporations on structuring and enhancing their anti-corruption compliance programs, mitigating risks related to healthcare fraud and abuse and FCPA violations.
His extensive government investigations experience includes counseling clients on a wide range of matters, such as:
- Multiple FCPA investigations for a medical device company involving relationships with distributors and healthcare professionals (HCPs) in China.
- An FCPA investigation for a telecommunications company concerning alleged kickbacks, meal and travel expenditures, and consulting arrangements in China.
- FCPA investigations in diverse geographic locations including Ghana, Mexico, Latin America, Russia, and the Middle East.
- A False Claims Act investigation involving a private equity client’s portfolio company in the electronic health records (EHR) space, focusing on interactions with healthcare providers and technology certifications.
- False Claims Act investigations related to off-label promotion and alleged deception of the FDA regarding product efficacy for medical device companies.
- False Claims Act investigations into pharmaceutical company sampling practices.
- A False Claims Act investigation involving a Fortune 500 hospital management company, arising from a national investigation.
- A grand jury investigation focusing on a former customer of a medical device company.
- SEC investigations into the accounting and disclosures of a for-profit education company and the work of auditors involved in alleged accounting fraud.
Civil Litigation and Appellate Advocacy
John Partridge’s litigation skills extend to civil courts, where he has represented clients in state and federal courts at both trial and appellate levels. His civil litigation experience includes:
- Defending a dietary supplement company in class action lawsuits concerning product labeling under the FDCA.
- Representing pharmaceutical companies in False Claims Act cases related to patent fraud, product pricing, and anti-kickback violations tied to sampling practices, product support services, educational grants, and speaker events.
- Defending a medical device manufacturer against unfair competition and false advertising claims in California state court, successfully arguing for dismissal based on federal preemption.
- Representing a large energy company in federal court actions to expose and prevent enforcement of a fraudulently obtained foreign judgment.
- Representing a retailer in sales tax refund disputes across multiple states, including state court trials.
Earlier in his career, while seconded to the Denver City Attorney Office, John gained invaluable trial experience, trying over twenty criminal cases to juries and judges.
His appellate experience is also substantial. Key appellate matters include:
- Open Door Ministries v. Lipschuetz: Successfully persuaded the Colorado Supreme Court to reject an argument against a faith-based ministry’s case based on governmental immunity.
- Clyma v. Sunoco, Inc.: Appointed by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit as amicus curiae to brief jurisdictional and First Amendment issues.
Education, Clerkship, and Community Engagement
John Partridge’s strong academic foundation includes a J.D. with distinction from Stanford Law School (2007), where he was an Executive Editor of the Stanford Law Review and received the Board of Editors’ Award. He graduated magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa from Dartmouth College (2002) with a B.A. in History and Psychology. Following law school, he clerked for the Honorable David M. Ebel of the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit.
Beyond his legal practice, John Partridge is actively involved in his community and within Gibson Dunn. He serves on the firm’s Pro Bono and Hiring Committees, and as a Hiring Partner for the Denver office. He is also a Board member of KIPP Colorado, supporting college-preparatory public charter schools in Denver. His past community service includes serving on the Board of Trustees of the Legal Aid Foundation of Colorado. His achievements were recognized by the Denver Business Journal as a “40 Under 40” winner in 2019.
Admissions and Contact
John Partridge is admitted to practice law in California, Colorado, and the District of Columbia, as well as before numerous federal courts, including the U.S. Courts of Appeal for the Eighth and Tenth Circuits.
For clients seeking expert legal counsel in FDA and healthcare law, white collar defense, or government investigations, John Partridge at Gibson Dunn offers unparalleled experience and a proven track record of success.
