Phone: 612-605-4098  |  

Lon R. Leavitt

Lon R. Leavitt

Partner
Phone: 602-535-2203
866-523-8533 (Toll Free)
Fax: 612-605-4099
Email: leavitt@halunenlaw.com

As a partner at Halunen Law, Lon Leavitt represents whistleblowers nationwide from a variety of industries in qui tam actions under the False Claims Act. An experienced and respected former Assistant United States Attorney, Lon has deep expertise with the False Claims Act. He has handled dozens of investigations and cases that collectively returned tens of millions of dollars to the United States government.

Lon joined Halunen Law after a successful twelve-year tenure as an Assistant United States Attorney in the District of Arizona, one of the largest and busiest federal districts in the country. In that role, he managed False Claims Act investigations and litigation on behalf of the federal government in a wide range of fields, including healthcare, defense, and education. Lon is especially knowledgeable in healthcare fraud enforcement, having successfully pursued cases against hospitals, hospices, physician groups, and other healthcare providers. For nearly ten years, Lon also served as the Affirmative Civil Enforcement Coordinator and the Civil Healthcare Fraud Coordinator for the District of Arizona. Prior to serving as a federal prosecutor in Arizona, Lon served as a Special Assistant United States Attorney in the District of Nevada, representing the federal government in civil fraud matters, criminal and civil asset forfeiture cases, and other civil litigation.

Widely known for his unusual aptitude for creating effective strategies for investigating and litigating qui tam actions, Lon is quick to identify a case’s strengths and weaknesses. Clients also benefit from his ability to explain complex legal issues and thoroughly research and articulate legal positions. Lon provides clients invaluable experience, keen insights, and trusted counsel while helping them navigate the complexities of qui tam cases.

Lon has received several awards, recognitions, and commendations for his work, including the United States Department of Health and Human Services Inspector General’s Integrity Award. A frequent speaker at professional conferences, Lon has given numerous presentations and training sessions dealing with the False Claims Act, civil enforcement, and healthcare fraud. A native of Nevada, educated there and in Utah, and based in Arizona, Lon earned his law degree from the William S. Boyd School of Law at the University of Nevada Las Vegas and a bachelor’s degree, summa cum laude, in Political Science and Spanish from Southern Utah University.

Outside the office, you will find Lon enjoying time with his family, serving in his church, and playing and watching sports, especially basketball.

Areas of Practice

Bar Admissions

  • Arizona
  • Utah
  • Minnesota

Federal Court Admissions

  • United States District Court, Arizona
  • United States District Court, Utah
  • United States District Court, Minnesota

Education

  • William S. Boyd School of Law, University of Nevada Las Vegas
    • Juris Doctor
  • Southern Utah University
    • B.A. summa cum laude (2nd in Class of 934)

Professional Associations and Memberships

  • Tax Payers Against Fraud (TAF)
  • Federal Bar Association
  • Arizona Society of Healthcare Attorneys
  • Health Care Compliance Association
  • Arizona Employment Lawyers Association
  • J. Reuben Clark Law Society

Selected Publications/Presentations

  • “New False Claims Act Ruling Revives Tools to Establish Falsity” (Law360; March 26, 2020)
  • “Prosecution and Defense: Points of Collaboration and Contention in False Claims Act Cases” (Health Care Compliance Association; Regional Compliance Conference; Scottsdale, Arizona; November 8, 2019)
  • “The View from the Enforcement Side of the Fraud and Abuse Coin” (Guest Lecturer; Health Care Transactions and Investigations Course; Master of Laws Program; Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law; Arizona State University; Phoenix, Arizona; March 19, 2019)
  • “Communicating with Health Care Regulators: Try an Open Dialogue” (Guest Lecturer/Panelist; Health Care Industry Compliance Course; Master of Legal Studies Program; Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law; Arizona State University; Phoenix, Arizona; January 3, 2019)
  • “Communicating with Regulators and Enforcement Representatives: Try an Open Dialogue” (Panelist; Health Care Compliance Association; Regional Compliance Conference; Scottsdale, Arizona; November 9, 2018)
  • “Communicating with Regulators and Enforcement Representatives” (Panelist; Health Care Compliance Association; Board Audit Committee Compliance Conference; Scottsdale, Arizona; February 26, 2018)
  • “Privilege Issues in False Claims Act Litigation” (Panelist; 17th Annual Taxpayers Against Fraud Education Fund Conference; Washington, D.C.; November 2, 2017)
  • “Hospice Fraud” (Panelist; Fraud Meeting/Regional Training for Agents and Attorneys; Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General; San Diego, California; May 18, 2017)
  • “Health Care Fraud, Waste, and Abuse” (Guest Lecturer/Panelist; University of Arizona; February 27, 2017)
  • “Civil Health Care Fraud Enforcement in Arizona: Tools, Trends, and Priorities” (Continuing Legal Education Presentation; Arizona Association of Health Care Lawyers; Phoenix, Arizona; December 14, 2016)
  • “Dangers, Developments, and Disclosures Related to Kickbacks, Referral Fees, and False Claims” (Round-up/Arizona Physician, November 2016)
  • “Broken Promises and False Claims Act Liability after Escobar” (Panelist; 2016 Fall Conference; Mental Health Corporations of America, Inc.; Scottsdale, Arizona; November 3, 2016)
  • “In Defense of the Defense Department: Identifying, Investigating, and Litigating Civil Fraud and Abuse Cases under the False Claims Act” (Fraud Awareness Training for Audit Staff; Defense Contract Audit Agency; Chandler, Arizona; March 16, 2016)
  • “Protecting Federal Lands and Resources through Civil Enforcement: Procedures, Pointers, and Pitfalls” (Bureau of Land Management National Training; Law Enforcement for Managers Course; Phoenix, Arizona; November 17, 2015)
  • “Communicating with Regulators and Enforcement: Avoiding Pitfalls” (Panelist; Health Care Compliance Association; Southwest Regional Conference; Scottsdale, Arizona; November 13, 2015)
  • “A Synergistic Approach to Criminal and Civil Fraud Cases” (White Collar Fraud Conference; United States Attorney’s Office; Phoenix, Arizona; October 27, 2015)
  • “Affirmative Civil Enforcement and the False Claims Act: An Overview and Refresher” (White Collar Fraud Conference; United States Attorney’s Office; Phoenix, Arizona; October 27, 2015)
  • “The False Claims Act: Liability and Litigation under Lincoln’s Law” (State Bar of Arizona; Labor and Employment Section; Employment and Labor Law Fall Seminar; Sedona, Arizona; October 16, 2015)
  • “Current Health Care Fraud Schemes” (Arizona Health Care Fraud Task Force Meeting; United States Attorney’s Office; Phoenix, Arizona; November 19, 2014)
  • “Communicating with Government Regulators” (Panelist; Health Care Compliance Association; Southwest Regional Conference; Scottsdale, Arizona; November 14, 2014)
  • “Communicating with Government Regulators” (Panelist; Association of Certified Fraud Examiners Training; Tucson, Arizona; August 22, 2014)
  • “Detecting, Investigating, and Litigating Cases under the False Claims Act: A Case Study” (Affirmative Civil Enforcement Conference; United States Attorney’s Office; Phoenix, Arizona; April 16, 2014)
  • “Protecting Federal Lands and Resources through Affirmative Civil Enforcement” (Bureau of Land Management National Training; Law Enforcement for Managers Course; Phoenix, Arizona; November 6, 2012)
  • “Affirmative Civil Enforcement: Overview and Representative Cases” (Affirmative Civil Enforcement Conference; United States Attorney’s Office; Phoenix Arizona; May 22, 2012)
  • “Affirmative Civil Enforcement and Medicare Fraud” (Arizona State University College of Law; Tempe, Arizona; November 1, 2011)
  • “The False Claims Act and Other Civil Remedies” (Affirmative Civil Enforcement Conference; United States Attorney’s Office; Phoenix, Arizona; May 17, 2011)
  • “Putting Together a False Claims Act Case: Investigative Methods, Tools, and Issues” (Affirmative Civil Enforcement Conference; United States Attorney’s Office; Phoenix, Arizona; May 17, 2011, and May 22, 2012)
  • “What Every Physician Should Know about Civil Enforcement of Federal Law” (A.T. Still University; Mesa, Arizona; May 16, 2011)
  • “What Every Physician Should Know about Civil Enforcement of Federal Law” (Scottsdale Cancer Pain Forum; Scottsdale, Arizona; April 29, 2011)
  • “Affirmative Civil Enforcement” (Attorney Symposium; United States Attorney’s Office; Tucson, Arizona; June 25, 2010)
  • “Pros and Cons of Sworn Statements in Fraud Investigations” (NASA-OIG Management Conference; Phoenix, Arizona; March 11, 2009)
  • “Proving Health Care Fraud under the False Claims Act” (TriWest/TMA Spring Roundtable; Contractor Anti-Fraud Meeting; Phoenix, Arizona; May 8, 2008)

Past Employment Positions

  • Assistant United States Attorney, United States Attorney’s Office, Phoenix, Arizona, 2007-2019
  • Civil Healthcare Fraud Coordinator, United States Attorney’s Office, Phoenix, Arizona, 2010-2019
  • Special Assistant United States Attorney, United States Attorney’s Office, Las Vegas, Nevada, 2006-2007

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