Erin J. Hoyle

Erin Hoyle concentrates her practice on government investigations, corporate internal investigations, and white collar criminal defense, with a focus on the False Claims Act, whistleblower complaints, allegations of health care fraud, securities litigation, and OFAC licensing applications.

Her experience with the False Claims Act includes defending health care clients in civil qui tam actions alleging the submission of false claims for payment, federal anti-kickback and Stark Law violations, and employer retaliation claims. She also represents government contractors accused of fraud, waste, or abuse of government funds. Erin counsels companies on how to best avoid and detect potential False Claims Act violations, and how to most effectively respond when faced with such allegations.

Erin frequently defends companies, executives, and employees in government and criminal investigations and conducts internal investigations. Her experience in this area includes government contracting fraud, procurement fraud, cybercrime, trade secret misappropriation, video voyeurism, theft of government property, health care technology, bribery of public officials, initial coin offerings, securities, public company accounting, and compliance with professional standards of conduct. These investigations have been prompted by government enforcement proceedings, as well as company-initiated investigations based on suspected wrongdoing by employees, competitors, and other third parties.

Erin further assists U.S. companies with OFAC licensing matters, including seeking approval for proposed transactions with a foreign company or government and applying for the release of funds transferred from a specially designated national (SDN).

Erin serves as a member of the Rankings and Endorsements Committee and the Young Professionals Committee of the Women’s White Collar Defense Association, an organization promoting diversity for female attorneys who specialize in the defense of government enforcement actions and internal investigations. She is a frequent speaker and author on the False Claims Act, corporate compliance, and protecting the attorney-client privilege and work product doctrine.

• United States v. HPC Healthcare Inc., 723 F. App’x 783 (11th Cir. 2018). Represented local nonprofit hospice in qui tam action alleging fraudulent submission of medical billing to Medicare and Medicaid before the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals. The Eleventh Circuit affirmed dismissal with prejudice.
• Persuaded the Department of Justice to close its file against a regional nonprofit hospice provider following a five-year investigation alleging federal False Claims Act (FCA) violations.
• Successfully negotiated the resolution of a FCA matter against two compound pharmacies and their owner based on the defendants’ ability to pay.

• Defended a government contractor against criminal allegations raised by a whistleblower regarding various state statutes, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) rules and regulations, and further allegations of criminal violations. No civil or criminal case was filed.
• On behalf of a national jet charter company, investigated potential violations of the federal acquisition regulations (FAR) related to services contracted with the Department of Defense and coordinated the resulting mandatory self-disclosure to the Department of Homeland Security.

• Conducted an internal investigation of a municipal corporation regarding allegations of conflicts of interest and other misconduct related to the modification of the municipality’s comprehensive zoning and land development code and affiliated development project application approvals. 
• Investigated allegations of various Florida criminal statutes and breaches of fiduciary duties brought by former employee. Cooperated with local law enforcement regarding investigation findings to assist with its investigation into similar allegations against the client. The department closed its investigation without filing charges.

• The Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch, Commercial Litigation, Criminal Defense: White-Collar, Health Care Law, Litigation – Securities, Technology Law (2021–2025)

• Women's White Collar Defense Association
  • Young Professionals Committee
  • Rankings and Endorsements Committee
• National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
• Tampa Connection
  • Director (2021–2024)
• Teen Court Judge, Thirteenth Judicial Circuit Juvenile Diversion Program

• "The Umbrella of Secrecy:  Essential Guidelines of Confidentiality, Attorney-Client Privilege, and Work Product," MyLawCLE, Federal Bar Association (January 23, 2025)
• “A Practical Guide to Implementing Corporate AI Policies: Navigating Risk Mitigation, Stakeholder Buy-In, and Technical and Ethical Considerations,” Association of Corporate Counsel, Tampa Bay Chapter, Tampa, FL (May 16, 2024)
• "When the Government Comes Knocking: Managing Investigations of Senior Executives, Protecting Privilege, and Navigating Ethical Dilemmas," Association of Corporate Counsel CLO/GC Corporate Counsel Joint Symposium, Orlando, FL (November 3, 2023)
• "Internal Investigations and the Attorney Client Privilege," Client Presentation (March 7, 2023)
• “The Essentials of Preserving Attorney-Client Privilege ,” Federal Bar Association (November 23, 2022)
• “Attorney-Client Privilege & Work Product Doctrine for In-House Counsel,” Association of Corporate Counsel, Tampa Bay Chapter, Longboat Key, FL (August 2022)
• “Attorney-Client Privilege & Work Product Doctrine for In-House Counsel,” Federal Bar Association (October 20, 2021)
• “A Day at the Beach? Preventing and Defending False Claims Act Complaints Through Compliance,” Association of Corporate Counsel, Tampa Bay Chapter, Longboat Key, FL (August 2021)
• “Attorney-Client Privilege & Work Product Doctrine for In-House Counsel,” Client Presentation (June 29, 2021)
• "When the Government Comes Knocking," Client Presentation (March 4, 2021)
• “Maintaining Privilege: A Refresher on Attorney-Client Privilege for the Remote Work Environment,” Association of Corporate Counsel, Tampa Bay Chapter, St. Petersburg, FL (November 2020)
• “Legal Considerations and Response to an Information Security Incident,” 2019 Cyber Security Symposium, Tampa, FL (October 2019)
• “Advising Boards & Management: Ethical Rules & Professional Liability Risks of Corporate Counsel on Advancement and Indemnification,” Association of Corporate Counsel, Tampa Bay Chapter, St. Petersburg, FL (May 2019)
• “Best Practices for Effective Compliance Programs,” Association of Corporate Counsel, Tampa Bay Chapter, Longboat Key, FL (November 2018)
• “Avoiding Broken Glass: When the Government Comes Knocking,” Association of Corporate Counsel, West Central Florida Chapter, St. Petersburg, FL (April 2018)
• “Painting a Compliance Picture in a False Claims Landscape,” Association of Corporate Counsel, West Central Florida Chapter, St. Petersburg, FL (May 2017)

• Independent Consultant, St. Petersburg, FL (2011–2012)
• Florida State University Foundation, Tallahassee, FL
  • Interim Chief of Staff (2011)
  • Director of Research and Prospect Management (2008–2011)
  • Director of Research (2007–2008)
  • Senior Research Analyst (2007)
  • Research Analyst (2005–2007)