Mr. Whitaker is a partner in the Vorys Cincinnati office and a member of the litigation group.  He practices general litigation with an emphasis on the representation of individuals and corporations in complex civil litigation and criminal proceedings.  His expertise includes qui tam and false claims litigation, class actions, business litigation, health care fraud and abuse, government procurement, environmental and toxic tort litigation.

Career highlights include:

• Successfully trying complex False Claims Act cases
• 35 years of trial experience in complex cases ranging from white collar criminal prosecutions to securities fraud to patent litigation to trade secret litigation and contract breaches
• Serving as Special Litigation Counsel for the Civil Division, Special Programs Branch of the United States Department of Justice
• Successfully representing the federal government while with the United States Department of Justice, in many highly publicized actions, including the Karen Silkwood case, the Nixon tapes case, and two separate proceedings against former CIA agents

Mr. Whitaker is a member of the American Bar Association, the District of Columbia Bar, the Ohio State Bar Association, and the Cincinnati Bar Association.  He is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates, Emeritus Master of the Bench of the Potter Stewart Inn of Court.

Mr. Whitaker is an Adjunct Professor of trial practice at the University of Cincinnati College of Law.  He has taught trial practice for the National Institute for Trial Advocacy (NITA).  Mr. Whitaker has made numerous presentations on False Claims Act and qui tam litigation.

Mr. Whitaker received his J.D. cum laude from The George Washington University Law School where he was a member of the Order of the Coif.  He received his B.A. magna cum laude from Denison University where he was Phi Beta Kappa.

Professional and Community Activities

• The American College of Trial Lawyers, State Committee, 2005-present

Honors and Awards

• Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers since 1992
• The Best Lawyers in America, Commercial Litigation, 2006-2008
• The Best Lawyers in America, Personal Injury Litigation, 1987-2008
• The Best Lawyers in America, Business Litigation, 1987-2008
• The Best Lawyers in America, White-Collar Criminal Defense, 2006-2008
• The Best Lawyers in America, Criminal Defense, 1991-2008
• The Best Lawyers in America, “Bet-the-Company” Litigation, 2008
• Chambers and Partners, Leading Lawyer in Litigation: General Commercial, 2007-2008
• Chambers and Partners, Leading Lawyer in Litigation: White-Collar Crime and Government, 2004-2008
• Ohio Super Lawyers, Business Litigation, 2004-2008

News

• "Court Makes it Tougher to Sue Subcontractors"
• Vorys False Claims Act Trial Team Prevails in the U.S. Supreme Court
• "No End in Sight: The Reach of the Federal False Claims Act"
• 28 Vorys Attorneys Named Leading Practitioners in Ohio
• "A Threat Is Looming: The Proposed False Claims Act Amendments Could Prove Devastating to Government Contractors"
• 67 Vorys Attorneys Recognized as 2008 Ohio Super Lawyers
• Whitaker featured in Cincinnati Enquirer article "Law Firm Expands through Caseload: Whistle-Blower Statute is Catalyst for Growth"
• Vorys named the "2008 Leading Ohio Law Firm" by Best Lawyers
• 28 Vorys Attorneys Named Leading Lawyers for Business by Chambers USA