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Sean McKenna

Sean McKenna

Partner

3333 Lee Parkway
Suite 750
Dallas, TX 75219
5830 Granite Parkway
Suite 1000
Plano, TX 75024
sean.mckenna@nelsonmullins.com

Sean is a former federal prosecutor with more than 25 years practicing law in his cache. He focuses his practice on healthcare-related legal matters and has represented companies, clinicians, and executives in white collar criminal, civil False Claims Act and qui tam cases and investigations. He was an Assistant U.S. Attorney for 10 years, as...

Sean is a former federal prosecutor with more than 25 years practicing law in his cache. He focuses his practice on healthcare-related legal matters and has represented companies, clinicians, and executives in white collar criminal, civil False Claims Act and qui tam cases and investigations. He was an Assistant U.S. Attorney for 10 years, as well as a former counsel for the Office of Inspector General for the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in Washington, D.C. and an associate counsel for Office of General Counsel for the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services in Dallas, Texas.

Sean McKenna

well as a former counsel for the Office of Inspector General for the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in Washington, D.C. and an associate counsel for Office of General Counsel for the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services in Dallas, Texas.

Sean is a former federal prosecutor with more than 25 years practicing law in his cache. He focuses his practice on healthcare-related legal matters and has represented companies, clinicians, and executives in white collar criminal, civil False Claims Act and qui tam cases and investigations. He was an Assistant U.S. Attorney for 10 years, as... well as a former counsel for the Office of Inspector General for the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in Washington, D.C. and an associate counsel for Office of General Counsel for the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services in Dallas, Texas.

Experience

The following is a selected sampling of matters and is provided for informational purposes only. Past success does not indicate the likelihood of success in any future matter.

Representative Matters

  • Routinely represents individuals and health care providers in criminal and white-collar matters conducted by the U.S. and State Attorneys’ General.
  • Regular representation of individuals and providers under state and federal False Claims Acts and administrative investigation by the Department of Justice, Offices of Inspector General, and Attorneys’ Generals Medicaid Fraud Control Units.
  • Represents providers before Medicare, Medicaid, and commercial contractors.
  • Advises clients regarding proposed and existing arrangements and operations, including employment, contractual, regulatory, and compliance with state and federal rules and regulations.
  • Conducts internal investigations and compliance review/organizational assessments for health care clients.
  • Representation of health care clients in state and federal litigation matters.

Previous Professional Experience

  • Partner at various national law firms (2013-2024)
  • Assistant U.S. Attorney, Northern District of Texas (2003–2013) 
  • Associate Counsel, Office of Counsel to the Inspector General (2000–2003)
  • Associate Regional Counsel, Office of General Counsel, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (1999–2000)

Education

  • University of Houston Law Center, JD (1998)
  • University of California, Santa Barbara, BA (1995)

Admissions

  • Texas
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
  • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas
  • U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas
  • U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas

Practice Areas

Industries

The bar rules of some states require that the standards for an attorney's inclusion in certain public accolades or recognitions be provided. When such accolades or recognitions are listed, a hyperlink is provided that leads to a description of the respective selection methodology.

  • Best Lawyers in America®, Criminal Defense – White-Collar; Health Care Law; Litigation – Health Care (2015–2025)
  • Best Lawyers in America®, Lawyer of the Year, Litigation – Health Care (2024)
  • American Bar Foundation, Fellow (2014–Present)
  • Texas Super Lawyers (2016–2020, 2022–2024)
  • D Magazine, Best Lawyers in Dallas – Criminal Defense: White Collar (2015, 2017–2019, 2021, 2024)
  • Top 100 Registry, Health Care Attorney of the Year (2019)
  • The Legal 500 United States, Health Care (2017)
  • Chambers USA (2016–2017)
  • University of North Texas Dallas College of Law, Adjunct Professor, Health Care Law (2015)
  • FBI Commendation (August 2013)
  • DOL-EBSA Certificate of Appreciation, (April 2013)
  • HHS-OIG, Exceptional Achievement Award (2003)
  • HHS-OIG, Integrity Award (2004, 2008, 2011, 2013)
  • USDA-OIG, Certificate of Appreciation (June 2008)
  • USPS-OIG, Award (June 2010)
  • Member, American Bar Association, Health Law Section
    • Sponsorship, Vice-Chair (2018-present)
    • Health Law Section, Membership Committee, Co-Chair and Vice-Chair (September 2013–2018)
  • State Bar of Texas, Health Law Section, Council Member (June 2013–2018)
  • Member, Dallas Bar Association
  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas, Criminal Justice Act Voluntary Panel
  • Trustee, Parker University, Dallas, Texas
  • Member, Knights of Columbus