Government Action Lawyers: Partnering With Public Agencies to Protect the People

In an era of rising corporate misconduct, environmental damage, and systemic fraud, local and state governments are often left to shoulder the burden of harm caused by powerful private interests. 

Whether the issue is opioid addiction, water contamination, or large-scale financial fraud, these challenges demand strong legal allies who can level the playing field and pursue justice for taxpayers and communities.

At Morgan & Morgan, our attorneys represent governmental entities from the state to local level on a contingency-fee basis in cases involving fraud, dangerous pollution, environmental impact, and other misconduct by private businesses. Currently, our attorneys are representing the Commonwealth of Kentucky and 30 other local governments in the nationwide opioid litigation.

Our Government Action practice, led by attorneys James Young and Greg Stumbo, is part of the firm’s Complex Litigation Group. In addition to representing cities, counties, and states, the Government Actions Group also handles whistleblower cases involving fraud against the government.

What Is a Government Action Lawsuit?

A government action lawsuit is civil litigation brought by a public entity, such as a state, city, or county, against a private individual or corporation whose misconduct has harmed the public. 

These cases often involve:

• Widespread fraud against public funds
• Environmental contamination or regulatory violations
• Public health crises caused by corporate negligence
• Unfair business practices that target or exploit communities

Unlike traditional lawsuits brought by individuals, these actions seek systemic accountability and broad relief, often on behalf of entire populations.

Morgan & Morgan’s Government Action lawyers work closely with elected officials, attorneys general, and city or county counsel to identify wrongdoing, build strong cases, and pursue financial and injunctive remedies that protect the public interest.

When Should a Government Entity Consider Legal Action?

Litigation is a powerful tool, but it’s not always the first resort. However, government entities should strongly consider legal action when:

• Regulatory enforcement has failed or stalled
• Public harm continues without corporate accountability
• The cost of inaction (financial or societal) is growing
• Efforts to negotiate have been ignored or rejected
• Whistleblowers have brought credible allegations

By partnering with outside counsel like Morgan & Morgan, public agencies can leverage litigation as a strategic tool for change, without draining internal legal budgets or staff capacity.

How Government Entities Can Initiate Legal Action

We make it easy for public agencies to explore their legal options. Whether you’ve already investigated wrongdoing or are just beginning to suspect harm, we can help guide your next steps.

Our process includes:

1. Initial Consultation: We meet with your legal or leadership team to understand the issue, relevant facts, and your goals.
2. Preliminary Investigation: Our attorneys and investigators review documents, perform legal research, and evaluate the viability of a potential claim.
3. Engagement & Strategy: Once retained, we work collaboratively with your internal counsel and officials to build a litigation strategy that aligns with your needs.
4. Filing & Litigation: We handle every aspect of the case, from filing and discovery to settlement or trial, while keeping your team fully informed.

We prioritize transparency, efficiency, and accountability throughout every step.

Morgan & Morgan’s Areas of Focus: Fighting Corporate Harm Alongside Governments

Our team represents public agencies across a broad range of case types, including some of the most pressing legal and societal challenges of our time.

Opioid Litigation

Few public health crises have affected communities as deeply as the opioid epidemic. Morgan & Morgan is proud to represent the Commonwealth of Kentucky and more than 30 other local governments in the nationwide opioid litigation, helping them seek accountability from pharmaceutical manufacturers, distributors, and retailers that contributed to the crisis.

This litigation aims not only to recover public funds spent on emergency response, treatment, and prevention programs, but also to create long-term change through corporate reform and tighter regulation.

Environmental Protection and Public Health

When corporations pollute drinking water, violate clean air laws, or mismanage hazardous waste, the cost is often borne by local communities and taxpayers. Government agencies frequently lack the litigation resources to take on massive polluters, but Morgan & Morgan helps fill that gap.

We assist government entities in cases involving:

• PFAS contamination (also known as “forever chemicals”)
• Illegal dumping and landfill management
• Groundwater pollution from industrial facilities
• Environmental justice violations in low-income communities

These lawsuits can lead to cleanup efforts, regulatory reforms, and substantial financial recoveries for remediation and health monitoring.

Consumer and Financial Fraud

From predatory lending to price-fixing and bid rigging, deceptive business practices harm both consumers and the governments that serve them. Our attorneys work with public agencies to challenge these illegal schemes and recoup taxpayer losses.

Examples include:

• Mortgage fraud during and after the housing crisis
• False billing of Medicare, Medicaid, or public contracts
• Manipulation of drug pricing or medical reimbursements
• Fraudulent misrepresentations in public financing deals

When private companies exploit the public trust, we help government partners fight back.

Whistleblower (Qui Tam) Cases

In addition to direct representation, our team also handles whistleblower lawsuits, often filed in partnership with the federal or state government, under the False Claims Act and similar statutes.

These cases typically involve:

• Defense contractor fraud
• Medicaid or Medicare billing abuse
• Grant fraud or misuse of stimulus funds
• Kickback schemes involving public contracts

When insiders come forward with evidence of wrongdoing, Morgan & Morgan works alongside government investigators to recover stolen funds and enforce accountability.

Why Governments Trust Morgan & Morgan

A Proven Partner in Public Litigation

Our Government Action Group, led by experienced attorneys James Young and Greg Stumbo, brings a deep understanding of how public agencies operate and what they need to be effective in litigation. Our attorneys have backgrounds in state government, legislative affairs, and complex commercial litigation, making us uniquely equipped to support government clients from start to finish.

Contingency-Fee Representation

We know public budgets are stretched thin. That’s why we offer contingency-fee arrangements: government clients don’t pay unless we win. This structure ensures our services are accessible while aligning our incentives with your outcomes.

Unmatched Scale and Resources

With offices nationwide and more than 1,000 attorneys across the firm, Morgan & Morgan is one of the largest plaintiffs’ law firms in America. We bring national litigation teams with cross-jurisdictional experience, along with in-house investigators, data scientists, and discovery specialists.

When governments face off against multinational corporations with endless legal firepower, we even the odds.

Real Results, Real Impact

Morgan & Morgan has secured over $25 billion for our clients across all practice areas, and our Government Action Group is no exception. We’ve played a key role in landmark settlements and trials involving:

• Pharmaceutical industry accountability
• Environmental cleanup funding
• Fraudulent business practices impacting public programs
• Civil settlements resulting in regulatory changes

The stakes are high. When corporate misconduct threatens your community’s health, environment, or financial stability, your constituents expect action. 

At Morgan & Morgan, we bring the experience, scale, and commitment needed to represent government entities with integrity and tenacity. Our team stands ready to pursue justice on your behalf and deliver results.

Contact our Government Action Group today for a free, confidential case evaluation.