First Admitted: 2008, Florida

Professional Webpage: https://www.hoyerlawgroup.com/attorney/estes-sean/

Bar / Professional Activity:

I served on the Florida Bar's Annual Convention Committee from 2023-2024. Our committee planned and executed the Annual Convention held in Orlando during the summer. We discussed and voted on themes, structure, and vendors. At the Convention itself, we were responsible for auditing sessions and ensuring a smooth and valuable experience for all the attendees., 2024
I currently serve on the Florida Bar's 13C Grievance Committee as an investigating member. We investigate grievances brought by clients and fellow lawyers for potential violations of the rules of professional conduct. We then recommend a disposition and vote on the best course of action. , 2024
Florida Bar Foundation Fellow, 2013
Federal Bar Association, 2016
Member of the Ferguson-White Inn of Court, an organization dedicated to fostering ethics and integrity in the legal profession., 2010

Verdicts / Settlements (Case Results):

I represented one of the whistleblowers in a False Claims Act case that resulted in a $106.8 million settlement with Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc. and Walgreen Co. The complaint alleged that Walgreens violated the False Claims Act by billing the government for prescriptions that customers never picked up, and hen reselling those prescriptions without reversing the original claims. For more information, please see our firm's post located here: https://www.hoyerlawgroup.com/hoyer-law-group-whistleblower-helps-to-attain-106-8-million-false-claims-act-settlement/ , 2024
I represented the whistleblower in a False Claims Act lawsuit brought against numerous defendants in one of the largest-ever Medicare fraud cases involving telemedicine and durable medical equipment (DME). In this case, the United States recovered $20,332,516.00 in forfeited assets. The lawsuit alleged that the defendants defrauded Medicare by setting up sham DME storefronts to engage in the illicit marketing and sale of DME—mostly back and knee braces– to senior citizens. After the lawsuit was filed, the Department of Justice announced a coordinated nationwide raid on April 9, 2019, orchestrated by the Department of Justice, the FBI, and various federal agencies. The government named the investigation “Operation Brace Yourself.” It spanned 17 federal districts, involved over 80 search warrants, and led to numerous arrests. Our case played a crucial part in the success of Operation Brace Yourself. For more information, please see our firm's post: https://www.hoyerlawgroup.com/first-whistleblower-case-connected-to-operation-brace-yourself-settles-for-20-3-million/, 2020
I represented the whistleblower in a False Claims Act case against Advanced Imaging of Port Charlotte (“AI”) that settled for $501,000. The complaint alleged that AI billed the Medicare and Tricare programs for services performed by certain doctors knowing the government healthcare programs did not properly credential them. When the government rejected the claims, the complaint alleged that AI resubmitted the claims as if different physicians with proper credentials had performed the work. Please see our firm's post for more information: https://www.hoyerlawgroup.com/hoyer-law-groups-whistleblower-client-helps-recover-501000-in-healthcare-fraud-case-2/ , 2020

Educational Background:

I graduated cum laude from the University of Florida Levin College of Law. During law school, I externed for the Honorable Peter K. Sieg of the Eight Judicial Circuit and the Office of the State Attorney in Levy County. , 2005-2008
University of Florida B.A., Political Science and Economics, cum laude, Anderson Scholar, National Merit Finalist, Member, Omicron Delta Epsilon and Phi Kappa Phi, 2001-2005

Industry Groups:

Business
Employment
Whistleblower

Sean Estes