Madeline Townsley is an associate in the Business Trial Practice Group in the firm's New York office and a member of Sheppard's Women in Healthcare Leadership Collaborative.
Madeline brings sophisticated legal judgment and relentless advocacy to a wide range of healthcare clients, including hospital systems, non-profit organizations, and physician and specialty practice groups. Madeline advises and defends these clients in complex civil litigation, government investigations, and compliance counseling.
A substantial portion of Madeline's practice is dedicated to defending healthcare clients in investigations and legal proceedings involving the False Claims Act, Anti-Kickback Statute, and related anti-fraud statutes. She has extensive experience representing hospital systems and physician groups in government investigations relating to fraud, improper billing, and alleged kickback activities. Madeline has vigorously defended clients in government False Claims Act investigations, including successfully presenting before the Department of Justice and persuading the government not to intervene in a high-stakes False Claims Act case. She also defends clients in the litigation that follows these government investigations, skillfully guiding them through every phase of post-investigation proceedings and delivering a vigorous, strategic defense.
Madeline routinely advises clients in developing practical compliance strategies, conducting internal investigations into allegations of fraud and misconduct, and managing whistleblower complaints. Her litigation experience spans commercial disputes and enforcement actions in state and federal courts, with a particular emphasis on matters arising from complex business relationships and regulatory compliance issues in the healthcare sector.
In addition to her healthcare-focused practice, Madeline has broad experience representing clients in a variety of complex commercial litigation matters. She is adept at handling cases involving breach of contract, business torts, and other high-stakes disputes, and is skilled at navigating all stages of litigation—from fact investigation and motion practice to discovery, trial preparation, and settlement negotiations
In addition, Madeline is actively involved in promoting the advancement of women within healthcare through her work with the firm's Women in Healthcare Leadership Collaborative. She maintains an active pro bono practice, advocating for access to justice and supporting initiatives that address critical needs within the community.