Overview
Surya Saxena is a former federal prosecutor and in-house counsel who represents clients in government enforcement matters, investigations, white collar crime matters, and complex civil litigation. Surya is a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, an invitation-only organization of trial lawyers whose membership is limited to no more than one percent of the total lawyer population of any state.
Surya has tried over a dozen cases before federal and state juries, argued numerous times before the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals, and represented clients at multiple arbitration hearings.
Surya relies on his blend of in-house and prosecutorial experience to anticipate clients’ goals and distill the complexity of litigation and investigations into clear recommendations and strategies. He leads litigation and investigations teams in a wide variety of civil, criminal, and regulatory matters, including False Claims Act investigations and litigation, healthcare fraud matters, FCPA and anticorruption investigations, regulatory compliance investigations, and complex commercial litigation.
Surya is currently ranked in Chambers USA in the White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations practice area for Minnesota. He has previously been recognized for his trial advocacy by Minnesota Lawyer, which named Surya and his former colleagues 2018 “Attorneys of the Year.” He was also recognized by Minnesota Lawyer as a Diversity and Inclusion Honoree in 2019. In 2023, he was appointed by Governor Tim Walz to serve as a member of Minnesota’s Sentencing Guidelines Commission.
EDUCATION
- J.D., Georgetown University Law Center, cum laude
- B.A., University of Minnesota – Twin Cities, Political Science, with distinction
EXPERIENCE
- UnitedHealthcare, Senior Associate General Counsel, affirmative litigation and investigations
- United States Attorney's Office – District of Minnesota, Assistant United States Attorney
- Dorsey & Whitney, Associate
ADMISSIONS
- U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota
- State Bar of Minnesota
AFFILIATIONS
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Fellow, American College of Trial Lawyers
- Federal Bar Association, Minnesota Chapter, Board of Directors (2019-present)
Surya's Practice Areas
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Commercial Litigation
Explore Practice AreaOur business litigation practice embraces the wide variety of commercial disputes facing private and public companies today. Areas of particular expertise include intellectual property, antitrust, securities, employment, professional liability, and construction disputes.
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Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Consulting
Explore Practice AreaWe are repeatedly called upon to help organizations craft customized, strategic solutions to address their Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) goals and objectives.
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Local Government Defense
Explore Practice AreaLocal government defense is a cornerstone of Greene Espel’s practice.
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Internal Investigations
Explore Practice AreaWe leverage our experience to conduct sensitive and high-profile internal investigations for our clients. We also help clients navigate investigations to mitigate reputational, regulatory, and litigation risks.
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Elections and Redistricting
Explore Practice AreaGreene Espel takes on attacks to voting rights and democratic institutions—and wins. We take on lawsuits to tackle voter suppression, election subversion, and districting issues.
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White Collar Criminal and Regulatory Defense
Explore Practice AreaWe provide an insider’s perspective and the experience to vindicate your interests and defend your name in complex criminal and regulatory matters.
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False Claims Act and Health Care Litigation
Explore Practice AreaWe have the experience to help clients—particularly those in the healthcare industry—navigate the ever-expanding breadth of False Claims Act (“FCA”) and health care litigation. We have achieved success for our clients at every phase—conducting thorough investigations, persuading government agencies not to intervene in whistleblower suits, obtaining dismissals through motion practice, negotiating favorable settlements with government agencies and relators, and taking cases through litigation and trial.
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Anti-corruption and FCPA
Explore Practice AreaGreene Espel rivals big firms with its experienced group of corruption and FCPA investigators and counselors. We help companies efficiently and effectively investigate allegations of corruption, assess their compliance programs, and present their best possible case to prosecutors and regulators.
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Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Investigations
Explore Practice AreaWe are repeatedly called upon to conduct timely and comprehensive high-stakes internal investigations through a DEI lens.
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Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Training and Speaking
Explore Practice AreaWe are nationally recognized speakers who provide energizing and inspiring trainings in the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion space.
Cases & Wins
- Represented multiple Fortune 100 companies, including medical device manufacturers and healthcare companies, in response to Department of Justice False Claims Act Civil Investigative Demands (CIDs), including CIDs alleging violations of the Anti-Kickback Statute.
- Represented multiple Fortune 100 companies in connection with Grand Jury investigations.
- Investigated allegations of alleged misconduct on behalf of Boards of Directors of multiple companies and non-profit organizations.
- As lead counsel for pharmacy benefit manager (PBM), negotiated favorable resolution of $35 million allegations filed in the Federal District of New Jersey.
- Represent companies and individuals in State Attorney General initiated healthcare fraud investigations and prosecutions.
- Represent Fortune 100 health insurer in affirmative litigation alleging common law fraud claims based on Department of Justice’s Criminal Prosecution and False Claims Act Settlement with Defendant.
- Represent criminal defendant in federal criminal prosecution alleging federal food program fraud.
- Represented target of Grand Jury investigation involving alleged violations of the Clean Air Act.
- Represented companies in connection with State Attorney General consumer fraud investigations and litigation.
- Investigated allegations of misconduct by police officers on behalf of the City of Golden Valley, MN.
- Investigated alleged violations of DEA diversion regulations on behalf of Fortune 100 healthcare company.
- Investigated anticorruption, FCPA, and regulatory allegations for multiple privately-held companies.
- Investigated alleged violations of FDA regulations and breaches of clinical trial agreement on behalf of clinical trial company.
- Investigated alleged embezzlement on behalf of accounting firm.
As a Federal Prosecutor:
- Investigated, tried, and briefed and argued the appeal in United States v. James Carlson, et al. [i.e., the Last Place on Earth], 12-cr-305 (DSD/LIB) (D. Minn.), one of the first-in-the-country prosecutions of synthetic cannabinoid and cathinone distribution. The case involved complex expert testimony in the areas of chemistry and pharmacology, and included FDCA and Money Laundering charges. An audio recording of the appellate argument is available at http://media-oa.ca8.uscourts.gov/OAaudio/2015/10/142986.MP3 (beginning at 31:08).
- United States v. Dooling, 17-cr-87 (PAM/SER): Lead trial counsel at seven-day trial of owner of renewable energy company who defrauded farmers out of approximately $13 million.
- United States v. Ruzicka, et al. [i.e., the Starkey Laboratories Fraud Trial], 16-cr-246 (JRT/SER): Co-counsel at two-month long trial of former executives who embezzled approximately $20 million from Starkey Hearing Technologies, Inc.
- United States v. Seng Xiong, 16-cr-167 (SRN/HB): Co-counsel at three-week long trial of defendant who defrauded Hmong community members out of approximately $1.7 million by promising them he had secured a new Hmong homeland in Southeast Asia.
- Investigated use of the “dark web” to facilitate money laundering, drug trafficking, and other illegal activities.
- Investigated international money laundering, money transmitting businesses, and money services businesses.
- Conducted investigation involving alleged False Claims Act and Foreign Corrupt Practices Act violations.
Surya's Recognition & Awards
- Ranked in Chambers USA, America's Leading Lawyers for Business-The Client's Guide (2024)
- 2019 Diversity & Inclusion Honoree, Minnesota Lawyer
- Named a 2018 "Attorney of the Year," Minnesota Lawyer
Surya's Community Involvement
- Appointed to the Minnesota Sentencing Guidelines Commission (2023)
- Minnesota Urban Debate League, Board of Advisors