Atty. Scott Simmer
Scott Simmer founded the Simmer Law Group in Washington D.C., in 2014, but he’s been practicing law for decades and is a seasoned expert at rooting out deceit and fraud in hidden corners of government programs, education, and healthcare industries. Joining with Baron & Budd in 2018 to form our Washington D.C. office, Mr.
Qui Tam Law Attorney · Serving Washington, DC
Profile Summary
About Scott Simmer at a Glance
Scott Simmer is a whistleblower attorney based in Washington, District of Columbia, practicing at Baron & Budd PC. Admitted to practice in Iowa, The Iowa State Bar Association and District of Columbia, The District of Columbia Bar. Educated at The University of Iowa (J.D., 1985) and University of Arkansas (—, 1979). Recognitions include Best Lawyers in America — Qui Tam Law (2026), Best Lawyers in America — Awards: (2026), and Best Lawyers in America — The Best Lawyers in America – Qui Tam Law (2024-present) (2026). Serves clients in Washington, DC and the surrounding metropolitan area.
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About Scott Simmer
- Scott Simmer founded the Simmer Law Group in Washington D.C., in 2014, but he’s been practicing law for decades and is a seasoned expert at rooting out deceit and fraud in hidden corners of government programs, education, and healthcare industries
- Joining with Baron & Budd in 2018 to form our Washington D.C. office, Mr. Simmer continues to represent whistleblowers bringing qui tam cases of fraud under federal and state False Claims Acts as well as IRS, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) whistleblowers
- Mr. Simmer also continues to represent private health insurance plans in large-scale recovery actions under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act, federal anti-trust laws and state consumer fraud/deceptive trade practices statutes
- For more than thirty years, Scott Simmer has led the investigation and prosecution of numerous precedent-setting fraud and abuse cases on behalf of whistleblowers and private insurance payors
- He has written and spoken widely on legal issues related to the federal False Claims Act (FCA), the Anti-Kickback statute, Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) and Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA)
- as well as on healthcare fraud and abuse, antitrust violations and issues related to Pharmacy Benefit Managing (PBM) contracting
- The son of a Methodist minister, Mr. Simmer grew up in Nebraska with a strong sense of social justice and respect for the underdog
- He was teaching English in college academia when the desire to attend law school struck him
- After considering a legal career in publishing, Mr. Simmer found his legal calling while managing health care fraud investigations as head of litigation for a major health insurer
- When he learned that the federal government was investigating for-profit healthcare companies for submitting fraudulent Medicare and Medicaid claims, Mr. Simmer convinced his insurance colleagues that similar fraud was adding burdensome costs to private health plans
- He subsequently designed legal approaches to combat such healthcare fraud, including building a consortium of health insurers to investigate and pursue recovery actions
- Mr. Simmer eventually left the insurance business to take on the representation of qui tam whistleblowers bringing claims on behalf of the government
- At the same time, he began representing groups of health plans in large-scale recovery litigation
- His zeal for doing what’s right drives every case he takes on behalf of whistleblowers and every recovery action he undertakes for health insurers. “Scott Simmer is an outstanding attorney and I am pleased to welcome him to Baron & Budd,” said President and Managing Shareholder, Russell Budd. “Scott and his team bring a strong record of success pursuing complex litigation which closely aligns with the breadth and scope of Baron & Budd’s existing practice areas.” Scott Simmer serves as a trustee for his undergraduate alma mater, Cornell College, in Mount Vernon, Iowa
- Whenever he returns to Cornell for meetings in the fall, he makes sure to attend Iowa Hawkeye football games with his sons, Reid and Ryan, their wives, and his granddaughter, Claudia
- Scott and his wife, Peg, frequently plan family vacations to include a round of golf, a game of tennis or a Boston Red Sox game, another passion Scott shares with both his brothers and his sons
Practice Areas Explained
Scott Simmer's Areas of Legal Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Scott Simmer handles, with a practical overview of what that area of law involves and how it may apply to your situation in Washington.
Whistleblower & Retaliation in Washington
Scott Simmer is one of 3,523 whistleblower attorneys indexed nationally. Browse whistleblower attorneys in District of Columbia →
Jurisdictional Context
Why Local Counsel Matters in Washington
Practicing law in District of Columbia. Legal matters in District of Columbia are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Washington are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate District of Columbia state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in District of Columbia brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this venue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in District of Columbia courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.
Washington Courts and Legal Process
Choosing a Washington-based attorney means your counsel already knows the local docketing timelines, preferred filing formats, and how individual judges typically rule on procedural motions — details that only come from practicing in this jurisdiction day after day. That local familiarity can translate to better strategy, faster filings, and fewer costly surprises.
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Professional Profile
Why Clients in Washington Choose Scott Simmer
Selecting an attorney is one of the most consequential decisions you can make when a legal matter arises. Below are the core qualities that distinguish Scott Simmer's practice in the field of whistleblower.
Multi-State Bar Admission
Licensed in Iowa, The Iowa State Bar Association and District of Columbia, The District of Columbia Bar, Scott Simmer can represent clients in cases that span state lines or require counsel in multiple jurisdictions.
Focused Whistleblower Practice
Concentrating on whistleblower means Scott Simmer's knowledge of relevant statutes, case law, and procedural nuances stays current — unlike generalist practices that spread attention across unrelated fields.
Local Presence in Washington
A Washington-based practice means Scott Simmer attends hearings in the same courthouses, knows the local clerks, and understands the unwritten scheduling norms that affect every case filed here.
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Scott Simmer's Practice Areas & Specializations
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