Gina Simms
Gina is a principal in Ober|Kaler's Government Investigations and White Collar Defense Group. She brings over 17 years’ experience litigating complex white collar and other criminal matters, including health care fraud, financial fraud, tax fraud, government contract fraud, corporate fraud and environmental enforcement. Prior to joining the firm, Gina served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the U.S. Attorney's Office in Maryland, as well as in the District of Columbia. Gina earned her J.D. from George Washington University Law School and a B.A. from Swarthmore College.
1. To better understand your practice area, when potential clients face the threat of a government investigation, you may represent them by evaluating the legal and business risks. Since your experience involves complex cases regarding fraud, how do you start to evaluate each case?
I work principally with our firm’s health law clients, e.g., large providers such as hospitals systems. When a client comes in through the door, I’m always trying to assess the client’s problems from what I call the “view from 30,000 feet.” In other words, as I review the preliminary documents and information provided to me by the client, I ask myself, “is this an administrative, civil or criminal matter?” “Is it all three?” I’m simultaneously trying to consider the ramifications of each. For me, it’s always about the “what-ifs.” It helps me to decide which witnesses to interview first, and aids me in preparing for the possible worst-case scenario.
2. So, you start as a problem-solver, by reviewing and analyzing from a high-level perspective?
Yes, my mentors and teachers have taught me to think as expansively as possible. I start my analysis of each case by considering the ramifications of the conduct under review. I literally draw lines down a piece of paper to create three columns. I label the columns “administrative,” “civil,” and “criminal,” and then describe under the appropriate column(s) the evidence that I have gathered to date.
3. With your experience serving as Assistant U.S. Attorney in both Maryland and DC, how does it impact your ability representing clients today?
In private practice, those prosecutorial skills help me to understand what prosecutors are looking for in their cases. I understand what they emphasize; their focus. You develop a sense of strategy and timing. For instance, if your client is indicted with other individuals, do you want to be the first person “in the door” to resolve a case? It’s this strategic/tactical thinking that can make a huge difference.
4. You earlier spoke of mentors and teachers, how have they impacted your career?
I’ve had great teachers and mentors over the years and I firmly believe that you do not get anywhere on your own. If you’re lucky, you have very good teachers along the way and you need to be wise enough to listen to them. I have received extraordinarily helpful advice and legal training during my career.
5. Will you share a few key lessons learned from your mentors?
The common thread among my mentors is that each and every one of them believed in me and in my abilities. They taught me to be thorough, to pay attention to detail, to keep pushing myself, and to not give up until I have an answer to my question. They also taught me to have patience. Most importantly, they taught me how to think; how to become a better lawyer, but to also remember to be a true human being–in other words, to treat people well.
6. What advice would you give to others who are looking for mentors and teachers who make a difference?
Step 1: Be curious. Be inquisitive.
Step 2: Realize that you don’t know everything. Be open-minded.
Step 3: Reach out to others. Most people want to help but they don’t always get asked to help. By following-up with a new acquaintance, a relationship often gets started.
Step 4: Recognize that a mentor is not a “7-Eleven:” not “one-stop shopping.” One person can teach you one thing and you may learn something different from the next person who you encounter.
Step 5: Trust the process.
Step 6: Remember that there will be those people who mentor you and those who you will mentor.
– The Interview Continues Next Week with Gina –
