Richard L. Scheff

Government & Corporate Investigations

Investigations are at the core of Richard’s practice, and his experience in this work spans clients in a number of industries, including health care and life sciences, financial services, and higher education. He performs internal investigations for public and private companies, as well as individuals. He has successfully represented corporations, institutions, boards, and senior executives in proceedings in both state and federal enforcement matters.

Pharmaceuticals & Medical Device Litigation

Richard helps his clients to address matters involving the False Claims Act (FCA), the Anti-kickback Statute, Medicaid best price, pricing, co-pay foundations, patient assistance programs, sponsorships, patient advocacy programs and off-label promotion claims.

Financial Services

Richard’s work in the financial services industry includes allegations of fraud, tax claims, insider trading, consumer claims and Native American lending. He also represents nonbank lenders in regulatory and litigation matters. He has appeared before the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) and the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN).

Prior Experience

Before joining Faegre Drinker, Richard served on the executive committee and as a strategic leader at an Am Law 200 firm, responsible for its vision and growth on the East Coast. Richard also managed several of the firm’s East Coast offices, in addition to his practice in government and corporate investigation.

Before his time with the Am Law 200 firm, Richard served in various leadership roles at a Mid-Atlantic law firm, including as its executive chair, chair, vice chair and head of its litigation department. He was a member of the firm’s management committee for 18 years and served as chair for seven of those years. 

Before entering private practice, Richard had a distinguished career with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. As chief of the Corruption/Labor section, he oversaw a team of 10 trial attorneys and supervised several high-profile cases, including a substantial police corruption case and the prosecution of a district council president.

Richard was also designated as assistant secretary of the Treasury for enforcement by President Bill Clinton and served as a consultant to Department of the Treasury law enforcement agencies. During his tenure he consulted with the Department on high-profile incidents and coordinated with the White House to combat international money laundering, among other issues.

Richard’s governmental service also includes being retained by the Department of Justice to assist the South African government to form a civilian review board, and service on the City of Philadelphia Civilian Police Review Board.

Personal Interests

When not practicing law, Richard is a history buff who enjoys travel, having traveled extensively within the U.S. and visited more than 50 other countries. Many nights, Richard can be found in the kitchen, where he enjoys unwinding while cooking a gourmet meal for family and friends. Most summer and fall weekends, he can be found on the golf course.