Mindy B. Pava focuses her practice on advising recipients of federal funding as they navigate all facets of judicial review. Ms. Pava also represents federal grant recipients, including Federally Qualified Health Centers, Head Start programs and institutions of higher education when litigation needs arise.

A seasoned litigator, Ms. Pava is well-versed in guiding clients through complex litigation matters in federal and state courts. In addition to her litigation background, she represents organizations in health care, education, and other industries in responding to civil investigative demands and federal subpoenas. Ms. Pava has profound knowledge in defending clients who face potential liability under the False Claims Act and advises on how to best mitigate risk when encountering a government investigation or potential charges. Additionally, she advises clients on regulatory matters and requirements and works with organizations to conduct detailed internal investigations.

Prior to joining the Firm, Ms. Pava gained complex litigation experience by serving as a senior associate at a large national law firm in its litigation, consumer class action and antitrust practice groups based out of the Firm’s Washington, DC office.

Ms. Pava is a frequent author for numerous publications, including Law360, Thomson Reuters and Bloomberg. Before attending law school, Ms. Pava worked as a newspaper reporter, where she reported on education at the local and statewide level.

Representative Matters

  • Assisted clients through federal and state agency audits and investigations from coordinating large-scale audit responses to responding to threatened cost disallowances.
  • Responded to Civil Investigative Demands, including identifying responsive documents, negotiating with Department of Justice officials, and advising clients on general compliance.
  • Reviewed foreign disclosure obligations on behalf of an SBIR grant recipient client and settled a Health and Human Services OIG investigation relating the grant recipient’s research activities.
  • Navigated agency administrative appeals, including leading briefing efforts and settlement negotiations.
  • Represented clients in federal and state courts in matters ranging from Medicaid and Medicare payment and reimbursement disputes to eligibility status for Paycheck Protection Program loans.
  • Represented health centers facing government enforcement actions such as federal investigations, audits and allegations of fraud.
  • Represented federal and state agency grantees in negotiating resolution of alleged compliance failures and challenging disallowances before agency appeals boards.
  • Advised research entities in navigating complex federal grant disclosures, including disclosures relating to foreign funding components.

Honors/Awards

  • Selected as an Associate Fellow, Litigation Counsel of America (2021-2023)
  • Selected to the Washington, DC, Super Lawyers “Rising Stars” list (2015-2022)
  • Featured in D.C. Super Lawyers Magazine: Telling a Different Sort of Story (April 2020)
A headshot of Mindy Pava

Practices

Education

  • J.D., Emory University School of Law (2011)
  • B.A., Northwestern University (2004)

Clerkships

  • Law Clerk for the Honorable Lawrence P. Fletcher-Hill, Circuit Court for Baltimore City

Bar/Court Admissions

  • District of Columbia
  • Maryland
  • U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia
  • U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland

Publications

Professional Memberships / Affiliations

  • American Bar Association
  • DC Bar