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Jillian D. Willis

Jillian D. Willis

Partner

101 Constitution Avenue, NW
Suite 900
Washington, D.C., 20001
T 202.689.2859
jillian.willis@nelsonmullins.com
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Jillian is an established litigator with extensive experience in the court room and overseeing trial teams. She has carved out a particular area of interest in the healthcare industry, advising and counseling through government investigations, litigation and compliance issues.  

She spent nearly a decade as a federal prosecutor in the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ),...

Jillian is an established litigator with extensive experience in the court room and overseeing trial teams. She has carved out a particular area of interest in the healthcare industry, advising and counseling through government investigations, litigation and compliance issues.  

She spent nearly a decade as a federal prosecutor in the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), both as an Assistant United States Attorney in the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and in the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section. Most recently, she served as Assistant Chief of the Health Care Fraud Unit.

During her tenure with the DOJ, she tried more than 30 cases, including 16 jury trials and 17 bench trials. Her experience includes first-chairing and overseeing trials involving charges of health care fraud, violations of the Anti-Kickback Statute, and the unlawful distribution of opioids. In addition, she has briefed multiple appellate issues, and argued twice before the DC Court of Appeals. She is well versed in handling cases at every stage, from investigation to indictment, to trial and post-trial litigation.

Jillian D. Willis

both as an Assistant United States Attorney in the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and in the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section. Most recently, she served as Assistant Chief of the Health Care Fraud Unit.

During her tenure with the DOJ, she tried more than 30 cases, including 16 jury trials and 17 bench trials. Her experience includes first-chairing and overseeing trials involving charges of health care fraud, violations of the Anti-Kickback Statute, and the unlawful distribution of opioids. In addition, she has briefed multiple appellate issues, and argued twice before the DC Court of Appeals. She is well versed in handling cases at every stage, from investigation to indictment, to trial and post-trial litigation.

Experience

The following is a selected sampling of matters and is provided for informational purposes only. Past success does not indicate the likelihood of success in any future matter.

Previous Professional Experience 

  • United States Department of Justice, Washington, D.C. (2015–2024)
    • Assistant Chief, Fraud Section, Health Care Fraud Unit (August 2021–March 2024)
    • Acting Assistant Chief, Fraud Section, Health Care Fraud Unit (June 2021–August 2021)
    • Trial Attorney, Criminal Division, Fraud Section (March 2019–June 2021)
    • Assistant U.S. Attorney, United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia (June 2015–March 2019)
  • Associate, multinational law firm based in Washington D.C. (2009–2015)
The following is a selected sampling of matters and is provided for informational purposes only. Past success does not indicate the likelihood of success in any future matter.

Previous Professional Experience 

  • United States Department of Justice, Washington, D.C. (2015–2024)
    • Assistant Chief, Fraud Section, Health Care Fraud Unit (August 2021–March 2024)
    • Acting Assistant Chief, Fraud Section, Health Care Fraud Unit (June 2021–August 2021)
    • Trial Attorney, Criminal Division, Fraud Section (March 2019–June 2021)
    • Assistant U.S. Attorney, United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia (June 2015–March 2019)
  • Associate, multinational law firm based in Washington D.C. (2009–2015)

Media

Events / Speaking Engagements

34th Annual National Institute on Healthcare Fraud, American Bar Association (ABA), Speaker (May 1, 2024)
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Recognitions

The bar rules of some states require that the standards for an attorney's inclusion in certain public accolades or recognitions be provided. When such accolades or recognitions are listed, a hyperlink is provided that leads to a description of the respective selection methodology.

  • Rising Star in Litigation, Washington D.C. Super Lawyers (2014, 2015)

Professional Activities

  • William B. Bryant American Inn of Court

Jillian is an established litigator with extensive experience in the court room and overseeing trial teams. She has carved out a particular area of interest in the healthcare industry, advising and counseling through government investigations, litigation and compliance issues.  

She spent nearly a decade as a federal prosecutor in the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ),... both as an Assistant United States Attorney in the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and in the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section. Most recently, she served as Assistant Chief of the Health Care Fraud Unit.

During her tenure with the DOJ, she tried more than 30 cases, including 16 jury trials and 17 bench trials. Her experience includes first-chairing and overseeing trials involving charges of health care fraud, violations of the Anti-Kickback Statute, and the unlawful distribution of opioids. In addition, she has briefed multiple appellate issues, and argued twice before the DC Court of Appeals. She is well versed in handling cases at every stage, from investigation to indictment, to trial and post-trial litigation.

Experience

The following is a selected sampling of matters and is provided for informational purposes only. Past success does not indicate the likelihood of success in any future matter.

Previous Professional Experience 

  • United States Department of Justice, Washington, D.C. (2015–2024)
    • Assistant Chief, Fraud Section, Health Care Fraud Unit (August 2021–March 2024)
    • Acting Assistant Chief, Fraud Section, Health Care Fraud Unit (June 2021–August 2021)
    • Trial Attorney, Criminal Division, Fraud Section (March 2019–June 2021)
    • Assistant U.S. Attorney, United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia (June 2015–March 2019)
  • Associate, multinational law firm based in Washington D.C. (2009–2015)

Education

  • Duke University School of Law, JD (2009)
    • Articles Editor, Alaska Law Review
    • AIDS Legal Project, Duke Law Clinic
    • Duke in D.C. Externship, Office of U.S. House of Representatives Member (Spring 2009)
  • University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, BA, Psychology and Spanish (2006)

Admissions

  • District of Columbia
  • California
  • North Carolina
  • U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia

Practice Areas

Industries

The bar rules of some states require that the standards for an attorney's inclusion in certain public accolades or recognitions be provided. When such accolades or recognitions are listed, a hyperlink is provided that leads to a description of the respective selection methodology.

  • Rising Star in Litigation, Washington D.C. Super Lawyers (2014, 2015)
  • William B. Bryant American Inn of Court