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Meet Our Professionals

Eric H. Cottrell

Partner
Charlotte | 704.335.9850
Fax | 704.334.4706

Eric Cottrell represents clients in business litigation, government investigations, and federal compliance issues. He focuses a large part of his practice at the intersection of those areas under the False Claims Act. From the moment the government or a whistleblower (qui tam plaintiff) first raises a claim, clients rely on Eric to defend their interests and navigate the high-stakes process that follows.

Eric brings a unique perspective to his clients because of his extensive experience with both civil litigation and government investigations. He has served as lead counsel in more than 100 jury and bench trials in state and federal courts, including the North Carolina Business Court. He represents public and private entities in various commercial litigation matters, including shareholder litigation, commercial contract disputes, and trade secret and intellectual property disputes. He has deep experience managing large, time-sensitive electronic discovery matters.

Eric’s government investigations practice extends beyond the False Claims Act to a variety of other white-collar criminal inquiries. He has conducted internal investigations on behalf of companies and other entities on a wide variety of issues, including accounting irregularities and employee misconduct. He has particular experience in managing complex Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) investigations and advising companies on FCPA compliance matters. Additionally, he has significant experience advising companies on compliance with U.S. export control laws, as well as investigating and disclosing violations to federal authorities. He has conducted numerous internal investigations involving alleged violations of the ITAR, EAR, and OFAC regulations, including alleged exports to Sudan, Iraq, and Afghanistan.

In addition, Eric advises companies on how to assess anti-corruption and export compliance risk and design cost-effective compliance programs. He also works with companies to identify other areas of compliance risk (such as antitrust, anti-money laundering, etc.) and coordinates with Parker Poe attorneys to create comprehensive, enterprise-wide compliance plans.

Representative Experience

  • Represented health care corporation in a whistleblower (qui tam) lawsuit alleging violations of False Claims Act and obtained dismissal of all claims.
  • Defended university research professor in False Claims Act case alleging research fraud.
  • Defended doctors and other health care providers in False Claims Act civil and criminal investigations.
  • Represented defense contractor in federal investigation into potential violations of the False Claims Act.
  • Represented biologics manufacturer in False Claims Act litigation.
  • Served as trial counsel for large health care provider in a federal trial involving alleged breach of commercial contract; the trial resulted in the defeat of a $26 million claim against the client and findings of liability against the opposing party.
  • Defended software developer in breach of contract action brought by former customer.
  • Served as discovery counsel for Fortune 100 company coordinating responses to multiple regulatory investigations and shareholder lawsuits.
  • Represented financial institution in the Enron securities litigation.
  • Represented Fortune 150 corporation in multimillion-dollar arbitration proceeding.
  • Represented major chemical manufacturer in a multimillion-dollar commercial dispute.
  • Represented top manufacturer of construction equipment in a multimillion-dollar dispute with first-tier supplier.
  • Represented a foreign manufacturer seeking to protect the duty-free status of its U.S. exports in proceedings before the United States International Trade Commission.
  • Represented defense contractor in comprehensive export enforcement action conducted by multiple federal agencies.
  • Represented defense contractor in multi-country FCPA investigation and successfully resolved the matter with no fines or penalties.
  • Represented defense contractor in inquiry by U.S. Senate Committee.
  • Conducted internal investigation into alleged accounting irregularities on behalf of audit committee of public corporation.
  • Represented the estate of a majority stockholder in closely held corporation in a dispute with minority stockholder regarding control of the corporation.
  • Represented closely held corporation in dispute with minority shareholder regarding valuation of stock.
  • Represented real estate developer in lawsuit against U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
  • Advised defense contractors on Facility Security Clearances and related issues.
  • Advised companies in assessing export and anti-corruption risk and developing cost-effective compliance plans.

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Honors & Awards

  • The Best Lawyers in America "Lawyer of the Year" in Charlotte for Arbitration, 2023
  • The Best Lawyers in America in Arbitration, 2012-2023; Commercial Litigation, 2013-2025
  • Benchmark Litigation, Local Litigation Star in North Carolina, 2014-2025
  • Martindale-Hubbell AV® Preeminent™ in Government Investigations & White Collar Defense; Commercial Litigation; Antitrust & Business Torts; International Business
  • American Lawyer magazine 2013 Top Rated Lawyer in White Collar Criminal Defense Law
  • Business North Carolina magazine's "Legal Elite" in Litigation, 2011
  • North Carolina Super Lawyers Rising Star, 2010
  • Wake Forest University, Carswell Scholar

Memberships

  • Charlotte International Arbitration Society (CIAS), Board of Directors