August 27, 2025

🎉It was a celebratory week at Constantine Cannon. Four lawyers from our firm have been included in the 32ⁿᵈ edition of The Best Lawyers in America, 2026 Edition, showcasing the top 5% of the nation’s attorneys through a comprehensive peer-review survey process.

🖋️It's that time again! We're calling prospective and current law students to share their essays about whistleblowers for a chance to win scholarship awards.

💻 Due to the usual influx of last-minute essay contest submissions, we extended the deadline to September 12. And to further entice and inspire you to apply, we've included the winning essay from the Fourth Scholarship Contest in this week's newsletter. 

💸We reported on a customs fraud case that resulted in a multi-million dollar settlement.

🗣️Read on for more whistleblower-related news and government enforcement actions.

Four Constantine Cannon Lawyers Recognized In 2026 Best Lawyers Awards

We are proud to highlight the following individuals who received prestigious recognitions in The Best Lawyers in America, 2026 Edition: Lloyd Constantine, W. Stephen Cannon,
Robert L. Begleiter, and Ankur Kapoor.

Read the full story here.

Judge Meg Ryan Named SEC Director of Enforcement -- What It Means For SEC Whistleblowers

Last Thursday (August 21), the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced that Judge Margaret “Meg” Ryan will become the new SEC Director of Enforcement. She will take over for Acting Enforcement Director Sam Waldon, who will return to his prior post of SEC Chief Counsel.  Judge Ryan’s appointment is a strong indication the agency will continue on a reined-in path of more targeted SEC enforcement.

Read the full story here.

 DOJ Continues Crusade Against Customs Fraud With $12.4M False Claims Act Settlement Against Allied Stone

On August 19, Dallas-based countertop and cabinetry supplier Allied Stone Inc. (and its president Jia Lim) agreed to pay $12.4 million to settle DOJ charges of violating the False Claims Act by evading customs duties on quartz surface products from China. It is the latest in a string of recent customs fraud settlements reached by the Government.

Read the full story here.

  First Place Winner of Constantine Cannon’s Whistleblower Essay Contest: Hala Arnouk

We're revisiting the First-Place Winner of the firm’s Fourth Law School Scholarship Essay Contest on the importance of whistleblowers. This win (and the $1,000 award) went to Hala Arnouk.

Read the full story here.

 Fifth Constantine Cannon Law School Scholarship Essay Contest On Whistleblowers

Our Fifth Law School Scholarship Essay Contest is all about whistleblowers. If you are enrolled (or accepted for Fall admission) in an accredited U.S. law school, we encourage you to review all details in the link below and submit your essay by September 12, 2025 for the chance to win.

Read the full story here.

In Case You Missed It:

• Whistleblower Question of the Week: How Do Financial Rewards Work for Whistleblowers?
  
  
• Two Recent Whistleblower-Initiated Cases Targeting Pandemic Scams Underscore the Government’s Commitment to Combat Fraud
  
  
• “Revolution Rock”: 5 Lyrics From The Clash That Spark the Whistleblower Spirit
  
  
• Calling All Cybersecurity Whistleblowers!