Matt Curley is co-chair of the Bass, Berry & Sims Healthcare Fraud & Abuse Task Force and represents clients in connection with internal and governmental investigations and related civil and criminal proceedings, particularly involving matters of fraud and abuse within the healthcare industry. Matt has considerable experience in litigating matters under the False Claims Act (FCA) and in representing clients in actions and investigations brought by government regulators, including the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), the Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General (HHS OIG) and various state agencies. Matt’s clients have included a wide array of healthcare providers, including hospitals and health systems, ambulatory surgery centers, physician practices, skilled nursing facilities, hospice providers and home health providers, among others.

Matt’s perspective is informed by his prior experience as an Assistant U.S. Attorney with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Tennessee, where he served as Civil Chief and coordinated the Office’s civil enforcement efforts in representing the United States and its agencies in healthcare fraud and abuse actions arising under the FCA.

In the 2022 issue of Chambers USA, Matt was described as “a preeminent expert and formidable advocate with a perfect client touch.” (from Chambers USA 2022). In previous Chambers guides, clients said Matt was “an amazing defense counsel who produces very effective results,” “a ‘go-to’ practitioner for government investigation and fraud matters in the healthcare space” and “a key point of contact for providers facing False Claims Act issues involving areas such as billing and reimbursement.” (from Chambers USA 2017, 2018, 2020)  He is also an adjunct professor at Vanderbilt University School of Law, where he teaches Healthcare Fraud and Abuse. Matt is a contributor and editor of the firm’s annual Healthcare Fraud and Abuse Review and the firm’s Inside the False Claims Act Blog and has served as a member of Law 360’s Health Editorial Advisory Board.

Matt also has represented clients in complex commercial and class action litigation, including shareholder and derivative actions, before federal and state trial and appellate courts, and has represented a number of companies in internal investigations related to financial reporting issues, employee misconduct and inquiries from regulators.

In keeping with the firm’s commitment to pro bono representation of clients in need, Matt has devoted significant efforts to pro bono matters, having represented clients in federal criminal actions, a federal civil rights jury trail, and in appellate proceedings. Matt also coordinates the firm’s participation in the pro bono representation of veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces in conjunction with the National Veteran’s Legal Services Program.

Prior to joining the firm, he also served as a law clerk for the Honorable Michael S. Kanne of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit and the Honorable Royce C. Lamberth of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.

Memberships

American Bar Association

American Health Law Association (AHLA)

Accolades

Chambers USA — Healthcare: Government Investigations & Fraud (2013-2023)

The Best Lawyers in America© — Health Care Law; Litigation: Health Care (2012-2024)

Nashville Medical News “InCharge Healthcare” (2015-2021)

Benchmark Litigation — Local Litigation Star: Tennessee (2019-2024)

Law360 — Health Editorial Advisory Board (2014)

Mid-South Super Lawyers “Rising Star” (2008-2011)

Vanderbilt Law Review — Managing Editor