Helmer, Martins, Rice & Popham announces that attorney B. Nathaniel Garrett rejoins the firm as of March 15, 2018.
“It is with great pleasure that we announce that one of Cincinnati’s young superstar lawyers has decided to rejoin our firm after completing his military service. We look forward to Nathaniel continuing his litigation career and representing whistleblowers seeking to protect the United States Treasury from fraud” said James B. Helmer, Jr., President of Helmer, Martins, Rice and Popham Co.
Nathaniel previously worked at the firm after graduating 3rd in his class from the University of Cincinnati College of Law in 2013. He left in 2014 to fulfill his military service commitment as an officer in the U.S. Air Force Judge Advocate General’s (JAG) Corps. As a Judge Advocate, Captain Garrett prosecuted some of the Air Force’s most serious criminal offenders. In addition to representing the United States at courts-martial, he advised military leadership on a broad spectrum of civil and administrative matters and provided legal assistance to servicemembers, their families, and retirees. He was also appointed as a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Colorado, where he prosecuted civilians for misdemeanor and petty offenses committed within the exclusive federal jurisdiction of Buckley Air Force Base. He appeared in the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado on a monthly basis. More recently, and in recognition of his litigation skills, he served as an Air Force criminal defense attorney.
In January 2017, Nathaniel deployed in support of Operations Inherent Resolve and Freedom’s Sentinel to Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar—home of the largest Air Expeditionary Wing in the world. He was chosen to serve as the principle advisor to the one-star general in charge of the base, and all subordinate commanders, for all criminal, disciplinary, and force management issues.
After honorably serving his country, Nathaniel is thrilled to return to the private practice of law. As a veteran, he has a deep appreciation for whistleblowers protecting the government from unscrupulous contractors. He looks forward to representing whistleblowers and all clients with the same commitment, selflessness, and excellence that was expected of him in the military.
For nearly 30 years, Helmer, Martins, Rice & Popham Co., L.P.A. has focused on litigating the toughest and most complex cases. Helmer Martins has represented whistleblowers in dozens of qui tam False Claims Act cases leading to the return of more than $1 Billion to the United States Treasury, with proportional amounts to our clients. The firm has prosecuted False Claims Act cases on behalf of whistleblowers longer than any law firm in America, including our successful representation of the qui tam relators in United States ex rel. Sanders et al. v. Allison Engine Company, Inc., et al., a case requiring over 19 years of litigation in which Helmer Martins won issues before United States Magistrate Judge, the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals (twice), the United States Supreme Court. This case also was the subject of Congressional amendments to the False Claims Act, for which firm President James B. Helmer Jr. was called to testify before Congress.
Helmer Martins is also known for its work in other areas, including its service as lead counsel for the Estate of Roger Owensby, a federal civil rights case won on summary judgment and affirmed by the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals, which produced the largest police brutality settlement ever for a single death in the city of Cincinnati.
