Slide 1
Andrew A. Rainer

Of Counsel

P 617-880-7100 | F 617-880-7171

 

Slide 1
Andrew A. Rainer

Of Counsel

P 617-880-7100 | F 617-880-7171
arainer@bhpklaw.com

Andrew Rainer is Of Counsel to BHPK Law. He has over 20 years of experience representing individuals and government entities in whistleblower cases brought under the federal and state False Claims acts, the Dodd-Frank securities whistleblower law, and the IRS tax fraud program, and has over 30 years of experience representing public and private clients in high-impact environmental and public health litigation. Andrew is one of the nation’s leading attorneys holding the tobacco industry accountable for its bad faith business practices in inducing minors to smoke cigarettes. In 2019, he and co-counsel obtained a $17.5 million verdict against R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, and, in 2020, obtained a $27.5 million judgment against Philip Morris. He has also secured many other multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts, including representing plaintiffs in a class action alleging race discrimination against Amtrak that resulted in a $16 million settlement. In 2022, Andrew obtained a $1 billion punitive damages verdict against Philip Morris.

A skilled litigator, Andrew is an AV-rated lawyer who has served as lead counsel in dozens of jury trials. He brought the very first whistleblower suit in Massachusetts alleging fraud by a government contractor during Boston’s Big Dig, and assisted in the federal and state government’s recovery of nearly $50 million in damages.

Andrew’s breadth of experience in both public and private service has helped shape his practice in public health and environmental litigation. As the Chief of the Massachusetts Environmental Strike Force -- a multiagency prosecution team comprised of members of the Attorney General’s Office, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, and the Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs -- Andrew led the prosecution against major criminal polluters. During his tenure, he headed the state’s prosecution in the case of Commonwealth v. Springfield Terminal Railways, which resulted in the largest criminal fine after trial in any environmental prosecution in Massachusetts. Andrew was also lead counsel for the Commonwealth in crafting a $7.5 million settlement in the case of Commonwealth v. Wheelabrator Technologies, Inc.

In the private sector, Andrew has represented homeowners whose properties were contaminated with toxic chemicals, and recovered millions of dollars in settlements on their behalf from the Department of Defense, General Electric, and Olin Corporation. Andrew also worked with lawyers in five other states to negotiate a settlement with 12 soft drink manufacturers to re-formulate their products to avoid the formation of benzene, a known carcinogen.

As an Assistant District Attorney in Middlesex County, Andrew prosecuted white collar criminal cases, including credit card fraud, insurance fraud, forgery, embezzlement, and perjury. Andrew has also served as counsel to the United States Senate Judiciary Committee, where he worked on legislation concerning money laundering, forfeiture, and financial privacy, and assisted in the investigation of nominees to the Supreme Court and the lower federal courts.

Areas of Practice
Education
  • New York University School of Law, J.D. (1982)
  • Princeton University, B.A. (1979)
Bar Admissions
  • United States Supreme Court
  • United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit
  • United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts
  • Massachusetts
  • District of Columbia
  • Florida
Memberships and Affiliations
  • Massachusetts Bar Association
    • Member, Steering Committee of Civil Litigation Council (2018-present)
    • Member, Consumer Advocacy Task Force (2014-2017)
    •  Trustee, Massachusetts Bar Foundation (2013-2016)
  • Boston Bar Association
    • Elected Member of the BBA Council (2003-2006)
    • Co-Chair, Administration of Justice Section (2003-2004)
    • Steering Committee Member, Admin. of Justice Section (2006-2012)
    • Steering Committee Member, Environmental Law Section (2008-2014)
    • Co-Chair, Massachusetts Practice Committee (2001-2003)
    • Steering Committee Member, Individual Rights Section (2001-2003)
    • Member of the Task Force on Civility and Professionalism (2001-2002)
  • Frank J. Murray Inn of Court
    • President (1997-1999)
    • Secretary (1992-1994)
    • Board Member (1996-2019)‍