05/04/2026
*The latest Health Law Section Member Spotlight is posted.*
Former U.S. Attorney and Harvard-trained litigator Roger B. Handberg, a Shareholder with GrayRobinson, P.A. in Orlando, is recognized for his prosecutorial precision and strategic command of high-stakes litigation. He’s earned a national reputation for successfully managing major financial crime, public corruption, and regulatory enforcement cases. His Department of Justice insights and courtroom credibility make him a powerful ally to clients facing parallel civil, criminal, and reputational risks. Visit the Health Law Section YouTube page to view Roger’s Fireside Chat with Health Law Section Chair Rupa Lloyd: youtube.com/watch?v=-S8Ysv3X_lg
Here are some excerpts:
Q: Please introduce yourself.
A: I’m probably a pretty good example of the way that your career can end up in a place different than where you started. Raised in Orlando, I earned degrees from the University of North Carolina and Harvard Law School, then began in commercial litigation at a large Atlanta firm. Inspired by friends entering the U.S. Attorney’s Office, I moved into public service at the Florida Attorney General’s Office (civil enforcement, False Claims Act, civil RICO, and deceptive trade practices). More than 22 years ago, I returned home to Orlando as a federal prosecutor.
In law school, I never expected to handle criminal cases, but I really appreciated getting the chance to help people through the cases that I prosecuted. It was a privilege to represent Florida and later the United States in federal court in the Middle District of Florida. At the U.S. Attorney’s Office, I valued being in court, running my own caseload, and focusing on victim matters—often involving financial crimes and public corruption.
In health law, you can be proactive, and a lot of times you can help people prevent problems from happening in the first place and help them with compliance. So, the compliance work that I get to do, working hand-in-hand with clients, I really enjoy that aspect of my practice.
Q: What was your career-defining moment?
A: My career-defining moment came early with a case involving Lou Perlman—best known for creating the Backstreet Boys and NSYNC—who also ran one of the largest Ponzi schemes in the Middle District of Florida for more than 20 years. Although I was new to the office, I was trusted with the prosecution, and it showed me firsthand the impact of victim work and helping people in terrible situations. The lessons from that case have stayed with me ever since.
Q: What do you do outside of work that keeps you busy?
A: A few years ago, my wife and I started kayaking to take advantage of what Florida offers. We love getting out on the rivers and the ocean because it’s a great way to be outside, enjoy the sun and water, and truly unplug. I think it’s important for anyone in the law to have something beyond the courtroom or office, and for us, there’s nothing better than spending time in nature.
Q: What advice would you like to share with more junior attorneys who are just starting out in the practice of law?
A: Over the years, two things stand out. First: Ask questions early and often. Law is a profession built on people who came before you, and every successful lawyer was helped by someone; most are eager to pay that forward if you show interest. Second: Be responsive. In my experience, the vast majority of complaints about lawyers come down to poor communication—not returning calls, not replying to emails, and not keeping clients updated. Clients can handle hard advice; what they won’t understand is silence. Build good habits early. For example, I try to respond to emails the day they come in, or by noon the next day, because consistent communication earns trust and appreciation.
Q: What do you see as the emerging area in health care law?
A: An emerging issue is the False Claims Act and the constitutionality of its qui tam provisions. Earlier this year, DOJ reported major recoveries from qui tam matters, particularly in HHS-related healthcare fraud cases, including one of the largest totals ever in intervened cases and record-setting recoveries in non-intervened cases (driven by relators and their counsel). That matters because much healthcare enforcement on the qui tam side depends on relators, and the issue is now on appeal in the Eleventh Circuit. The court’s decision could significantly shape future enforcement, either keeping the current relator-driven model or forcing the government to shoulder more of the work itself.
