John McKnight

John McKnight is a Washington, D.C. partner at Sanford Heisler Sharp McKnight, LLP and Co-Chair of the firm’s Whistleblower and Qui Tam Practice Group. He represents corporate whistleblowers, executives, and other individuals in matters involving securities fraud, banking misconduct, government contract fraud, customs issues, retaliation, discrimination, and other corporate wrongdoing lawsuits and disputes. His work frequently involves False Claims Act matters and complex disputes requiring coordination with government enforcement agencies and careful protection of clients’ employment and legal interests.

McKnight earned his J.D. from the University of Maryland School of Law, an M.F.A. from The New School, and a B.A. from the University of Michigan. During law school, he interned with the World Health Organization’s Human Rights Team and with judges in the US District Court for the District of Columbia and D.C. Superior Court. He also participated in an international and comparative law clinic in China, gaining experience with cross-border and public-interest legal issues.

McKnight has represented whistleblowers whose information involved banking, cybersecurity, procurement, customs, and government contracting concerns. His matters have included clients connected with investigations of Wells Fargo, Navistar, Office Depot, Fortinet, and other organizations, as well as a customs fraud case that produced a multimillion-dollar settlement. Before joining his current firm, he practiced with McKnight and Kennedy, LLC, where he developed additional experience with the False Claims Act, Dodd-Frank, and related enforcement statutes.

John McKnight has received recognition from Lawdragon and other legal publications for civil rights, plaintiff employment, litigation, and qui tam work. He is admitted in Maryland and the District of Columbia and regularly speaks to professional organizations on whistleblower issues. His practice combines enforcement knowledge, litigation strategy, executive representation, and public-interest advocacy to help clients report misconduct, pursue statutory claims, and respond to retaliation or employment consequences.

Law Office Affiliations

• Partner, Sanford Heisler Sharp McKnight, LLP
• Member, Maryland State Bar Association
• Member, District of Columbia Bar
• Member, Taxpayers Against Fraud

Licensed State

• Maryland
• District of Columbia

Education

• University of Maryland School of Law
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• The New School
  M.F.A.
• University of Michigan
  Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Awards & Badges