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When Does a Breach of Contract Violate the False Claims Act?

Client Alert | less than 1 min read | 12.14.10

What distinguishes an ordinary breach of contract from true fraud punishable under the False Claims Act? To learn how the Fifth Circuit drew the distinction, read this new article authored by C&M's Bob Rhoad and Jon Cone in the BNA's Federal Contracts Report.

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Client Alert | 2 min read | 06.15.26

Kansas Federal Court Applies “Selective Enforcement” Theory to Reject DTSA Claim

A Kansas federal court held that inconsistent enforcement of trade secret rights can defeat a claim under the Defend Trade Secrets Act (DTSA). In Edelman Financial Engines, LLC v. Mariner Wealth Advisors LLC, No. 2:23-cv-02515-HLT (D. Kan. June 5, 2026), the court applied a selective enforcement theory, holding that when a company does not consistently pursue legal remedies against similarly situated former employees, that inconsistency can be affirmative evidence that it failed to protect its trade secrets. While the selective enforcement theory has appeared in academic hypothetical discussions, the decision appears to be one of the clearest judicial applications of a “selective enforcement” theory in a trade secret case....