Claire Schenk honored as ‘Distinguished Alumni’ by University of Missouri-St. Louis

From left, Linda Carter, UMSL Associate Vice Chancellor of Alumni Activities; Claire Schenk; Michael Finkes, President of UMSL Alumni Association; Tom George, UMSL Chancellor

Business litigation partner Claire Schenkwas recently honored at the University of Missouri-St. Louis’ annual Founders Dinner as one of the university's five “Distinguished Alumni” for 2014. 

The UMSL Alumni Association awards the honor to alumni who have achieved distinction in their career, community service or both. Selection is based on the nominee's overall accomplishments and contributions.

Claire earned a B.A. in psychology from UMSL, summa cum laude, before attending law school at Syracuse University. At Thompson Coburn, she concentrates her practice in the areas of health care fraud and abuse, False Claims Act litigation and other complex white-collar civil litigation.

Claire previously spent 14 years as an assistant U.S. Attorney and civil chief with the U.S. Department of Justice. She now counsels physician groups, hospitals, pharmaceutical groups and others on government regulatory issues and assists with compliance concerns.

Claire also serves as a court-appointed receiver, including a current role as receiver for the Acartha Group entities in litigation instituted by the SEC in the Eastern District of Missouri.

Last month Claire was selected as the new chair of The Missouri Bar’s Health and Hospital Law Committee. She has also served in leadership positions for the Missouri Society of Health Care Attorneys and the Healthcare Business Women's Association.

The other 2014 UMSL Distinguished Alumni honorees are Kathleen Boyd-Fenger, CEO of the Logos School; optometrist Barbara Willis Brown; author and actor Robert “Bobby” Norfolk; and Dr. William Shiang, Associate Director of Global Supply Team-Strategic Planning at The Dow Chemical Company.

Thompson Coburn Chairman Tom Minogue, another UMSL alumni, spoke at last year’s Founders Dinner, which celebrated the 50th anniversary of the university.