New Whistleblower and False Claims Act Practice Launched Alongside Growing Wildfire Litigation Practice in Washington and Oregon
Singleton Schreiber is proud to welcome former Acting United States Attorney Rich Barker as a partner in its Spokane office. Barker brings more than a decade of experience as a federal prosecutor and litigator, with a focus on personal injury, False Claims Act and whistleblower claims, and wildfire litigation. His addition comes as the firm continues to expand its impact across the Pacific Northwest.
Barker recently served as Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, where he led complex civil and criminal prosecutions across 20 counties. During his tenure, he oversaw landmark cases, including a dark web murder-for-hire plot, a double homicide on the Colville Indian Reservation, and the conviction of a major interstate drug trafficker. Barker also played a key role in addressing the fentanyl crisis in Spokane, helping establish a dedicated federal role to combat opioid trafficking.
Additionally, he was instrumental in the District’s efforts to support Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP), earning the 2024 Department of Justice Director’s Award for his work with tribal communities. Over the course of his government service, Mr. Barker was lead counsel in hundreds of federal matters and tried more than 40 cases to verdict in federal courts across Washington and the Nation’s Capital.
“Rich’s career reflects the values we share—public service, accountability, and a deep commitment to justice,” said Dan Fruchter and Vanessa Waldref, Partners at Singleton Schreiber’s Spokane office. “His background in high-impact federal prosecutions, combined with his longstanding work on tribal and community justice issues, makes him a powerful advocate for our clients and a tremendous addition to our growing team.”
Barker’s appointment follows the recent additions of Dan Fruchter, a former Assistant U.S. Attorney, and Vanessa Waldref, former U.S. Attorney, who are also partners in the Spokane office. Together, the three bring decades of senior federal experience and now co-lead Singleton Schreiber’s newly launched Whistleblower and False Claims Act practice. With unmatched DOJ expertise in prosecuting healthcare fraud, government contract fraud, and environmental violations, the team has helped recover billions of dollars for taxpayers and consumers through affirmative civil enforcement. Their leadership also strengthens the firm’s rapidly growing whistleblower, civil rights, and environmental litigation practices.
Barker is the latest in a series of senior DOJ attorneys to join Singleton Schrieber. Alongside Barker, Fruchter, and Waldref, the firm has also welcomed Ryan Croswell from the DOJ’s Public Integrity Section; Alexander Flores, a former Assistant U.S. Attorney in New Mexico; and Brendon McDonnald, who served as a Trial Attorney in the DOJ’s Criminal Division. “Joining Singleton Schreiber is a chance to continue the mission I’ve dedicated my career to, protecting people and holding wrongdoers accountable,” said Barker. “Whether it’s fraud, catastrophic injury, or preventable wildfires, I look forward to standing up for those who need a voice.”
Singleton Schreiber is also at the forefront of wildfire litigation in Washington and Oregon, including leading lawsuits on behalf of victims of the Gray Fire, Tunnel 5 Fire, and the Rowena Fire in the Columbia River Gorge.
The Gray Fire tore through Spokane County in August 2023, destroying over 240 homes, burning nearly 11,000 acres, and claiming two lives. The firm is representing families and property owners in litigation against Avista Utilities, alleging that the company’s equipment failures and vegetation management issues sparked the devastating fire. The lawsuit seeks damages for the widespread property loss, emotional trauma, and long-term health impacts caused by the smoke and destruction.
The Tunnel 5 Fire, sparked by a BNSF Railway train in Skamania County, destroyed homes, damaged vineyards, displaced over 1,000 residents, and impacted the Washington wine industry. Singleton Schreiber’s lawsuit, filed on behalf of residents and businesses, seeks accountability and compensation for the ongoing harm caused by the fire and smoke damage.
Similarly, the firm is litigating against Union Pacific for its alleged role in igniting the Rowena Fire, which scorched over 3,600 acres in Wasco County, Oregon, destroyed dozens of homes and businesses, and exposed local communities to environmental hazards. Both fires raise serious questions about railroad safety failures in high-risk wildfire zones.
“Our continued growth, both in the Pacific Northwest and across the country, is driven by a simple mission: to fight for justice on behalf of people and communities harmed by negligence, fraud, or corporate misconduct,” said Gerald Singleton, Managing Partner of Singleton Schreiber. “With leaders like Rich, Vanessa, and Dan, we’re building one of the most experienced and effective litigation teams in the country.”
Singleton Schreiber is a client-centered law firm, specializing in mass torts/multi-district litigation, fire litigation, personal injury/wrongful death, civil rights, environmental law, insurance bad faith, and sex abuse/trafficking. The firm is home to the largest and most experienced fire litigation practice in the United States, representing more than 30,000 victims of wildfires and explosions caused by utilities, government negligence, railroads and corporate misconduct.
Its nationally recognized team has played a leading role in high-profile cases including the 2025 Eaton Fire, 2025 Moss Landing Battery Fire, 2025 Esparto Fireworks Explosion, 2023 Maui Fires, 2023 Gray Fire, 2023 Tunnel Five Fire, 2022 Dixie Fire, 2018 Woolsey Fire, 2017 Thomas Fire, and 22 wildfires tied to the 2019 PG&E bankruptcy, including the devastating 2018 Camp Fire. The firm is also actively litigating wildfire cases throughout New Mexico, Colorado, Texas, Oregon, and Washington, including the 2025 Cram and Rowena Fires. With deep experience in complex fire-related claims, the firm is committed to helping individuals, families, and communities recover and rebuild.
