Chicago, Illinois, United States
I am a senior associate in Taft’s Compliance, Investigations, and White Collar Defense practice group. I represent individuals and corporations in complex white collar criminal matters, internal investigations, and enforcement actions involving the DOJ, FBI, SEC, IRS, EPA, OFAC, HHS, and other federal and state agencies. My practice spans a broad range of white collar issues, including securities, health care, bank, tax, and campaign finance fraud, as well as matters involving money laundering, government contracts, and alleged false claims to the government. I bring significant hands-on trial experience to my practice, having served on defense teams in two high-stakes federal criminal trials—one involving allegations of insider trading and another concerning false statements to a financial institution and tax fraud. This courtroom experience gives me valuable insight into how prosecutors build their cases and informs my ability to craft strategic, proactive defense approaches that protect clients’ interests both inside and outside the courtroom.
• Counsel targets, subjects and witnesses through the federal and state criminal justice system facing white collar investigations of wire fraud, tax fraud, healthcare fraud and child pornography, including responding to grand jury subpoenas, bond appearances, change of pleas, probation interviews, and sentencing hearings in the Northern District of Illinois, the Central District of Illinois, and Cook County Circuit Courts • Advise clients during internal investigations and cooperation efforts for proffer sessions with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Northern District of Illinois and undercover recordings of government targets • Drafted, edited and prepared over 8 federal sentencing submissions in federal wire fraud, tax fraud, and possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute cases, arguing for substantial variances under 18 U.S.C. 3553(a) • Prepared for and participated in an extradition matter before a Magistrate Judge in the Northern District of Illinois • Represented a minor in preparing a response to a Secret Service inquiry relating to threats against the president • Drafted an appellant brief for a client whose children were unlawfully removed from a foreign country under the Hague Convention
• Drafted various motions and pleadings including motions to suppress, motions for discovery, motions to modify bond, petitions to rescind, and sentencing memorandums • Performed legal research pertaining to wide variety of criminal state and federal issues
• Gave opening statements and direct examined a witness in an aggravated unlawful use of a weapon jury trial • Prepare and conduct bench trials for various felonies, which include opening statements, cross examining witnesses, impeaching, if necessary, and closing arguments • Draft and argue motions to suppress evidence and responses to motion to admit proof of other crimes • Interview clients daily charged with felonies who are either on bond or in lockup • Conduct arraignments on new cases • Present plea agreements before a judge • Perform legal research pertaining to evidence, sentencing, and searches and seizures • Go to the Cook County jail to meet with clients and go on investigations to interview witnesses