Patrick
Otlewski

Trial counsel to a publicly held company in a seven-week federal antitrust trial, with allegations of conspiracy to violate the federal Sherman Act.

Trial counsel to an investment management firm in a two-week breach-of-contract trial in state court, where the investment firm prevailed on its counterclaim and was found not liable against the plaintiffs’ claims seeking millions of dollars in damages.

Litigation counsel to an investment advisory company in breach-of-fiduciary-duty litigation against its former executives.

Litigation counsel to the CFTC Chairman, two CFTC Commissioners, the CFTC Director of Enforcement, and other CFTC officials in federal contempt proceedings, successfully obtaining mandamus relief from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. See In re: Commodity Futures Trading Commission, 7th Cir. Case No. 19-2769.

Litigation counsel to a major financial institution in state court and FINRA arbitration related to claims of improper conduct by a third-party impacting a significant customer of the financial institution.

Led an internal investigation for a pension fund into allegations of impropriety by a senior executive officer.

Co-led an internal investigation for a publicly held company into allegations of securities fraud related to a SPAC transaction.

Led an internal investigation for the Board of Trustees of a public university into allegations of unlawful and improper activity, including sexual misconduct.

Led an internal investigation for the Board of Trustees of a public entity into allegations of professional misconduct by executive personnel.

Co-led an internal investigation for the Board of Directors of a publicly held company into allegations of employee misconduct, mismanagement, and control failures, with advice and counseling on remedial measures.

Let an internal investigation for a major publicly held retailer following a shooting at one of the retailer’s stores.

Co-led an internal investigation for a publicly held company into alleged accounting fraud and misleading public disclosures.

Led a pro bono investigation for the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office. Published a public report detailing factual findings and proposing remedial measures.

Defending an individual in parallel Department of Justice criminal and OCC regulatory investigations related to claims of securities fraud and wire fraud.

Defended a U.S. Navy shipbuilder in parallel criminal and civil investigations by the Department of Justice into allegations of fraud and False Claims Act violations by a significant parts supplier.

Defended a company and its executives in a Department of Justice criminal investigation into allegations of public corruption.

Defending two former members of the Board of Directors of a company in an SEC enforcement investigation.

Defending multiple executives and companies in Department of Justice criminal investigations related to public corruption, fraud, and securities violations, as well as individuals and companies in parallel SEC.

Defended an individual who was the target of a federal criminal investigation involving allegations of commodities fraud and insider trading, and successfully obtained a full declination of all federal charges by the Department of Justice.

Defended an individual who was the target of an export violation investigation by the Department of Justice, obtaining a misdemeanor plea deal on behalf of the client.

U.S. v. Eric Bloom: Represented the government in a four-week trial of the former president and CEO of futures commission merchant Sentinel Management Group. The jury found Bloom guilty of wire fraud and a criminal violation of the Investment Advisers Act. This was the largest fraud trial in Chicago’s history by dollar amount lost ($665 million).

U.S. v. Yihao Pu, Sahil Uppal: Led the prosecution of two employees who stole high-frequency trade algorithm data and code from a global Chicago-based financial institution and a New Jersey financial firm, resulting in their convictions for theft of trade secrets and obstruction of justice.

U.S. v. Gregory Chester, et al.: Led the investigation and trial team against leaders of the Hobos criminal enterprise. After a trial that spanned more than four months, the jury returned guilty verdicts against all defendants.