Best Lawyers in Illinois, United States for Criminal Defense: White-Collar
Select a city from the list below to find the best legal talent for your needs.
Cities
Gretchen M. Wolf is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Criminal Defense: White-Collar and Litigation - Regulatory Enforcement (SEC, Telecom, Energy). Gretchen M., who practices law in Chicago, Illinois, has been recognized since 2019. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Gretchen M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Joe Duffy is an accomplished and resourceful trial lawyer who focuses his national practice on white collar criminal defense and complex business litigation. He handles all aspects of federal and state criminal prosecutions through the investigative, prosecutive and appellate stages. He has extensive experience representing individuals and corporations in internal and government investigations as well as civil and criminal jury trials and appeals. Joe has successfully represented clients in c...
Drawing on nearly 40 years of combined experience as a federal prosecutor and defense attorney, Sheldon Zenner expertly navigates his clients through high-stakes matters, including government and internal investigations, regulatory proceedings, all phases of criminal matters and related civil litigation. Sheldon's diverse client base is made up of corporations, high-ranking executives and company owners across a wide range of industries, including financial services, health care and entertain...
Caitlyn A. Cheleden is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Criminal Defense: White-Collar. Caitlyn A., who practices law in Chicago, Illinois, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Caitlyn A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Lucas Rael brings sharp research and organizational skills to his work on white collar criminal matters and other complex investigations. This love of digging into different areas of the law and synthesizing information from multiple sources is matched by his enthusiasm for courtroom work such as examining witnesses and making arguments. After all, he notes, it’s deep preparation that enables you to think on your feet. In his experience working on internal investigations triggered by su...
With years of training and practical experience in the United States and Europe, Joost van Rossum brings an international perspective to complex commercial litigation and white collar criminal matters, particularly those involving the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), False Claims Act (FCA), and other financial fraud allegations. Clients trust Joost to undertake deep research into the legal and technical aspects of their issues as well as investigate underlying facts and issues, establish...
Sean Koller represents clients in a variety of industries in complex business disputes. Whether handling a pre-litigation negotiation, representing a client in a mediation, federal or state court litigation, arbitration, a government investigation or inquiry, or working out a settlement, Sean brings the experience needed to resolve matters efficiently and effectively. Sean has handled complex commercial suits, antitrust and healthcare disputes, derivative suits, tort disputes, and contractual...
Michael G. Marzano is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Criminal Defense: White-Collar. Michael G., who practices law in Chicago, Illinois, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Michael G. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Eric J. Shinabarger is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation, Criminal Defense: White-Collar and Mergers and Acquisitions Law. Eric J., who practices law in Chicago, Illinois, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Eric J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Alison Cooney is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation, Criminal Defense: White-Collar, Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants and Product Liability Litigation - Defendants. Alison, who practices law in Chicago, Illinois, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Alison is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Carly A. Chocron is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation and Criminal Defense: White-Collar. Carly A., who practices law in Chicago, Illinois, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Carly A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Michael Whalen is an associate in the Litigation practice of Paul Hastings and is based in the firm’s Chicago office. His practice focuses on complex commercial litigation, internal corporate investigations, and white collar criminal defense. Prior to joining Paul Hastings, Mr. Whalen clerked for the Honorable Thomas L. Ludington of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. Mr. Whalen received his law degree from New York University School of Law in 2014. He...
Mariah A. Whitner is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation and Criminal Defense: White-Collar. Mariah A., who practices law in Chicago, Illinois, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Mariah A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Robin Waters is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Criminal Defense: White-Collar. Robin, who practices law in Chicago, Illinois, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Robin is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Our Methodology
Recognition by Best Lawyers is based entirely on peer review. Our methodology is designed to capture, as accurately as possible, the consensus opinion of leading lawyers about the professional abilities of their colleagues within the same geographical area and legal practice area.
The Process
Best Lawyers employs a sophisticated, conscientious, rational, and transparent survey process designed to elicit meaningful and substantive evaluations of the quality of legal services. Our belief has always been that the quality of a peer review survey is directly related to the quality of the voters.