Hot Topics, Practice Tips & Current Developments in Federal Criminal Law
Join the Federal Bar Association Chicago Chapter for an insightful afternoon featuring expert analysis from top Federal criminal law practitioners, U.S. District Court Judges, and former U.S. Attorneys for the Northern District of Illinois. This program will cover key developments and strategies in federal criminal law, including:
Defense Victories in High-Profile Federal Cases – A look at how three major prosecutions resulted in defense wins.
Newsmakers Interview – Former U.S. Attorneys Zachary Fardon and John Lausch discuss the evolving landscape of federal prosecutions in the NDIL.
A View From the Bench – U.S. District Court Judges John Blakey, Sharon Johnson Coleman, and John Kness share best practices for federal criminal trials and sentencing hearings.
CLE credit is pending approval. DLA Piper has graciously agreed to sponsor the reception. Light appetizers, wine, beer, and non-alcoholic beverages will be served.
Don't miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights from leading legal professionals and connect with peers in the field.
About Our Speakers
Matt Hiller is an experienced investigator and trial lawyer who represents clients in white-collar, cyber, and corporate investigations and complex litigation. A former federal prosecutor, he has led significant and sophisticated criminal and national security investigations and litigation and consulted for state and federal law enforcement and other governmental agencies across the United States and abroad regarding cyber investigative techniques.
Before joining the Department of Justice, Matt was an associate at DLA Piper, handling complex commercial litigation and white-collar investigations and serving on Senator George J. Mitchell's independent investigation into the alleged illegal use of steroids and other performance-enhancing substances in Major League Baseball.
Joel M. Cohen is a trial lawyer and former federal prosecutor who serves as Chair of White & Case’s Global White Collar Practice Group. He represents clients in securities litigation, class actions, antitrust matters, and financial institution disputes. With extensive experience in FCPA/anticorruption issues, insider trading, cross-border tax matters, sanctions, and money laundering, Mr. Cohen has been lead or co-lead counsel in numerous high-profile civil and criminal trials. Notably, he prosecuted Jordan Belfort and Stratton Oakmont, the case at the center of The Wolf of Wall Street. He also served as the first Department of Justice legal liaison advisor to the French Ministry of Justice and worked with the OECD to combat corruption in international transactions.
Recognized as a top-tier litigator, Mr. Cohen has been repeatedly named a leading white-collar defense attorney by The Best Lawyers in America®, Benchmark Litigation, Law360, Legal 500, and Chambers, where peers praise his strategic acumen and trial skills. A strong advocate for pro bono work, he has led landmark immigration and civil rights cases, including Barrera v. Boughton, securing record-breaking settlements and national recognition. He has also fought for police accountability and First Amendment rights, earning accolades such as the Beacon of Justice Award and the Pro Bono Leadership Award. Mr. Cohen holds degrees from Middlebury College and Duke University School of Law, where he was a moot court champion.
Nick Silverman is a rising star in white-collar defense, recognized by Bloomberg Law as one of the “Five Fresh Faces to Know in White Collar Defense.” He represents clients through all stages of criminal investigations and enforcement actions, earning a reputation for innovative solutions and creative problem-solving. An experienced trial lawyer, Nick has secured major victories in high-profile criminal and civil enforcement matters. Early in his career, he won a landmark dismissal of all charges despite a guilty verdict, successfully litigating Fourth Amendment issues and uncovering failures to disclose exculpatory evidence. More recently, he was part of the trial team that secured an across-the-board acquittal of Michael Lynch in the largest accounting fraud case ever prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of California.
Beyond the courtroom, Nick is a strategic advocate, working with prosecutors and enforcement agencies to prevent prosecutions and protect his clients from indictment or trial. He has successfully defended executives in cases involving FARA violations, export control issues, public corruption, health care fraud, and wire fraud. Notably, he won dismissal of the DOJ’s first civil lawsuit under the Foreign Agents Registration Act in over 30 years, a ruling unanimously affirmed by the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals in 2024. Committed to legal education, Nick has served as an adjunct professor at Georgetown University Law Center and developed writing training programs for Steptoe associates.
Michael Kelly is a seasoned defense attorney representing companies and individuals in criminal and civil enforcement actions involving securities fraud, accounting fraud, wire fraud, FCPA violations, money laundering, health care fraud, sanctions, tax fraud, and more. He has extensive experience helping clients respond to government investigations, including those led by the SEC, DOJ, and other enforcement agencies. In addition to defending against allegations, Mike advises boards of directors and audit committees, conducting independent investigations and offering strategic guidance on corporate governance and compliance.Nancy DePodesta, Partner, Taft Stettinius, Chicago IL (Moderator)
Mike also works with Fortune 500 and mid-market companies to enhance compliance programs, ensuring they proactively prevent legal violations while maintaining effective governance. Leveraging his background in government enforcement actions, he provides practical, actionable advice tailored to corporate realities. In civil matters, he represents clients in securities class actions, consumer class actions, and complex litigation. Before joining Akerman, Mike was a partner at an AmLaw 10 firm in Washington, D.C.
Hon. John Robert "Jack" Blakey has served as a United States District Judge for the Northern District of Illinois since 2014. Before his appointment, he built an extensive career as a prosecutor at both the state and federal levels. After earning his J.D. from Notre Dame Law School in 1992, he clerked for Judge William J. Zloch in the Southern District of Florida. He then worked in private practice before serving as an Assistant State’s Attorney in Cook County and later as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in both the Southern District of Florida and the Northern District of Illinois. From 2009 to 2014, he led the Special Prosecutions Bureau for the Cook County State's Attorney’s Office while also serving as a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Northern District of Illinois.
In 2014, President Barack Obama nominated Judge Blakey to the federal bench, with support from Senator Mark Kirk. Following Senate confirmation, he received his commission on December 19, 2014. Judge Blakey brings deep experience in complex prosecutions, including racketeering, fraud, and public corruption cases. He is the son of G. Robert Blakey, a renowned expert on the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act and a professor emeritus at Notre Dame Law School.
Hon. Sharon Johnson Coleman has served as a United States District Judge for the Northern District of Illinois since 2010. A former Illinois Appellate Court justice, she has built a distinguished legal career spanning prosecution, trial court, and appellate service. Born and raised in Chicago, she earned her B.A. in History from Northern Illinois University and her J.D. from Washington University School of Law. Before taking the bench, Judge Coleman worked as an Assistant State’s Attorney in Cook County, an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Northern District of Illinois, and later as Deputy State’s Attorney and Bureau Chief for the Public Interest Bureau. In 1996, she was appointed to the Cook County Circuit Court, where she presided over cases in the Child Protection Division and later in the Law Division before joining the Illinois Appellate Court in 2008.
In 2010, President Barack Obama nominated Judge Coleman to the federal bench, and she was confirmed by the U.S. Senate in a unanimous 86-0 vote. Throughout her tenure, she has presided over numerous high-profile cases, including rulings on same-sex marriage rights in Illinois, public corruption cases such as the bribery conviction of former state Representative Derrick Smith, and significant intellectual property disputes. In 2024, she issued a notable Second Amendment ruling, applying recent Supreme Court precedent to a case involving noncitizen firearm possession. A respected voice on the federal bench, Judge Coleman has also been vocal about the challenges of applying historical legal frameworks to modern constitutional issues.
Hon. John Fitzgerald Kness has served as a United States District Judge for the Northern District of Illinois since 2020. Before his judicial appointment, he built a diverse legal career spanning criminal prosecution, private practice, and higher education law. A former patrol officer for the Oak Park Police Department, he went on to earn his B.A. and J.D., cum laude, from Northwestern University. After law school, he clerked for Judge William H. Pryor Jr. of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. From 2009 to 2016, he served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Northern District of Illinois, handling cases in the National Security and Cybercrimes, Narcotics, and General Crimes Sections.
In 2016, Kness became General Counsel of the College of DuPage, overseeing legal matters for Illinois' second-largest institution of higher education. In 2019, President Donald Trump nominated him to the federal bench, and he was confirmed by the U.S. Senate in an 81-12 vote. Since joining the judiciary, Judge Kness has presided over a range of complex cases, drawing from his background in law enforcement and prosecution. He has also been an intermittent member of the Federalist Society since 2004.
Sergio Acosta is Co-Chair of Akerman’s White Collar Crime and Government Investigations Practice and a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, with over 70 jury trials to his credit. A Chambers-ranked white-collar litigator, he has extensive experience defending companies and individuals in criminal and regulatory proceedings, conducting internal investigations, and advising on compliance programs. As a former Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, he led the General Crimes Section and supervised complex prosecutions involving fraud, racketeering, political corruption, money laundering, and terrorism. He also served as the Criminal Civil Rights Coordinator, leading the team that indicted former Chicago Police Commander Jon Burge.
A fluent Spanish speaker, Sergio has represented corporate executives in Latin America and advises companies in the gaming industry. He previously served as Administrator of the Illinois Gaming Board and began his career as an Assistant State Attorney in Miami-Dade County under Janet Reno. His notable defense work includes securities fraud, PPE fraud, federal bribery, and False Claims Act investigations, securing dismissals, pretrial diversions, and declined prosecutions.
Zachary Fardon is the Managing Partner of King & Spalding’s Chicago office and leads the firm’s Government Matters practice group. A Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, he is a highly regarded trial attorney with extensive experience in white-collar defense, internal investigations, and crisis response matters. As a former U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, he led high-profile prosecutions in corporate misconduct, healthcare and securities fraud, public corruption, and terrorism. Notably, he successfully prosecuted former Illinois Governor George Ryan for corruption and co-chaired the DOJ’s White Collar Crimes Subcommittee and Securities and Commodities Fraud Working Group.
At King & Spalding, Zach represents public companies, boards of directors, universities, and corporate executives in government investigations and sensitive legal matters. He has been recognized by Chambers USA and Legal 500 US as a leading white-collar defense lawyer. Beyond his legal work, Zach is a dedicated advocate for gun violence prevention in Chicago, serving on the boards of Youth Guidance, Metropolitan Family Services, and the Legal Aid Society of Chicago. He also teaches a seminar on gun violence as an Adjunct Professor at Northwestern Pritzker School of Law.
John Lausch is a partner at Kirkland & Ellis LLP in the Government, Regulatory & Internal Investigations Practice Group, bringing extensive experience in government enforcement defense, internal investigations, and litigation. A former United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois (2017-2023), he oversaw more than 300 employees and led high-profile prosecutions in public corruption, national security, financial fraud, violent crime, and drug trafficking. He also served on the Attorney General’s Advisory Committee (AGAC), advising DOJ leadership on national policy and operational issues. Notably, he led the DOJ’s initial investigation into the alleged mishandling of classified documents by a former U.S. President and Vice President, which helped inform the decision to appoint a Special Counsel.
John began his legal career at Kirkland & Ellis in 1997 before becoming an Assistant U.S. Attorney (AUSA) in the Northern District of Illinois (1999-2010), where he prosecuted complex fraud, RICO conspiracy, narcotics, and corruption cases, trying over 20 criminal jury trials. He later returned to Kirkland as a partner (2010-2017) before his appointment as U.S. Attorney. Twice honored with the DOJ Director’s Award for Superior Performance, John is a trusted advisor to corporations and boards, handling sensitive investigations involving fraud, FCPA violations, antitrust matters, and environmental crimes.
Nancy DePodesta is a former federal prosecutor and highly regarded white-collar defense attorney and trial lawyer. Nancy regularly defends clients in investigations conducted by the Department of Justice and other federal law enforcement and governmental agencies. As an experienced investigator, she has led complex investigations involving regulatory agencies such as the Internal Revenue Service, U.S. Department of Labor, and Securities and Exchange Commission and has conducted internal investigations for corporate clients and universities.
With extensive experience in a broad array of subject matters, including securities fraud, tax fraud, health care fraud, corporate fraud, bribery and corruption, antitrust, Nancy focuses her practice on white-collar criminal defense. An adept and hands-on manager, she has led teams of in-house attorneys and outside counsel in handling complex litigation and investigative matters.
Nancy previously served as an Assistant United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois for more than 10 years and as legal counsel for the Illinois Department of Corrections.