White Collar Litigation

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In the current climate of aggressive government enforcement activities across nearly all industries, clients faced with a disruptive government investigation need legal counsel with the respect and experience to resolve the investigation in an efficient and effective manner.

Williams Montgomery & John's white-collar litigation practice provides insightful, proactive representation to businesses and individuals faced with grand jury investigations, regulatory inquiries, and civil whistleblower claims. We have experience defending corporations, executives, and other individuals in matters involving health care fraud, antitrust violations, RICO claims, False Claims Act claims, and a variety of other substantive issues.

Our attorneys, a number of whom are former federal and state prosecutors, understand that the most successful result for our clients is to avoid prosecution.  In fact, some of our greatest successes have never become public.  We quickly investigate and assess potential wrongdoing and help our clients navigate the difficult minefield of a government investigation. We strive to help our clients avoid or reduce the damage caused by an investigation and potential indictment or civil charge. In the event that the government brings charges, clients rely on the trial attorneys of Williams Montgomery & John to provide an aggressive defense in their criminal or civil proceedings, including those before state and federal investigative agencies.

We recognize that it is essential to understand the scope of the potential wrongdoing so it can be addressed appropriately. The firm has conducted internal investigations for clients to help them quickly gather and assess evidence and make informed decisions regarding an effective response. Our attorneys' professional integrity and independence in these matters instills confidence in our clients that their particular problem will be addressed in the appropriate manner.

The firm's white-collar litigation practice is led by James Fieweger, a former assistant U.S. Attorney in the Northern District of Illinois. He has represented both corporations and individuals in state and federal criminal matters, including defending a nursing home charged with criminal neglect. He also has participated in corporate internal investigations, including the investigation of one of the nation's largest debt collection businesses.  Our lawyers are committed to providing clients with the most vigorous and highest quality advocacy when faced with compliance issues, state or federal investigations, or government enforcement actions.

For more information about the firm's white-collar litigation practice, please contact Mr. Fieweger at 312.443.3289 or wmjinfo@willmont.com.

 


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Associates Practicing in this Area




Representative Matters

  • ABN AMRO Services Company v. Navarete Industries
    Circuit Court of Cook County, Ill.
    Helped prosecute claims on behalf of ABN AMRO against former bank employee and bank's security contractor accused of running a fraudulent kickback scheme.
  • In re Nicor
    Securities and Exchange Commission
    Represented KPMG in SEC investigation.
  • International Defense Contractor Investigation
    Conducted internal investigation that cleared a defense contractor of potential claims of wrongdoing. Investigation revealed that bid letters stating inflated prices for weapons systems were prepared by foreign defense ministry officials and not by the client.
  • Sean Mason ex. rel. United States v. Medline, Inc. and the Medline Foundation

    U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois
    Secured $85 million recovery on behalf of the U.S. government representing qui tam plaintiff after the United States declined to intervene. Lawsuit brought against Medline for its national practice of securing contracts by providing kickbacks to medical care facilities using complex methods that made it impossible for providers to accurately report savings to the government in accordance with applicable regulations. Case settled after discovery for $85 million plus attorney's fees.

  • State of Illinois v. Care Centers, Inc.
    Circuit Court of Cook County, Ill.
    Defended Care Centers, Inc., operator of long-term care facilities, against allegations that one of its nursing homes had criminally neglected a patient.
  • United States ex rel Holbrook v. W.W. Grainger
    U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Wisconsin
    Defended W.W. Grainger, a Fortune 500 industrial supply company, in False Claims Act lawsuit and related investigation alleging failure to comply with Trade Agreements Act in connection with schedule supply contract with General Services Administration.
  • United States of America v. International Paper Company, et al.
    U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas
    Won criminal antitrust case on behalf of Weyerhaeuser employee alleging national conspiracy to fix prices in the corrugated box industry in violation of the Sherman Act.
  • United States v. Sheth
    U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois
    Defended physician in health care fraud prosecution arising out of phantom billing and up-charging scheme, as well as related civil False Claims Act case.