Joel R. Levin

Joel Levin is a member of the firm’s Investigations & White Collar Defense group.  His practice focuses on complex fraud and white collar matters, including false claims, health care fraud, tax and antitrust.  Joel has extensive courtroom experience, having tried more than 40 federal jury trials during the course of his career. As a federal prosecutor, Joel was part of the trial team that successfully prosecuted former Illinois Governor George Ryan.

Prior to joining Perkins Coie, Joel had a distinguished career as a federal prosecutor in Chicago, San Francisco and Milwaukee, specializing in the investigation and prosecution of complex fraud and financial crimes.  He served as Chief of the Criminal Division in the U.S. Attorney’s Office in San Francisco from 1995 - 1997 and immediately prior to joining Perkins Coie, he was Chief of the Financial Fraud and Special Prosecutions Section in the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Chicago.  As a prosecutor, Joel investigated and tried a wide variety of cases including multi-million dollar investment frauds, securities violations, racketeering enterprises, political corruption, bankruptcy fraud, health care fraud and tax violations.  During his tenure with the Justice Department, Joel was a four-time recipient of the Director’s Award for Superior Performance as an Assistant U.S. Attorney.

Joel is able to draw upon his broad experience as a prosecutor to counsel clients in matters involving highly complex financial or regulatory issues.  Since joining Perkins Coie, Joel has represented individuals as well as Fortune 500 companies in a wide variety of federal criminal investigations, including government contracts, health care fraud, environmental violations, FDA investigations, false claims, securities violations and antitrust matters.

REPRESENTATIVE MATTERS

• Represented health care providers in federal investigations of wrongful billing practices
• Represented State of Indiana in landmark racketeering case, resulting in judgment of $108 million against former East Chicago public officials
• Represented high level administrator of state university in  investigation of university admissions practices
• Represented witnesses in high-profile public corruption investigations of conduct by state and local elected officials
• Represented federal law enforcement employee in criminal investigation of alleged misconduct by federal and local agents
• Represented airport contractor in investigation into compliance with minority contracting requirements

Professional Recognition

• U.S. Department of Justice, Director's Award for Superior Performance as an Assistant U.S. Attorney, 1990, 2001, 2003 and 2006
• Chicago Crime Commission, "Stars of Distinction Award," 2006
• Award for Excellence, U.S. Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General, 2006
• Inspector in Charge Award,  United States Postal Inspection Service, 2003
• Federal Bar Association, Frank McGarr Award, 2002
• Cook County Crime Prevention Excellence in Law Enforcement Award, 2001

Professional Leadership

• Appointed Co-Chair of the ABA Criminal Justice Section White Collar Crime Committee, Antitrust Subcommittee, 2010 - 2012
• Illinois Reform Commission, General Counsel, 2009
• Northwestern University, Adjunct Professor of Law, 2008 - present
• Federal Bar Association, Chicago Chapter, Board of Directors, 2006 - present

Community Involvement

• Board of Immigration Appeals, Authored Appeals Brief, 2010
• Rotary, Club President

Related Employment

• U.S. Attorney's Office, Northern District of Illinois, Assistant U.S. Attorney, 1997 - 2008; Financial Fraud and Special Prosecutions Section, Chief, 2007 - 2008; Major Case Section, Deputy Chief, 2004 - 2006; Criminal Division, Attorney, 1997 - 2004
• U.S. Attorney's Office, Northern District of California, Criminal Division, Chief, 1995 - 1997; Supervisor, 1993 - 1995; Attorney, 1984 - 1993
• U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Wisconsin, Assistant U.S. Attorney, 1980 - 1984
• Chapman and Cutler, Municipal Finance Department, Chicago, Illinois, 1979 - 1980