Joel R. Levin

Joel Levin is an Of Counsel in the firm’s Investigations & White Collar Defense practice. Prior to joining Perkins Coie, Joel spent more than twenty-eight years as a federal prosecutor in three offices – Chicago, San Francisco and Milwaukee. He was Chief of the Criminal Division in the U.S. Attorney’s Office in San Francisco from 1995 - 1997 and immediately prior to joining the firm, he served as Chief of the Financial Fraud and Special Prosecutions Section in the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Chicago. During the course of his career, Joel specialized in the investigation and prosecution of complex fraud and financial crimes. Joel was also part of the trial teams, led by Perkins Coie partner Patrick M. Collins, that successfully prosecuted former Illinois Governor George Ryan and Ryan’s former Chief of Staff, Scott Fawell. Joel has tried in excess of forty federal trials, both civil and criminal, including cases involving multi-million dollar investment frauds, securities violations, racketeering enterprises, arson, bankruptcy fraud, health care fraud and tax violations.

During Joel’s government career, he served as the lead prosecutor on numerous large scale corporate and bank fraud investigations, including cases of overvalued assets and receivables, money laundering, corporate embezzlements and misapplications of funds. He spearheaded the prosecution of various complex frauds, including the successful trial of the owner of a Chicago broker-dealer firm convicted on charges stemming from the willful violation of net capital and Special Reserve requirements. Joel was also the lead attorney in a trial involving a $20 million Ponzi scheme operated by the owners of a commodity futures trading firm. Joel also handled the successful prosecution of a European bank that was one of the first banks prosecuted under United States money laundering laws.

As an Assistant U.S. Attorney, Joel worked extensively with financial investigators from numerous federal agencies, including the FBI, IRS and SEC. Joel tried numerous criminal tax cases requiring the reconstruction of income through indirect methods, including the net worth method and bank deposits method. During the course of his trial work, he has examined and cross-examined numerous financial experts called to testify concerning income, expenditures, and sources of income. He also has extensive experience in cases involving the use of foreign bank accounts to conceal or launder the proceeds of illegal activity in the United States. On numerous occasions, Joel worked with various foreign law enforcement authorities who assisted in the investigation and prosecution of crimes that extended beyond United States borders. Joel’s experience also includes the investigation of various export-related offenses, including the illegal transshipment of products to prohibited countries.

In addition to his “hands on” experience investigating and prosecuting a wide variety of federal cases over the course of his career, Joel also supervised prosecutors handling a broad array of cases, including complex financial matters, public corruption and government contract fraud.

Joel recently served as the General Counsel for the Illinois Reform Commission.

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

• Illinois Reform Commission, General Counsel, 2009
• Northwestern University, Adjunct Professor of Law, Present
• Federal Bar Association, Chicago Chapter, Board of Directors

Community Involvement

• Rotary - Paul Harris Fellow

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