Patrick M. Collins

Patrick Collins, a member of the firm's Executive Committee, is a highly-accomplished trial attorney and investigator who specializes in representing companies and individuals in complex civil and criminal matters in federal courts throughout the United States. Considered one of the highest profile attorneys in Chicago, Patrick has tried over 20 federal cases to verdict, and prevailed in each of them. In January 2010, Patrick was selected by the Chicago Law Bulletin as one of Chicago's "Top Ten" attorneys of the last decade.  

Since joining the firm in April 2007, Patrick has established and aggressively grown the Chicago Office's Investigations and White Collar practice. Patrick has led teams conducting internal investigations for Fortune 500 companies and public entities; Patrick also has represented individuals and companies in high-profile federal court litigation and in sensitive financial probes before various U.S. Attorneys' Offices, the SEC, and the CFTC. Drawing heavily on his expertise as a nationally recognized expert in public corruption matters, Patrick has provided preventive counseling and has conducted internal investigations regarding Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) matters. 
During his three years with Perkins Coie, Patrick also has been selected for numerous  independent, high-profile public engagements. In September 2009, Patrick was appointed by the United States Trustee and confirmed by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court as the Chapter 11 trustee for the A & O Life Fund LLC and six related estates.  In January 2009, Patrick was appointed by Illinois Governor Patrick Quinn to chair the Illinois Reform Commission, which was tasked with making recommendations for ethical reform for Illinois government. In 2007, Patrick was selected as lead trial counsel for the Indiana Attorney General's Office in a ground-breaking civil RICO case, and, in 2008, as outside counsel for Wayne County Airport Authority's investigation of its Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program.  

Prior to joining the firm, Patrick was an Assistant U.S. Attorney for 12 years in Chicago, the last four of which were as a supervisor in the corruption unit for U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald. During his tenure, he spearheaded the eight-year Operation Safe Road investigation  and led the prosecution team in the six-month trial and conviction of former Illinois Governor George Ryan.    

Patrick regularly speaks to in-house counsel and corporate audiences on a variety of white collar topics, including conducting internal investigations and responding to sensitive inquiries by government agencies.  

Professional Recognition

• Appointed Co-Chair of the ABA Criminal Justice Section White Collar Crime Committee, Public Corruption and Extortion Subcommittee, 2010 - 2012
• Selected as one of Chicago's "Top Ten" attorneys over the last decade, Chicago Law Bulletin, 2010
• Listed in The Best Lawyers in America, 2010 - 2011
• Listed as an Illinois Super Lawyer as published by Law & Politics, 2008 - 2010 
• Chicago Lawyer,  "Ex-Prosecutor Begins to Build a Book of Business," 2007
• Operation Safe Road
  • Attorney General's Award for Superior Performance by Litigative Team, 2006
  • Chicago Crime Commission, "Stars of Distinction Award," 2006
  • Director's Award for Superior Performance as an AUSA, 2003
  • Chief Postal Inspector's Award, 2003
• The American Lawyer, "Fed Hots - Eleven AUSAs Worth Tracking," 2003
• Crain's Chicago Business, "40 Under 40," 2003

Community Involvement

• Perkins Coie Pro Bono Leadership Award, 2009
• Cabrini Green Legal Aid, Supervising Attorney, 2007 - present
• Horizons for Youth, Founder, Former President, Co-Chair Leadership Council, Longtime Volunteer, 1991 - present
• Constitutional Rights Foundation, Board Member, 2007 -present
• Legal Aid Bureau of Metropolitan Family Services, Board Member, 2007 - present
• Better Government Association, Board Member, 2008 - present
• Perkins Coie Pro Bono Committee, Member, 2007 - present

Related Employment

• U.S. Attorney's Office, Chicago, IL, Assistant United States Attorney, 1995 - 2007; Deputy Chief, Public Corruption Section, 2004 - 2007 
• Sachnoff & Weaver, Ltd., Chicago, IL, Associate, 1991 - 1995
• The Collins Law Firm, Chicago, IL, Partner, 1995
• The First Boston Corporation, New York, NY, and Chicago, IL, Financial Analyst, 1986 - 1988