Patrick M. Collins

Patrick Collins is a highly accomplished trial attorney and investigator who focuses on representing companies and executives 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 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 been selected for numerous high-stakes engagements and has achieved successful outcomes for individual and corporate clients. Recently, Patrick led Perkins’ successful representation of Google and Boeing in sensitive, high-profile matters.

Drawing heavily on his experience as a nationally recognized authority in public corruption, Patrick has provided preventive counseling and has conducted internal investigations regarding Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) matters.  He has also counseled universities and top university officials on a broad range of sensitive matters, including the False Claims Act.

While at Perkins Coie, Patrick also has been selected for numerous independent, high-profile public engagements. In 2008, Patrick was selected as outside counsel for Wayne County Airport Authority's investigation of its multimillion dollar Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program (DBE), which led to a Department of Justice civil settlement with airport contractors. 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 and in 2007, Patrick was selected as lead trial counsel for the Indiana Attorney General's Office and obtained a $108 million federal court judgment for the State of Indiana.

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.

Representative Matters

• Represented Google in negotiating a NPA (non-prosecution agreement) with the District of Rhode Island related to Canadian online pharmacy ads
• Represented FORTUNE 500 company on competitive bidding matter; investigation concluded and matter closed without regulatory action
• Conducted internal investigation for Audit Committee of FORTUNE 500 company
• Represented FORTUNE 500 company in ongoing federal grand jury investigation; investigation concluded with no charges
• Conducted internal investigation for a FORTUNE 500 company in matters involving possible violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practice Act
• Represented FORTUNE 500 company in an international risk assessment project
• Represented public company in internal investigation following whistleblower disclosure
• Conducted internal investigation on behalf of executives and corporate entity related to claims of misconduct by company executives
• Represented board of public company in a matter relating to officer misconduct
• Conducted internal investigation for a private equity firm following acquisition of manufacturing company
• Led internal investigation for the Wayne County Airport Authority (WCAA) into possible irregularities in its multimillion dollar Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program, which prompted a federal investigation and $1.4 million Department of Justice settlement with two contractors for fraudulent DBE activities

• Represented CEO of e-commerce company in FTC investigation
• Represented the Boeing Company in a high-profile securities class action litigation related to the 787 Dreamliner airplane; case was dismissed with prejudice
• Represented CEO of trading firm in CFTC and U.S. Attorney's investigation; CEO obtained immunity from prosecution
• Represented former supervisor of financial institution in grand jury investigation of financial misconduct
• Represented former CEO of financial firm in CFTC, SEC and USAO investigations
• Served as lead trial counsel for The Boeing Company in a product liability lawsuit
• Served as lead trial counsel and obtained a $108 million federal court judgment against the former Mayor of East Chicago, IN
• Served as Chapter 11 Trustee for the A & O Life Fund LLC, September 2009 - March 2010 
• Represented companies in large Chicago-based, antitrust class action matters
• Represented business executive in federal fraud matter; obtained dismissal of complaint
• Represented construction company executive in criminal case; achieved probationary sentence

• Represented Midwestern university in internal investigation relating to misconduct by the athletic department
• Conducted internal investigation for a major university into a potential false claims violation relating to federal grant funding
• Represented Midwestern college in federal lawsuit against Chief Financial Officer
• Represented district superintendent in misconduct investigation
• Represented top university officials in state inquiries regarding inappropriate influence in admissions policies

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, Commercial Litigation; White-Collar Criminal Defense, 2010 - present
• Listed as an Illinois Super Lawyer as published by Law & Politics, 2008 - 2013
• Rated superb on Avvo.com
   
• 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

• The Judge Robert Smith Ethics in Government Award, sponsored by Justinian Society of Lake County, 2010
• 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