Pravin B. Rao

Pravin Rao, a partner in the firm’s Litigation practice, is uniquely positioned as both a former Federal and State prosecutor as well as an SEC enforcement Branch Chief to provide comprehensive representation and counseling to clients on complex criminal and civil matters. Pravin has drawn on his unique securities and commercial fraud background to assist a large number of individuals and Fortune 500 companies respond to government inquiries and conduct internal investigations in significant and sensitive areas, including those with financial fraud, FCPA, and corporate governance issues.

Prior to joining Perkins Coie, Pravin served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney where he supervised and developed strategies in investigations that targeted violations of federal criminal law, including commodity and securities fraud, bank fraud, mail/wire fraud, mortgage fraud, bankruptcy fraud, credit card fraud, identity theft, copyright infringement, internet fraud, public corruption, tax offenses, health care fraud, money laundering, arson, narcotics, firearms, civil rights violations, child pornography, perjury and obstruction. Pravin developed a unique perspective from conducting parallel investigations with the SEC, CFTC, and other regulators in complex cases involving large publicly traded companies, directors and officers, broker-dealers and hedge funds. Pravin is also a seasoned trial attorney with a winning track record, having tried 10 jury trials and argued 11 appeals in federal courts, and served as “first chair” in numerous trials and over 25 appeals in State courts.

Before becoming a federal prosecutor, Pravin served as an Enforcement Branch Chief with the SEC, where he directed numerous high profile investigations and litigation involving financial statement and disclosure fraud, insider trading, investment advisory fraud, prime bank and Ponzi schemes, market manipulation, failure to supervise, broker-dealer misconduct, and record-keeping, reporting and registration violations. Pravin has maintained his ties to the SEC, having recently served as Regional Chair of the Association of SEC Alumni. Pravin is frequently invited to speak to in-house counsel and industry groups on recent developments in securities law and the SEC, especially where these topics intersect the criminal arena. Pravin has also been retained as an expert witness in a FINRA arbitration.

Securities Enforcement and White Collar Defense

• Provided counsel to a Fortune 500 company in a sensitive government investigation involving a technically-complex subject area
• Represented an individual broker of large financial firm in a FINRA investigation
• Represented numerous individuals in criminal matters involving allegations of fraud (mail, wire, securities, bank, mortgage, and tax), money laundering, and criminal forfeiture
• Served as lead counsel for a court-appointed Receiver in a SEC-related matter in Federal Court
• Provided counsel to a Fortune 500 company regarding regulatory and criminal exposure on accounting issues under U.S. and foreign laws

• Represented officers and directors in SEC investigations concerning insider trading, Ponzi schemes, internal controls, revenue recognition issues, and investment advisory fraud, while also assessing and dealing with possible criminal exposure
• Conducted internal investigation for a multinational company in matters involving the FCPA and insider trading, and provided counsel on both civil and criminal exposure
• Represented and counseled individuals facing actions by the SEC, CFTC, Federal Reserve, Illinois Department of Securities, other federal and state regulatory agencies, and criminal authorities

Professional Recognition

• Listed as an Illinois Super Lawyer as published by Law & Politics, 2010
• Chairman’s Award for Excellence, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
• Performance Award, U.S. Department of Justice, 2004, 2005, 2006
• Outstanding Service Award, U.S. Internal Revenue Service
• Superior Contribution Award, U.S. Secret Service
• Award for Exceptional Work and Dedication, U.S. Drug Enforcement Admin.
• Outstanding Contribution Award, Illinois Arson Award Committee

Professional Leadership

• Association of SEC Alumni (ASECA), Former Regional Chairman
• Loyola University School of Law, Appellate Advocacy Instructor, 2001-2002
• National Association of Assistant U.S. Attorneys
• Asian American Bar Association of the Greater Chicago Area, Former Board Member and Treasurer
• Indian American Bar Association

Related Employment

• Office of the United States Attorney, Northern District of Illinois, Chicago, IL
  Assistant U.S. Attorney, 2003 - 2007
• U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Chicago, IL
  Branch Chief, 2000 - 2003; Senior/Staff Attorney, 1999 - 2000
• Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office, Chicago, IL
  Assistant State’s Attorney, 1995 - 1999
• Inland Steel Industries, Chicago, IL
  Project Manager/Consultant, 1989 - 1992
• Emerson Electric Co., St. Louis, MO
  Financial Analyst, 1988 - 1989