Professional Biography
Image of Jose Lopez

Jose A. Lopez Partner

Chicago Office Managing Partner

  • Chicago

    D +1.312.324.8672

    F +1.312.324.9672

    Chicago

    110 North Wacker Drive, 34th Floor

    Chicago, IL 60606

    +1.312.324.8672

    JLopez@perkinscoie.com

  • Washington, D.C.

    D +1.202.654.6200

    F +1.202.654.6211

    Washington, D.C.

    700 13th Street, NW, Suite 800

    Washington, DC 20005-3960

    +1.202.654.6200

    JLopez@perkinscoie.com

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Overview

Litigation Partner Jose Lopez emphasizes securities litigation in his national practice. He advises companies, officers, directors, and trustees in complicated securities litigation and enforcement matters, involving both federal and state regulators. Jose draws upon his experience as a former senior enforcement attorney with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in representing his clients to achieve favorable results in civil securities proceedings and enforcement matters with the SEC, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), Illinois Securities Department, and other state regulatory agencies. Jose has also tried civil matters in federal and state court and in confidential arbitration proceedings. 

Jose was recently appointed a Cook County special state’s attorney to represent the Cook County Board of Ethics to investigate and litigate ethical conduct violations by a Cook County elected official. The matter was successfully concluded with the Cook County Board of Ethics achieving all requested relief. Jose also has extensive experience in internal corporate investigations, particularly investigations relating to alleged violations of federal and state securities laws. He has investigated a multinational company’s compliance with Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) bribery and books and records laws in Mexico, India, South Korea, Central America, South America, Europe, and South Africa.

During his tenure as a senior enforcement attorney with the SEC, Jose directed numerous high-profile investigations and litigations involving revenue recognition, financial statement and disclosure fraud, insider trading, prime bank schemes, and registration violations. He also served as a member of the SEC’s Cyberforce investigating claims of internet securities fraud.

Jose frequently speaks on panels regarding recent developments in securities litigation. The Illinois Supreme Court has appointed Jose to successive annual terms as a member of its hearing panel, which hears contested cases and makes recommendations for the discipline of lawyers charged with misconduct by the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission of the Supreme Court of Illinois. Recently, the Illinois Supreme Court also appointed Jose for an annual term as a chair of its hearing panel.

As a former assistant state's attorney in Cook County, Jose successfully tried more than 40 cases and argued several cases before the Illinois Appellate Court.

Professional Recognition

  • Listed as a “Most Influential Minority Lawyers in Chicago” by Crain’s Chicago Business, 2017
  • Named to Illinois "Super Lawyers" in Securities Litigation, 2005 – 2008, 2013 – 2024
  • Peer Review Rated AV in Martindale-Hubbell
    (AV®, BV® and CV® are registered certification marks of Reed Elsevier Properties Inc., used in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies.)

*The Supreme Court of Illinois does not recognize certifications of specialties in the practice of law and no certificate, award or recognition is a requirement to practice law in Illinois.

Professional Leadership

  • The Chicago Committee, Board of Directors, 2020 - present
  • Hispanic Lawyers Scholarship Fund of Illinois, Board Member
  • Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, Ethics Commissioner
  • Former Co-Chair of ABA Securities Litigation SEC Enforcement Subcommittee
  • Former Co-Chair of ABA Securities Litigation Broker-Dealer Litigation Subcommittee
  • Former Regional Chair of the Association of SEC Alumni
  • American Bar Foundation, Fellow
  • Selected and attended Center for Creative Leadership program, 2017
  • Selected and attended the Kellogg School of Management Advanced Leadership Program, 2019
  • Selected and attended the Kellogg School of Management Strategic Leadership program, 2012
  • Former Firmwide Chair, Strategic Diversity Committee

Community Involvement

  • Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission, Hearing Board Chair
  • The Economic Club of Chicago, Member

Related Employment

  • Schopf & Weiss LLP, Chicago, IL, Partner
  • United States Securities and Exchange Commission, Midwest Regional Office, Senior Enforcement Attorney
  • Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office, Chicago, IL, Assistant State’s Attorney

Clerkships

  • Magistrate Judge Morton Denlow, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois

Experience

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Bar and Court Admissions

  • Illinois
  • District of Columbia
  • U.S. Supreme Court
  • U.S. Tax Court
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
  • U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado
  • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois - Trial Bar
  • U.S. District Court for the Western District of Tennessee

Education

  • Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law, J.D., 1995
  • DePaul University, B.A., 1992