Introduction
Christopher Hotaling is a member of the Government Investigations & White Collar Defense practice group. After 16 years as a federal prosecutor at the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Chicago, Chris focuses his practice on representing entities and individuals in all types of government investigations, criminal prosecutions, and regulatory enforcement actions. A seasoned trial attorney, clients also come to Chris for their most significant complex commercial litigation.
My focus
Leveraging my years of experience as a federal prosecutor in Chicago, I represent clients on a wide range of criminal and regulatory matters covering a broad scope of industries, including health care, financial services, and securities. I regularly interact with the Department of Justice, the Securities and Exchange Commission, and other regulatory agencies in enforcement actions and investigations. I also have significant experience investigating and litigating an expansive array of white collar and regulatory areas including securities fraud, bankruptcy fraud, health care fraud and the False Claims Act, tax fraud, money laundering, RICO, and public corruption.
Relying on the skills I developed as the section chief covering domestic and international money laundering, I further focus on conducting investigations and advising clients across industries, including financial services and the emerging cannabis industry, on anti-money laundering (AML) and Bank Secrecy Act issues. These same skills allow me to counsel clients who are the subject of corruption investigations involving Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) violations. I’m well positioned to help our clients not only ensure their AML compliance systems are adequate, but also advise and negotiate on their behalf if they are the target of a money laundering or FCPA investigation.
Before joining the firm, I was the Chief of the Narcotics and Money Laundering Section at the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois in Chicago. During my tenure as section chief, I personally led or supervised over 500 complex investigations touching on virtually every corner of federal criminal law. Additionally, while acting as section chief, I served as the DOJ Opioid Coordinator for the Northern District of Illinois. In that role, I coordinated the federal response, together with state and local stakeholders, to address the rampant opioid crisis, including the deadly role fentanyl and its’ analogues played in that crisis, affecting the entire northern Illinois area. I also have extensive courtroom experience, including 24 federal jury trials, many involving complex fraud and financial issues, and arguments in over 12 matters before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit.
Looking ahead
Together with a re-energized DOJ in the areas of environmental justice, financial and securities fraud, and PPP and CARES Act programs, we expect to see state attorneys general continue to be significant players in the enforcement arena.
Admitted to practice
Illinois
U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois
U.S. Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit
Education
Duke University, A.B., cum laude
University of Virginia School of Law, J.D.
Professional activities
- Chicago Bar Association, Criminal Law Committee (former chairperson)
- Federal Bar Association
Recognition
- Selected, through a peer-review survey, for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® in the field of Criminal Defense: White-Collar Law (2023)
- Chicago Crime Commission Stars of Distinction Award for Law Enforcement Excellence (2016)
- OCDETF Strike Force Appreciation Award (2015)
- Executive Office for the U.S. Attorney’s Director’s Award for Superior Performance by a Litigative Team (2010)
News Mentions
- Corporate Compliance Insights
Managing Risks That Come with Federal Funds
April 17, 2020NP’s Christopher Hotaling, Adam Tarosky, Scott O’Connell and Colin Missett authored this article detailing key considerations for businesses to consider, given that funds under the CARES Act come with associated responsibilities for recipients, creating potential criminal and civil liability if not properly handled.
- Law360
Indicted Flynn Associate Wants To Weigh In On DOJ Dismissal
This article mentions Chicago Government Investigations & White Collar Defense partner Chris Hotaling and Washington, D.C. Complex Commercial Disputes associate Scott Dinner for representing Ekim Alptekin, who on Friday requested permission to file an amicus brief in support of the U.S. Department of Justice's bid in U.S. v. Flynn.June 5, 2020 - Modern Healthcare
Healthcare fraud probes grow in number, intensity
Chicago Government Investigations & White Collar Defense partner Chis Hotaling is quoted in this article for his outlook on the financial incentive that may be driving larger information requests by government investigators.Oct 3, 2020 - Law360
Nixon Peabody adds ex-prosecutor as partner in Chicago
This coverage highlights the arrival of Chicago Government Investigations and White Collar Defense partner Chris Hotaling to Nixon Peabody following his tenure with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois.Sep 25, 2019 - Chicago Daily Law Bulletin
Nixon Peabody’s white-collar team adds former prosecutor
This coverage highlights the arrival of Chicago Government Investigations and White Collar Defense partner Chris Hotaling to Nixon Peabody following his tenure with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois.Sep 25, 2019 - Law360
Nixon Peabody nabs Adduci Mastriani IP pro in DC
This article highlighting personnel moves in the legal space mentions the additions of Washington DC Intellectual Property partner Evan Langdon and Chicago Government Investigations & White Collar Defense partner Chris Hotaling, who joined Nixon Peabody last week.Sep 30, 2019 - Reuters Legal
Career tracker: Lawyers on the move
This article highlighting personnel moves in the legal space mentions the additions of Washington DC Intellectual Property partner Evan Langdon and Chicago Government Investigations & White Collar Defense partner Chris Hotaling, who joined Nixon Peabody last week.Oct 1, 2019 - World Trademark Review
News digest: On the move
This article highlighting personnel moves in the legal space mentions the additions of Washington DC Intellectual Property partner Evan Langdon and Chicago Government Investigations & White Collar Defense partner Chris Hotaling, who joined Nixon Peabody last week.Sep 27, 2019 - The Banking Law Journal
Whistleblower-initiated FCA investigation highlights risks to PPP borrowers, other pandemic relief beneficiaries
A cross-practice team contributed this article covering the first False Claims Act settlement over Paycheck Protection Program funds that arose from a whistleblower complaint, and it offers insight on the implications of this action for other beneficiaries of coronavirus relief. The NP team comprises Government Investigations & White-Collar Defense practice group leader and Manchester partner David Vicinanzo; Washington, DC partner Adam Tarosky, and Chicago partner Christopher Hotaling, both of the GIWC group; Boston Complex Commercial Disputes partner Morgan Nighan; and New York Financial Restructuring & Bankruptcy partner Robert Christmas.Dec 13, 2021 - Law360
How feds closed in on Illinois speaker in corruption probe
Chicago Government Investigations & White-Collar Defense partner Chris Hotaling is quoted throughout this article that looks at how prosecutors are approaching racketeering charges against former Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan.March 4, 2022
Insights And Happenings
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View AllRobert Fisher
Partner / Practice Group Leader, Government Investigations & White Collar Defense- Boston
- Office:617.345.1335
- rfisher@nixonpeabody.com
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Hannah Bornstein
Partner/Deputy Practice Group Leader, Government Investigations & White Collar Defense- Boston
- Office:617.345.1217
- hbornstein@nixonpeabody.com
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