Christopher Hotaling

Christopher Hotaling

Criminal Defense: White-Collar

3.0 (1 reviews)
Chicago, Illinois
25+ years experience
Nixon Peabody LLP
Updated:

Contact Information

70 West Madison Street, Suite 5200, Chicago, IL 60602-4378
Login to Contact

Create an account to contact this attorney

Bio

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.What do you focus on?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. 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.What do you focus on?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. 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. What do you focus on? 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. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit.

Practice Areas

Criminal Defense: White-Collar

Awards & Recognition

  • Recognized: Criminal Defense: White-Collar

Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2023

Education

  • University of Virginia, J.D., graduated 2000
  • Duke University, A.B.

Reviews

K

Kathleen Mitchell

3 weeks ago

Experienced but communication gaps

I worked with Christopher Hotaling on a complex white-collar defense matter, leveraging his extensive background as a former federal prosecutor. His deep understanding of the legal landscape and strategic approach were evident, particularly in navigating the nuances of government investigations. However, while his expertise was clear, I found the communication during the process to be inconsistent. There were occasions where responses to inquiries took longer than expected, and follow-up details were sometimes not as thorough as I would have preferred. The initial consultation was thorough, and his experience in the U.S. Attorney’s Office was undoubtedly valuable in shaping our defense strategy. For those needing an attorney with his level of experience, just be prepared for a more measured pace when it comes to responsiveness. Overall, competent but areas for improvement in client communication.

Write a Review

Please login to leave a review for this attorney.

Login to Review

Don't have an account? Create one

Related Attorneys

Chicago, IL
5.0 (1 reviews)
View Profile
James C. Siebert
Chicago, IL
5.0 (1 reviews)
View Profile
AM

Amber Munoz

Criminal Defense: White-Collar

San Diego, CA
5.0 (1 reviews)
View Profile
AB

Andrew Beshai

Criminal Defense: White-Collar

San Jose, CA
5.0 (1 reviews)
View Profile