Skadden is pleased to announce that John C. Kocoras, former first assistant U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, has joined the firm as a partner in the Litigation Group in our Chicago office. Mr. Kocoras’ practice will focus on advising clients in connection with internal investigations, complex litigation and white collar criminal defense matters, including Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) cases.
Since 2018, Mr. Kocoras served as second in command at the Chicago U.S. Attorney’s Office, supervising approximately 160 attorneys in the civil and criminal divisions. Previously, he was in private practice as a partner in the Chicago office of another global law firm, where he advised clients on government enforcement defense, internal investigations, compliance issues and civil litigation. He also spent four years as a managing director and regional counsel at a global investigations company, overseeing internal investigations focused on suspected violations of the FCPA, among other types of matters, and handling due diligence work for private equity clients. Mr. Kocoras also served in the Chicago U.S. Attorney’s Office from 2000-05 and has tried 13 cases in Chicago federal court.
“John’s deep experience handling white collar matters, internal investigations and high-stakes trials will be of tremendous value to our clients,” said Brian Duwe, head of Skadden’s Chicago office. “He will be an excellent addition to our team of talented litigators.”
“I am very excited that John is joining our Chicago office,” said Skadden litigation partner and former U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Illinois Patrick Fitzgerald. “I have known John more than 20 years. He is a first-rate lawyer and a person of the highest integrity. We look forward to having him as a colleague.”
“The depth of experience and expertise in Skadden’s litigation practice is extraordinary, and I am excited to join such a respected group,” said Mr. Kocoras. “I look forward to collaborating with my colleagues in Chicago and across the globe to help clients address their most challenging legal issues.”
A graduate of Loyola University Chicago School of Law, Mr. Kocoras began his legal career as a law clerk to former Chief Judge James C. Cacheris of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia and subsequently worked as investigative counsel for the U.S. House of Representatives Judiciary Committee. Mr. Kocoras has received numerous accolades for his work, including the Investigation of the Year Award, from the National Health Care Anti-Fraud Association; the Award for Excellence, from the President’s Council for Integrity & Efficiency; and the Inspector General’s Integrity Award, from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.