Sussman brings extensive trial and white collar defense experience.
CHICAGO, October 18, 2018 – Global law firm Reed Smith today announced the arrival of Eric Sussman, who joins the firm’s Chicago office as a partner in the Global Regulatory Enforcement practice. Eric has extensive private practice and government experience in the white collar area. He was a Deputy Chief in the Financial Crimes and Special Prosecutions Unit of the United States Attorney’s Office in Chicago for nine years, and most recently served as the First Assistant State’s Attorney for Cook County. He has worked in private practice representing corporations and individuals in a wide variety of government investigations, and brings to Reed Smith a unique blend of private practice and public sector legal experience.
After receiving his J.D. with honors from the University of Chicago Law School, Sussman began his career as a law clerk to U.S. District Court Judge George M. Marovich before entering private practice with Sidley Austin in 1997. In 1999, he left Sidley to join the U.S. Attorney’s Office. While in that office, he served as Deputy Chief of the Financial Crimes and Special Prosecutions Section. He left the U.S. Attorney’s Office in 2008 and re-entered private practice. In 2016, Eric was appointed as the First Assistant State’s Attorney by Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx. As First Assistant, Eric worked with Foxx to implement reforms for the county’s embattled criminal justice system. During his time there, he supervised 800 attorneys and more than 125 investigators in the criminal, appellate, and juvenile justice bureaus, as well as the civil actions bureau. Cook County has the second largest prosecutor’s office in the country behind Los Angeles.
“With an upsurge in the scope and number of white collar criminal investigations and high-level Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) engagements, this area of practice has become increasingly critical for our clients,” said James Sanders, co-chair of the firm’s Global Regulatory Enforcement Group. “Eric has significant experience in both public sector and private law practice, as well as both government investigations and white collar defense. He is an incredible asset to our team and we are extremely excited that he has decided to join Reed Smith.”
When in private practice, Sussman handled numerous appeals before the U.S. Court of Appeals, and arbitration proceedings before the International Court of Arbitration, and represented clients before various government agencies, including the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Securities Exchange Commission (SEC), Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). In addition, he has directed hundreds of investigations involving the FCPA, insider trading matters, antitrust matters, Dodd-Frank Whistleblower issues and health care fraud allegations.
“Sophisticated clients recognize that regulatory enforcement has become increasingly global in nature and scope,” Sussman said. “This trend demands a law firm with a global footprint and a broad understanding of how to resolve complex, multi-jurisdictional legal challenges. I am excited to be joining Reed Smith’s Government Investigations and White Collar team, which is uniquely positioned to navigate the current enforcement climate.”
Michael LoVallo, Office Managing Partner of the firm’s Chicago office, said “Eric is one of the most highly respected attorneys in the Chicago area and throughout the state of Illinois. His numerous years of experience in the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office will allow Reed Smith to better assist companies and executives with these critical issues.”
Reed Smith’s Global Regulatory Group serves clients facing emerging and evolving regulatory challenges across the nation and around the world, helping them meet the regulatory requirements that critically influence their business operations and bottom lines. The group provides strategic guidance on regulatory compliance, regulatory investigations, and other disputes related to anti-corruption, antitrust and competition, international trade, government contracts, government relations, and securities or fraud investigations. Its attorneys advise clients on regulatory compliance issues, and defend clients in all aspects of enforcement proceedings, whether related to antitrust and competition, exports and customs, government contracts, securities, or civil or criminal fraud investigations or prosecutions.
About Reed Smith
Reed Smith is a dynamic international law firm, dedicated to helping clients move their businesses forward. Its long-standing relationships, international outlook and collaborative structure make it a go-to partner for speedy resolution of complex disputes, transactions, and regulatory matters.
