Reid Schar

Reid J. Schar co-chairs the firm’s White Collar Defense and Investigations Practice. He is a former assistant U.S. attorney who has tried more than 20 criminal cases, many involving complex fraud and financing issues. Clients regularly turn to Mr. Schar with their most significant white collar matters and investigations as well as complex commercial litigation matters. Mr. Schar has led domestic internal investigations and international Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) investigations on behalf of a variety of clients. He also has extensive experience handling compliance reviews on behalf of clients around the globe. Mr. Schar has led anti-money laundering investigations and is regularly consulted on anti-money laundering compliance and compliance programs. In addition, Mr. Schar represents clients in litigation involving civil RICO actions, fraud claims, antitrust allegations and breach of contract disputes. He also represents and advises clients interacting with the SEC in enforcement actions and investigations. Individuals and companies have sought his assistance in investigating and addressing bid-rigging, fraud, leaks of sensitive information and the theft of trade secrets. Mr. Schar regularly appears before boards of directors, board committees and regulatory bodies. During Mr. Schar’s tenure at the U.S. Attorney’s office for the Northern District of Illinois, he attained wide acclaim. Mr. Schar was the lead prosecutor in both corruption trials of former Governor Rod Blagojevich. Before leaving the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Mr. Schar served as counsel to the United States Attorney, where he provided counsel and guidance in significant case, program and management decisions of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including charging decisions involving businesses and individuals, strategic investigation decisions and interaction with various Department of Justice components and officials. Mr. Schar is a prolific speaker on criminal law issues and lectures on a variety of related topics around the world. Since 2002, Mr. Schar has served as an adjunct professor at Northwestern University School of Law.