Overview
Chris Niewoehner is an esteemed trial lawyer who defends prominent individuals and corporations in all phases of government investigations and prosecutions, and handles matters related to complex civil litigation. Chris has 12 years of experience as a federal prosecutor, during which time he handled some of the most notorious political corruption investigations ever brought in the Northern District of Illinois – most notably, the conviction of former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich. As a result of his trial successes, he was asked to become a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers – a distinction reserved for the top one percent of trial lawyers in the United States.
Clients turn to Chris with their most significant white-collar matters and investigations. Chris has led domestic and foreign internal investigations across a wide range of industries around the globe. He regularly interacts with the US Department of Justice (DOJ), Securities and Exchange Commission, and other regulatory bodies in enforcement actions and investigations. As a current example, Chris plays a leading role in managing worldwide issues involving one of the largest DOJ criminal settlements of all time (see United States v. Volkswagen). Clients have also sought his assistance in investigating and addressing Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) and money laundering issues, antitrust concerns, environmental problems, healthcare fraud, financial market manipulation, and cyber intrusions, among other issues.
Chris' extensive trial experience includes a variety of complicated commercial litigation matters, often focused on fraud. His recent cases encompassed securities fraud, banking practices, financial and estate planning, civil racketeering, and contract disputes, among other areas.
- Illinois
- US District Court, Northern District of Illinois
- US Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit
- Hon. Milton I. Shadur, US District Court, Northern District of Illinois, 1997-1998
- J.D., Harvard Law School, 1997, magna cum laude
- Jawaharlal Nehru University, 1994, International Studies, New Delhi, India
- A.B., Harvard College, 1992, magna cum laude
Areas of Work
Representative Matters
- Representing CEO in joint criminal and civil investigations involving allegations of price-fixing antitrust violations.
- Representing CEO in joint DOJ and CFTC investigation of alleged market manipulation.
- Representing Volkswagen AG in diesel emissions criminal case and related matters.
- Representing foreign company in criminal and civil cases relating to alleged trade secrets theft.
- Lead trial attorney in series of arbitrations relating to allegations of consumer fraud.
- Advised Fortune 200 company on strategies to investigate and use plaintiff’s fraud against company to resolve numerous international lawsuits worth hundreds of millions.
- Represented dietary supplement company indicted for violations of fraud and FDA statutes.
- Representing board members and executives in investigations and criminal proceedings involving the SEC, IRS, Department of Labor, and state attorneys general.
- Led defense team in six-week trial of former US Congressman Rick Renzi on public corruption, racketeering and fraud charges, and obtained acquittal or dismissal of 32 counts against Mr. Renzi.
- Led internal investigation at financial institution in response to government investigation of mortgage origination practices.
Speaking Engagements
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"Investigations: A Four-Ring Circus," Association of Corporate Counsel - Chicago Chapter, July 18, 2018
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"What's Missing in Your Internal Investigations Program? The Top 10 Most Critical Decisions When Managing Cross-Border Investigations," ACI's 9th Midwest Anti-Corruption Compliance Forum, Chicago, IL, June 27, 2018
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"The New Normal in Government Investigations? Lessons Learned from United States v. Volkswagen and Other Recent Enforcement Actions," Forum on Corporate Enforcement, Boulder, CO, May 24, 2018
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"The New Normal in Government Investigations? Lessons Learned from United States v. Volkswagen and Other Recent Enforcement Actions," Association of Corporate Counsel, July 26, 2017
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2016 Chicago White-Collar Crime Conference, Law Bulletin, Chicago, IL, April 13, 2016
News & Publications
Publications
China Law & Practice
November 7, 2024
Press Releases
Steptoe Receives 25 Practice, 72 Individual Mentions in Chambers USA 2023
June 1, 2023
Press Releases
Steptoe Receives 27 Practice, 72 Individual Mentions in Chambers USA 2022
June 3, 2022
Press Releases
Steptoe Receives 24 Practice, 71 Individual Mentions in Chambers USA 2021
May 20, 2021
Press Releases
GIR Names Steptoe One of the Top 30 Investigations Firms for Sixth Year
October 23, 2020
Publications
New Criminal Enforcement Risks to Dietary Supplement Industry Litigations
Bloomberg Law
September 8, 2020
By: Patrick F. Linehan, Chris Niewoehner, David Matthew Fragale, Galen Kast
Press Releases
Steptoe Receives 125 Individual Mentions in Best Lawyers in America 2021
August 20, 2020
Noteworthy
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Best Lawyers in America, Criminal Defense: White-Collar (2016-2022)
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National Law Journal, "Trailblazers in White-Collar" (2018)
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Chambers USA, Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations, Illinois (2018-2024)
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Legal 500 US, Dispute Resolution: Corporate Investigations and White-Collar Criminal Defense (2013, 2016-2019)
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Super Lawyers, Illinois, Criminal Defense: White-Collar (2015-2021)
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Recipient, Director's Annual Award for Excellence, the FBI's highest award for criminal investigations (2012)
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Recipient, US Attorney General's Distinguished Service Award (2012)
Previous Employment
- US Attorney's Office, Northern District of Illinois, Deputy Chief, Financial Crimes and Special Prosecution Section (2000-2012)
- Lead prosecutor in: US v. Antoin "Tony" Rezko, US v. William Cellini, and US v. Edward Vrdolyak
Professional Affiliations
- Fellow, American College of Trial Lawyers