Julian Solotorovsky is a partner in the firm's Chicago office and chair of the White Collar Crime and Investigations practice group. Under his leadership, the group received a Tier 1 - National ranking in the "Criminal Defense: White-collar-Litigation" category in the 2011-2012 "Best Law Firms" study published by U.S. News and Best Lawyers. The group also received Metropolitan First-Tier rankings in Chicago and New York. His practice focuses on litigation, including white collar crime, internal investigations, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) matters, commercial litigation including antitrust, and product liability/toxic torts. He has tried more than 40 jury trials and also has represented clients at SEC hearings.
From 1978-1987, Mr. Solotorovsky served as assistant U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, including positions as deputy chief of Special Prosecutions (1985-1987) and deputy chief of Criminal Receiving and Appeals (1983-1985).
Representative Experience
White Collar Crime
Represented the vice president of Caremark, Inc., a large healthcare company, in the federal prosecution in Minneapolis, MN, of alleged payment of kickbacks to doctor for referrals of patients. Client was acquitted of all charges following a 10-week trial.
Represented a healthcare company sales executive in the federal prosecution in East St. Louis, MO, of alleged payment of kickbacks to a medical equipment distribution company. Judge granted motion for judgment of acquittal at the conclusion of the government's case in chief.
Represented the owner of a large construction company in Mexico and Panama in a grand jury investigation of bank loans. Conducted an internal investigation and presented the findings to the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, which resulted in a decision not to prosecute.
Represented executive of freight forwarding company in investigation of worldwide antitrust criminal conspiracy relating to Automated Manifest System fees.
Represented one of the largest banks in the world in a grand jury investigation relating to the possible violation of the Export Control Act. Conducted an internal investigation and presented the findings to the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York which resulted in a decision not to prosecute bank.
Represented a worldwide air freight company in an investigation concerning the shipment of military aircraft parts to Iran. Conducted an internal investigation and presented the findings to the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, which resulted in a decision not to prosecute the company.
Represented a Fortune 500 pharmaceutical company in a Federal Drug Administration (FDA)/Customs investigation of illegal importation of misbranded antibiotics into the United States. Representation also included conducting an internal investigation. Company was not indicted while other individuals were indicted.
Represented a Fortune 100 company in all matters relating to illegal bond trading activities of the senior vice president of the company pension fund, including interacting with the prosecuting U.S. Attorney, pursuing civil actions to recover funds, representing the company before various federal agencies as well as before the National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD), and pursuing recovery under criminal RICO forfeiture statutes.
Internal Investigations
Conducted an investigation for one of the nation's largest professional organizations relating to the sale of a valuable city block of land that it owned.
Conducted an investigation for a Big Ten university relating to gambling activities by student athletes. At the conclusion of the investigation, the results were provided to the U.S. Attorney, which subsequently led to the indictment of a number of individuals.
Conducted an investigation for one of the world's largest telecommunications companies relating to possible violations of the Iranian Transaction Regulations with contracts for TV broadcasting via satellite.
Conducted an investigation for a Big Ten university relating to the death of a football player during training drills and whether NCAA violations had occurred.
Conducted an internal investigation for the purchaser company relating to fraud in the acquisition of another company. Investigation resulted in the seller returning a significant portion of the sales proceeds to the purchaser.
SEC
Represented a former New York Stock Exchange specialist in an SEC hearing involving allegations of stock fraud relating to trading activity. Resulted in a ruling of no violations of the SEC Securities Act.
Represented an individual in an insider trading investigation.
Represented an options trading firm in investigations by the SEC and a receiver relating to fraudulent activity by a customer.
Represented the executive of an energy company in a federal prosecution for accounting fraud and before the SEC, where a favorable settlement was reached.
Represented the director of company in SEC investigations of stock options backdating. Enforcement division decided to drop the investigation.
Represented the former chief financial officer of a company in accounting fraud allegations. Received highly favorable settlement with the SEC.
Commercial and Antitrust Litigation
Lead trial counsel for Insignia Systems, Inc. in action against dominant competitor in the in-store advertising industry alleging violations of federal and state anti-trust and unfair competition laws. Three days into jury trial in the District of Minnesota case settled for payment of S125 million to Insignia and a business deal granting it a 10 year exclusive right to market its product in a national retail network.
Represented a worldwide broker of nuclear fuel in a contract dispute with a public utility company. Utility company sued for declaratory judgment; we counter-sued for breach of contract and won the case on a motion for summary judgment.
Represented an insurance company in a lawsuit filed by a corporation charging that the insurance company improperly forced the company into involuntary bankruptcy. Case was dismissed after we filed a motion to dismiss.
Represented founders of a boiler manufacturing company in a dispute with a former employer relating to alleged violations of a non-compete agreement.
Product Liability/Toxic Torts
Representing a large chemical manufacturer in litigation throughout the United States involving ethylene oxide.
Represented a large manufacturer of asbestos products in cases in Illinois and Michigan.
Represented a wallcovering manufacturer in the San Juan DuPont Plaza Hotel fire litigation.
Represented a barge line in a series of maritime cases relating to hydrogen sulfide exposure at an oil refinery dock.
Honors & Awards
Selected as one of The Best Lawyers in America in the Criminal Defense: White-Collar and Product Liability Litigation areas, 2008, 2010-2012.
Listed in Illinois "Super Lawyers," 2010-2012.
