SCOTT LASSAR is senior counsel in the Chicago office. Prior to joining the firm, Scott was the United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois in Chicago.
Scott’s practice involves all aspects of white collar criminal defense, including price fixing, anti-bribery, securities fraud, insider trading, environmental crimes, tax fraud, and healthcare fraud. Scott also has conducted over 40 investigations for public and private companies.
Scott has tried over 45 cases in federal court as a prosecutor and in private practice, including trials involving price fixing, healthcare fraud, securities fraud, securities and commodity trading, accountant’s liability, trade secrets, and federal criminal violations.
Scott also serves as an arbitrator with the American Arbitration Association.
Scott is recognized in the 2016 edition of Who’s Who Legal: Business Crime Defence. Scott is also named as a leading lawyer in Illinois for Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations by Chambers USA (2006–2024). Additionally, Scott is recognized in The Best Lawyers in America 2013–2022 in Bet the Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, White Collar Criminal Defense and Securities Litigation. Scott is also recognized as a Litigation Star in the United States in the 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017 editions of Benchmark Litigation.
Representative White Collar Representations
- Represents the former CEO of Commonwealth Edison in the investigation of alleged bribery of the Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives.
- Represents an auto manufacturer in the investigation of alleged bribery of the United Auto Workers.
- Represents auto executives in diesel emissions investigations.
- Represented the University of North Carolina in its successful defense of NCAA allegations of misconduct.
- Represented Japanese companies and executives in several automotive supply cartel investigations.
- Represents executives in DOJ/SEC FCPA investigation of major international retailer.
- Represented energy company executives in investigation of Gulf of Mexico oil spill.
- Represents an investment bank in allegation of syndicated mortgage fraud.
- Represented CEO in trial for investor fraud in aircraft leasing industry.
- Represented individual in allegation of computer hacking.
- Represented former CEO and Chairman of Kmart in several law suits and investigations, including trial against SEC.
- Represented hedge fund in DOJ investigation of financial collapse.
- Represented director of public company and four other executives in five insider trading investigations.
- Represented hospital under investigation for false billing to the government.
- Represented national healthcare company in criminal investigation regarding deaths caused by medical devices.
- Represented aluminum recycler in Clean Air Act criminal investigation.
- Represented national securities firm in criminal investigation of allegation of conspiracy to defraud customers of clearing broker.
- Represented multi-national pharmaceutical company in criminal investigation of off-label marketing.
- Represented Korean company regarding indictments of employees for theft of trade secrets in U.S.
- Represented former CEO in investigation of accounting fraud by Fort Worth office of SEC.
- Represented subject of criminal investigation into violation of export laws regarding India’s nuclear program.
Representative Investigations and Due Diligence
- FCPA investigations in India and the Middle East for Fortune 500 multi-national corporation.
- Performing FCPA due diligence in acquisitions of global pharmaceutical company and insurance companies.
- Investigation of accounting issues surrounding restatement at Navistar.
- Advised Fortune 100 multi-national on FCPA issues in Russia, India, Indonesia, and the Philippines.
- Investigation of price discrimination regarding off-shore pipeline.
- Nicor – Allegation of fraud against rate payers at gas utility.
- Allegations of tax fraud at Fortune 500 manufacturer.
- Allegations that healthcare company defrauded clients by misrepresenting results achieved.
- Allegations of fraud by CEO of oil drilling supply business.
- Allegation of accounting fraud in reporting income by national home security company.
- Allegation of bribery of Chief Operating Officer by vendors of national construction company.
Representative Intellectual Property Representations
- Represented high-tech company in arbitration over cross-licensing agreements.
- Represents BlackBerry in patent infringement case including various aspects of smartphone technology.