Matthew C. Crowl

If a lifetime of deep and long-standing professional relationships counts for anything, then Matt Crowl stands on very solid ground. He has earned the respect and regard of virtually everyone he has worked with during his distinguished career as a federal prosecutor, Deputy Chief of Staff for Public Safety for the City of Chicago, and successful corporate litigator and trial lawyer.

Matt’s deep experience with juries, judges, and government officials helps him solve his clients’ most difficult and complex problems. Lists can be boring but not when they’re about Matt’s accomplishments. Just to name a few: he is a fellow in the prestigious American College of Trial Lawyers and has tried over 40 federal and state jury trials and arbitrations, winning numerous multimillion-dollar verdicts; he has successfully guided scores of corporations and individuals through complex litigation, sensitive internal investigations, and government compliance and enforcement matters both within the U.S. and overseas; he has deep experience with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), healthcare, banking, securities, tax, accounting, employment, white collar crime, whistle-blower, inspector general, and government contracting and program matters; and while in public service he worked with the Chicago Police Department, state and federal agencies, and community groups to successfully lower Chicago’s homicide rate.

But what’s most remarkable except to the people who know him is that despite the high-stakes guidance he provides, Matt keeps his cool, his sense of perspective, and his sense of humor. He is relentlessly client-focused, bringing his skills as a careful listener, quick study, and highly responsive advisor into every client relationship.

Clerkships:

Hon. James F. Holderman, U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois (1989-1992)

Representative Engagements:

Matt won a $25.2 million jury verdict the largest of its kind for a single plaintiff in the Northern District of Illinois for a client wrongfully convicted and imprisoned.

Matt won a $13 million federal jury verdict and a nearly $1 million attorney fee award on behalf of Newell Rubbermaid’s BernzOmatic division against a key supplier for wrongfully terminating a supply contract, copying BernzOmatic’s trade dress, and publishing false advertisements about BernzOmatic’s products.

Matt won a $43 million arbitration award for a federal agency. He prevailed on all eleven issues in the case and obtained an award of arbitrator fees as the prevailing party.

Matt won a $2.3 million federal jury verdict for a federal agency in a complex insurance dispute.

Matt won dismissal of a federal indictment charging a bank Vice President with loan fraud.

Matt won a dismissal of an indictment on behalf of an executive charged with mail fraud and extortion.

Matt successfully concluded FCPA investigations for numerous international corporations.

Matt successfully achieved probation for a former Rolls Royce executive charged in a $145 million multi-national foreign bribery scheme.

Matt successfully achieved probation for an executive charged federally in a wide-ranging municipal bribery scheme.

Matt won a dismissal of a defamation lawsuit against the American Academy of Pediatrics involving a journals First Amendment right to publish scientific research.

Matt successfully represented numerous companies and individuals in Office of Inspector General investigations.

Matt successfully defended a Fortune 500 company in contract debarment proceedings.
In his successful defense of an executive of a major Japanese corporation who was a target of a U.S. Department of Justice Anti-Trust investigation, Matt negotiated transactional immunity and the executive was not charged.

Matt represented a top executive in a joint U.S. Attorneys Office and SEC investigation, and vis–vis the companys special litigation committee. The investigation concluded with no charges.

Matt represented an executive of a healthcare provider in a U.S. Attorneys Office investigation. The investigation concluded with no charges.

Previous Experience:

Matt served as a federal prosecutor in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois from 1992 to 2003, rising to Deputy Chief and acting as Project Safe Neighborhoods Coordinator. He investigated and prosecuted:

White collar crime, including mail, wire, bank, bankruptcy, healthcare and credit card fraud; insider trading; trademark infringement; embezzlement; and income tax violations;
Public corruption
RICO violations
Street gang crime
In 2003, Matt served as Deputy Chief of Staff for Public Safety for Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daleys administration. He was quickly promoted to First Deputy Chief of Staff. He oversaw policies, programs and operations for the City of Chicago, including in the areas of public safety, economic and urban development, human capital, and infrastructure.

Matt also coordinated initiatives among the citys more than 40 commissioners and agencies, and he was the mayoral liaison to the citys Law Department and Inspector Generals Office. Matt was instrumental in the development and implementation of a city compliance and reform program.

Matt additionally developed and coordinated strategies with the Chicago Police Department, state and federal agencies, and community groups to successfully lower Chicagos homicide rate.