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Experience:
Lori Lightfoot is a trial attorney, investigator and crisis manager. She has extensive experience in civil and criminal litigation involving federal and state criminal violations, including mail and wire fraud, tax prosecutions, perjury, and obstruction of justice. Lori has also litigated disputes concerning products liability, business torts, employment discrimination and common law claims, among other matters. She has defended clients in federal and state criminal investigations and prosecutions; handled internal client investigations; and advised clients on a variety of matters, such as internal compliance, risk management, corporate governance, disciplinary systems, ethics, and avoidance of and preparation for potential litigation. Lori also has direct experience in designing and implementing media and marketing strategies for clients.
Both as a civil litigator and as Assistant US Attorney in the Criminal Division of the US Attorney's Office, Northern District of Illinois (1996-2002), Lori has tried over 20 federal and state jury and bench trials. She has also argued cases in state and federal appellate courts, and she has successfully conducted numerous internal investigations. In addition, Lori has considerable experience in instituting risk-management and compliance practices for municipal government departments, such as police, procurement services, emergency management, homeland security and 9-1-1 emergency call systems.
From 2002 to 2005, Lori worked with the City of Chicago as Interim First Deputy Procurement Officer, Department of Procurement Services (DPS); General Counsel and Chief of Staff, Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC); and Chief Administrator, Office of Professional Standards (OPS) of the Chicago Police Department. At OPS, Lori managed a 100-person office of civilian investigators charged with investigating police-involved shootings, allegations of excessive force and other misconduct alleged against Chicago police officers. She also coordinated joint investigations with state and federal criminal authorities and facilitated the implementation of new compliance and risk-management systems that included redesign of the disciplinary processes for sworn and civilian members, creation of a management intervention program for problem employees, and targeted tracking of litigation costs associated with complaints against department members.
During her service as Interim First Deputy Procurement Officer of the city's Department of Procurement Services, Lori conducted an across-the-department reorganization and reform of DPS business practices. She was responsible for redesigning Chicago's minority and women business enterprise program; streamlining the annual $2 billion procurement process; developing training curricula for internal and external use; and creating and implementing vendor and buyer accountability measures.
As Chief of Staff and General Counsel for Chicago's Office of Emergency Management and Communications, Lori oversaw the City's 9-1-1 emergency and non-emergency call systems, emergency response operations, homeland security initiatives and related technologies. She also developed management accountability metrics for each OEMC operational unit. Highlights of her OEMC experience include managing the recovery of the city's 9-1-1 system following a catastrophic crash and serving as point person for recovery efforts during and following natural disasters, such as large scale fires and weather-related emergencies.
Lori has been associated with Mayer Brown since 2005 and, previously, between 1990 and 1996. Earlier, she served as Law Clerk to The Honorable Charles Levin, Michigan Supreme Court (1989-1990).
Notable Engagements:
McReynolds v. Merrill Lynch. Serves as one of lead counsel in defending an international financial services provider in a class action lawsuit filed in the Northern District of Illinois, in which the putative class alleges race discrimination in hiring, promotion and retention.
United States v. Veysey. Served as one of the lead AUSAs in the investigation, charging, trial, conviction and sentencing of a complex insurance and mail fraud prosecution of a serial arsonist and murderer. Following conviction, the defendant received a 110-year sentence that was upheld on appeal.
United States v. Baxter International. Participated in the defense of a large international medical devices, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology company against federal prosecution for alleged violations of the anti-boycott statute.
United States v. Jones, et al. Served as one of the lead AUSAs in the investigation, charging, trial, conviction and sentencing of a Chicago City alderman and associate for bribery and extortion.
Hastert v. Board of Elections. Participated in the successful litigation of the 1990 Illinois Congressional redistricting plan before a three judge panel on behalf of the Illinois Republican Congressional delegation. This litigation led to establishment of the first majority Latino Congressional district in Illinois.
Sherman Hospital v. IHFPB. Represented a hospital in administrative, circuit court and appellate proceedings in its fight to win certification to build an out-patient surgical facility.
U.S. v. Donaldson, et al. Served as lead AUSA in the prosecution of multiple defendants in a Medicare fraud case involving the submission of fraudulent billings for purported mental health treatments of elderly nursing home patients.
Education:
University of Chicago Law School, JD, 1989, The University of Michigan, BA, with honors, 1984, Additional coursework at American University, Washington, DC, 1983. |
