- Lead counsel in an internal investigation into alleged C-suite misconduct for a Fortune 100 public company.
- Lead counsel in an internal investigation into a board member for a Fortune 100 public company.
- Lead counsel in an internal investigation for a Fortune 100 public company, involving allegations of complex financial fraud and bribery in the company’s supply chain.
- Lead counsel in an internal investigation for a Fortune 100 public company, involving alleged workplace misconduct by several senior managers.
- Lead counsel in an internal investigation for a public company involving alleged violations of the federal False Claims Act. Convinced the government not to intervene and subsequently obtained a dismissal of the False Claims Act lawsuit with prejudice.
- Lead counsel in an internal investigation for a public company involving alleged federal tax fraud by its subsidiaries. Resolved the matter with no civil or criminal charges brought by the government.
- Provided Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) compliance advice and counsel to the subsidiary of a public company.
- Led an investigation into the compliance practices of private company purchased by a public company between signing and closing of the transaction.
- Led an investigation into alleged financial misconduct by a public company CEO.
- Created and implemented a comprehensive compliance program for a Fortune 500 client; established processes and procedures for corporate governance, regulatory and securities issues.
- Led investigations into allegations of fraudulent conduct by senior executives across three different global Fortune 500 clients located in the U.S., Mexico, and Singapore.
- Counseled and advised boards of directors for public companies on a variety of legal matters, including corporate governance, securities, and regulatory litigation.
- Phone: +1 312 702 8751
- Email: chaka.patterson@alston.com
Chaka Patterson has more than three decades of experience conducting hundreds of internal investigations in corporate, government, and private practice. Clients across industries rely upon his advice and counsel to resolve investigations involving complex legal and financial issues.
Before joining the firm, Chaka served as senior vice president, general counsel, and corporate secretary at a global education corporation where he led scores of sensitive, high-level internal investigations. He previously served as chief of the Civil Actions Bureau for the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office where he led several high-profile investigations into alleged violations of state and federal law by county employees. Chaka’s government service also includes time spent as an assistant attorney general and chief of the Illinois Attorney General’s Office Special Litigation Bureau, where he investigated and prosecuted civil and criminal fraud cases, including health care fraud, securities fraud, complex consumer fraud, charitable trust fraud, and False Claims Act cases.
In between his government service, Chaka served as treasurer and head of investor relations for a Fortune 100 public utility holding company where he honed his business and financial acumen, including the ability to identify potential red flags and other areas of concern in public company financial documents and SEC filings. Clients now call upon Chaka to review their financial documents and SEC filings for areas of potential concern.
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Advisories December 17, 2024White Collar, Government & Internal Investigations Advisory: Collaborating Effectively Within Your Organization During Internal Investigations
Our White Collar, Government & Internal Investigations Team offers effective and actionable best practices for companies to follow in conducting their internal investigations.
Advisories December 17, 2024White Collar, Government & Internal Investigations Advisory: Collaborating Effectively Within Your Organization During Internal InvestigationsOur White Collar, Government & Internal Investigations Team offers effective and actionable best practices for companies to follow in conducting their internal investigations.
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Press Release July 9, 2024Alston & Bird Adds Three Lateral Partners to Bolster Corporate, Health Care, and Real Estate Practices from New Offices in Chicago and Century CityAlston & Bird has strengthened its Corporate, Health Care, and Real Estate practices with the addition of three new partners. Dave Zampa, who focuses on complex M&A transactions, health care, and life sciences, and Erin Felchner, who concentrates on real estate finance, will join the firm’s new Chicago office. In addition, Brielle Cuskelly, who handles real estate and real estate finance matters, will reside in the firm’s new Century City office.Press Release July 9, 2024Alston & Bird Adds Three Lateral Partners to Bolster Corporate, Health Care, and Real Estate Practices from New Offices in Chicago and Century CityAlston & Bird has strengthened its Corporate, Health Care, and Real Estate practices with the addition of three new partners. Dave Zampa, who focuses on complex M&A transactions, health care, and life sciences, and Erin Felchner, who concentrates on real estate finance, will join the firm’s new Chicago office. In addition, Brielle Cuskelly, who handles real estate and real estate finance matters, will reside in the firm’s new Century City office.
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General Publications June 28, 2024"5 Ways to Transform Your Legal Department Into a Vital Business Partner" Corporate Counsel, June 28, 2024.
This provides five actionable steps for transforming your legal department from being perceived as a cost center into an indispensable business ally.
General Publications June 28, 2024"5 Ways to Transform Your Legal Department Into a Vital Business Partner" Corporate Counsel, June 28, 2024.This provides five actionable steps for transforming your legal department from being perceived as a cost center into an indispensable business ally.
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Webinar May 10, 2024Financial Literacy 101 – EBITDA Who?This program will involve a detailed and in-depth financial literacy overview, discussing how to read and understand company financial statements and SEC filings. We will seek to deliver meaningful, measurable, and sustainable impact on the financial competency of legal departments, allowing them to prioritize workflow and better serve their clients.Webinar May 10, 2024Financial Literacy 101 – EBITDA Who?This program will involve a detailed and in-depth financial literacy overview, discussing how to read and understand company financial statements and SEC filings. We will seek to deliver meaningful, measurable, and sustainable impact on the financial competency of legal departments, allowing them to prioritize workflow and better serve their clients.
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Webinar April 9, 2024How to Speak the Language of Business to Business ClientsChaka Patterson will discuss the importance of having a foundational understanding of finance and business to elevate your craft as a lawyer in a corporate law department at this webinar hosted by The Bar Association of San Francisco.Webinar April 9, 2024How to Speak the Language of Business to Business ClientsChaka Patterson will discuss the importance of having a foundational understanding of finance and business to elevate your craft as a lawyer in a corporate law department at this webinar hosted by The Bar Association of San Francisco.
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Speaking Engagement October 13, 2023Sea Change: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Higher Education After the Supreme Court Strikes Down Affirmative ActionTery Gonsalves, Chaka Patterson, and Alex Barnett will present this webinar hosted by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU).Speaking Engagement October 13, 2023Sea Change: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Higher Education After the Supreme Court Strikes Down Affirmative ActionTery Gonsalves, Chaka Patterson, and Alex Barnett will present this webinar hosted by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU).
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Speaking Engagement September 21–22, 20232023 Corporate Counsel InstituteChaka Patterson will speak on the panel “Navigating the Path to General Counsel” at this event hosted by the Northwestern Pritzker School of Law.Speaking Engagement September 21–22, 20232023 Corporate Counsel InstituteChaka Patterson will speak on the panel “Navigating the Path to General Counsel” at this event hosted by the Northwestern Pritzker School of Law.
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Webinar August 15, 2023What Attorneys Need to Know About Reading and Understanding Financial StatementsChaka Patterson teaches attorneys how to read and understand basic financial statements – the income statement, balance sheet, and statement of cash flows – and, in the process, decode the language of business in this webinar hosted by the National Academy of Continuing Legal Education.Webinar August 15, 2023What Attorneys Need to Know About Reading and Understanding Financial StatementsChaka Patterson teaches attorneys how to read and understand basic financial statements – the income statement, balance sheet, and statement of cash flows – and, in the process, decode the language of business in this webinar hosted by the National Academy of Continuing Legal Education.
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Advisories July 14, 2023Education Advisory: Sea Change: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Higher Education After Supreme Court Strikes Down Affirmative ActionThe Supreme Court’s decision to strike down affirmative action will spur more challenges to educational institutions’ policies beyond admissions. Our Education Team discusses race conscious admissions prior to the Court’s decision, analyzes the Court’s decision in the SFFA cases, and explores the new landscape of admissions – and beyond.Advisories July 14, 2023Education Advisory: Sea Change: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Higher Education After Supreme Court Strikes Down Affirmative ActionThe Supreme Court’s decision to strike down affirmative action will spur more challenges to educational institutions’ policies beyond admissions. Our Education Team discusses race conscious admissions prior to the Court’s decision, analyzes the Court’s decision in the SFFA cases, and explores the new landscape of admissions – and beyond.
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Webinar July 13, 2023Sea Change: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Higher Education after the Supreme Court Strikes Down Affirmative ActionJoin members of Alston & Bird's Education Team for a webinar focused on safely navigating the new risks and challenges posed by the Supreme Court’s decision in Students for Fair
Admissions, Inc. v. President and Fellows of Harvard College, et al.Webinar July 13, 2023Sea Change: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Higher Education after the Supreme Court Strikes Down Affirmative ActionJoin members of Alston & Bird's Education Team for a webinar focused on safely navigating the new risks and challenges posed by the Supreme Court’s decision in Students for Fair
Admissions, Inc. v. President and Fellows of Harvard College, et al.
Bar Admissions
- California
- Illinois
Education
- The University of Chicago (M.B.A.)
- Harvard University (J.D.)
- Amherst College (B.A.)
Memberships
- American Bar Foundation, Fellow (invitation only for top 1% of licensed attorneys)
- University of Chicago Law School, Lecturer on the Law, “Advanced Civil Procedure and Complex Civil Litigation” (2023–present)
- University of Chicago Law School Intensive Trial Advocacy Course, faculty member (2021–present)
- Leadership Institute for Women of Color Attorneys, board of directors
- Truth Hope & Justice Foundation, board of directors
- Economic Club of Chicago
Court Admissions
- Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals
- Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals
- Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals
- C.D. Illinois
- N.D. California
- N.D. of Illinois