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Former United States Attorney and Chief Judge Fred Foreman Returns to Practice at Freeborn & Peters LLP

After retiring as Chief Judge of the 19th Judicial Circuit of Lake County, Judge Fred Foreman is returning to private practice to serve as Senior Counsel at Freeborn & Peters LLP in the firm’s Government & Regulatory Law Practice Group and Complex Litigation & Antitrust Team. Judge Foreman previously worked at the Chicago-based firm where he built up an illustrious reputation as a civil litigator, which includes his service as outside counsel on behalf of the State of Illinois v. Philip Morris, et al. and as special counsel in representing state officials and state agencies. A seasoned civil and criminal attorney, Judge Foreman has tried more than 200 cases in federal and state courts and previously served as United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois from 1990-1993 and as States Attorney of Lake County from 1980-1990.

“Freeborn & Peters is pleased to welcome our former colleague Judge Foreman back to the firm,” said Michael Kelly, the firm’s Co-Managing Partner. “Like the firm itself, Judge Foreman is known for his litigation and regulatory knowledge, which will be a tremendous asset to our clients. As a former United States attorney, he possesses unique skills in advising clients.”

Judge Foreman’s experience includes trials involving antitrust, securities, RICO, environmental, constitutional law, civil rights, fraud and murder. He has extensive experience in advising clients on matters pending before state and federal regulatory agencies and has successfully assisted clients in passing legislation before the state legislature and units of local government. He has supervised numerous corporate internal investigations and represented clients throughout the world on matters of corporate espionage, electronic intrusions and theft of intellectual property.

“I am looking forward to returning to Freeborn & Peters as Senior Counsel and assisting the firm’s clients, as well as my own former clients, with legal solutions to business challenges and regulatory issues,” Judge Foreman said. “I also hope to remain active as a member of the bar association committees in which I have involvement and other appointments that I may receive.”

As United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, Judge Foreman supervised the prosecution of major frauds and defended the United States in complex civil matters. As States Attorney of Lake County, Judge Foreman was elected to three terms and supervised major civil and criminal matters including serial killers, organized crime, and complex civil rights, antitrust and self-insurance cases.

During Judge Foreman’s term as Chief Judge, the 19th Judicial Circuit initiated or completed the following projects: 

  • The approval of a new Criminal Courts Tower adjacent to the courthouse in downtown Waukegan, scheduled for completion in 2017;
  • The implementation of Intensive Case Management (ICM) in the Criminal Division to reduce the number and length of continuances in felony cases, provide for expedited DNA and scientific testing of evidence, and reduce the time an offender is housed in the Lake County Jail;
  • The establishment of the Executive Justice Council (EJC) chaired by the Chief Judge and composed of all the stakeholders in the criminal justice system designed to address funding, case management, jail population, technology, court security and related issues;
  • The implementation of the Illinois Supreme Court’s Project for Cameras in the Courts in Lake County;
  • In conjunction with the circuit clerk, the commencement of e-filing of court documents in civil cases, public access to court records and the implementation of a new case management system for the courts.

“Judge Foreman’s record as an advocate for an efficient and effective judicial process benefits not just Freeborn but all parties who make use of the courts,” Kelly said. “Helping and supporting someone as prominent as Judge Foreman in doing that is an important role that our firm can play.”
 
Judge Foreman also serves as a member of Senator Mark Kirk’s Judicial Review Commission, a nonpartisan group composed of legal professionals from around the state. Part of the Commission’s purpose is to screen applicants to fill judicial vacancies on the District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.

Judge Foreman participates in a number of pro bono activities, including serving as a member of the board of the Illinois Judges Association, as a member of the board of the Illinois Judges Association Foundation, and as a Past President and member of the Board of the Jefferson Inn. He has also served on the Board of the Lake County Bar Association.

Judge Foreman is a graduate of The John Marshall Law School. He received his undergraduate degree from Carroll University in Waukesha, Wis.

A PDF of the full press release is attached. 

The news of this hire was featured in The Daily Herald, Chicago Business JournalBloomberg Businessweek, GazeboNews and Crain's Chicago Business

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