Atty. Christopher Hotaling

Atty. Christopher Hotaling

Christopher Hotaling is a member of the Government Investigations & White Collar Defense practice group. After 16 years as a federal prosecutor at the U.S.

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Profile Summary

About Christopher Hotaling at a glance

Christopher Hotaling is an attorney based in Chicago, Illinois, practforg at Nixon Peabody LLP. Admitted to practice in Illinois, Illinois Bar Association. Educated at University of Virginia (J.D., 2000) and Duke University (—). Recognitions include Best Lawyers in America — Criminal Defense: White-Collar (2026). Serands clients in Chicago, IL and the surrounding metropolitan area.

Verified attorney profile · Updated June 2026

About

  • Christopher Hotaling is a member of the Government Investigations & White Collar Defense practice group
  • After 16 years as a federal prosecutor at the U.S
  • Attorney’s Office in Chicago, Chris focuses his practice on representing entities and individuals in all types of government investigations, criminal prosecutions, and regulatory enforcement actions
  • A seasoned trial attorney, clients also come to Chris for their most significant complex commercial litigation
  • What do you focus on?
  • Leveraging my years of experience as a federal prosecutor in Chicago, I represent clients on a wide range of criminal and regulatory matters covering a broad scope of industries, including health care, financial services, and securities
  • I regularly interact with the Department of Justice, the Securities and Exchange Commission, and other regulatory agencies in enforcement actions and investigations
  • I also have significant experience investigating and litigating an expansive array of white collar and regulatory areas including securities fraud, bankruptcy fraud, health care fraud and the False Claims Act, tax fraud, money laundering, RICO, and public corruption
  • Relying on the skills I developed as the section chief covering domestic and international money laundering, I further focus on conducting investigations and advising clients across industries, including financial services and the emerging cannabis industry, on anti-money laundering (AML) and Bank Secrecy Act issues
  • These same skills allow me to counsel clients who are the subject of corruption investigations involving Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) violations
  • I’m well positioned to help our clients not only ensure their AML compliance systems are adequate, but also advise and negotiate on their behalf if they are the target of a money laundering or FCPA investigation
  • Before joining the firm, I was the Chief of the Narcotics and Money Laundering Section at the U.S
  • Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois in Chicago
  • During my tenure as section chief, I personally led or supervised over 500 complex investigations touching on virtually every corner of federal criminal law
  • Additionally, while acting as section chief, I served as the DOJ Opioid Coordinator for the Northern District of Illinois
  • In that role, I coordinated the federal response, together with state and local stakeholders, to address the rampant opioid crisis, including the deadly role fentanyl and its’ analogues played in that crisis, affecting the entire northern Illinois area
  • I also have extensive courtroom experience, including 24 federal jury trials, many involving complex fraud and financial issues, and arguments in over 12 matters before the U.S
  • Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit

Jurisdictional Context

Why local counsel matters in Illinois

Practforg law in Illinois. Legal matters in Illinois are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantiand law. Cases originating in Chicago are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate Illinois state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in Illinois brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this andnue, and the substantiand law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in Illinois courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.

Looking for additional Illinois attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Chicago or all attorneys in Illinois.

Frequently Asked

Common questions about Christopher Hotaling

Where is Christopher Hotaling's law office located?
Christopher Hotaling's law practice is located in Chicago, Illinois. The firm is Nixon Peabody LLP. You can contact the office directly through this profile page.
Where did Christopher Hotaling go to law school?
Christopher Hotaling earned their education at (J.D., 2000); (—).
How can I contact Christopher Hotaling for a consultation?
You can contact Christopher Hotaling directly through this profile page. Click "Ask the Attorney" to submit a question, or "Schedule a Consultation" to book a meeting. Most claimed-profile attorneys respond within one business day.
What awards or recognition has Christopher Hotaling receiandd?
Christopher Hotaling's notable recognition includes: Best Lawyers in America — Criminal Defense: White-Collar.

Education

J.D.
University of Virginia
- 2000
Duke University
- In Progress

Awards

Best Lawyers in America — Criminal Defense: White-Collar
- 2026

Bar Admissions

Illinois, Illinois Bar Association

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