Atty. Sergio E. Acosta
Sergio Acosta is Co-Chair of Akerman’s White Collar Crime and Government Investigations Practice. A former federal prosecutor and Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers with over 70 jury trials to his credit, he has extensive experience defending companies and individuals in criminal and regulatory proceedings, conducting internal investigations, and counseling clients on compliance programs and related issues.
Commercial Litigation & More Attorney · Serving Chicago, IL
Profile Summary
About Sergio E. Acosta at a Glance
Sergio E. Acosta is a criminal defense, business, white collar, and litigation attorney based in Chicago, Illinois, practicing at Akerman LLP. Educated at The George Washington University (J.D., 2008). Recognitions include Best Lawyers in America — Commercial Litigation (2026), Best Lawyers in America — Criminal Defense: White-Collar (2026), and Best Lawyers in America — Additional Areas of Practice: (2026). Serves clients in Chicago, IL and the surrounding metropolitan area.
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About Sergio E. Acosta
- Sergio Acosta is Co-Chair of Akerman’s White Collar Crime and Government Investigations Practice
- A former federal prosecutor and Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers with over 70 jury trials to his credit, he has extensive experience defending companies and individuals in criminal and regulatory proceedings, conducting internal investigations, and counseling clients on compliance programs and related issues
- Sergio represents companies and individuals in regulatory, civil, and criminal proceedings initiated by government agencies for alleged wrongdoing, and proactively counsels clients on enforcement and other litigation matters, including allegations of bribery, alleged violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) and the Anti-Kickback Statute
- financial and regulatory fraud (e.g., False Claims Act, securities, tax, bankruptcy, and federal programs fraud)
- violations of export / import laws and regulations
- and violations of internal corporate policy
- He has conducted numerous internal investigations for various state and local governmental entities
- A fluent Spanish speaker, Sergio has served as lead counsel in corporate internal investigations and represented individual corporate executives in Latin America
- He also counsels and represents companies involved in the gaming industry in Illinois and elsewhere
- Sergio served as an Assistant U.S
- Attorney for approximately eighteen years, including seven years as Chief of the General Crimes Section for the U.S
- Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois
- During his tenure as an Assistant U.S
- Attorney, Sergio supervised and handled hundreds of investigations and prosecutions of complex federal criminal cases involving bank fraud, health care fraud, tax fraud, racketeering, violent crime, embezzlement, weapons violations, political corruption, money laundering, obstruction of justice, and terrorism
- He also served as the Office’s Criminal Civil Rights Coordinator, leading the team of prosecutors and FBI agents that indicted notorious former Chicago Police Commander Jon Burge
- From 1999-2001, Sergio served as Administrator of the Illinois Gaming Board, the agency responsible for regulating all aspects of the Illinois casino gambling industry
- Sergio started his career as an Assistant State Attorney in Miami – Dade County, Florida, where he held several supervisory positions under then-State’s Attorney Janet Reno
Practice Areas Explained
Sergio E. Acosta's Areas of Legal Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Sergio E. Acosta handles, with a practical overview of what that area of law involves and how it may apply to your situation in Chicago.
Criminal Defense in Chicago
A criminal defense attorney protects your rights from arrest through trial. Find experienced lawyers handling DUI, drug, federal, theft, and violent-crime charges.
Sergio E. Acosta is one of 212,605 criminal defense attorneys indexed nationally. Browse criminal defense attorneys in Illinois →
Business & Corporate Law in Chicago
Business attorneys advise founders and growing companies on entity formation, contracts, financing, M&A, and dispute resolution.
Sergio E. Acosta is one of 497,491 business attorneys indexed nationally. Browse business attorneys in Illinois →
White Collar Crimes in Chicago
Sergio E. Acosta is one of 19,824 white collar attorneys indexed nationally. Browse white collar attorneys in Illinois →
Civil Litigation in Chicago
Civil litigation attorneys for breach of contract, business disputes, civil rights, and class action lawsuits.
Sergio E. Acosta is one of 450,751 litigation attorneys indexed nationally. Browse litigation attorneys in Illinois →
Jurisdictional Context
Why Local Counsel Matters in Chicago
Practicing law in Illinois. Legal matters in Illinois are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive 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 venue, and the substantive 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.
Chicago Courts and Legal Process
Choosing a Chicago-based attorney means your counsel already knows the local docketing timelines, preferred filing formats, and how individual judges typically rule on procedural motions — details that only come from practicing in this jurisdiction day after day. That local familiarity can translate to better strategy, faster filings, and fewer costly surprises.
Looking for additional Illinois attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Chicago or all attorneys in Illinois.
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Professional Profile
Why Clients in Chicago Choose Sergio E. Acosta
Selecting an attorney is one of the most consequential decisions you can make when a legal matter arises. Below are the core qualities that distinguish Sergio E. Acosta's practice in the field of criminal defense, business, white collar, and litigation.
Broad Practice Area Coverage
Covering criminal defense, business, and white collar, Sergio E. Acosta can address the full spectrum of a client's legal needs without requiring referrals to separate specialists for each issue.
Local Presence in Chicago
A Chicago-based practice means Sergio E. Acosta attends hearings in the same courthouses, knows the local clerks, and understands the unwritten scheduling norms that affect every case filed here.
Case Types
Common Legal Issues Sergio E. Acosta Handles in Chicago
Below is a representative sample of the types of matters Sergio E. Acosta has experience with under Illinois law. If your situation involves one of these case categories, this attorney may be well positioned to help you understand your options.
This list is illustrative, not exhaustive. Contact Sergio E. Acosta directly to discuss the specifics of your situation.
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How People Find Sergio E. Acosta Online
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Sergio E. Acosta's Practice Areas & Specializations
Education & Law School Background
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