Mr. Athas focuses his practice on government and internal investigations as well as complex commercial litigation. He has helped conduct international investigations related to the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, evaluated corporate compliance programs to ensure conformity with current best practices, and responded to federal criminal inquiries on behalf of small businesses and large corporations. Mr. Athas has also assisted individual clients at trial, including an eight-day jury trial in the Northern District of Illinois involving a senior government official accused of accepting bribes to facilitate the issuance of visas.
MEHRPrior to joining Kaye Scholer, Mr. Athas was an associate in the Litigation group of Shearman & Sterling LLP in New York.
Representative Matters
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Representation of health products retail company in connection with FDA and Department of Justice criminal investigation.
- Representation of Japanese holding company in complex real estate litigation in Florida involving $200 million in assets.
- Representation of Chicago-based financial services firm in connection with multiple internal investigations of potential fraud and abuse.
- FCPA counseling and training for international pharmaceutical company.
- Representation of major energy utility following a failed merger and involving a “lost synergies” damages claim in excess of $800 million.
- Representation of former internal audit employee at multi-national corporation conducting in-depth FCPA investigation.
- Advising hedge fund owners and managers on issues relating to disclosure obligations and potential liabilities.
- Representation of international transportation industry company in commercial dispute with local transit agency.
- Representation of international health care company in two separate FCPA investigations in Russia and Italy.
- Representation of corporate employee in Department of Justice investigation of suspected theft of sensitive government information.
- Representation of international food company with respect to government investigation of military distribution contracts in Afghanistan.
Civic Activities
- Chicago Children’s Charities, Board Member
Professional Activities
- The New York American Inn of Court, 2005 – 2008