Practice Areas
Related News
- Jack Theis Named to Crain’s 2022 Notable Gen X Leaders List
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- RSHC Partner Jack Theis discusses new federal guidance on ransomware for his latest column in tech journal Built In
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Bio
Jack joined RSHC after serving as Special Assistant and Associate Counsel to President Obama. At the White House, he advised senior administration officials on oversight investigations and high-profile litigation, and worked closely with officials at the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Justice, and the Office of Management and Budget. Jack represented the White House in congressional investigations, managed attorney fact-gathering teams in internal investigations, prepared witnesses for appearances at congressional hearings and interviews, and counseled clients on developing strategies to respond to requests for information.
During his time as a Trial Attorney at the Federal Programs Branch of the Department of Justice, Jack represented Executive Branch agencies in high-stakes constitutional and regulatory litigation in federal courts across the country. He defended some of the Administration’s most contentious and sensitive policies related to national security, cybersecurity, and federal grant programs. He counseled federal agencies in litigation stemming from two high-profile breaches of government data, including in a multidistrict litigation involving a data breach at the Office of Personnel Management affecting over 21 million people. In 2016, he received a Special Commendation for Outstanding Service in the Civil Division.
Earlier in his career, Jack represented corporate clients in complex commercial litigation matters at two Chicago law firms with a focus on antitrust and class actions.
Born and raised in Chicago, he also cares deeply about serving the community, and has served on the Legal Assistance Foundation Young Professionals Board, the Board of Directors of the Chicago Chapter of the American Constitution Society, and as a National Security Fellow with the Truman National Security Project.
Experience
Clerkships
Hon. William J. Bauer, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit (2007-2008)
Judicial Extern, Hon. Blanche M. Manning, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois (2003)
Government Service
Special Assistant to the President and Associate White House Counsel
Trial Attorney, U.S. Department of Justice, Federal Programs Branch
Credentials
Education
Northwestern Pritzker School of Law, J.D., 2005, Associate Editor, Northwestern University Law Review
Georgetown University, B.A., Honors English Program, 2000
Bar Admissions
Illinois
Professional Memberships
Chicago Bar Association
Honors & Awards
The Best Lawyers in America, Best Lawyers® (Criminal Defense: White-Collar, 2022-2023)
Chicago's Notable Gen X Leaders in Law, Crain's Chicago Business (2022)
Illinois Leading Lawyer in Commercial Litigation and Criminal Defense Law: White Collar, Law Bulletin Media Leading Lawyers (2020-2022)
U.S. Department of Justice
Special Commendation for Outstanding Service in the Civil Division (2016)Publications & Presentations
“DOJ Announces Material Revisions to Corporate Criminal Enforcement Policies,” (co-author) RSHC Client Alert (September 20, 2022)
“DOJ Civil Cyber-Fraud Initiative Presents New False Claims Act Challenges for Health Care Providers,” (co-author) American Health Law Association Health Law Weekly (December 3, 2021)
“An Allied Front Against Ransomware,” (co-author) Best Lawyers Legal Insights (November 4, 2021)
“How Should U.S. Companies Guard Against the Growing Threat of Ransomware?,” (author) Built In (August 20, 2021)
“What Biden Means for Tech,” (author) Built In (February 19, 2021)
“Inside the White House Counsel’s Office,” (moderator) American Constitution Society and RSHC Co-Hosted Event, Chicago, IL (November 16, 2018)
“Legal Face-Off,” (interviewee) WGN Radio 720 Talk Show (February 28, 2018)
“Federal Enforcement Agencies Take Action on Cybersecurity,” (author) RSHC Client Alert (February 23, 2018)
“Summary Judgment in Conspiracy Cases,” (contributing editor) American Bar Association’s Proof of Conspiracy Under Federal Antitrust Laws (April 2010)
Community Service
Civic and Charitable Memberships
American Constitution Society
Chicago Lawyer Chapter, Board Member (2006-2011)
Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law, Chapter President (2004-2005)
Legal Assistance Foundation
Young Professionals Board, Board Member (2009-2011)
National Security Fellow (Class of 2009)