Highly strategic and results-oriented advocates committed to excellence in client service.

Jack Theis

Partner ( Chicago ) White Collar, Investigations & Compliance Team (Deputy Lead)

Direct 312.471.8761 LinkedIn

Bio

As a former Department of Justice trial lawyer and Associate White House Counsel, Jack Theis brings a wealth of public and private sector experience to companies and industry leaders facing complex challenges. Jack counsels clients on government and internal investigations, complex commercial litigation, and multidimensional crises involving legal and reputational risks.

Jack is the Deputy Lead of the firm’s White Collar Defense, Investigations & Compliance Practice Team. He represents public and private companies, corporate executives, and other individuals and entities in government enforcement actions. He has defended clients in matters involving the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), Congressional investigative committees, inspectors general, the Illinois Attorney General and other state Attorneys General, the Illinois Department of Human Rights, and local regulatory agencies. He has handled government and internal investigations involving a wide range of substantive matters, including the False Claims Act (FCA), the Anti-Kickback Statute (AKS), the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), antitrust and competition laws, data breach notification laws, state consumer protection and deceptive practices statutes, public corruption, accounting fraud, whistleblower complaints, allegations of discrimination, and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) commitments. Jack also helps companies enhance internal compliance programs to minimize risk.

In addition, Jack litigates high-stakes civil cases in federal and state court. He has represented multinational corporations, technology start-ups, non-profit organizations, and individuals in lawsuits filed across the country. Jack has litigated matters involving constitutional rights, cybersecurity, the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), the Sherman Antitrust Act, non-compete and non-solicit agreements, fraud, and all manner of complex commercial disputes.

Jack joined RSHC after serving as Special Assistant and Associate Counsel to President Obama. Jack represented the White House in Congressional investigations, managed internal investigations, prepared witnesses for hearings and interviews, and advised senior administration officials on high-profile litigation. Jack was also a Trial Attorney at the DOJ Federal Programs Branch, where he represented Executive Branch agencies in constitutional and regulatory litigation in federal courts across the country. Jack defended some of the government’s most contentious and sensitive policies related to national security, cybersecurity, and federal grant programs.

Born and raised in Chicago, Jack cares deeply about serving the community, and has served on the Legal Aid Chicago Young Professionals Board, the Board of Directors of the Chicago Chapter of the American Constitution Society, and the Policy and Advocacy Advisory Council of Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago.

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 (2020-2024)
Special Commendation for Outstanding Service in the Civil Division, U.S. Department of Justice (2016)

 

Publications & Presentations

“Protecting the Privilege During an Internal Investigation,” (co-panelist) Federal Bar Association Chicago Chapter CLE Webinar (April 17, 2024)
“Conducting Successful Internal Investigations,” (co-panelist) Perrin Conferences Webinar Sponsored by RSHC (October 10, 2023)
“Regulatory Panel,” (moderator) Annual Chicago Conference on Futures and Derivatives, Chicago, IL (May 10, 2023)
“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 Aid Chicago
Young Professionals Board, Board Member (2009-2011)

Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago
Policy and Advocacy Advisory Council (2021-present)

Truman National Security Project
National Security Fellow (Class of 2009)