MICHAEL CLAUS
Partner

Michael Claus is a partner in the Croke Fairchild Duarte & Beres Litigation & Investigations practice group.

Michael has a broad range of experience in complex commercial litigation, highly sensitive investigations, and employment matters. He is a former Assistant United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, where he represented the federal government in fraud investigations and civil litigation. He has won jury and bench trials and argued before the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals.

Among his achievements at the United States Attorney’s Office, Michael was first chair on a federal jury trial brought against the Federal Air Marshal Service. Clients commended his preparation and skillful cross-examination, and the jury issued a full defense verdict. He also secured a defense verdict on behalf of an OB-GYN in a wrongful death bench trial that sought millions in damages. Short of trial, he has delivered client victories on summary judgment and negotiated favorable settlements. Michael has led multiple investigations into violations of the False Claims Act against healthcare providers and government contractors.

Prior to government service, Michael was a senior associate at Winston & Strawn in Chicago, where he represented clients in all phases of commercial litigation, securities and commodities litigation, white-collar investigations, and False Claims Act defense.

Michael was appointed deputy to Special Prosecutor Dan K. Webb, and co-led high-profile Special Grand Jury proceedings that led to the criminal indictment of Jussie Smollett, a celebrity accused of staging a hate crime. Further, he assisted in the investigation of the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office and Chicago Police Department’s handling of the original charges against Smollett, and coauthored the Special Prosecutor’s public report of findings.

Michael’s community involvement includes teaching Advanced Torts as Adjunct Professor at the University of Illinois-Chicago Law School. He has also served as guest faculty for the University of Notre Dame’s trial advocacy program and was on the Young Professionals Council for Misericordia Heart of Mercy. While at Winston, Michael was honored for his commitment to pro bono service.

Michael is a graduate of Notre Dame Law School, where he received a Dean’s Circle top 10% scholarship and was an editor of the Notre Dame Law Review.