Neal Levin
Partner
Neal Levin is an accomplished Fraud, Investigations and Asset Recovery attorney. Neal contends with a litany of fraudsters and fraudulent transactions, including those stemming from bankruptcy fraud, occupational fraud, corporate governance fraud, government corruption, insurance fraud, bank fraud, mortgage fraud, asset concealment, so-called asset protection plans, offshore financial centers, blockchain, bitcoins and other cryptocurrencies, art fraud and related thefts, and, of course, Ponzi schemes. His practice is international in scope, encompassing expertise in Foreign Money Judgment Recognition and Enforcement, Arbitration Award Enforcement, Chapter 15 Bankruptcy, and International Discovery under 28 USC §1782. He has appeared in dozens of different tribunals over the course of over 30 years in the business.
Neal and his team, which includes an internal investigations unit, leverage their success through use of progressive intel harvesting as well as an intensive study of the psychology of fraudsters and victims. Drawing on both his many years of experience as well as his B.A. in Psychology from the University of Denver, Neal frequently lectures, writes, and is interviewed on the psychopathy and sociopathy of a fraudster and victims as well as on Ponzi schemes, bankruptcy fraud, investigations, and recovery practices.
Neal also serves as a Federal and State Equity Receiver in matters involving domestic and international fraud and financial crimes.
Neal received his B.A. in Psychology and Political Science from University of Denver and his J.D. from DePaul University College of Law.
SELECTED EXPERIENCE
- Represented plaintiff bankruptcy trustee in an investigation and prosecution of complex claims in connection with multi-billion dollar Ponzi scheme resulting in substantial settlements.
- Several, multi-jurisdictional recovery matters, clawback matters and fraud investigations including work in Greece, Isle of Man, BVI, Panama, Hong Kong, Switzerland, UK, Jersey, the Middle East, Bangladesh, Ukraine and others.
- Comprehensive internal investigation for municipality client relative to alleged corruption by high-ranking government official, including misappropriation of assets, misuse of State and Federal government grants and related fraud leading to criminal prosecution and conviction.
- Secured a $4.36 million payment for a US-based client from a Debtor with operations in Dubai, Kuwait, Bahrain and Saudi. The victory came only 45 days after engagement and the deployment of highly innovative strategies designed to cripple the Debtor.
- Act as Receiver over and liquidated Chicago-based law practice where principal was accused of fraud and other crimes.
- Represent Receivers and Trustees in Bankruptcy proceedings throughout the U.S.
- Represent one of Chicago’s largest banks in a variety of asset recovery actions.
- 110% recovery for individual client, piercing a complex maze of domestic and international entities managed by the target and the Ponzi scheme related thereto, utilizing TROs, Receivership, Charging Orders and covert infiltration into the target’s $4MM residence.
- Act as Equity Receiver in various proceedings including the takeover of two law firms following investigations and criminal charges against principals.
- Forcing the involuntary bankruptcy, liquidation, and federal criminal investigation of a major real estate developer on behalf of the near largest office property developer and management company in the US, leading to full recovery of amounts due to our client.
- Representing a Fortune 500 insurance company in the millions of dollars of fraudulent claims through civil RICO actions, criminal investigations and prosecutions, avoidance of fraudulent transfers, and other post judgment enforcement proceedings.
- Various major jury and non-jury awards for recovery of millions of dollars fraudulently transferred, concealed or converted, including sizable awards for punitive damages and attorney fees.
- Successfully prosecuting civil fraud claims against an insurance agency on behalf of a leading Chicago finance company resulting in a sizable award of punitive damages.
- Serving as interim chairman of a privately held company indicted for fraud, and implementing a corporate compliance program culminating in the successful sale of the assets of the company and the acquisition by a prestigious successor company.
- Successfully investigating and resolving the theft of intellectual property by an employee for sale to a competitor linked to an international organized crime cartel.
- Working with internal and external auditors of a client to detect fraud and kickbacks to employees in exchange for favorable treatment to preferred vendors. Cooperated with federal law enforcement to bring successful prosecution of the offenders.
PUBLICATIONS
- “Hey, Hand Over That Sculpture,” Crain’s Chicago Business – Abraham Tekippe (September 26, 2013).
- “Fraud Cover-Ups: How to Tell When Something Doesn’t Smell Right,” White-Collar Crime Fighter (April 2013).
- “Reading the Playbook of Fraud’s Aftermath,” Law360 – Neal Levin (October 3, 2011).
SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
- Panelist, American Bankruptcy Institute’s Rocky Mountain Bankruptcy Conference, “Preference, Earmarking and Fraudulent Transfer Law – Making Progress Together For Future Bankruptcies,” Denver (January 2020).
- Presenter, C5 Fraud Asset Tracing & Recovery Conference, “What’s In Store for the Fraud and Asset Recovery Warrior,” Miami (October 2019).
- Presenter, National Conference of Bankruptcy Judges, “Domestic and Foreign Asset Protection Trusts: How to make them and how to break them,” Las Vegas, (October 2017).
- Presenter, C5 Fraud, Asset Tracing and Recovey Conference, “The Latest Anecdotes and War Stories in Private Client Disputes: Dealing with fraud cases in the context of trusts and other private client structures often needs a different approach to ‘mainstream’ fraud litigation,” Miami, (September 2017).
- Presenter, ACFE Chicago Chapter, (July 2017).
- Presenter, National Association of Bankruptcy Trustees, “Domestic and Foreign Asset Protection Trusts: How to make them and how to break them,” (February 2017).
- Presenter, C5 Fraud, Asset Tracing and Recovery Forum, Geneva, Switzerland (March 2016).
- “How the Celebrity Surgeon Sculpted his Prey,” LinkedIn – Neal H. Levin (January 16, 2016).
- Presenter, ACFE Philadelphia Area Chapter Fraud Conference, (December 2015).
- Presenter, OffshoreAlert Conference London, (November 2015).
- “Developer Sued Over Condo Deal with Mom,” Chicago Real Estate Daily – Crain’s Chicago Business – Dennis Rodkin (March 24, 2015).
- Presenter, C5 Fraud, Asset Tracing and Recovery Forum, Geneva, Switzerland, (March 2015).
- Presenter, OffshoreAlert Conference London, (November 2014).
MEMBERSHIPS
- Chicago Bar Association
- American Bar Association
- Seventh Circuit Bar Association
- American Bankruptcy Institute (ABI)
- Association of Certified Fraud Examiners
- Full Member, National Association of Federal Equity Receivers
- International Bar Association
AWARDS AND RECOGNITION
- Illinois Super Lawyers – 2015 (cited in multiple years)
- Illinois Leading Lawyers – 2020 (cited in multiple years)
News, Events, & Insights
- Leading Fraud, Investigations and Asset Recovery Attorney Neal Levin and Chicago and New York-Based Internal Investigations Unit Joins Rimon PC
News October 16, 2023
