Litigation Partner Chaka Patterson Joins Jones Day

CHICAGO, May 1 -- The global law firm Jones Day has announced that Chaka Patterson has joined the Firm's Chicago Office as a partner in the Business and Tort Litigation (BATL) Practice.  He was previously with the Chicago office of Skadden Arps. 

Mr. Patterson is an experienced trial and appellate lawyer, having practiced law for 18 years in law firm, government, and corporate settings.  His practice focuses on representing clients in government investigations and litigation, including state attorney general matters and False Claims Act matters. He's also has substantial experience advising management and boards on matters pertaining to internal investigations and compliance reviews. 

"Chaka is a terrific litigator and his areas of concentration fit perfectly with our many strengths representing clients in disputes," said Mickey Pohl, the chairman of Jones Day's BATL practice. "As the federal government's regulatory and enforcement climate becomes increasingly more complex, our clients will benefit from Chaka's expertise.  We are delighted to have him." 

Prior to entering private practice, Mr. Patterson served in several executive capacities at Exelon Corporation, one of the largest public utility holding companies in the United States. In his role as Associate General Counsel, he supervised litigation, led internal investigations, and managed numerous outside counsel relationships. Mr. Patterson also served as Vice President/Treasurer, Vice President of Investor Relations, and was an ex officio member of Exelon's Risk Oversight Committee, working closely with the chief risk and compliance officers, and routinely communicating with a variety of government officials and members of the financial community. 

"Chaka joins an experienced group of litigators in Chicago and adds a variety of litigation skills that will serve clients well, both here in Chicago and around the world," said Dan Reidy, Partner-in-Charge of Jones Day's Chicago Office. "Chaka will be a great fit in our office and his experience as an executive and a government lawyer will enhance our substantial False Claims Act and attorney general litigation and investigation experience." 

Prior to his work at Exelon, Mr. Patterson served as Assistant Attorney General and Chief of the Special Litigation Bureau in the Illinois Attorney General’s Office. He led a team of 15 attorneys in investigations and prosecutions in both civil and criminal matters, including numerous False Claims Act, complex consumer fraud, and unfair business practices cases. 

Mr. Patterson earned his B.A. from Amherst College magna cum laude, and his J.D. from Harvard Law School.  He held clerkships with the Hon. Karen Moore in the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit and the Hon. Solomon Oliver, Jr. in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio. He currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors for the Ann & Robert Lurie Children's Hospital (Legal Committee), the University of Chicago Laboratory School (Development Committee), and the Hales Franciscan School (Development Committee).   

Jones Day is a global law firm practicing in the major centers of business and finance throughout the world. Ranked among the world's best and most integrated law firms, and perennially ranked among the best in client service, Jones Day acts as principal outside counsel to, or provides significant legal representation for, approximately half of the Fortune 500, Fortune Global 500, and FT Global 500.