Levin, Neal H.

Neal H. Levin is a Partner in the Litigation and the Bankruptcy and Financial Restructuring Practices of Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP. Mr. Levin was Senior Counsel at Freeborn & Peters, which combined with SGR in 2023.

Full Bio

Often compared to Mr. Wolf from Pulp Fiction, Mr. Levin is most notably summoned when the case “stinks.” Known fondly as “The Fraud Guy,” he 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, bitcoins and other cryptocurrencies, art fraud and related thefts, and, of course, Ponzi schemes. His practice is international in scope and he has appeared in dozens of different tribunals over the course of his 30+ years in the business.

Mr. Levin and his team 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, he 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.

Mr. Levin also serves as a Federal and State Equity Receiver in matters involving domestic and international fraud and financial crimes.

Mr. Levin is involved in a wide array of causes relative to youth, education, and sports. He has been extensively and intimately involved with Evanston and Chicago area youth and sports organizations. He has been sought for counsel on a variety of matters relative to everything from at-risk youth to comprehensive soccer development and acts as a Mentor for men aged 18-25. He is a father of 3 girls and is an avid athlete, playing competitive soccer and hockey, mountain biking, skiing, and practices ancient arts. He was a former professional hockey referee and is currently on staff as the girls and boys Assistant Varsity coach at ETHS High School in Evanston.

Mr. Levin received his B.A. in Psychology and Political Science from University of Denver and his J.D. from DePaul University College of Law.

While at Freeborn (now SGR), Mr. Levin served as the Leader of the Fraud/Internal Investigations Team.
Representative 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 of the Cooperated with federal law enforcement to bring successful prosecution of the offenders.
Bar Admissions

Illinois
New York
United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
United States District Court for the Northern, Central and Southern Districts of Illinois
United States District Court for the District of Colorado
United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania
United States District Court for the Southern District of New York
United States District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin
Education
Undergraduate
- University of Denver
Law School
- DePaul University College of Law
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
Recognitions

Illinois Super Lawyers - 2015 (cited in multiple years)
Illinois Leading Lawyers - 2020 (cited in multiple years)
Publications and Speaking Engagements
- Author, “Employers Beware! $3.6 Billion in Occupational Fraud to Dramatically Increase During Pandemic” Freeborn & Peters LLP (May 2020).
- 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).
- Presenter, C5 Fraud, Asset Tracing and Recovery Forum, Miami, Florida, (October 2014).
- Presenter, ACFE Central Indiana Chapter Meeting, (September 2014).
- Presenter, ACFE Global Fraud Conference, (June 2014).
- Presenter, Joint Illinois NSPII/ Illinois IASIU Annual Insurance Fraud Conference, (May 2014).
- Presenter, OffshoreAlert Conference Miami, (May 2014).
- Presenter, C5: Fraud, Asset Tracing and Recovery Forum, Geneva, Switzerland, (March 2014).
- Presenter, SF ACFE Meeting, (January 2014).
- Presenter, ABI 25th Annual Winter Leadership Conference, (December 2013).
- “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).

Neal H. Levin

Full Bio

Representative Experience

Bar Admissions

Education

Memberships

Recognitions

Publications and Speaking Engagements