Overview
Sean Hennessy focuses his practice on white-collar and securities defense matters, including the defense of criminal and civil investigations brought by the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and State Attorneys General. Sean defends individuals and public and private companies against governmental investigations involving allegations of antitrust violations, securities and investment adviser fraud, insider trading, financial market manipulation, tax crimes and violations of the False Claim Act.
In addition, Sean has substantial experience conducting internal investigations, as well as representing parties in complex commercial litigation. Sean has been involved in numerous internal investigations in several industries, including investment banks, financial services and real estate investment trusts (REITs).
Sean previously served as judicial law clerk to the Honorable Virginia M. Kendall in the US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. While in law school, Sean placed in several Loyola University Chicago internal and external moot court competitions, was staff editor of the Loyola University Chicago International Law Review and received CALI awards for earning the highest grades in his writing and advocacy classes
Results
- Represents senior management of PG&E Corporation in shareholder derivative litigation arising out of the San Bruno pipeline rupture
- Conducted an internal investigation of a REIT in response to an SEC investigation in which the SEC terminated its investigation subsequent to McDermott’s presentation of its findings
- Conducted an internal investigation involving banking compliance issues and reported to the Chairman and CEO of the bank
Recognitions
The Best Lawyers in America, “Ones to Watch” in Criminal Defense: White-Collar, 2023
Credentials
Education
Loyola University of Chicago School of Law, JD, magna cum laude, 2013
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, BA, 2010
Admissions
Illinois
Courts/Agencies
US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
US Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
