Kenneth E. Yeadon

Partner

Chicago, IL

"My experience as a federal prosecutor and with the SEC helps my clients understand government investigations and prosecutions and how best to respond."

312-704-3524

Email a3llYWRvbkBoaW5zaGF3bGF3LmNvbQ==

Kenneth E. Yeadon

Partner

Chicago, IL

"My experience as a federal prosecutor and with the SEC helps my clients understand government investigations and prosecutions and how best to respond."

312-704-3524

Email a3llYWRvbkBoaW5zaGF3bGF3LmNvbQ==

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About Ken

Building on his experience as an assistant US attorney and Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) enforcement attorney, Ken represents companies and individuals in investigations, indictments, and lawsuits by federal and state agencies and self-regulatory organizations (SROs), including the US Department of Justice, US Attorney’s Offices, state attorney generals, the SEC, and federal and state securities, health care, and regulatory agencies.

Ken counsels clients on federal and state criminal and regulatory investigations, prosecutions, voluntary requests, subpoenas, civil investigative demands, proffers, grand jury subpoenas and appearances, testimonies, the SEC’s Wells process and other administrative issues, sentencings, and appeals.

An accomplished trial and appellate lawyer, Ken has tried multiple jury and bench trials in federal district courts, administrative proceedings, and arbitrations. He has argued appeals before the US Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit.

Areas of Focus

Industries:

Services:

Experience

Investigation for ESOP-owned company’s board of directors concerning claims made by whistleblowers regarding company executive management team.
Investigation into tampering and theft of controlled substances from a plastic surgery center, including filing DEA 106s and reports with the state board of nursing, and representing the company in the DEA and FDA’s investigation with no action taken against the company.
Investigation for ESOP-owned company’s board of directors into financial claims made by the company’s founder.
Represented executives and companies in numerous federal criminal and state investigations involving allegations of accounting fraud, securities fraud, health care fraud, misuse of investor and public funds, and obstruction of justice.
Defending a corporation in connection with an investigation by the California Attorney General's Office and the US Department of Justice into whether the company submitted invoices for services not performed in violation of the California and federal false claims acts.

Investigation of an international manufacturer into whether federal export control regulations were violated, resulting in a recommendation that the company did not need to self-report to the government.
Investigations for a school district involving theft of services, misappropriation of public funds, and whistleblower retaliation.
Investigation for a state agency into allegations of undisclosed conflicts of interest in a billion-dollar procurement contract.
Investigation for a transportation company into whistleblower allegations involving conflicts of interest.
Investigation for a technology company into accounting fraud and employee theft that resulted in recovery of the stolen funds and federal prosecution of an employee.
Represented corporate clients in federal immigration investigations without incurring any charges.
Represented executives and compliance employees of a major financial services firm in a FINRA investigation involving allegations of failure to supervise. Subsequently, no action was taken by FINRA.
Represented Hinshaw clients in multiple SEC insider trading investigations without incurring any charges.
Retained to represent a leading site services provider client in separate investigations by the City of San Diego and the Florida attorney general regarding price gouging during emergency relief efforts. The team successfully resolved both cases, one with a settlement and the other with no findings at all.
Handled a complex false claims investigation brought by the California Attorney General’s Office, the US Department of Justice, and the Massachusetts attorney general on behalf of a leading site services provider client. The team was successful in defending the case and no action was taken against the company where potential exposure for the company was in the hundreds of millions of dollars. The case was years long, during which Hinshaw completed an internal investigation and put on multiple defenses both in-person and through detailed letters. The team prepared the company’s top executives for interviews, routinely communicated with private equity investors, and presented to the board of directors.
Advised private company that was a victim of cyber-intrusions and email compromise fraud.
Represented individuals served with subpoenas to testify before federal grand juries, the SEC, regulatory agencies, and at trial.
Represented individuals and companies served with subpoenas to produce documents to federal grand juries, federal regulatory agencies, and at trial.
Represented state legislative body in long-running federal public corruption investigation, including at trial.
Represented school district in grand jury investigation by FBI and US Department of Education involving bribery and kickbacks relating to grants for student services.
Successfully defended innocent spouse from efforts by the US Attorney’s Office Civil Division to collect on a judgment owed by the spouse’s husband.
Represented a company in an investigation by the US Small Business Administration regarding eligibility for COVID-19 loans.
Represented companies and their employees in investigations by the City of Chicago Office of Inspector General and Illinois Office of the Executive Inspector General.
Represented City Chicago in case involving the City of Chicago’s Board of Ethics.
Advised international professional services company regarding compliance with the Foreign Agents Registration Act.
Represented US Department of Defense contractor in an investigation by the US Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division.
Represented a major bank in a US Department of Justice investigation involving a bank customer’s violations of FIRREA’s civil money penalties statute.
Represented a transportation company in multiple federal and state False Claims Act and price gouging investigations.
Obtained a favorable outcome for an investment advisory firm client in an SEC investigation into allegations of failing to disclose revenue sharing in cash sweep vehicles.
Represented individuals in SEC investigations involving initial coin offerings and securities filings.
Represented a certified public accountant in a PCAOB investigation that resulted in no action against the client.
Represented an investment adviser charged by the US Department of Justice with defrauding clients.
Represented a bank in response to a seizure warrant for client account funds from the US Department of Justice.
Represented a for-profit owner of skilled nursing facilities in investigations by the federal and state governments in multiple jurisdictions involving the False Claims Act.
Represented a plastic surgery center in an investigation by DEA and FDA involving tampering and theft of controlled substances, including filing DEA 106s and reports with the state board of nursing with no action taken against the company.
Represented nonprofit skilled nursing facilities in investigations by the federal and state governments in multiple jurisdictions involving the False Claims Act.
Represented a psychiatric service provider for skilled nursing facilities in inquiries and investigations by the federal and state governments, including state survey teams.
Represented nursing home executive in investigation and prosecution by the US Department of Justice.
Represented chiropractor accused of falsely billing insurance company for services with no charges and pre-trial diversion.
Represented pain management specialist in an investigation by US Department of Justice.
Represented major insurance company against bad faith claims in lawsuit in federal district court.
Represented a medical devices manufacturer in a federal grand jury investigation involving allegations of kickbacks.

Recognition

SEC, Division of Enforcement, Division of Enforcement Director's Award; Special Acts Award
DePaul University College of Law, Journal of Health Care Law, Member

Credentials

Education

DePaul University College of Law, JD, 2000
Western Washington University, BA, 1991

Bar Admissions

Illinois

Court Admissions

US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, including Trial Bar
US District Court for the Southern District of Indiana
US District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin

Thought Leadership

Presentations

Co-Presenter, "The Social Network: How the UCC Amendment Governs Digital Assets in Commercial Transactions," Hinshaw University, CLE Webinar, May 15, 2025

"'Crypto Wallet' – Creeping into Crypto," Hinshaw University, Webinar, August 19, 2021
Moderator, "Law Firms are Rushing to Open Cannabis Practices: What Should General Counsel Do?," LMRM Conference, Chicago, Illinois, March 5, 2020
"Initial Coin Offerings and Blockchain: Where Securities Law and Cryptocurrencies Intersect," Hinshaw University, Chicago, Illinois, July 18, 2019
"Internal Investigations for Illinois Municipalities," 2018 Illinois Municipal League Annual Conference, Chicago, Illinois, September 20, 2018

Co-Presenter, "Cybersecurity in the Workplace: How to Strengthen and Protect Your Business in an Era of Easy Computer System Access," Webinar, August 16, 2018
"Health Care Fraud and the 60 Day Over Payment Rule," Hinshaw University, Chicago, Illinois, June 21, 2018
Panelist, "General Counsel's Office: Legal Oversight of Business Operations," NAIC Midwest Zone Conference, Chicago, Illinois, June 13, 2018
Moderator, "Global Risk Management and Compliance Strategies," 18th Annual SuperConference, Chicago, Illinois, May 23, 2018
"How Home and Community Based Programs are Becoming the New Legal Target: Hot Spots for Fraud and the 60 Day Over Payment Rule," 2018 LeadingAge Illinois Annual Meeting and Expo, Schaumburg, Illinois, April 17, 2018
"A Practical Guide for Health Insurers in Defending False Claim Act Cases after Escobar," DRI's Life, Health, Disability and ERISA Seminar, Boston, Massachusetts, April 12, 2018
"Recent Events in Insider Trading," Hinshaw University, Chicago, Illinois, March 14, 2018
"SEC Enforcement in Municipal Public Finance," 2017 Illinois Municipal League Annual Conference, Chicago, Illinois, September 22, 2017
"Ethics in Negotiating and Documenting Private Transactions," Practicing Law Institute's Acquiring or Selling the Privately Held Company 2017 Conference, New York, New York, June 23, 2017
"Latest SEC Enforcement and Regulatory Issues," Hinshaw University, Chicago, Illinois, May 24, 2017
"FCPA and Anti-Corruption Due Diligence for Joint Ventures and Mergers and Acquisitions in Latin America," Trade Restrictions and Anti-Corruption Laws: The Realities of Doing Business in Latin America, Miami, Florida, May 9, 2017
Instructor, U.S. Department of Justice Office of Overseas Prosecutorial Development Assistance and Training Programs, Bangladesh Police Staff College Financial Crimes Training Program, Dhaka, Bangladesh, January 2016

Publications

Ken is a frequent commentator in the press on the government's criminal and civil fraud enforcement efforts and the SEC, and has been quoted in the Wall Street Journal and other media. He writes regularly on these same topics.

A selection of publications include:

"Town Supervisor Sentenced to 30 Months in Prison in Municipal Bond Securities Fraud Case," Hinshaw's Informing Illinois Alert, February 6, 2018
"SEC Proposes to Add New Reporting Events to the Municipal Disclosure Rule," Hinshaw's Informing Illinois Alert, April 24, 2017

Blog Posts

Whistleblowers Now Actually Have to Report to The SEC For Dodd-Frank Protection, Feb 22, 2018
CEO Does Not Get Whistle Blower Protections for His Opinions, Jan 19, 2018
SEC Charges More Public Companies for Confidentiality Agreements That Might Deter Whistleblowers, Mar 22, 2017

Events

Hinshaw Newsletter

SEC Proposes to Add New Reporting Events to the Municipal Disclosure Rule, Apr 24, 2017

In The News

Press Releases

View all of Ken's Insights

Thought Leadership

Presentations

Co-Presenter, "The Social Network: How the UCC Amendment Governs Digital Assets in Commercial Transactions," Hinshaw University, CLE Webinar, May 15, 2025

"'Crypto Wallet' – Creeping into Crypto," Hinshaw University, Webinar, August 19, 2021
Moderator, "Law Firms are Rushing to Open Cannabis Practices: What Should General Counsel Do?," LMRM Conference, Chicago, Illinois, March 5, 2020
"Initial Coin Offerings and Blockchain: Where Securities Law and Cryptocurrencies Intersect," Hinshaw University, Chicago, Illinois, July 18, 2019
"Internal Investigations for Illinois Municipalities," 2018 Illinois Municipal League Annual Conference, Chicago, Illinois, September 20, 2018

Co-Presenter, "Cybersecurity in the Workplace: How to Strengthen and Protect Your Business in an Era of Easy Computer System Access," Webinar, August 16, 2018
"Health Care Fraud and the 60 Day Over Payment Rule," Hinshaw University, Chicago, Illinois, June 21, 2018
Panelist, "General Counsel's Office: Legal Oversight of Business Operations," NAIC Midwest Zone Conference, Chicago, Illinois, June 13, 2018
Moderator, "Global Risk Management and Compliance Strategies," 18th Annual SuperConference, Chicago, Illinois, May 23, 2018
"How Home and Community Based Programs are Becoming the New Legal Target: Hot Spots for Fraud and the 60 Day Over Payment Rule," 2018 LeadingAge Illinois Annual Meeting and Expo, Schaumburg, Illinois, April 17, 2018
"A Practical Guide for Health Insurers in Defending False Claim Act Cases after Escobar," DRI's Life, Health, Disability and ERISA Seminar, Boston, Massachusetts, April 12, 2018
"Recent Events in Insider Trading," Hinshaw University, Chicago, Illinois, March 14, 2018
"SEC Enforcement in Municipal Public Finance," 2017 Illinois Municipal League Annual Conference, Chicago, Illinois, September 22, 2017
"Ethics in Negotiating and Documenting Private Transactions," Practicing Law Institute's Acquiring or Selling the Privately Held Company 2017 Conference, New York, New York, June 23, 2017
"Latest SEC Enforcement and Regulatory Issues," Hinshaw University, Chicago, Illinois, May 24, 2017
"FCPA and Anti-Corruption Due Diligence for Joint Ventures and Mergers and Acquisitions in Latin America," Trade Restrictions and Anti-Corruption Laws: The Realities of Doing Business in Latin America, Miami, Florida, May 9, 2017
Instructor, U.S. Department of Justice Office of Overseas Prosecutorial Development Assistance and Training Programs, Bangladesh Police Staff College Financial Crimes Training Program, Dhaka, Bangladesh, January 2016