Ryan J. Levitt

Ryan J. Levitt

Of Counsel

Chicago

T 312.517.9550

email vcard pdf

Overview

Ryan is a career white collar litigator and criminal defense attorney. Whether it is challenging government overreach, defending the wrongfully accused and everything in between, he finds passion and purpose in every case. Ryan never needs to reach far to summon the full force of his formidable talents, knowledge and experience to bear on any adversary threatening his clients’ freedom and well-being.

Ryan is an experienced litigator who has appeared in over 100 complex federal and state cases and dozens of trials. He focuses on all aspects of federal criminal practice, including defending against white collar and fraud offenses—whether in general financial matters, healthcare, banking or other industries. Ryan also focuses on government investigations, public corruption, money laundering and national security matters, as well as violent crimes, sexual misconduct and narcotics offenses. His practice includes representing and assisting companies that need the assistance of outside counsel to conduct internal investigations.

Ryan distinguishes himself from other white collar practitioners through the combination of his experience, preparation and natural talents. He is routinely sought out by other practitioners to provide trial and writing support in high-profile and other complicated matters. As a career-long defense attorney who considers his occupation more of a calling than an occupation, he understands and is attuned to the broader perspective, goals and motivations of clients. Clients appreciate the manner in which he always brings his full, authentic self to any given matter and trust his encyclopedic knowledge of criminal and related laws. 

In addition, Ryan has acted as lead counsel on over a dozen appeals before the 7th and 8th Circuits, at all stages of the Illinois Appellate Courts, and on petitions for a writ of certiorari before the Supreme Court of the United States. He is a regular speaker, author and commentator on white collar related news, policy and legal developments. 

*Matter completed prior to joining Benesch.

What I Do

Litigation
White Collar, Government Investigations & Regulatory Compliance

Experience

Represented a civil plaintiff’s attorney charged with fraud in connection with the high-profile Girardi Keese case and successfully negotiated a plea agreement to a single contempt of court charge, with all other charges dismissed at sentencing. Despite the government’s request for a lengthy prison term, the court imposed a sentence of just four months’ incarceration, with no additional financial penalties.

Key Contacts: Ryan J. Levitt

Conducted numerous internal investigations, primarily pertaining to employment and compliance issues, including for multiple publicly traded corporations.

Key Contacts: Ryan J. Levitt

Participated in trial defense and helped obtain full acquittal after jury trial for defendant accused of first degree murder.*

Key Contacts: Ryan J. Levitt

Acted as second chair in bench trial for murder defendant; charges dismissed upon motion for a judgment of acquittal.*

Key Contacts: Ryan J. Levitt

Participated in trial defense and jury trial for defendant accused of double homicide based primarily on surveillance and vehicle evidence; obtained full acquittal.*

Key Contacts: Ryan J. Levitt

Acted as lead counsel on successful appeal of felony murder conviction, resulting in overturning of 56-year sentence.*

Key Contacts: Ryan J. Levitt

Represented petitioner in habeas action resulting in vacated murder conviction on eve of hearing.*

Key Contacts: Ryan J. Levitt

Represented the longest recognized wrongfully incarcerated individual in Illinois history in § 1983 action; plaintiff was wrongfully accused of a 1984 rape and murder that occurred in Park Forest, Illinois.*

Key Contacts: Ryan J. Levitt

Represented defendant in ten year mandatory minimum Controlled Substances Act prosecution; drafted motion to suppress evidence that led to dismissal of the indictment.*

Key Contacts: Ryan J. Levitt

Obtained a fine-only sentence without term of probation for felony tax fraud defendant.*

Key Contacts: Ryan J. Levitt

Represented defendant charged with mortgage fraud; successfully negotiated misdemeanor resolution and sentence of probation.*

Key Contacts: Ryan J. Levitt

Represented defendant facing false statement charges in public corruption probe; drafted sentencing memorandum and participated in all aspects of sentencing that led to a sentence of one year probation.*

Key Contacts: Ryan J. Levitt

Represented attorney accused of participating in mortgage fraud scheme; acted at second chair at trial where split verdict was obtained; achieved non-custodial sentence and acted as lead counsel on appeal.*

Key Contacts: Ryan J. Levitt

Represented defendant accused of participating in $5 million Ponzi scheme; handled pretrial motions, including conducting evidentiary hearing on motion to dismiss; acted as second chair at trial.*

Key Contacts: Ryan J. Levitt

Represented doctor initially charged with healthcare fraud and consecutive two-year mandatory minimum aggravated identity theft charge; identified legal deficiency in the indictment leading to dismissal of the identity theft charge and an ultimate sentence of one year and one day incarceration.*

Key Contacts: Ryan J. Levitt

Represented doctor accused of multimillion dollar healthcare fraud; acted as second chair at trial where defendant was convicted at trial the loss amount and restitution were driven down to $16,554.*

Key Contacts: Ryan J. Levitt

Handled all aspects of extensive pretrial litigation in espionage case; acted as second chair at trial, and continued representation at sentencing and on appeal.*

Key Contacts: Ryan J. Levitt

Participated in trial defense of Harvey Weinstein’s New York prosecution and consulted on appeal.*

Key Contacts: Ryan J. Levitt

No results found

Credentials

Education

DePaul University College of Law, 2015, J.D.
DePaul University, 2009, B.S., Economics

Clerkships and Bar Admissions

Illinois
U.S. Supreme Court
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana