John C. Kocoras

Mr. Kocoras is an accomplished trial lawyer who has achieved numerous successful outcomes for clients in complex federal litigation.

Mr. Kocoras regularly leads internal investigations, including those that span multiple countries, and assists companies with compliance program improvements. He has represented clients in a broad range of sectors, including health care, insurance, asset management, banking, construction and higher education, among other industries.

Prior to joining Skadden, Mr. Kocoras served two stints in the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Northern District of Illinois, including most recently as first assistant U.S. attorney for over four years, during which he supervised the Criminal and Civil divisions in federal investigations, trials and appeals, as well as previously as an assistant U.S. attorney earlier in his career. He has overseen cases involving white collar crimes, including securities violations, health care fraud and public corruption, as well as national security matters, cyber crimes and violent crimes, among other matters.

In between his government positions, Mr. Kocoras was a litigation partner at a global law firm and a managing director of a global investigations company, where he directly supervised investigators, forensic accountants and computer forensics professionals on Foreign Corrupt Practices Act matters and other international investigations.

Mr. Kocoras has worked as investigative counsel for the U.S. House of Representatives Judiciary Committee and as a law clerk to former Chief Judge James C. Cacheris of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia.

Mr. Kocoras has been recognized by Chambers USA, in which clients have described him as “a truly exceptional lawyer” who “never gets flustered and is thoughtful and strategic.” Additionally, he has been named one of Lawdragon’s 500 Leading Global Litigators, 500 Leading Litigators in America, 500 Leading Global Investigations Lawyers and 500 Global Leaders in Crisis Management, as well as recognized by The Best Lawyers in America in its Commercial Litigation category. He has received numerous accolades for his work, including the Investigation of the Year Award from the National Health Care Anti-Fraud Association, the Award for Excellence from the President’s Council for Integrity & Efficiency and the Inspector General’s Integrity Award from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.

Mr. Kocoras served as contributing editor of Lexology’s “Government Investigations” 2025 Panoramic guide, authoring the Global Overview and USA chapters.

Mr. Kocoras is a member of the Economic Club of Chicago, the Chicago Inn of Court and the Hellenic Bar Association of Illinois, which honored him with the Hellene of the Year Award. He serves on the board of directors of the Lincoln Presidential Foundation.