Sean Franzblau
Sean’s government experience yields exceptional value for his clients, as he efficiently navigates complicated internal investigations, skillfully advises on responding to government and regulatory actions, and thoughtfully counsels businesses on how to mitigate risk without compromising vision. Sean is widely known as an outstanding courtroom advocate. He has first- or second-chaired 15 federal trials, including sophisticated white collar matters, and has served as lead counsel in multiple appeals before the Seventh and Ninth Circuits.
Most recently, Sean served for over two years as a deputy chief of the U.S. Attorney’s Office General Crimes Section. In that role, he supervised and trained new prosecutors, helped develop investigative and trial strategies, and participated in the review and approval of criminal charges, search warrants, plea agreements, and sentencing recommendations. Sean has received multiple awards in recognition of his exceptional government service.
Experience
Government Experience
- Assistant United States Attorney, U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Illinois
Representative Matters
- Led the investigation, prosecution, and trial of several municipal officials and their family members convicted in a series of related bribery and extortion schemes
- Led the investigation, prosecution, and trial of two Chicago Police Department officers convicted of various corruption and civil rights offenses
- Led the investigation, prosecution, and trial of an international money laundering organization convicted of laundering over $60 million in illicit proceeds through the Chinese banking system
- Co-led the trial of a business owner convicted of bribing two state lawmakers to pass favorable gaming legislation
- Co-led the trial of a principal at a broker-dealer firm convicted of securities fraud and embezzlement
- Led the investigation and prosecution of a former employee of Augusta National Golf Club convicted of stealing over $5 million in Master’s Tournament historical memorabilia and merchandise, including Arnold Palmer's and Ben Hogan’s green jackets
- Led the investigation and prosecution of the leader of a large nonprofit organization convicted of fraud and embezzlement
- Led the investigation and prosecution of the owner of an “e-waste” recycling company convicted for a fraud scheme involving the unlawful landfilling, sale, and export of thousands of tons of hazardous waste materials
- Led the prosecution of a former Cook County Land Bank Authority asset manager convicted of an insider-dealing fraud scheme
Insights
Credentials
Education
- J.D. Stanford Law School
- B.A. Political Science magna cum laude Kenyon College
- High Honors
- Phi Beta Kappa
Bar Admissions
- Illinois
Court Admissions
- Trial Bar, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
Clerk Experience
- The Honorable James B. Zagel U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
Professional Memberships and Activities
- Adjunct professor, Northwestern University School of Law
Recognition
- The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, U.S. Interdiction Coordinator Award, 2022
- The Chicago Crime Commission, Mitch Mars Award for Prosecutorial Excellence, 2018
- Cook County Crime Stoppers, Excellence in Law Enforcement, 2016, 2018
Community
Personal Activities
- Lead singer of a folk-rock band
- Plays the guitar and keyboard
- Enjoys gardening, cooking, literature, and travel