Co-Chair, Litigation
Office
San Francisco
Chicago
Phone
+1 628 267 6858
+1 312 923 2629
A fellow of the prestigious American College of Trial Lawyers, Reid Schar helps clients across a wide range of industries navigate complex issues at the intersection of investigations, litigation, regulation, and public perception. Reid's experience as a former Assistant US Attorney (AUSA) and in high-visibility situations like the Chicago Blackhawks sexual assault investigation, the General Motors ignition switch recall investigation, and the New Jersey "Bridgegate" investigation, has made him a trusted strategist for businesses and individuals of every size, in every industry.
Reid handles multibillion-dollar, multidistrict cases and class actions, and regularly represents clients before the DOJ, the SEC, state attorneys general, and other regulatory bodies. As Co-Chair of the firm’s Litigation Department, he frequently leads complex, fact-intensive investigations and litigation involving antitrust, health care fraud, financial market manipulation, public corruption, cyber intrusions, theft of trade secrets, employment matters, and the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, among others. Beyond his extensive trial experience, Reid is equally adept at counseling boards, committees, executives, and compliance officers on how to avoid or quickly resolve investigations and regulatory action.
Reid has been recognized in Chambers USA every year since 2014 and is Band 1-ranked in White Collar Crime and Government Investigations in both Illinois and California. He is also part of a long tradition of Jenner lawyers who have moved between public service and private practice. Before joining the firm, Reid spent 13 years as an AUSA for the Northern District of Illinois, where he led significant prosecutions and trials, including United States v. Rod Blagojevich, the case that resulted in the conviction of the former Illinois governor. His work has been recognized at the highest levels of government: he received the US Department of Justice's Attorney General's Award for Distinguished Service and the FBI Director's Award for Excellence for an outstanding criminal investigation.
Litigation and investigations distract businesses from their core operations and goals. Whether my clients are on offense or defense, I guide them through challenging situations so they can focus on conducting and growing their businesses.
Areas of Focus
Representative Matters
- Led a significant internal review and produced a public report for the Chicago Blackhawks, investigating allegations that in 2010 a player was sexually assaulted by an assistant coach who was later and separately criminally convicted of sexually abusing a minor. The Jenner & Block team investigated the conduct of the former coach as well as the Blackhawks internal response after learning, during the 2010 Stanley Cup playoff run, of certain allegations raised by the former player. The investigation included extensive interviews with the former player who made the accusation, the former coach accused of the assault, and current and former players affiliated with the Blackhawks.
- Led a team to a successful resolution for Northwestern University in a high-stakes, multi-year lawsuit in which the former head football coach alleged wrongful termination amid a hazing scandal within the football program.
- Representing PG&E in consolidated mass tort civil litigation and government investigations arising from the 2022 Mosquito Fire.
- Represented the lead defendant in a multi-billion-dollar multidistrict litigation matter against allegations of market manipulation; as part of the matter, twice obtained victory on motions to dismiss the consolidated complaint filed by plaintiffs.
- Lead counsel in arbitration for client before the International Court of Arbitration alleging breach of supply contract that resulted in an approximate $1.38 billion award on behalf of the client.
- Represented a major US energy company in responding to two SEC subpoenas arising from the SEC’s review of the company’s involvement in legislation tied to a corruption scandal, successfully resolving the matter on favorable terms.
- Served as one of the team leaders conducting an investigation and producing an internal report to the board of directors for General Motors Company (GM) regarding recalls stemming from faulty ignition switches. The firm team coordinated GM’s response to several federal agencies and Congress. Reid represented GM in a related investigation by the US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, culminating in the resolution of the matter through a deferred prosecution agreement.
- Appointed to serve as special counsel to the New Jersey joint legislative committee investigating questions regarding the decision to close access lanes to the George Washington Bridge and other matters (generally referred to as “Bridgegate”).
- Representing a client in Qui Tam litigation against allegations of various health care fraud violations.
- Represented a client against a multi-billion-dollar legal malpractice claim.
Credentials
Service / Recognition
Overview
A fellow of the prestigious American College of Trial Lawyers, Reid Schar helps clients across a wide range of industries navigate complex issues at the intersection of investigations, litigation, regulation, and public perception. Reid's experience as a former Assistant US Attorney (AUSA) and in high-visibility situations like the Chicago Blackhawks sexual assault investigation, the General Motors ignition switch recall investigation, and the New Jersey "Bridgegate" investigation, has made him a trusted strategist for businesses and individuals of every size, in every industry.
Reid handles multibillion-dollar, multidistrict cases and class actions, and regularly represents clients before the DOJ, the SEC, state attorneys general, and other regulatory bodies. As Co-Chair of the firm’s Litigation Department, he frequently leads complex, fact-intensive investigations and litigation involving antitrust, health care fraud, financial market manipulation, public corruption, cyber intrusions, theft of trade secrets, employment matters, and the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, among others. Beyond his extensive trial experience, Reid is equally adept at counseling boards, committees, executives, and compliance officers on how to avoid or quickly resolve investigations and regulatory action.
Reid has been recognized in Chambers USA every year since 2014 and is Band 1-ranked in White Collar Crime and Government Investigations in both Illinois and California. He is also part of a long tradition of Jenner lawyers who have moved between public service and private practice. Before joining the firm, Reid spent 13 years as an AUSA for the Northern District of Illinois, where he led significant prosecutions and trials, including United States v. Rod Blagojevich, the case that resulted in the conviction of the former Illinois governor. His work has been recognized at the highest levels of government: he received the US Department of Justice's Attorney General's Award for Distinguished Service and the FBI Director's Award for Excellence for an outstanding criminal investigation.
Litigation and investigations distract businesses from their core operations and goals. Whether my clients are on offense or defense, I guide them through challenging situations so they can focus on conducting and growing their businesses.
Areas of Focus
Representative Matters
- Led a significant internal review and produced a public report for the Chicago Blackhawks, investigating allegations that in 2010 a player was sexually assaulted by an assistant coach who was later and separately criminally convicted of sexually abusing a minor. The Jenner & Block team investigated the conduct of the former coach as well as the Blackhawks internal response after learning, during the 2010 Stanley Cup playoff run, of certain allegations raised by the former player. The investigation included extensive interviews with the former player who made the accusation, the former coach accused of the assault, and current and former players affiliated with the Blackhawks.
- Led a team to a successful resolution for Northwestern University in a high-stakes, multi-year lawsuit in which the former head football coach alleged wrongful termination amid a hazing scandal within the football program.
- Representing PG&E in consolidated mass tort civil litigation and government investigations arising from the 2022 Mosquito Fire.
- Represented the lead defendant in a multi-billion-dollar multidistrict litigation matter against allegations of market manipulation; as part of the matter, twice obtained victory on motions to dismiss the consolidated complaint filed by plaintiffs.
- Lead counsel in arbitration for client before the International Court of Arbitration alleging breach of supply contract that resulted in an approximate $1.38 billion award on behalf of the client.
- Represented a major US energy company in responding to two SEC subpoenas arising from the SEC’s review of the company’s involvement in legislation tied to a corruption scandal, successfully resolving the matter on favorable terms.
- Served as one of the team leaders conducting an investigation and producing an internal report to the board of directors for General Motors Company (GM) regarding recalls stemming from faulty ignition switches. The firm team coordinated GM’s response to several federal agencies and Congress. Reid represented GM in a related investigation by the US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, culminating in the resolution of the matter through a deferred prosecution agreement.
- Appointed to serve as special counsel to the New Jersey joint legislative committee investigating questions regarding the decision to close access lanes to the George Washington Bridge and other matters (generally referred to as “Bridgegate”).
- Representing a client in Qui Tam litigation against allegations of various health care fraud violations.
- Represented a client against a multi-billion-dollar legal malpractice claim.
Credentials
Admissions
- California, 2012
- Illinois, 1997
Education
- Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law, JD, cum laude, Order of the Coif, 1997
- Stanford University, BA, Departmental Honors, 1994
Court Admissions
- US Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit
- US District Court, Northern District of California
- US District Court, Northern District of Illinois
- US District Court, Northern District of Illinois (Trial Bar)
Clerkships
- Hon. Elaine E. Bucklo, US District Court, Northern District of Illinois, 1997-1998
Service / Recognition
Awards
- The BTI Class Action Leaders, 2026
- Lawdragon 500 Leading Litigators in America, 2025-2026
- Daily Journal, Top 100 Lawyers in California, 2025
- Lexology Index, Commercial Litigation, 2024
- BTI Consulting, Client Service All-Star, 2023
- Daily Journal, Top White Collar Lawyers, 2022-2023
- The American Lawyer, West Trailblazers, 2022
- Benchmark Litigation, Local Litigation Star, 2017-2018
- The Best Lawyers in America, Commercial Litigation, Criminal Defense: White-Collar, and Corporate Compliance, 2015-2026; Lawyer of the Year, White Collar, Chicago, 2023
- Burton Foundation, Burton Award for Distinguished Legal Writing, 2018
- Chambers USA, Litigation: White Collar Crime and Government Investigations (Illinois), 2014-2020, 2022-2026; Litigation: White Collar Crime and Government Investigations (California), 2021-2026
- The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Director’s Award for Excellence: Outstanding Criminal Investigation, 2012
- Lawdragon Magazine, 500 Leading Lawyers in America, 2013-2014
- Leading Lawyers Network, Criminal Appellate Law, 2013-2019; Commercial Litigation, 2013-2019
- Legal 500, Dispute Resolution: Corporate Investigations and White-Collar Criminal Defense, 2017, 2020, 2021
- Illinois Super Lawyers, Criminal Defense: White Collar, 2015-2024
- National Association of Former United States Attorneys (NAFUSA), J. Michael Bradford Award, 2012
- US Department of Agriculture, Honor Award, 2005
- US Department of Justice, The Attorney General's Award for Distinguished Service, 2012
- US Department of Justice, Performance Awards, 1999-2012
Service to the Bar
- American Bar Association
- American College of Trial Lawyers, Fellow
- Chicago Inn of Court