Overview

Sophie Gotlieb focuses on complex civil litigation as well as white collar investigations and defense. She has assisted clients in matters before the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), and a number of other governmental and regulatory agencies.

Sophie has participated in all phases of litigation, from complaints to trial, and has drafted many successful motions to dismiss. She skillfully assists clients with disputes — from drafting dispositive motions and conducting investigation interviews, to preparing discovery for production, to preparing for trial and arbitration hearings.

White Collar Defense, Fraud & Investigations

Sophie has worked on a variety of cases and investigations involving allegations of fraud and misconduct both in the criminal and civil contexts, including serving clients in the following capacities:

  • Assisting in providing counsel to various C-suite employees of public companies in SEC investigations involving allegations of tax fraud and other monetary-related crimes.
  • Assisting in representing various commodities traders in CME Group investigations.
  • Assisting in various internal investigations of public companies into allegations of fraud.
  • Assisting various privately and publicly held companies to respond to formal government inquiries.

Civil Litigation

Sophie is also an experienced civil litigator and has assisted clients in a variety of different contexts, including serving clients in the following capacities:

  • Assisting clients through the arbitration process, from initiation through final hearings.
  • Represented numerous clients across various industries in consumer class actions in federal courts across the country involving the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA) and other consumer fraud allegations.

Representative Experience

  • Lead associate in a False Claims Act case that was quickly investigated and resolved during the litigation’s initial pleading stages.
  • Associate in an SEC investigation of a publicly traded company’s C-suite executives that involves allegations of accounting irregularities.
  • Represented a former Fortune 500 C-suite executive in an investigation of the company’s alleged financial misconduct and fraud.
  • Conducted an internal investigation on behalf of a real estate industry client in connection with the theft of a competitor’s commercially sensitive information.
  • Representing a technology start-up in an internal investigation involving allegations of accounting and investment fraud.
  • Representing a Fortune 500 company in the litigation and settlement of a class action complaint involving allegations of the improper use of biometric information.
  • Representing a multinational conglomerate in connection with an OFAC inquiry regarding customs and duties violations.
  • Assisted a public utility company in responding to a federal investigation involving allegations of improper government contracting.
  • Lead associate representing a multinational health care company in a qui tam False Claims Act case.
  • Second-chair trial counsel in a sweeping defense victory for a health system after a week-long arbitration.
  • Second-chair trial counsel in a two-week-long arbitration trial defending a client against allegations brought by an investment banker.
  • Represented an international automobile manufacturer in numerous consumer class actions alleging the existence of undisclosed defects in the transmissions of certain automobile models.

Related Legal Services

Related Industries

Credentials

Bar Admissions

Illinois
Minnesota

Court Admissions

U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California

Education

University of Minnesota Law School
J.D. cum laude, Law & Inequality: A Journal of Theory & Practice - Outside Articles Editor (Vol. 37) (2019)

University of Wisconsin - Madison
B.A. Phi Beta Kappa (2016)

Insights & Events

Other Perspectives

Firm Blog Contributions

  • Broker Dealer Law Blog – a resource that provides practical insights on litigation, regulatory, compliance and fiduciary issues impacting broker-dealers
  • TCPA Blog – a resource analyzing TCPA-related litigation and regulatory developments
  • Faegre Drinker on Products – a blog addressing all things product liability that covers legal issues and developments of interest to product manufacturers and their employers

Leadership & Community

Pro Bono

Sophie maintains an active pro bono practice.

  • Represented pro bono clients in Section 1983 civil rights actions.
  • Won asylum for a Cameroonian asylee and her minor child.

Honors

  • Great North Innocence Project — Pro Bono Champions of the Year, 2023
  • Faegre Drinker — Pro Bono Honor Roll, 2020-23
  • Minnesota Justice Foundation Recognition for Public Service, 2019