Abdus Samad Pardesi

Partner Government, Regulatory & Internal Investigations

Chicago +1 312 862 3291

Abdus Samad Pardesi

Overview

Abdus Samad Pardesi is a partner in the Government & Internal Investigations practice group in the Chicago office of Kirkland & Ellis LLP. Samad is a versatile enforcement lawyer, with a particular focus on anti-corruption compliance, employee fraud, and international risk counseling. Samad also has substantial experience litigating complex commercial disputes.

Samad has handled numerous internal and government-facing investigations for public and private companies in a variety of industries and in multiple countries. These matters implicate a wide array of issues, including bribery/corruption, financial fraud, employee embezzlement, healthcare fraud, improper sales and trade practices, and more. 

Samad also advises global companies of all sizes on proactively building out their compliance programs. He works closely with his clients to design and implement tailored policies, trainings, third party controls, and risk assessments. In 2018, The National Law Journal named Samad as a White Collar Crime Trailblazer, highlighting his work on risk assessments and third-party management in particular. 

As a commercial litigator, Samad focuses on deal and transaction litigation, including claims centering on fraud, fiduciary duty, indemnification, and other post-closing disputes. 

Samad is also deeply committed to pro bono work, with an emphasis on assisting refugees and other asylum-seekers obtain relief in the United States. He has handled numerous such matters, earning the Rising Star award in 2016 from the National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC). Samad also serves on NIJC’s Board. 

Internal Investigations and Enforcement Matters

  • Lead multiple, global internal investigations for public and private companies relating to a variety of matters, including bribery of healthcare professionals and government officials, revenue manipulation and other financial fraud, embezzlement, improper sales/trade practices, witness tampering, and other employee misconduct. 
  • Negotiated a favorable settlement for a medical device company in World Bank sanctions proceedings; currently counseling company before independent compliance monitor.
  • Counsel for numerous C-Suite employees of a manufacturing company in an investigation by the Securities and Exchange Commission for violations of the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (“FCPA”).
  • Currently representing a healthcare company under monitorship for FCPA violations. 
  • Currently representing a medical products under investigation by the US Department of Justice for healthcare fraud, including violations of the False Claims Act and Anti-Kickback Statute.

Compliance Counseling

  • Built compliance programs for several public and private companies, including creation of global policies, trainings, monitoring processes, and third party management tools.
  • Conducted numerous proactive compliance risk assessments for multi-national companies. 

Deal Litigation and Counseling

  • Secured a favorable settlement for a private equity fund in a fraud action in Delaware Chancery Court arising out of the acquisition of a portfolio company.
  • Advised the Board of Directors and management of a large medical device company in a claim for breach of fiduciary duty and violations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
  • Represented a large publicly-traded company in an indemnification dispute arising out of a spin-off transaction with the company’s former parent.
  • Represented Fortune 100 company in breach-of-fiduciary-duty claims arising out of a corporate acquisition.

Complex Commercial Disputes

  • Represented public and private companies in various disputes relating to breach of contract, business torts, and trade secrets. 

Associate — Ropes & Gray LLP, September 2014–August 2017

Associate — Jenner & Block LLP, November 2009–August 2014

Public Interest Law Initiative Fellow — Office of the Cook County Public Guardian, May 2009–October 2009

Counsel for indigent individuals or non-profit organizations in matters including asylum, human trafficking, consumer fraud, public housing, and personal injury.

Served as primary counsel for amicus curiae to the Board of Immigration Appeals regarding the duress exception to the persecutor bar for asylum.

More

Thought Leadership

Publications

"Walmart Finally Settles for $282M and a Monitor," The Anti-Corruption Report (July 10, 2019)

Kim B. Nemirow, Abdus Samad Pardesi and Christina Dahlman, “Eight Steps to Take When Installing an Anti-Corruption Compliance Program at a Smaller Company,” The Anti-Corruption Report (June 27, 2018)

Kim B. Nemirow, William J. Stuckwisch and Abdus Samad Pardesi, “5 Takeaways from the Largest FCPA Resolution,” Law360 (September 28, 2017)

John Sorkin, Michael Pilo and Samad Pardesi, “Court More Likely to Equate Deal Price with Fair Value Following Appropriate Sales Process,” International Law Office (May 10, 2017)

Asheesh Goel, Samad Pardesi and Charlie Zagnoli, “The Next Best Thing,” Latin Lawyer (April 20, 2016)

Zachary Brez and Samad Pardesi, “Interesting Times Ahead For CFIUS And Foreign Investors,” Law360 (March 17, 2016)

Doug Hallward-Driemeier, John Bueker, Samad Pardesi and Saqib Hussain, “Supreme Court’s FCA Ruling May Prove a Big Defense Win,” Corporate Counsel (August 20, 2015)

Laura Hoey, Samad Pardesi and Deanna Foster, “MedTech Europe Calls for the End of Direct Sponsorship,” Bloomberg BNA Medical Devices & Law Industry Report (January 21, 2015)

James Dowden and Samad Pardesi, “How Esquenazi Will Play Out In Emerging Economies,” Law360 (October 27, 2014)

Seminars

“The FCPA’s Influence on the Enactment and Enforcement of Global Anti-bribery Laws,” FCPA@40 Conference (February 21, 2018)

“M&A Disputes — When Good Deals Go Bad,” Fraud and Forensic Symposium (October 21, 2015)

“Law Firm Economics,” Chicago Committee on Minorities in Large Law Firms’ Law Firm Boot Camp (February 23, 2013 and February 22, 2014)

“Rule 4.2: Recent Developments on the No-Contact Rule," Chicago Bar Association’s Committee on Attorney Malpractice (May 1, 2012)

Recognition

Rising Star — National Immigrant Justice Center (2016)

Memberships & Affiliations

Member, Law360's 2019 White Collar Editorial Advisory Board

Board Member, National Immigrant Justice Center, 2017–Present

American Bar Association

Credentials

Admissions & Qualifications

  • 2009Illinois

Courts

  • United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
  • United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit

Education

  • University of California, Berkeley, School of LawJ.D.2009

    Publishing Editor, California Law Review

    Supervising Editor, Berkeley Journal of Middle Eastern and Islamic Law

    Trial Team

  • Georgetown UniversityB.A.magna cum laude2006

    Phi Beta Kappa

    Omicron Delta Kappa Outstanding Leader of the Year, 2005