Cooley Expands Chicago Litigation Practice With Former Federal Prosecutor

Why It Matters

Peabody’s hire deepens Cooley’s expertise in high‑stakes cyber and national‑security litigation, giving the firm a competitive edge in Chicago’s tech‑focused market. It signals a continued strategy to attract former prosecutors who can navigate complex white‑collar investigations for innovative clients.

Key Takeaways

• Tom Peabody joins Cooley Chicago as former Deputy Chief for National Security
• Third former federal prosecutor hired by Cooley's Chicago litigation office since 2021
• Peabody’s expertise includes cybercrime, crypto offenses, sanctions evasion, espionage
• Adds depth to Cooley’s commercial litigation and white‑collar defense practices
• Cooley’s global litigation team now exceeds 500 lawyers across U.S. and Europe

Pulse Analysis

Cooley’s recruitment of Tom Peabody underscores a deliberate strategy to build a litigation powerhouse in Chicago by tapping former federal prosecutors with deep trial chops. Since its 2021 launch, the office has added Matt Kutcher and Tiana Demas, creating a roster that blends prosecutorial rigor with the firm’s client‑centric approach. This talent pipeline not only raises the profile of Cooley’s Chicago presence but also aligns with the firm’s broader push to serve high‑growth sectors that demand sophisticated white‑collar defense.

Peabody’s background is a perfect fit for the evolving threat landscape confronting technology and life‑science companies. As Deputy Chief for National Security and Cybercrime at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, he oversaw grand‑jury investigations and verdict‑level trials involving hacking, crypto fraud, sanctions breaches and state‑sponsored espionage. Those experiences translate into actionable insights for corporate clients navigating regulatory scrutiny, data‑breach litigation, and cross‑border sanctions risk. By adding a practitioner versed in both criminal and civil dimensions of cyber threats, Cooley can offer a seamless defense narrative from investigation through trial.

The move reflects a broader industry trend where law firms double down on white‑collar and cyber expertise to capture market share from rivals. As venture capital pours capital into AI, fintech and biotech, the likelihood of high‑profile disputes rises, prompting clients to seek counsel that can pre‑emptively manage risk and aggressively defend against enforcement actions. Cooley’s expanded Chicago team, now part of a 500‑lawyer global litigation platform, positions the firm to capture a larger slice of this lucrative, technology‑driven litigation market.