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General

Steve Dollear helps companies, executives, and boards navigate government investigations, regulatory inquiries, and high-stakes legal matters. He leverages his insider’s knowledge from nearly two decades as a federal prosecutor to advise clients on white-collar criminal defense, internal investigations, compliance challenges, and strategic responses to potential enforcement actions.

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For domestic and international clients across various industries, especially those facing regulatory scrutiny, complex investigations, or potential criminal exposure, Steve steers them through the intricacies of federal investigations, internal compliance reviews, as well as cybersecurity and trade secret breaches. He also guides clients in export control issues, financial fraud matters, and high-profile, or national security events.

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If an investigation leads to criminal charges, Steve has extensive litigation experience. He has tried over a dozen federal criminal cases and briefed or argued numerous appeals before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals.

With nearly 20 years as a federal prosecutor, including serving as Chief of the National Security and Cybercrime Section for over seven years, Steve brings a valuable perspective on how law enforcement operates. He has collaborated with almost every major federal law enforcement agency, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the Internal Revenue Service, the U.S. Secret Service, and the Bureau of Industry and Security. This experience enables him to anticipate government investigative strategies, protect corporate and personal interests, reduce regulatory and legal risks, and guide clients effectively.

Steve also held numerous senior supervisory positions, including leadership roles in the Public Corruption, Financial Crimes, and General Crimes Sections. He also served as the district’s Criminal Health Care Fraud Coordinator, overseeing all related investigations and prosecutions. Additionally, he was appointed to several key coordination roles, including Crisis Management Coordinator, Defense Contract Fraud Coordinator, Domestic Terrorism Coordinator, National and International Security Coordinator, and Computer Hacking and Intellectual Property Coordinator.

Drawing on extensive front-line federal experience, Steve provides strategic, results-oriented guidance while balancing rigorous legal analysis with practical business considerations. Capable of de-escalating high-stakes situations, he has held multiple leadership roles at the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois and served as a primary liaison with the Department of Justice’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section and the Counterterrorism Section, and led multiple national priorities. Steve has also played a key role in planning for and responding to major events and incidents, including the 2024 Democratic National Convention and the response to the Highland Park mass shooting.

Steven J. Dollear

Steven J. Dollear

Credentials

Education

Bar Admissions

Court Admissions

Affiliations

Insights & Events

Cyber Threats to Critical Infrastructure; Learning from Operation Absolute Resolve

2026 False Claims Act Refresh

Steve Dollear to Participate in Virtual Panel on Intervention, Accountability and Government Off-Ramping

Former Chief of National Security and Cybercrime Steven J. Dollear Joins Vedder Price

Steven J. Dollear

Credentials

Education

Bar Admissions

Court Admissions

Affiliations

Insights & Events

Cyber Threats to Critical Infrastructure; Learning from Operation Absolute Resolve

2026 False Claims Act Refresh

Steve Dollear to Participate in Virtual Panel on Intervention, Accountability and Government Off-Ramping

Former Chief of National Security and Cybercrime Steven J. Dollear Joins Vedder Price

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