Foley & Lardner LLP announced today that Zaldwaynaka (Z) Scott has joined the firm’s Government Enforcement, Compliance & White Collar Practice as a partner in the Chicago office. Scott joins with decades of experience managing high-stakes white collar matters in both private and public sector roles, including the United States Department of Justice and the State of Illinois.
Scott, a former executive inspector general for the Office of the Governor of Illinois, is a seasoned trial lawyer with experience in complex commercial litigation, corporate internal investigations, corporate compliance matters and white collar defense. Her federal and criminal litigation experience includes representing Fortune 1000 corporations, private companies and individuals in accounting and commercial fraud, public corruption, Foreign Corrupt Practices Act matters, civil tax appeals and criminal tax prosecutions, money-laundering, and investment and financial institution fraud. She has also led and represented companies in complex and extensive government regulatory and criminal grand jury investigations.
“We look forward to adding Z’s trial experience and internal investigation knowledge to our team. Her successful track record across complex litigation and strong proactive compliance counseling will enhance our white collar footprint,” said Lisa Noller, chair of Foley’s Government Enforcement, Compliance & White Collar Practice.
While serving as executive inspector general for the Office of the Governor of Illinois, Scott established and managed an internal compliance and investigative agency for the Illinois government and the state’s public universities. She oversaw more than 200 internal investigations of state vendors and state employees, as well as counseling members of the governor’s cabinet and state senior managers, including agency directors on issues related to personnel policies, internal controls, ethics and systemic personnel problems. In addition, Scott served as a federal criminal prosecutor with the United States Attorney’s Office, where she held various management positions, including chief of the General Crimes Section.
“Our clients will be well served by Z’s extensive experience working with various agencies across the government of Illinois on pressing issues and investigations, and we are thrilled to welcome her to our team,” said Myles Berman, managing partner of Foley’s Chicago office.
Prior to joining Foley, Scott was a partner at Kaye Scholer.