As head of Schwartz Cooper’s International Asset Recovery Group (IARG), Rick Rein primarily concentrates his practice in multi-jurisdictional litigation, specifically the recovery of foreign claims and assets. 

Mr. Rein is well-regarded for his knowledge of international legal systems and frequently serves as special counsel to the financial services industry, corporations, attorneys, accounts, trustees, and high net worth individuals. He has handled complex international banking and fraud matters in more than 40 jurisdictions throughout North and South America, Asia, Africa, the Caribbean, and Europe.  In fact, Mr. Rein was the first U.S. attorney to employ the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty in Uruguay.  He also was the first U.S. attorney to obtain Norwich Pharmacal relief in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Mr. Rein is a well sought after interview source on the topic of international asset recovery and is frequently called upon by the media.  He has been interviewed by the Associated Press, Bloomberg News, Wall Street Journal, Forbes, CNNMoney, First Business, and various industry trade publications.  He also has authored several articles about the nuances of international litigation for legal publications such as the New York Law Journal, Banking Law Journal, and Latin American Law and Business Report.   Past speaking engagements include presentations to the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, Turnaround Management Association, International Bar Association, American Bar Association, and the Florida and New York Bar Associations.  He also is a regular contributor to the International Asset Recovery Law blog.

As a member of Schwartz Cooper’s Banking & Lending, Bankruptcy, Litigation and Real Estate Finance practice groups, Mr. Rein also handles bank workouts, lender liability disputes, and general commercial litigation matters, including real estate developer defense.  He has extensive financial services litigation experience in state and federal venues at the trial and appellate level.

Mr. Rein is AV® Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell.* 

*CV, BV and AV are registered certification marks of Reed Elsevier Properties Inc., used in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies.

Bar Admissions & Memberships

• Illinois
• Florida
• Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals
• Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals

Education

• J.D. - University of Miami, 1981
• B.A. - Washington University, 1978

Civic and Community Involvement

• President, Jewish Community Centers of Chicago
• Member, Board of Directors, Jewish Federation of Chicago
• Past Member, Jewish United Fund Leadership Division
• Past Member, Board of Directors, Ravinia Festival Associates
• Past President, Bernard Weinger Jewish Community Center

Representative Matters

• SEC v. Homa, 2006 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 82638 (D. Ill. 2006)
• Telemark Dev. Group v. Mengelt, 313 F.3d 972 (7th Cir. 2002)
• Proin S.A. v. Lasalle Bank, N.A., 223 F. Supp. 2d 960 (D. Ill. 2002)
• Malan Realty Investors, Inc. v. Meridian Entm't Group, Inc., 2000 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 17936 (D. Ill. 2000)
• M W Mfrs. v. Friedman Corp., 1998 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 11309 (D. Ill. 1998)
• LaSalle Rolling Mills v. Asturiana De Zinc Mktg., 1997 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 3736 (D. Ill. 1997)
• NWI Int'l v. Edgewood Bank, 291 Ill. App. 3d 247 (Ill. App. Ct. 1997)
• Thermodyne Food Serv. Prods. v. McDonald's Corp., 940 F. Supp. 1300 (D. Ill. 1996)
• Progressive Land Developers v. Exchange Nat'l Bank, 266 Ill. App. 3d 934 (Ill. App. Ct. 1994)
• UNI Imports, Inc. v. Aparacor, Inc., 978 F.2d 984 (7th Cir. 1992)
• Midwest Indus. Funding, Div. of Rivera Lend Lease, Inc. v. First Nat'l Bank, 973 F.2d 534 (7th Cir. 1992)
• East Peoria Community High School Dist. No. 309 v. Grand Stage Lighting Co., 233 Ill. App. 3d 481 (Ill. App. Ct. 1992)
• Stoller v. Exch. Nat'l Bank, 199 Ill. App. 3d 674 (Ill. App. Ct. 1990)
• First Nat'l Bank v. Sylvester, 196 Ill. App. 3d 902 (Ill. App. Ct. 1990)

Memberships

• Chicago Bar Association
• Illinois State Bar Association
• Florida Bar Association
• American Bar Association
• International Bar Association

Professional Activities

• Chair, Banking & Lender Liability Subcommittee, Commercial & Business Litigation Committee, American Bar Association
• Member, Turnaround Management Association
• Member, Risk Management Association
• Member, National Association of Bankruptcy Trustees
• Member, Association of Certified Fraud Examiners
• Member, International Law Section, Florida Bar Association