Julie B. Porter

Founding Partner

(312) 283.5711 porter@sppplaw.com Julie B. Porter Chicago, IL

In the News!

» High court set to hear appeal from principal over her firing
Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, March 31, 2020

About Julie

Julie Porter is a calm, confident leader known for her integrity, sound judgment, and ability to navigate complex legal and factual issues with clarity and fairness. In litigation, arbitration, and investigations, Julie brings deep experience overseeing sophisticated legal matters with sensitivity, discretion, and a steady hand.

Julie serves on the American Arbitration Association’s national roster of commercial arbitrators and is particularly valued for her ability to manage high-stakes disputes involving multiple parties, sensitive information, or overlapping legal and regulatory concerns. Her approach is pragmatic and thoughtful—focused on identifying core issues, facilitating resolution, and maintaining the trust of all participants.

Julie has built a distinguished legal career in both private practice and public service. She served as Chief of the Criminal Division at the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Chicago, where she supervised nearly 150 prosecutors and was responsible for all criminal investigations and prosecutions in one of the nation’s busiest and most complex districts. Her oversight included matters ranging from financial fraud and public corruption to cybercrime and national security. She also mentored attorneys and instilled a culture of excellence and ethical rigor.

Julie also spent years in private practice at a national law firm and now at Salvatore Prescott Porter & Porter, where she leads investigations and serves as counsel in sensitive matters. Her experience makes her especially adept at facilitating collaboration among stakeholders with divergent interests and handling cases requiring discretion and impartiality.

Julie is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and is individually ranked by Chambers USA for White-Collar Crime and Government Investigations in Illinois.

Awards / Recognition

  • Fellow, American College of Trial Lawyers
  • Chambers-recognized practitioner for government & white-collar investigations in Illinois
  • Department of Justice, Executive Office of United States Attorneys, 2009
  • Director’s Award for being a leader and role model as a federal prosecutor
  • Department of Justice, Executive Office of United States Attorneys, 2008 Director’s Award for superior performance by a litigative team
  • Federal Bureau of Investigation, 2008 Director’s Award for Outstanding Criminal Investigation
  • Internal Revenue Service, 2014 Chief’s Investigative Excellence Award
  • Chicago Lawyer, 2008 Rising Stars of the Trial Bar
  • Crain’s Chicago Business, 2007 40 Under 40

Teaching / Speaking

  • ABA panel concerning internal investigations, 2018
  • PLI panels on internal investigations, 2014-2016
  • Corporate Compliance and Ethics Institute panel, 2016
  • Seventh Circuit Bar Association Conference, panel on Disparities in Enforcement, Prosecution, and Punishment, 2016
  • Keynote address at PLI Compliance and Ethics Institute, focusing on the government’s perspective on effective compliance and ethics programs, 2016
  • 36th Annual Ray Garrett Jr. Corporate and Securities Law Institute, panel on enforcement, 2016
  • ABA panel at 30th Annual White Collar Crime Institute, 2016
  • Association of Corporate Counsel panel, focusing on practical and ethical considerations for managing government investigations, 2015
  • Panel at Foley & Lardner concerning criminalization of regulatory violations, 2015
  • Association of Corporate Counsel panel concerning Foreign Corrupt Practice Act issues, 2013-2014
  • Sandpiper Partners panel concerning SEC & DOJ hot topics, 2014
  • PLI panel featuring regulators’ perspectives on enforcement, 2013
  • ABA panel concerning the evolving role of the SEC, 2013
  • Lectures at University of Chicago Law School and Northwestern Law School on various topics, including ethics, criminal procedure, child exploitation, and human trafficking.

Julie also cares deeply about developing and promoting women in the legal profession. She was on the organizing committee for a 2016 symposium hosted by the United States District Court, focusing on improving opportunities for women to serve as lead trial lawyers.

For more about Julie’s accomplishments, see the following articles:

Bar Admissions

Julie is a member of the Illinois Bar, the Michigan Bar, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals, the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, and the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan.

Testimonials

I have not had many good experiences with lawyers. Julie was professional from the start; she charged fair fees; and she was straightforward about what was to be expected. I was impressed with her organization and planning in preparation for…

I cannot say enough positive things about Julie Porter. I was vulnerable and very scared when I contacted her. She responded immediately, and before I had even met her, began helping me and fighting for me. Upon hiring her, she…

Julie was great. She was patient and caring through the process in a difficult time for our family. We appreciated her legal expertise and pragmatic, straight-forward approach as we navigated through the case. She took the time to explain what…

We turned to Julie Porter during a very difficult period in our lives. We obviously needed legal guidance, but we received so much more than just that. The circumstances of our needing Julie were sad and demoralizing. But her ever-present…

Julie Porter is the best. Great listener and gets the job done. Thanks for all your help.