Healthcare Fraud Defense based in Chicago
Stephen Lee is a former federal prosecutor with a national practice based in Chicago who focuses on healthcare fraud defense. He brings extensive legal knowledge, investigative experience, and data analytics to help doctors, medical professionals, businesspeople, and organizations facing government investigations and criminal charges involving healthcare fraud and the Anti-Kickback Statute. He has worked on trials in Illinois (Chicago and Peoria), Texas (Dallas and San Antonio), New York (Brooklyn), Tennessee (Nashville), Kentucky (Covington), Georgia (Statesboro), and Florida (Orlando). Reviews by some former clients are online here.
Stephen also runs an online networking group for more than 200 white-collar defense attorneys and practitioners. For more information about this group, go here.
A Former Federal Prosecutor With
Extensive Defense Experience
As an Assistant United States Attorney in the Northern District of Illinois, Stephen won convictions in all 17 trials, including eight trials involving healthcare fraud and/or the Anti-Kickback Statute.
In private practice, he has defended clients in 8 trials involving health care fraud and/or the Anti-Kickback Statute, including:
United States v. Zamora-Quezada et al (acquittal of one fraud count, dismissal of a money-laundering conspiracy count, the complete clearing of three co-defendants)
United States v. Paulus (acquittal of one fraud count, dismissal of all other counts after a 2023 trial)
United States v. Fermin (acquittal of all fraud and kickback charges)
United States v. Ott (acquittal on venue grounds - appeal by the government is pending)
Stephen uses data analytics extensively in his cases, both to show flaws in government investigations and to make points for the defense. He has also won critical legal issues that occur frequently in healthcare fraud cases. In one of his cases, the judge rejected the government’s attempt to use an improper definition of “willfulness.” In another, the judge denied the government’s request for a large restitution order.
Admitted to the bar in New York, Illinois, and California, Stephen also actively contributes to the legal community through his work with the Asian American Bar Association of Greater Chicago (Stephen was president for the 2025-26 bar year) and the Federal Bar Association Chicago Chapter.
Just months into starting his solo practice, Stephen joined the defense team of Dr. Richard Paulus, an interventional cardiologist who was facing health health care fraud charges in a decadelong matter. Stephen served as second chair in the 2023 trial, which resulted in the acquittal and dismissal of all charges.
“My chief counsel requested Stephen to join the defense when she learned of his incisive familiarity with healthcare data analytics. He seamlessly worked his way onto the team as co-counsel in an arena notorious for big egos. They all worked together with passion and superb execution. I thank Stephen for his tremendous contribution. He is truly a nice, ethical guy and projected that to the jury, coupled with his intense passion in his client's defense. After a 5 week trial, we won. As you likely know, this is a most unusual outcome in healthcare fraud, and I am eternally grateful to Stephen for his immense contribution.”
A talk about this case is online here. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Investigations
Experience in conducting detailed investigations and challenging flawed ones, leveraging a unique background in journalism, law, and data analytics.
Healthcare Fraud
Deep experience with healthcare fraud defense, focusing on Medicare laws and the crucial aspect of "willfulness."
Data Analytics
Advanced use of data analysis in legal cases, emphasizing the importance of effectively leveraging big data for strategic advantages and investigative purposes.
Anti-Kickback Statue
Focused defense against Anti-Kickback Statute allegations, utilizing comprehensive legal knowledge to navigate complexities, including the element of “willfulness.”
Resources
Stephen writes and speaks regularly about legal issues, real-life and fictional investigations, Asian American legal history, and other topics.
Healthcare Fraud Overview
Nationwide, healthcare fraud significantly impacts the healthcare system through schemes that drain resources and compromise patient care.
At the same time, mistakes and misguided assumptions in government investigations can devastate doctors, businesspeople, and others who may have erred but acted in good faith. Effective representation in this field requires legal expertise, data analytics, and a deep understanding of healthcare operations.
Contact Stephen Lee.
Law Office of Stephen Chahn Lee, LLC
33 N. Dearborn Street, Suite 1800
Chicago, IL 60602