Vaishali Rao focuses her practice in Consumer Financial Services with particular emphasis in regulation & compliance. She brings her long history of experience in government regulatory and law enforcement actions to bear in the defense of her clients.
Professional Background

Prior to joining Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP in January 2017, Ms. Rao for eight years devoted her practice to public service in the Consumer Fraud Bureau of the Office of the Illinois Attorney General, and as an Assistant Counsel to Speaker Michael J. Madigan in the Illinois House of Representatives.

During the latter part of Ms. Rao's tenure at the Attorney General's Office, she led a national group of state Attorneys General in investigating student loan origination, servicing and debt collection practices, coordinating closely with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

Ms. Rao has led and coordinated national investigations and litigations in several financial services areas, including: credit ratings, debt settlement, and mortgage servicing.

Notably, Ms. Rao contributed to negotiations in the National Mortgage Settlement. She led the Attorney General's litigation team in People of the State of Illinois v. The McGraw-Hill Companies & Standard & Poor's Financial Services LLC, 12 CH 02535.

Ms. Rao has been involved in all phases of a regulatory investigation, from the issuance of a subpoena to leading a litigation team, ensuring compliance with complex court orders involving implementation of specific business practices, and settling the issues in dispute.

In addition to her work in the financial services sector, Ms. Rao has developed an expertise in investigations and litigations related to the marketing and promotion of pharmaceutical products, drugs and medical devices.

Ms. Rao has concentrated her career on matters involving state and federal consumer protection laws around the country, most notably: The Illinois Consumer Fraud & Deceptive Trade Practices Act and corollary state unfair, deceptive or abusive trade practices laws ("UDAAP"), The Federal Trade Commission Act and the Consumer Financial Protection Act ("Dodd-Frank Act").

Besides working closely with State Attorneys General across the country, Ms. Rao has worked jointly with other local, state and federal agencies, including: The City of Chicago, Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation, Illinois Department of Public Health, the Federal Trade Commission, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, and the United States Department of Justice.

As Assistant Counsel in the Illinois House of Representatives, Ms. Rao assisted in the impeachment trial of former Illinois Governor, Rod R. Blagojevich. She also managed and analyzed legal issues for members of the House of Representatives, including assisting them with presentation and defense of bills on the House floor and in Committee.

Ms. Rao served a series of clerkships in both the public and private sectors in Chicago and New York, and was a chancery judicial extern to The Honorable Jesse G. Reyes, Circuit Court of Cook County (now an Appellate Judge, First District, 5th Division.)