Renato Mariotti has spent his career fighting for justice — in the courtroom and in the community. Born to a working-class family on Chicago’s South Side, Renato learned early the value of hard work from his father, a barber and newspaper deliveryman, and his mother, who worked at a local insurance agency. He worked extra jobs to help pay his way through the University of Chicago, graduating with honors, and went on to earn his law degree from Yale.
After clerking on the U.S. Court of Appeals, Renato began his legal career in private practice before returning to Chicago as a federal prosecutor. For nearly a decade, he took on fraudsters, corrupt officials, and criminal enterprises, winning landmark cases and national attention. He led the first-ever federal prosecution of a high-frequency trader under the Dodd-Frank Act’s anti-spoofing provision — a case that made headlines and helped shape financial market enforcement. He also secured convictions against major white-collar criminals and high-profile criminal organizations, and was twice featured on American Greed.
Today, Renato is a high-profile litigation partner at Paul Hastings, where he helps companies, financial institutions, and individuals navigate high-stakes legal challenges, from securities and commodities fraud cases to complex civil litigation. His strategic approach, honed by more than 20 courtroom trials, helps clients resolve disputes and protect their reputations.
Renato’s clear, thoughtful legal analysis made him a trusted voice on national television, with regular appearances on MSNBC, CNN, and other outlets, as well as bylines in The New York Times, The Washington Post, Time, and POLITICO Magazine. He also co-hosts the “It’s Complicated” podcast, breaking down legal issues that shape our democracy.
A longtime advocate for democratic values, Renato has worked to support grassroots campaigns, raise funds for local issues, and strengthen the communities he serves. He lives in Naperville with his wife, Jamie, stepdaughter, Izzy, and dog, Henry.