Having previously served at the highest levels of the federal government, including within the Department of Justice, Sean Sandoloski now serves as Counsel in the firm’s Litigation Department. His practice focuses on government investigations, including those undertaken by Congress, as well as tackling complex legal issues and appeals. Leveraging his experience in government—as well as representing clients before the full spectrum of government authorities and at every level of the federal judiciary—Sean focuses on providing holistic solutions to clients’ complex problems. His multidisciplinary approach enables him to successfully tackle high-stakes, fast-moving issues, and to advise clients on strategic and regulatory matters. Additionally, Sean has extensive experience in administrative and antitrust law and litigation.
While in government, Sean advised the Executive Branch on a range of matters, including litigation and policy initiatives. In that capacity, Sean worked closely with officials from a variety of federal agencies and various congressional committees. Sean also served in the Appellate Section of the Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division, representing the United States in the courts of appeals and advising Division leadership on criminal enforcement, civil enforcement, and complex issues of federal and international law. Additionally, he clerked for Judge Steven M. Colloton of the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit.
Experience
- Assistant Attorney General’s Award (2017)
Sean has frequently spoken at various forums addressing trends and developments in constitutional law, antitrust law, and lawyering in the Executive Branch—including regulatory enforcement. In addition, Sean has authored the following articles:
- Co-Author, "The SEC and Messaging Apps," the Harvard Law School Forum on Corporate Governance (June 15, 2022).
- Co-Author, “The Monaco Memo: What Could It Mean for Criminal Antitrust Enforcement?,” Competition Policy International (Dec. 12, 2021).
- Co-Author, “The End of Independent Agencies?: Restoring Presidential Control of the Executive Branch,” Federalist Society Review (2021).
- Co-Author, “Re-Examining the Notion that Public Companies Cannot Fight Criminal Charges,” Financier Worldwide (October 2014).
Sean’s experience includes the following representative matters*:
- Represented a healthcare services company against a novel criminal enforcement action by the Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division.
- Represented a power generation company in a fast-moving investigation by state authorities stemming from a significant weather event.
- Developed and executed litigation strategy challenging anticompetitive conduct by several major telecommunications companies in their negotiations with content providers.
- Represented the United States in petitions for review of independent agencies’ actions under the Hobbs Act (including petitions against the Federal Communications Commission, Surface Transportation Board, and Federal Maritime Commission).
- Represented an analytical instrumentation company in DOJ and SEC investigations into potential violations of the FCPA focused on accounting practices and gift-giving in China. No charges were filed by any agency.
- Assisted the DOJ-imposed monitor overseeing the implementation of an anti-bribery and anti-corruption compliance program at a major international tobacco company.
*Sean advised on these matters prior to joining Willkie in 2022.
Credentials
Education
Yale Law School, J.D., Yale Law Journal, Executive Editor, 2011 Stanford University, B.A. (with distinction and honors), 2008
Bar Admissions
Court Admissions
United States Supreme Court United States Court of Appeals, 1st Circuit United States Court of Appeals, 7th Circuit United States Court of Appeals, 11th Circuit United States Court of Appeals, D.C. Circuit United States Court of Appeals, Federal Circuit United States District Court, District of Columbia United States District Court, Western District of Michigan
Clerkships
Steven M. Colloton, United States Court of Appeals, 8th Circuit, 2011 - 2012