KRISTEN TOTTEN

Kristen Totten is Of Counsel at Gould, Greico, & Hensley (GGH), where she represents individuals and families in complex litigation involving sexual abuse, exploitation, and institutional wrongdoing. A former federal prosecutor, Kristen brings more than a decade of experience in complex civil and criminal litigation to her practice. She is particularly passionate about protecting children and other vulnerable victims and holding individuals and institutions accountable for the harm they cause.

Before joining GGH, Kristen served for more than eight years as an Assistant United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, where she investigated and prosecuted serious and complex federal crimes and secured convictions in cases including child exploitation, sex trafficking, narcotics trafficking, violent crimes, money laundering, and sophisticated financial crimes. Her work included the successful prosecution of a serial child sexual predator who produced thousands of images and videos of child sexual abuse material over several decades at recreational facilities throughout the Chicago area. She also prosecuted numerous cases involving the violent sex trafficking of women and minors, as well as cases involving interstate and international travel for the purposes of child sexual exploitation. Kristen successfully tried over a dozen cases in federal court and argued before the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. Through her work as a federal prosecutor, she developed extensive experience conducting complex investigation, collaborating with state, federal, and local law enforcement agencies, and employing sophisticated investigative techniques, including court-authorized wiretaps, search warrants, and other evidence-gathering tools. She brings this investigative experience to her civil practice, where she is committed to uncovering misconduct and building compelling cases on behalf of individuals and families.

Prior to her service as a federal prosecutor, Kristen spent three years at a prominent national law firm, where she represented clients in complex civil litigation, including commercial disputes and high-stakes environmental litigation. She served on a trial team representing a major energy company in a multibillion-dollar environmental enforcement action, where she gained substantial experience in complex case preparation, litigation strategy, and trial advocacy. Her pro bono work included representing a wrongfully convicted man who spent more than two decades in prison, helping secure the dismissal of all charges against him.

Kristen’s work was recognized by the Chicago Crime Commission and the Drug Enforcement Administration. A former member of Loyola University Chicago School of Law’s nationally recognized trial advocacy program and a Corboy Fellow, Kristen now teaches trial advocacy at Loyola, helping train the next generation of trial lawyers. She is also a recipient of Loyola’s President’s Medallion.

At GGH, Kristen brings a prosecutor’s approach to her work – rigorous investigation, building compelling cases, and an unwavering commitment to accountability. As a mother of four, Kristen’s passion for protecting children is deeply personal. She is dedicated to holding accountable those whose conduct places children and other vulnerable victims at risk and securing justice for those whose lives have been harmed.