As Chair of the firm’s well respected nationwide White Collar Criminal Defense & Government Investigations Practice, Michael Weinstein counsels’ clients from the earliest stages of government inquiries to threatened litigation, including assessment of allegations, witnesses, evidence, grand jury proceedings, defenses and ultimately, trial.

Experience

A highly regarded and experienced criminal and civil litigator, Michael continues to garner a reputation as a detailed oriented trial attorney handling all aspects of federal and state litigation matters. A former trial attorney and federal prosecutor with the U.S. Department of Justice in Washington DC, Michael leverages his extensive trial experience with a calculated, strategic approach, creative thinking, and effective execution of litigation strategies.

Michael recognizes that each dispute, whether civil or criminal, and each internal investigation, public or private, bring with it significant personal, professional, and financial consequences to the individual or company requiring tactical considerations, discretion, and strong advocacy balanced against client objectives.

Michaels’ white-collar defense representations include bank and wire fraud, securities violations, national security allegations, conspiracy, money laundering, executive misconduct, and regulatory violations. Michael has handled the investigation and defense of a broad array of federal criminal and regulatory statutes in courts throughout the country and abroad.

Michaels’  civil litigation experience includes corporate disputes, breach of contracts, construction, negligence, intellectual property, and fraud actions, incorporating similar techniques and skills developed in his years as a federal prosecutor.

Most recently, Michael handled a series of internal investigations, including retention by one of the world’s largest shopping mall developers, a global pharmaceutical company, and a publicly listed international apparel company. In these matters, Michael worked closely with company counsel to assess liability issues, alleged corporate malfeasance, and conducted extensive  interviews concluding with the presentation of investigative results to company management, Board of Directors, and federal prosecutors.

His clients include private and public companies in a wide array of industries, Board of Directors, Audit and Compensation Committees, non-for profit organizations, individuals and executives who find themselves in the crosshairs of litigation, government inquiries or internal disputes.

Honors & Awards

Michaels’ distinguished reputation, and ability to explain complicated criminal law subjects has made him a sought-after On-air legal commentator and author. Michael regularly collaborates with prominent news outlets such as NBC News, CNN, Fox, BBC, and NPR,providing legal insights into prominent  white-collar news of the day.

He has offered analysis to a wide array of print and online media including:

• Wall Street Journal
• New York Times
• Washington Post
• Los Angeles Times
• Politico
• Associated Press
• Bloomberg News

Michael currently serves as a legal technical advisor to several Netflix original series and dramas advising on trial and legal issues in the productions.

Michael recently served as an appointed Independent Monitor for various New York City construction services companies. In doing so, he was granted broad discretion to investigate and provide oversight with ongoing company financial , safety, and regulatory, compliance with legal settlements.