Michael, Brian R.

Brian Michael is a counsel in the firm’s Litigation/Controversy Department, and a member of the Investigations and Criminal Litigation and Securities Litigation and Enforcement Practice Groups. He joined the firm in 2010. Mr. Michael, a former federal prosecutor in both New York City and Los Angeles, has more than a decade of experience handling complex criminal and civil litigation matters.

Practice

Mr. Michael represents corporations, financial institutions, and senior executives in white collar criminal matters, regulatory and securities enforcement proceedings, internal investigations and related litigation.

Past Experience

From 2003 to 2010, Mr. Michael served as an Assistant United States Attorney in the US Attorney’s Offices for the Southern District of New York and for the Central District of California, where he led investigations and prosecutions in matters involving securities fraud, complex financial fraud, government and healthcare fraud, mail and wire fraud, money laundering, public corruption, cybercrime, organized crime and racketeering and violent crime. Mr. Michael has served as lead and co-counsel in numerous jury trials and has briefed and argued several appeals before the Second and Ninth Circuit Courts of Appeal. While with the US Attorney’s Office in Los Angeles, Mr. Michael directed an FBI international organized crime task force and served both as the Anti-Gang Coordinator, overseeing the coordination of federal anti-gang efforts with law enforcement agencies, government entities, and community groups in Los Angeles and nationwide, and as Violence Against Women Coordinator, prosecuting several high-profile stalking and extortion cases. While with the US Attorney’s Office in New York, Mr. Michael also handled numerous complex asset forfeiture matters, including litigation regarding Nazi-looted art.

Previously, Mr. Michael was an associate at a prominent law firm in New York, where he was responsible for all aspects of complex criminal, civil and appellate litigation.

Honors and Awards

Mr. Michael has received numerous awards and commendations in connection with his government service, including from the Department of Justice, FBI, IRS, Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Postal Inspection Service, and several local law enforcement agencies.