As Chair of the firm’s nationwide White-Collar Litigation & Government Investigations Practice, Michael S. Weinstein counsels’ clients from the earliest stages of threatened litigation to government inquiries, investigations, grand jury proceedings, witness interviews, evidence collection, testimony, discovery and ultimately, trial. 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. With effective style and courtroom dexterity he is often cited as being on the cutting edge of his field and thinking creatively in solving challenging legal issues. His legal career has been exclusively focused on trial work and advocacy in various federal, state, administrative and regulatory forums.

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, extensive preparation and effective execution of litigation strategies. He recognizes that each dispute, whether civil or criminal, and each internal investigation, brings with it significant personal, professional and financial consequences that require tactical considerations, discretion, zeal and often forceful advocacy balanced against client objectives.

His 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. His white collar defense representations include bank fraud, wire fraud, securities allegations, national security charges, conspiracy, money laundering, executive misconduct, criminal activities and breach of internal or regulatory policies and procedures. He has handled the investigation and defense of a broad array of federal criminal and regulatory statutes.

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

His distinguished reputation has also made him a sought after legal commentator and author. Michael regularly collaborates with prominent news outlets, often providing legal insights into some of the nation’s most provocative white-collar crimes. He has offered analysis to a wide array of media including: Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Politico, Associated Press, Bloomberg, NBC News, CNN, Fox, BBC, and NPR.

Michael serves 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 affairs, safety, regulatory compliance and ongoing compliance with legal settlements.

While at the U.S. Department of Justice, Michael was awarded the prestigious Pegasus Trust Fellowship in London, England. He proudly earned his law degree from American University Washington College of Law and his B.A. in Criminal Justice from American University in Washington D.C.