Michael brings unique insights and practical guidance from nearly 25 years as a federal prosecutor to his representation of pharmaceutical companies, medical device manufacturers, and other clients in products liability and class action litigation, federal criminal and civil governmental investigations and actions (including SEC, DOJ, FTC, and other agency investigations), state attorneys general investigations and actions, and civil False Claims Act (FCA) lawsuits. He regularly handles matters in state and federal courts throughout the U.S., and his experience includes a particularly long trial-to-verdict record in Los Angeles and Philadelphia courts.
Michael’s diverse litigation experience includes defending clients in cases involving medical device products liability, the FCA and its state analogs, the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), unfair and deceptive trade practices and false advertising, consumer class action matters, and securities fraud. He handles cases in a variety of sectors, including health care, cryptocurrency, and financial services.
Michael is particularly well suited to handle all aspects of sensitive internal investigations for clients, having spent the last 12 years of his 25-year career as a federal prosecutor in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania — first as assistant U.S. attorney, then as senior investigation counsel in the Economic Crimes Section. He draws on this background to handle complex fraud cases from the inception of the investigation through trial; conduct internal investigations for companies in response to whistleblower and kickback allegations, and other corporate misconduct; and deal with DOJ, the SEC, and state and other federal agencies in connection with responses to grand jury subpoenas and civil investigative demands (CIDs).
During his 25 years as a federal prosecutor, Michael developed deep experience investigating and prosecuting various types of fraud, including securities, crypto, Covid, and PPP fraud. He regularly interfaced with the FBI, SEC, HUD, HHS OIG, IRS CID, Homeland Security, and the DOJ Tax Division, as well as DOJ Civil Division attorneys conducting concurrent civil investigations. Michael also provided guidance and strategic advice to federal prosecutors investigating complex frauds in his role as senior investigation counsel.
Michael’s experience as both a civil litigator and former federal prosecutor includes both civil and criminal RICO. His tenure as a federal prosecutor began in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California in Los Angeles, where he spent more than 13 years. During that time he was lead prosecutor on the largest gang prosecution in U.S. history, personally prosecuted more than 100 individuals charged with RICO violations, and played an integral role in multiple capital murder prosecutions.
Michael regularly taught trial advocacy to fellow prosecutors and wrote the book on federal wiretaps, authoring the chapter on wiretaps for the most recent edition of the Federal Narcotics Prosecution Manual published by the U.S. Department of Justice. This publication is relied upon by all federal prosecutors engaged in narcotics prosecutions in the U.S.
Michael is experienced in the NIL and higher education space. He currently represents an NCAA Division I athletic conference in connection with the settlement of the House antitrust litigation, as well as NIL issues and conference policies and procedures. He also has provided advice to an NCAA Division I university in connection with NIL and has experience with investigations of potential NIL violations. In addition to representing clients in this area, Michael frequently writes, speaks, and presents on cutting-edge NIL issues.
Representative Matters
U.S. ex rel. Miller, et al., v. ManPow LLC (United States District Court, Central District of California). Represented a national real estate investment company in a federal qui tam False Claims Act (FCA) lawsuit brought by three former employees alleging the company had falsely obtained two PPP loans. Secured full grant of summary judgment and dismissal of the case with prejudice.
Paulinski v. Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, et al. (Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas). Represented a medical device manufacturer in a products liability and medical malpractice lawsuit related to a medical device. Secured a stipulated dismissal with prejudice of all claims without any settlement payment. Achieved plaintiff’s admission at a status hearing that the client’s medical device was not defective.
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