A former Assistant United States Attorney, Michael Robotti uses his strong prosecutorial and enforcement background to handle internal and government investigations and white collar defense. He focuses on complex litigation, cross-border investigations, corporate fraud and misconduct issues, securities fraud, bribery, corruption, and anti-money laundering.
As a member of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York for nearly eight years, Mike served as deputy chief of the International Narcotics & Money Laundering section and as senior trial counsel for the Business and Securities Fraud section. In 2019, he received the Attorney General’s David Margolis Award for Exceptional Service, the Department of Justice’s highest honor.
Experience
Representative Matters
- United States v. Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman Loera: Prosecutor on three-month federal trial of drug kingpin and leader of the Sinaloa Cartel, the world’s largest drug cartel, who was convicted of engaging in a continuing criminal enterprise, multiple drug conspiracy offenses, firearms offenses, and money laundering.
- United States v. Rivera, et al. Prosecutor on three-month federal trial that led to the conviction of the two leaders of a Brooklyn-based gang known as TF Mafia for racketeering, involving predicate acts of murder, sex trafficking, sex trafficking of children, interstate prostitution, narcotics trafficking, money laundering, witness tampering, and firearms charges, among other substantive charges.
- United States v. Garcia Luna: Lead prosecutor on the team prosecuting Genaro Garcia Luna, the former Mexican Secretary of Public Security, a cabinet-level official charged with operating a continuing criminal enterprise for providing protection to the Sinaloa Cartel in exchange for millions of dollars in bribes.
Professional Highlights
Pro Bono Experience
Judicial Clerkships
Hon. Reena Raggi, U.S. Court of Appeals, Second Circuit, September 2012 – September 2013
Hon. Allyne R. Ross, U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York, October 2010 - September 2011
Professional Activities
LGBT Bar Association of New York, Member
The National LGBTQ+ Bar Association, Member
Federal Bar Council, Member
New York City Bar Association, Member
Recognition & Accomplishments
Attorney General’s David Margolis Award for Exceptional Service, 2019 (DOJ’s highest honor)
Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force Director’s Award, 2020
Federal Law Enforcement Foundation Award, 2019
True American Hero Award, 2019
Executive Office of the United States Attorneys Director’s Award for Superior Performance, 2018
Publications
"Grasping the Pendulum: Coordination between Law Enforcement and Intelligence Officers within the Department of Justice in a Post-“Wall” Era," 64 N.Y.U. Ann. Surv. Am. L. 751, 2009
"Separation of Powers and the Exercise of Concurrent Constitutional Authority in the Bivens Context," 8 Conn. Pub. Int. L. J. 171, 2008-2009
"When U.S. E-Discovery Meets EU Roadblocks," The National Law Journal, December 22, 2008
Credentials
Education
New York University School of Law (J.D., magna cum laude, 2008)
Order of the Coif
Florence Allen Scholar
Boston College (B.A., summa cum laude, 2004)
Arts & Sciences Honors Program
Political Science Honors Program
Highest Distinction in Major
Admissions
New York
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York