Mike Robotti specializes in defending corporations and individuals in investigations and litigation involving the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Mike also focuses his practice on internal corporate investigations and complex civil litigation. Mike has broad experience in cases alleging securities fraud, insider trading, theft of trade secrets, money laundering, public corruption, and other crimes. As a former federal prosecutor, Mike has extensive federal trial court and appellate court experience. He has tried multiple federal cases to verdict, and he has argued numerous times before the federal district court and court of appeals.
Mike also serves as Co-Leader of the firm's Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Team. He advises financial institutions and businesses on their AML obligations under the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA), as well as other compliance requirements, with a particular focus on issues involving DOJ corporate enforcement policy, cryptocurrency, cannabis, and anti-corruption. Mike has authored several articles and spoken on several panels regarding these topics. Mike also is a contributor to Money Laundering Watch, Ballard Spahr's blog devoted to criminal and regulatory money laundering issues.
Representative Experience
Representative Matters Involving the DOJ & SEC
- Representation of technology company in multi-year parallel DOJ and SEC investigations into allegations of securities and tax fraud, resulting in no charges filed by DOJ and SEC.
- Trial counsel for Rachel Cherwitz in United States v. Cherwitz and Daedone, 23-CR-146 (E.D.N.Y.), during a five-week trial on charge of forced labor conspiracy.
- Representation of wealth management company in connection with SEC examination of its required disclosures, resulting in no action from the SEC.
Representative Civil Matters
- Representation of technology company in internal investigation into a theft of trade secrets from the company, resulting in a multi-million dollar settlement for the company.
- Representation of company and multiple individuals in civil RICO lawsuit, in federal district court and appellate court proceedings, resulting in dismissal of lawsuit.
- Pro bono representation of local gay rights organization in suit against city for passing an ordinance and enacting a policy designed to ban protected speech under the First Amendment, including drag performances and homosexuality in public spaces. Successfully settled case on behalf of client, with city agreeing to fully repeal unconstitutional ordinance and pay $500,000 for harm caused and costs of bringing case (Tennessee Equality Project Foundation, Inc., v. The City of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, et al, 23-cv-01044 (M.D.Tenn.)).
Representative Matters at U.S. Attorney's Office
Prior to joining the firm, Mike was an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Eastern District of New York, where he investigated and prosecuted a wide variety of criminal cases. The following examples are representative of his experience as a federal prosecutor.
- 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. One of the primary authors of the government’s brief on appeal, which resulted in Guzman Loera’s conviction being affirmed unanimously.
- Corporate Compliance Investigations: Lead prosecutor on investigations into several large corporations for their alleged failure to maintain adequate corporate compliance programs, including the failure to maintain an adequate anti-money laundering program under the BSA and the failure to maintain an adequate anti-diversion program under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA).
- 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.
Professional Highlights
Pro Bono Experience
Mike devotes his pro bono practice to LGBT issues and advocacy. Mike is a member of the firm’s Pro Bono Committee.
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
New York Council of Defense Lawyers, Member
Criminal Justice Act Panel for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
Criminal Justice Act Panel for the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York
Recognition & Accomplishments
Chambers USA, "Up and Coming," Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations (New York), 2024, 2025
Attorney General’s David Margolis Award for Exceptional Service, 2019 (DOJ’s highest honor)
Legal 500, Dispute Resolution - Corporate Investigations and White-Collar Criminal Defense, 2024, 2025
Benchmark Litigation, Future Star, 2024-2026
Speaking Engagements
Panelist, "Internal Investigations 2025 New York – Conducting the Internal Investigation," Practising Law Institute (2025)
Panelist, "Protecting Artistic Expression: Legal Challenges and Responses to Anti-Drag Legislation," New York State Bar Association LGBTQ+ Law Section Annual Meeting (2025)
Guest Lecturer, "United States v. Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman Loera," New York University School of Law (2019-2024)
Publications
Co-author, "Get a Warrant: The Government's Unconstitutional Practice of Subpoenaing Private Text Messages Directly From Personal Cell Phones," New York Law Journal, February 9, 2024
Co-author, "Securities Question Stands After Contradicting Crypto Rulings," Law360, January 2024
Co-author, "Do NY's Cannabis Marketing Regs Violate 1st Amendment?" Law360, July 2022
Co-author, “Real Estate and Money Laundering: FinCen Issues Advanced Notice of Regulations for the Real Estate Industry,” The Real Estate Finance Journal, Spring 2022
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
Supreme Court of the United States
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