Michael S. Devorkin
Overview
Michael Devorkin focuses his practice on complex business litigation and white-collar criminal defense, representing clients in high-stakes civil, criminal, and regulatory matters across industries as he builds a strong track record of beneficial legal resolutions. He brings decades of trial and appellate experience to his work, including a notable list of recoveries and precedent-setting outcomes.
Michael represents both plaintiffs and defendants – individuals, companies, and institutions, both domestic and international – in all phases of litigation, from investigation and discovery through trial and appeal, when necessary. He has tried numerous jury and bench trials in federal and state courts, as well as before arbitration panels, and has argued multiple appeals, including two successful mandamus petitions in matters of first impression.
In addition to courtroom work, Michael regularly leads internal investigations for corporate clients, providing strategic counsel to companies navigating regulatory scrutiny, whistleblower complaints, or potential legal and financial exposure to government enforcement actions. His reputation for thorough preparation and persuasive advocacy makes him a valued asset in litigation-intensive matters involving financial fraud, fiduciary misconduct, and regulatory violations.
With a diverse and influential legal background spanning more than five decades, Michael began his career as a delegate for the contentious 1972 Democratic Convention. Prior to entering private practice, he spent six years as the Assistant U.S. Attorney for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, where he prosecuted significant organized crime and racketeering criminal cases and civil employment discrimination cases.
Credentials
Education
- Yale Law School (J.D.)
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (S.B.)
Court Admissions
- U.S. Supreme Court
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York
- Represented numerous trustees in litigation to recover funds, including:
- The recovery of more than $120 million for Ponzi scheme victims
- The recovery and distribution of $317 million for depositor victims
- Class action recovery of $35 million for Ponzi Scheme victims
- Represented several family members in an intra-family partnership dispute involving a real estate portfolio worth more than $200 million.
- Represented foreign liquidators for recognition under Chapter 15 of Bankruptcy Code, and enforcement of claims and discovery in the U.S.
- Represented both individuals and companies in SEC and criminal investigations and prosecutions for insider trading and fraud.
- Represented both an individual and a company in a DOJ antitrust price-fixing investigation.
- Represented multiple civil RICO cases for plaintiffs and defendants involving alleged multimillion-dollar business frauds.
- Represented a French public company in International Court of Arbitration against a Brazil company for fraud and breach of contract.
- Represented businessmen in private antitrust claims for an employment boycott in the insurance industry.
- Led a case of first impression to allow a 50% owner to obtain a New York Court dissolution of foreign BVI company and distribution of $8 million of New York assets.
- Represented an owner of the former, foreign government airline and assets against lender claims for damages and control of airline and assets.
- Managed a case of first impression under all risks, maritime insurance policy to recover $3 million, including attorneys’ fees.
- Led the recovery of a $6.5 million damage judgment against the city of New York in 1993 after a 20-week jury trial.
- Coordinated the defense of a price fixing, antitrust action against major railroads.
Clerkship Experience
- The late Hon. Gerhard A. Gesell, U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia
- U.S. Department of Justice, Special Achievement Award for Sustained Superior Performance of Duty
- New York Metro Super Lawyers, 2007, 2013-2024
- New York State Bar Association
- “A Continued Conversation About the Life Work of Robert F. Kennedy,” Playhouse on Park, October 2020
- “Matter of Fact,” Australian Broadcasting Corporation’s News Channel, July 2018
- “RBC Unit, VP Aided $45M Ponzi Scheme, Investors Claim,” Law360, October 2017