Michael J. Harwin

Overview

Michael is an experienced trial lawyer representing Fortune 100 clients in complex commercial litigation cases and white-collar criminal defendants in federal and state criminal prosecutions.

Areas of Concentration:

White-Collar Criminal Defense
Insurance and Reinsurance
International Securities Fraud
Distribution and Franchise Issues
Corporate Governance Disputes

Prior to joining the firm, Michael served as Assistant United States Attorney and Chief of the Civil Division of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida. In this role, Michael prosecuted numerous criminal and civil cases on behalf of the United States, and successfully tried multiple jury trials to conclusion. On the criminal side, his caseload included heath care fraud, narcotics, firearm, child exploitation, mail fraud, wire fraud, and identity theft related matters. On the civil side, he prosecuted False Claims Act, medical malpractice, employment discrimination, and immigration matters.

Prior to becoming a federal prosecutor, Michael practiced law at several prominent international law firms in New York and Washington, D.C., including Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP and Jones Day.

Representative Experience

Lead defense counsel in federal criminal trial involving alleged violations of Office of Foreign Asset Control (“OFAC”) and money-laundering statutes.
Lead counsel in defending investor in 1inMM Ponzi Scheme Litigation from Florida-specific claims by other disgruntled investors in federal court. The 1inMM Ponzi Scheme generated approximately $700 million in fraudulent investments for Hollywood movie deals primarily steered by Zachary Horowitz with the assistance of multiple fund aggregators. Multiple accredited investors found themselves barred from suing the fund aggregators and began suing other individual investors in Florida to try to recoup their funds. Shortly after suit, the federal court dismissed the action for a patent lack of jurisdiction.
Represented client in $100 million CERCLA matter in District of Connecticut.
Represented client in $65 million CERCLA matter in District of South Carolina.
As Assistant U.S. Attorney:
- Prosecuted narcotics, firearm, child exploitation, mail fraud, wire fraud, and identity theft related matters through investigation, grand jury, pretrial motions, federal jury trials, and sentencing hearings.
- First-chaired multiple federal criminal and civil jury trials to verdict, and drafted several appellate briefs to the Eleventh Circuit.
- Prosecuted CEO of Calhoun-Liberty Hospital for embezzling over $1 million resulting in a sentence of 46-months’ imprisonment.
- Participated in False Claims Act litigation of former University of Florida professor, which resulted in a judgment for the Government of approximately $3 million.
- Handled False Claims Act, medical malpractice, employment discrimination, immigration, and habeas matters through pretrial motions, discovery, expert witness discovery and preparation, and federal bench trials.
- Participated in seizure of 474-year-old painting taken by the Nazis during World War II and returned painting to its original owner.

Judicial Clerkships

Law Clerk, Honorable Ellsworth Van Graafeiland, United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.
Law Clerk, Honorable Maurice M. Paul, United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida.

Professional & Community Involvement

Criminal Justice Act Panel Attorney for the Southern District of Florida

Publications & Presentations

Events: Recent Developments in Foreign Corrupt Practices Act Investigations and Enforcement
Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC) Small Law Department|June 2022

Publications: How DOJ May Beat The White Collar Fraud Clock Post-COVID
Law360|November 2021