Michael “Mike” Robotti advises corporations and individuals in investigations and litigation involving the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
As a partner in the firm’s global White-Collar Disputes and Investigations practice, he focuses on white collar criminal defense, government and internal investigations, complex civil litigation, and regulatory compliance, as well as internal corporate investigations. He works with clients to anticipate challenges, manage risk and bring their most significant matters to a practical, timely resolution.
In addition to his disputes work, Mike advises financial institutions and businesses on anti-money laundering (AML) obligations under the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) and other regulatory frameworks. He has particular experience navigating issues involving DOJ corporate enforcement policy, as well as emerging areas such as cryptocurrency, cannabis, and anti-corruption compliance.
Prior to joining Eversheds Sutherland, Mike served as the Co-Leader of the Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Team at another major corporate law firm.
As a former federal prosecutor, Mike brings significant trial and appellate experience, including serving as Deputy Chief of the Eastern District of New York’s (EDNY) International Narcotics and Money Laundering Section and as senior trial counsel in its Business and Securities Fraud Section. He has tried numerous federal cases to verdict and has argued many matters before federal district courts and courts of appeals. His experience spans a wide range of enforcement areas, including securities and healthcare fraud, sanctions violations, insider trading, trade secrets theft, money laundering, and public corruption.
As a member of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the EDNY for nearly eight years, he was a member of the trial team that prosecuted Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán Loera—the leader of the Sinaloa Cartel, the world’s largest drug cartel. For his work on that case, in 2019, he received the Attorney General’s David Margolis Award for Exceptional Service, the DOJ’s highest honor. He also led the investigation of Genaro García Luna, a former Mexican cabinet official, who was convicted of protecting the Sinaloa Cartel in exchange for bribes.
In addition, while a federal prosecutor, Mike investigated and prosecuted complex and high-profile cases in a wide variety of subject matters.
In addition to his disputes work, Mike advises financial institutions and businesses on anti-money laundering (AML) obligations under the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) and other regulatory frameworks. He has particular experience navigating issues involving DOJ corporate enforcement policy, as well as emerging areas such as cryptocurrency, cannabis, and anti-corruption compliance.
Prior to joining Eversheds Sutherland, Mike served as the Co-Leader of the Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Team at another major corporate law firm.
As a former federal prosecutor, Mike brings significant trial and appellate experience, including serving as Deputy Chief of the Eastern District of New York’s (EDNY) International Narcotics and Money Laundering Section and as senior trial counsel in its Business and Securities Fraud Section. He has tried numerous federal cases to verdict and has argued many matters before federal district courts and courts of appeals. His experience spans a wide range of enforcement areas, including securities and healthcare fraud, sanctions violations, insider trading, trade secrets theft, money laundering, and public corruption.
As a member of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the EDNY for nearly eight years, he was a member of the trial team that prosecuted Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán Loera—the leader of the Sinaloa Cartel, the world’s largest drug cartel. For his work on that case, in 2019, he received the Attorney General’s David Margolis Award for Exceptional Service, the DOJ’s highest honor. He also led the investigation of Genaro García Luna, a former Mexican cabinet official, who was convicted of protecting the Sinaloa Cartel in exchange for bribes.
In addition, while a federal prosecutor, Mike investigated and prosecuted complex and high-profile cases in a wide variety of subject matters.
Latest News
- Guest Lecturer, "United States v. Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman Loera ," New York University School of Law (2019-2023)
- Presenter, “FinCEN’s Proposed AML Regulations for the Real Estate Industry,” Real Estate Services Providers Council (2022)
- Presenter, “Compliance and the New York Cannabis Market,” West LegalEdcenter (2022)
- Speaker, "Up-in-Smoke: A Cannabis Industry Guide to Managing Regulatory and Banking Relationships," Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists (ACAMS) (2022)
- Panelist, “The Legal Marijuana Industry: An Update on Federal Policy Reform,” Kahner Global Cannabis Private Investment Summit (2022)
- Chambers USA, "Up and Coming," Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations (New York), 2024, 2025
- Legal 500, Dispute Resolution - Corporate Investigations and White-Collar Criminal Defense, 2024, 2025
- Benchmark Litigation, “Future Star”, 2024, 2025
- Attorney General’s David Margolis Award for Exceptional Service, 2019 (DOJ’s highest honor)
- Executive Office of the United States Attorneys Director’s Award for Superior Performance, 2018
- 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
- LGBT Bar Association of New York, Member
- The National LGBTQ+ Bar Association, Member
- Federal Bar Council, Member
- New York City Bar Association, Member, LGBTQ Rights Committee
- New York
- U.S. Supreme Court
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York
- J.D., New York University, magna cum laude
- B.A., Boston College, summa cum laude
- 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
- Co-author, “Smoke & Mirrors: The New York Cannabis Law’s Illusory Lease Mandate,” Business Crimes Bulletin, November 2021
- Co-author, “Joint Defense: The Need for Prospective New York Cannabis Companies to Implement Strong Compliance Programs Now,” New York Law Journal, October 2021
- Co-author, “Joint Defense: Steps Cannabis Companies Can Take Now to Protect Themselves against Criminal Enforcement Actions in the New York Cannabis Market,” New York Law Journal, October 2021