People
Andrew Michaelson is an accomplished SEC and white-collar defense practitioner who has advised global financial institutions, Fortune 100 companies, hedge funds, and senior executives in high-stakes investigations. He has deep experience in matters involving securities laws, complex financial instruments, and bribery or corruption. Andrew has represented clients under investigation by the DOJ, SEC, CFTC, CFPB and State Attorneys General, and he regularly represents his clients in civil litigation that relates to government investigations.
Chambers USA has noted that Andrew is “increasingly recognized” for his work defending “companies and individuals alike” in white collar and government investigations in New York. According to Chambers, clients described Andrew as “incredibly smart and understated,” and “very, very knowledgeable on regulatory matters.” He has appeared on 60 Minutes to discuss insider trading, and his prior work as a federal prosecutor was profiled in the Wall Street Journal and The New Yorker.
Andrew previously served in government with the SEC, Division of Enforcement, and with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, where he led the Galleon insider trading investigation and prosecuted numerous securities and wire fraud cases. He served as trial counsel in U.S. v. Rajaratnam, the high-profile criminal trial resulting in the conviction of Raj Rajaratnam. Andrew has spoken about the Galleon case and federal securities law enforcement at Harvard Law School and the NYU School of Law.
J.D., Harvard Law School, cum laude
A.B., Princeton University, cum laude
New York
Law Clerk, Hon. Sarah S. Vance, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana
Digital Assets / Cryptocurrencies
Representing Ripple Labs in connection with class action litigation, in multiple federal courts across the country, concerning whether Ripple’s distributions of XRP constitute “investment contracts” subject to regulation under federal securities laws.
Advising major financial institution on application of federal banking laws and regulations to state-chartered banks and trust companies affiliated with cryptocurrency exchanges or otherwise focused on digital assets.
Representing major hedge fund in connection with internal review of trading in digital assets, to ensure compliance with federal laws and regulation.
See more
July 11, 2024
What Does the House's Crypto Legislation Mean for Digital Asset Providers?
July 3, 2024
Financial Services Regulation in the Post-Jarkesy World
June 11, 2024
House Passes FIT21 – What does it say, and what does it mean for digital asset providers?
Digital Assets / Cryptocurrencies
Representing Ripple Labs in connection with class action litigation, in multiple federal courts across the country, concerning whether Ripple’s distributions of XRP constitute “investment contracts” subject to regulation under federal securities laws.
Advising major financial institution on application of federal banking laws and regulations to state-chartered banks and trust companies affiliated with cryptocurrency exchanges or otherwise focused on digital assets.
Representing major hedge fund in connection with internal review of trading in digital assets, to ensure compliance with federal laws and regulation.
See more
July 11, 2024
What Does the House's Crypto Legislation Mean for Digital Asset Providers?
July 3, 2024
Financial Services Regulation in the Post-Jarkesy World
June 11, 2024
House Passes FIT21 – What does it say, and what does it mean for digital asset providers?
J.D., Harvard Law School, cum laude
A.B., Princeton University, cum laude
New York
Law Clerk, Hon. Sarah S. Vance, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana