People
Andrew Michaelson is an accomplished former prosecutor who has advised global financial institutions, Fortune 100 companies, hedge funds, and senior executives in high-stakes investigations and related civil litigation. Andrew has secured declinations, favorable settlements, and litigation victories in a wide range of white-collar and securities-related matters. He has deep experience in trading and markets and is co-head of the firm’s Fintech Working Group, with several notable representations concerning the development of digital asset and blockchain technology.
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
November 5, 2025
Securities Docket Names Six King & Spalding Partners to its “Enforcement Elite” List
August 27, 2025
K&S’s Client Alert is referenced in profiles examining the SEC’s marked decline in enforcement activity this year
June 5, 2025
King & Spalding Earns 209 Lawyer Rankings, 100 Practice Group Rankings in Chambers USA Guide
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
October 7, 2025
Chastain: Pushing the Boundaries of Insider Trading
August 21, 2025
Fewer Cases So Far, with a Focus on Retail Investor Fraud – A Look at the First Six Months of SEC Enforcement Under the New Administration
July 23, 2025
Stablecoin Legislation Has Left The Stable
November 5, 2025
Securities Docket Names Six King & Spalding Partners to its “Enforcement Elite” List
August 27, 2025
K&S’s Client Alert is referenced in profiles examining the SEC’s marked decline in enforcement activity this year
June 5, 2025
King & Spalding Earns 209 Lawyer Rankings, 100 Practice Group Rankings in Chambers USA Guide
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
October 7, 2025
Chastain: Pushing the Boundaries of Insider Trading
August 21, 2025
Fewer Cases So Far, with a Focus on Retail Investor Fraud – A Look at the First Six Months of SEC Enforcement Under the New Administration
July 23, 2025
Stablecoin Legislation Has Left The Stable
November 5, 2025
Securities Docket Names Six King & Spalding Partners to its “Enforcement Elite” List
August 27, 2025
K&S’s Client Alert is referenced in profiles examining the SEC’s marked decline in enforcement activity this year
June 5, 2025
King & Spalding Earns 209 Lawyer Rankings, 100 Practice Group Rankings in Chambers USA Guide
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