MichaelWestfal
Counsel
White Collar Defense & Investigations
mwestfal@seyfarth.com
Michael represents clients in criminal prosecutions, regulatory investigations, and complex litigation.
More About Michael
Michael helps clients with criminal and regulatory matters, as well as handling complex commercial disputes. He has represented clients across diverse industries—including banking, financial services, cryptocurrency, health care, real estate, and aviation—in investigations and enforcement actions brought by federal and state authorities, including the Department of Justice, Securities and Exchange Commission, and other regulatory agencies.
Michael’s trial experience includes high-profile cases involving allegations of fraud, money laundering, bribery, and corruption. He has served on defense teams in federal criminal trials and civil enforcement actions, and has achieved favorable outcomes in commercial litigation, including securing significant damages and attorney’s fees for a client following a bench trial in the Southern District of New York. His work also extends to cross-border matters involving complex statutes such as the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, anti-money laundering laws, and securities regulations.
Michael received the Pro Bono Publico Award from The Legal Aid Society in 2019 for his representation of first-time homebuyers in a foreclosure defense and fraud action.
“Mike has an uncanny ability to succinctly explain complicated subjects in a clear manner!” –Client feedback
Michael’s trial experience includes high-profile cases involving allegations of fraud, money laundering, bribery, and corruption. He has served on defense teams in federal criminal trials and civil enforcement actions, and has achieved favorable outcomes in commercial litigation, including securing significant damages and attorney’s fees for a client following a bench trial in the Southern District of New York. His work also extends to cross-border matters involving complex statutes such as the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, anti-money laundering laws, and securities regulations.
Michael received the Pro Bono Publico Award from The Legal Aid Society in 2019 for his representation of first-time homebuyers in a foreclosure defense and fraud action.
“Mike has an uncanny ability to succinctly explain complicated subjects in a clear manner!” –Client feedback
- JD, Emory University School of Law
with Honors - BA, Emory University
English Language and Literature, Psychology
English Language and Literature, Psychology
- New York
- US Court of Appeals, Second Circuit
- US Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit
- US District Court, Southern District of New York
- New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division
Related Key Industries
- Represented founder of climate-focused financial services company at sentencing for wire fraud charges filed in the Central District of California.
- Defended professional basketball coach and member of Basketball Hall of Fame against gambling-related charges filed in the Eastern District of New York.
- Defended founder of cryptocurrency lending platform against federal fraud and conspiracy charges filed in the Southern District of New York.
- Defended a career DEA agent against bribery, honest services fraud, and conspiracy charges filed in the Southern District of New York.
- Defended a former pharmacy sales executive against fraud charges under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetics Act filed in the Southern District of New York.
- Represented former employee of global asset management company at sentencing for insider trading conviction in the Southern District of New York.
- Defended the former Speaker of the New York State Assembly against honest services fraud, Hobbs Act extortion, and money laundering charges filed in the Southern District of New York.
- Served on the trial team that defended a bank executive against civil securities fraud charges brought by the Securities and Exchange Commission in the Southern District of New York.
- Represented a Dubai-based client in a breach of contract case concerning the sale of a private business jet. Following a bench trial in the Southern District of New York, his client was awarded compensatory damages, prejudgment interest, and attorney's fees, an extraordinary result in a breach of contract case.
- Argued an appeal seeking the re-opening of removal proceedings in an immigration matter before the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.
- Obtained asylum for refugee fleeing religious persecution in Pakistan based on intersect marriage.
- Pro Bono Publico Award from The Legal Aid Society (2019)
Michael represents clients in criminal prosecutions, regulatory investigations, and complex litigation.
More About Michael
Michael helps clients with criminal and regulatory matters, as well as handling complex commercial disputes. He has represented clients across diverse industries—including banking, financial services, cryptocurrency, health care, real estate, and aviation—in investigations and enforcement actions brought by federal and state authorities, including the Department of Justice, Securities and Exchange Commission, and other regulatory agencies.
Michael’s trial experience includes high-profile cases involving allegations of fraud, money laundering, bribery, and corruption. He has served on defense teams in federal criminal trials and civil enforcement actions, and has achieved favorable outcomes in commercial litigation, including securing significant damages and attorney’s fees for a client following a bench trial in the Southern District of New York. His work also extends to cross-border matters involving complex statutes such as the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, anti-money laundering laws, and securities regulations.
Michael received the Pro Bono Publico Award from The Legal Aid Society in 2019 for his representation of first-time homebuyers in a foreclosure defense and fraud action.
“Mike has an uncanny ability to succinctly explain complicated subjects in a clear manner!” –Client feedback
Michael’s trial experience includes high-profile cases involving allegations of fraud, money laundering, bribery, and corruption. He has served on defense teams in federal criminal trials and civil enforcement actions, and has achieved favorable outcomes in commercial litigation, including securing significant damages and attorney’s fees for a client following a bench trial in the Southern District of New York. His work also extends to cross-border matters involving complex statutes such as the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, anti-money laundering laws, and securities regulations.
Michael received the Pro Bono Publico Award from The Legal Aid Society in 2019 for his representation of first-time homebuyers in a foreclosure defense and fraud action.
“Mike has an uncanny ability to succinctly explain complicated subjects in a clear manner!” –Client feedback
- JD, Emory University School of Law
with Honors - BA, Emory University
English Language and Literature, Psychology
English Language and Literature, Psychology
- New York
- US Court of Appeals, Second Circuit
- US Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit
- US District Court, Southern District of New York
- New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division
Related Key Industries
- Represented founder of climate-focused financial services company at sentencing for wire fraud charges filed in the Central District of California.
- Defended professional basketball coach and member of Basketball Hall of Fame against gambling-related charges filed in the Eastern District of New York.
- Defended founder of cryptocurrency lending platform against federal fraud and conspiracy charges filed in the Southern District of New York.
- Defended a career DEA agent against bribery, honest services fraud, and conspiracy charges filed in the Southern District of New York.
- Defended a former pharmacy sales executive against fraud charges under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetics Act filed in the Southern District of New York.
- Represented former employee of global asset management company at sentencing for insider trading conviction in the Southern District of New York.
- Defended the former Speaker of the New York State Assembly against honest services fraud, Hobbs Act extortion, and money laundering charges filed in the Southern District of New York.
- Served on the trial team that defended a bank executive against civil securities fraud charges brought by the Securities and Exchange Commission in the Southern District of New York.
- Represented a Dubai-based client in a breach of contract case concerning the sale of a private business jet. Following a bench trial in the Southern District of New York, his client was awarded compensatory damages, prejudgment interest, and attorney's fees, an extraordinary result in a breach of contract case.
- Argued an appeal seeking the re-opening of removal proceedings in an immigration matter before the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.
- Obtained asylum for refugee fleeing religious persecution in Pakistan based on intersect marriage.
- Pro Bono Publico Award from The Legal Aid Society (2019)