Profile
Michael M. Besser is a litigator with a focus on helping companies and individuals respond to government investigations, complaints, and indictments based on alleged violations of a wide range of civil, criminal, and administrative laws. Michael has experience assisting clients in a variety of industries in matters involving the Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC), the Department of Justice (DOJ), and other government agencies. Michael also assists broker-dealers and registered representatives in addressing investigations by the Financial Industry Regulation Authority (FINRA). He is prepared to serve clients with all aspects of matters from the beginnings of an investigation all the way through trial, if necessary.
Michael has also assisted corporate clients to proactively assess the regulatory risks associated with contemplated corporate policies and maintains a commercial litigation practice in state and federal court. His commercial litigation experience includes representing companies and individuals in breach of contract, fraud, and intellectual property disputes.
Michael is also proud to maintain an active pro bono practice focusing on appellate work for individuals in death penalty cases.
Concentrations
- SEC Enforcement Defense
- Health Care Fraud
- Tax Fraud
- FINRA Enforcement Defense
- Commercial Litigation
Capabilities
Experience
- Won arbitration on behalf of client that had nearly $500,000 wrongfully withheld from him during the sale of his business.°
- Petitioned the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals to review District Court denial of a motion for reduction of criminal sentence due to substantial cooperation.°
- Obtained no-action letter from the Securities and Exchange Commission for cryptocurrency developer than had assisted with technical development of a token offering.°
- Assisted non-profit with referring a criminal matter to law enforcement for former employee embezzlement.°
- Defended registered broker-dealer being investigated by FINRA for an alleged failure to properly disclose outside business activity.
- Obtained dismissal of SEC complaint against company alleging violations of federal securities fraud.
- Obtained dismissal of DOJ grand jury subpoena issued to publicly traded company for alleged violations of criminal import-export laws.
°The above representations were handled by Mr. Besser prior to his joining Greenberg Traurig, LLP.
- Teacher, KIPP Austin Public Schools, 2012-2014
- Teacher, W.A. Todd Junior High, 2010-2012
Recognition & Leadership
- Listed, Super Lawyers Magazine, Texas Super Lawyers, "Rising Stars," 2023-2024
- Member, Dallas Bar Association
- Co-Chair, Criminal Law Section, 2024
- Member, Dallas Association of Young Attorneys
- Board Member, Big Leaders-Lone Star Big Brothers Big Sisters
- Alumnus, Teach for America, 2010-2012
Credentials
-
J.D., University of California, Berkeley School of Law (Boalt Hall), 2017
- Managing Editor, Berkeley Journal of Criminal Law
- B.A., magna cum laude, University of Maryland, College Park, 2010
- Texas
- U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado