MIAMI and MINNEAPOLIS – June 24, 2021 – Global law firm Greenberg Traurig, P.A. has added William Michael, Jr., an experienced litigator and former federal prosecutor, to co-chair the firm’s Trial Practice Group as it continues the strategic expansion of the firm’s Litigation Practice. Michael joins as a shareholder and will divide his time between Greenberg Traurig’s Minneapolis and Miami offices.
Michael joins Greenberg Traurig from Mayer Brown in Chicago where he served as co-chair of the White Collar Defense & Compliance Practice and the Global Anti-Corruption & FCPA Practice. He focuses his practice on representing individuals and corporations in complex federal white collar civil and criminal cases, regulatory defense, and internal investigations. Michael has served as lead counsel on more than 100 jury trials in federal and state courts around the country, handling matters involving health care fraud, criminal antitrust, securities fraud, criminal tax, money laundering, conspiracy, environmental matters, and numerous cases under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.
Before moving to private practice, Michael served more than 10 years with the U.S. Department of Justice, working as an assistant U.S. attorney, deputy chief, and a branch office head in the Southern District of Florida. He also served as an assistant U.S. attorney in the District of Minnesota, where he was the national and international security coordinator, terrorism coordinator, and health care fraud coordinator.
“The opportunity to add a highly experienced litigator like Bill is rare, and we expect he will enhance our award-winning Trial Practice, which is one of the firm’s greatest strengths – comprising a unique team of more than 100 trial attorneys who can handle complex trials and multiple cases simultaneously,” said Lori G. Cohen, vice chair of Greenberg Traurig, co-chair of the firm’s Global Litigation Practice, and co-chair of the firm’s Trial Practice Group. “As we continue to strategically expand our Litigation Practice globally, Bill’s proven success in health care, white collar litigation, and antitrust fits perfectly with the services our clients require.”
Greenberg Traurig has grown the litigation department during 2021 with the addition of 13 new shareholders, focusing on addressing client demand in key markets such as Miami, New York, Washington D.C., Boston, and San Francisco, as well as the firm’s new Salt Lake City office.
Splitting his time between the firm’s founding office in Miami and one of its newest offices in Minneapolis, part of Michael’s focus will include helping to grow the firm’s presence in Minneapolis, which is home to some of the country’s largest corporations.
“Having a nationally-recognized trial lawyer like Bill in Minneapolis offers the best of both worlds for us and our clients. Bill provides leadership and depth to our trial practice in Minnesota, while also connecting local clients to Greenberg’s multi-national litigation and trial teams,” said Michael B. Fisco, managing shareholder of Greenberg Traurig’s Minneapolis office.
“Bill is a business-focused litigator who understands the importance of client service and building strategic partnerships with clients. Our clients in South Florida will benefit from his unique brand of in-depth experience as both a litigator and former prosecutor, particularly in the areas of health care and FCPA,” said Jaret L. Davis, co-managing shareholder of the Miami office.
Michael’s results in the courtroom demonstrate a track record of developing successful defense strategies for complex civil and criminal matters that have resulted in victories for his clients. Among the cases Michael has handled, he has:
- Devised the legal strategy for a national sales director of a medical device company accused of health care fraud. After a seven-week trial where 60 government witnesses testified, the government voluntarily dismissed all charges.
- Won an acquittal for a Minnesota company executive accused of defrauding a company of more than $1 million.
- Led the defense team for the former CFO of ClearOne Communications who was acquitted of all securities fraud charges after a four-week trial that included 1,200 jury exhibits.
“It’s a privilege to join Greenberg Traurig, which is already recognized as a true trial powerhouse,” Michael said. “I am eager to do my part to continue to grow this team of skilled attorneys with trial experience, while also working to develop the next generation of first-chair trial attorneys. The real winners here are our clients who can tap this team when they are faced with difficult cases that need to go to trial. For me personally, an added bonus of this move is returning to Miami, where I started my legal career, and to Minneapolis, where I have strong roots.”
Utilizing his deep trial experience, Michael regularly leads high-profile internal investigations and cross-border matters. He has conducted FCPA investigations involving China, Thailand, Vietnam, Mexico, Ecuador, Morocco, and Dubai. In recognition of his national trial reputation, Michael has been inducted as a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, an invitation-only organization that represents the top 1% of trial lawyers in the United States.
Michael’s health care sector experience includes the handling of complex civil and criminal fraud matters and investigations for numerous health care industries, including pharmaceuticals, insurers, medical device manufacturers, hospital systems, durable medical equipment (DME), home health, and skilled nursing facilities. He has represented these health care providers, as well as defense industry companies, in more than two dozen False Claims Act matters.
In addition to Michael’s extensive courtroom experience, he served in the U.S. Army and achieved the distinction of being only the second Army lawyer to have completed the Special Forces Officer Qualification Course, earning the Green Beret. He served as a judge advocate with the 82nd Airborne Division and 7th Special Forces Group, advising on law of war issues and counter-narcotics missions, as well as a legal advisor overseeing an investigation into classified programs. In addition, he served as a Detachment Commander for several years commanding a Special Forces “A” team conducting counter-narcotics missions.
Michael is admitted to the bar in Florida, Illinois, and Minnesota. He earned his J.D. at Shepard Broad College of Law at Nova Southeastern University.
About Greenberg Traurig: Greenberg Traurig, LLP (GT) has approximately 2200 attorneys in 40 locations in the United States, Latin America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. GT has been recognized for its philanthropic giving, diversity, and innovation, and is consistently among the largest firms in the U.S. on the Law360 400 and among the Top 20 on the Am Law Global 100. The firm is net carbon neutral with respect to its office energy usage and Mansfield Rule 3.0 Certified. Web: www.gtlaw.com