Michael Cunniff

Michael Cunniff represents institutions and individuals in high-stakes white collar criminal matters, regulatory enforcement actions, internal corporate investigations, and compliance counseling.  Michael has extensive experience handling matters involving: 

• Mail and wire fraud;
• Money laundering;
• Banking regulations and accounting standards;
• Consumer protection statutes; and
• Other sensitive misconduct including allegations of gender discrimination and other employee misconduct.  

Michael has experience representing major companies in multi-jurisdictional criminal and civil investigations by the U.S. Department of Justice and the Securities and Exchange Commission, among other federal and state issues. Michael is often tapped to guide clients through particularly sensitive matters implicating complex business and legal questions, and has particular experience in identifying accounting, tax, and reporting obligations implicated by facts uncovered in internal and government investigations.

As a former journalist, Michael maintains an active practice advising clients on defamation and copyright issues, as well as public records requests, with a particular focus on New York’s state Freedom of Information Law (“FOIL”).

Michael maintains an active litigation-focused pro bono practice, with a particular focus on criminal defense.  In addition, Michael was part of the team that successfully litigated against the Village of Garden City over access to handicap-accessible parking in the municipality’s central commercial area.