Michael G. Scavelli

Partner

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Areas of Work

Commercial Litigation, White-Collar Defense, Financial Services, Financial Services Litigation

Overview

Mike Scavelli works passionately for clients in high-stakes situations. His practice includes complex commercial litigation, internal/government investigations, and white-collar criminal defense matters. He brings a wealth of trial and appellate experience to his representations, along with strong project management skills, and eDiscovery savvy. Mike prides himself on a holistic approach to representing his clients—recognizing that a deep understanding of clients and their businesses is critical for reaching the best outcomes.

In commercial litigation matters, Mike has significant experience representing both plaintiffs and defendants in state and federal courts around the country. Mike has tried or prepared for trial numerous high-stakes matters involving securities fraud, derivative/corporate governance claims, insurance coverage, and contractual disputes. Mike also has been at the forefront of litigation under the Helms-Burton Act representing and counseling clients with claims under the Act.

In white-collar matters, he represents both corporations and individuals in a range of contexts, including internal investigations and criminal/regulatory proceedings against the Department of Justice, the Securities and Exchange Commission, as well as numerous state and local authorities. Mike, in particular, has significant experience counseling clients facing concurrent criminal, regulatory, and/or civil proceedings. In these representations, Mike draws on his broad experience and deep understanding of his clients' business to craft multi-dimensional defense strategies geared toward protecting his client in both the short and long-term.

Mike serves as the Chair of Steptoe's Professional Training Committee and is responsible for the firm's global training program. Mike also devotes substantial time to Steptoe’s pro bono program, investing his time and talent to important matters like voting rights, policing reform, and wrongful convictions.

New York
Supreme Court of the United States
US District Court, Eastern District of New York
US District Court, Southern District of New York
US Court of Appeals, Second Circuit

J.D., Brooklyn Law School, 2011, magna cum laude; Moot Court Honor Society; Articles Editor, Brooklyn Law Review
B.A., Johns Hopkins University, 2007, cum laude; Aitchison Public Service Fellowship, Political Science

Areas of Work

Representative Matters

Trials

Defend the former head of SUNY Poly in connection with a high-profile trial relating to the Buffalo Billion economic development program along with appeals to the Second Circuit Court of Appeals and United States Supreme Court.
Served as co-lead trial counsel in multi-day AAA arbitration defending a technology company and its executives accused of fraud in connection with a corporate acquisition.
Defend CFO of real estate investment trust in a first-of-its-kind accounting fraud trial.

Commercial Litigation

Represent leading energy company in a groundbreaking action against certain Cuban state-owned entities under the Helms-Burton Act at both the trial and appellate level.
Represented CFO of real estate investment trust in parallel criminal, regulatory, securities, class action, and derivative proceedings in state and federal court, including one of the largest securities class actions in the past three decades.
Represented technology start-up in contractual dispute before AAA.
Represent insurance company in regulatory dispute in federal court involving complex issues of administrative, constitutional, environmental, and insurance coverage law.
Represented corporate executive in corporate bankruptcy and related proceedings in Delaware Chancery.
Represented art gallery on issues related to foreign and domestic discovery.

Investigations and Regulatory

Represented media start-up and executive in connection with parallel investigations by the Department of Justice and Securities and Exchange Commission.
Represented CFO of real estate investment trust in parallel criminal, regulatory, securities, class action, and derivative proceedings in state and federal court.
Represent investment fund employee in parallel investigations by the Department of Justice and Securities and Exchange Commission.
Conduct an investigation and prepare a report concerning the Metropolitan Police Department’s policies and practices in connection with “use of force” incidents and the MPD’s subsequent investigation into these incidents for the Washington D.C. Auditor.
Represented large financial services company in internal investigation and ensuing litigation with the Department of Justice (DOJ) related to mortgage-backed securities.
Represented large financial services company in private, securities fraud litigations relating to mortgage-backed securities.
Performed tax-related internal investigation and provided other regulatory advice for an art gallery.
Represented currency trader in DOJ antitrust investigation.
Represented large insurance company in connection with an investigation by state regulators.
Represented real estate developer in connection with DOJ fraud investigation.

Sentencing

Represented accountant for sentencing phase of complex fraud case and successfully obtained non-custodial sentence and defeated multi-million-dollar restitution request.
Represented corporate executive at sentencing and successfully defeated multi-million-dollar restitution request and multi-billion-dollar loss enhancement.
Represented former Head of SUNY Poly and successfully defeated multi-million-dollar loss enhancement.

Speaking Engagements

"Navigating Power Struggles: Resolving Conflicts Among Co-founders, Boards, and Investors," Conflict Resolution Panel, 4th Annual Endeavor US Retreat, Austin, Texas, September 26, 2024
"The Right Team for the Job: Criteria for Selecting an eDiscovery Provider," The Master's Conference Legal New York 2023
eDiscovery at a Crossroads - Mandatory Consultation and Cooperation in Return for Cap on Discovery Spend – Bold New Voluntary Discovery Protocol, April 13-14, 2023