Michael C. Rakower

Michael C. Rakower is a founding member of Rakower Law. His practice focuses on commercial disputes in federal and state courts and arbitral forums. Some of his notable matters include:

• Representation of hedge fund in $1 billion derivative action arising from alleged scheme to divert corporate assets from New York Stock Exchange-traded Chinese company for benefit of corporate insiders;
• Representation of real estate financier in multi-party actions in federal and state courts concerning $140 million real estate transaction tainted by alleged fraud;
• Representation of United Nations vendor in federal lawsuit seeking damages in excess of $125 million arising from an alleged bribery and bid-rigging scheme that corrupted the United Nations;
• Representation of family members in partnership dispute concerning real estate asset worth $105 million;
• Representation of former CEO of major not-for-profit agency in dispute over agency’s refusal to pay retirement benefits valued in excess of $15 million;
• Appellate representation of an individual in high-profile will contest concerning an estate with estimated value of $1 billion;
• Pre-litigation counseling for the benefit of the Iraqi Government in connection with its investigation into kickback schemes arising out of the United Nations Oil-for-Food program;
• Representation of Argentine financial services entity in matter arising out of the Lehman Brothers bankruptcy;
• Representation of limited partner of an insolvent hedge fund in “clawback” dispute with fund’s trustee;
• Representation of hedge fund in dispute concerning fraudulent sale of securities by rogue employee;
• Representation of hedge fund executive in suit involving gross negligence by global law firm;
• Representation of retail brokerage manager in federal “squawk box” investigation;
• Representation of high-ranking compliance department manager in connection with U.S. Department of Justice investigation into Bank Secrecy Act and anti-money laundering compliance violations;
• Representation of Wal-Mart employees during investigation of incident that led to death of fellow worker on “Black Friday”;
• Representation of former Israeli combat fighter and military command instructor in multi-million dollar civil rights lawsuit against New York City Police Department seeking damages arising from an alleged false arrest, illegal strip-search, and malicious prosecution;
• Representation of asbestos whistleblower working in a New York City public school for damages arising from alleged retaliation.

In 2021, Michael was recognized by Chambers and Partners in the Chambers USA guide of the top commercial litigators in New York. Michael has been selected for inclusion in the New York Metro Edition of Super Lawyers every year since 2013, and has been named a “Top 100” attorney in the region since 2015. Since 2011, he has held a “Preeminent” AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell and has been designated as a Platinum Client Champion, indicating the highest level of client satisfaction, every year since the ranking service began awarding the designation in 2017. Lawdragon has twice interviewed Michael (2014, 2019) to report on his achievements in the law. In 2007, Lawyers USA profiled him as being among the “top eight” lawyers in the nation on a “fast track to making a significant impact” on the legal profession. The New York State Bar Association honored him as the Outstanding Young Lawyer of the Year in 2006, recognizing his “commitment to the finest traditions of the Bar.”

Michael previously worked in the New York office of Latham & Watkins, the United Nations Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) and the chambers of the Honorable Richard C. Wesley of the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.

At Latham & Watkins, Michael led securities offerings valued in the hundreds of millions of dollars for issuers and underwriters and provided M&A counseling to investment banks. At the same time, he counseled businesses devastated by the attack on the World Trade Center and obtained political asylum for refugees.

In 2003, following his tenure at Latham & Watkins, Michael served in the Prosecutor’s Office of the United Nations International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR), assisting in the prosecution of Rwandan military leaders for their role in the 1994 genocide. Upon his return, Michael became Vice President of American Friends of the Kigali Public Library (AFKPL), a charitable organization instrumental in building Rwanda’s first public library.

In 2004, as senior law clerk to Judge Richard Wesley, Michael worked on a variety of federal appeals, including cases involving antitrust, securities, constitutional, immigration, civil rights, tax, tort, national security, and criminal law.

Michael obtained his B.A., cum laude, from the University of Pennsylvania in 1993. He received his J.D. in 1999 from the University of Virginia School of Law, where he served on the Managing Board of the Virginia Journal of International Law.

A passionate advocate, Michael tirelessly pursues extraordinary results for every client.