Michael L. Koenig

Michael Koenig is a litigator with over thirty years of experience as a defense attorney, federal prosecutor, and global chief ethics and compliance officer. He is known for his judgment, practical advice, problem-solving approach, and zealous advocacy for clients facing legal, regulatory, and reputational challenges. Leveraging the combined perspectives from his prior senior in-house, government, and private practice positions, Mike helps clients minimize risk, favorably resolve cases when possible, and try cases when necessary.

Mike’s multifaceted practice encompasses representing companies, executives, elected and public officials, licensed professionals, and other individuals at every stage of white collar criminal defense and government investigations, regulatory enforcement, internal investigations, and crisis management. He has counseled clients across a wide range of industries and subject matters, including allegations of securities fraud, violations of the False Claims Act and Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, public corruption, obstruction of justice, bribery, pay-to-play violations and kickback schemes, bank fraud, mail and wire fraud, and other false statements.

Drawing on his significant in-house leadership and government experience, Mike provides compliance counseling to companies, which includes conducting risk assessments, developing risk mitigation plans, training, and designing or reviewing tailored compliance programs. He also has extensive experience in commercial and civil litigation and arbitration matters, including breach of contract claims, partnership disputes, Section 1983 claims, and other complex disputes.

Immediately prior to joining Friedman Kaplan, Mike served as the Global Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer at JBS Foods, a publicly traded $85 billion multinational company. During his five years at JBS, he designed and implemented a global compliance program across multiple jurisdictions, conducted sensitive workplace investigations, and vigorously advocated for the company before regulators, banks, investor groups, and rating agencies. As a result of this in-house experience, Mike understands what boards, audit committees, general counsels, and C-suite executives need and expect from their outside counsel, and he provides clear, candid, and practical advice to navigate and resolve challenging situations.

Mike previously served as a federal prosecutor in the U.S. Department of Justice Criminal Division, Fraud Section. Based in Washington, D.C., he handled cases across the country and investigated and prosecuted a variety of white collar crimes, with a particular focus on corporate fraud. His background also includes over twenty years of experience in private practice, including as a shareholder at Greenberg Traurig and as a partner at Hinckley Allen, where he served as co-chair of the firm’s government enforcement and white collar practice.