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David M. Siegal

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[email protected]

+1.212.692.6281

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David M. Siegal is a Chambers-ranked trial lawyer and former Southern District of New York federal prosecutor who represents companies, executives, board members, and other high-profile professionals in their most sensitive white collar, enforcement, and business litigation matters. Described by Forbes as “one of the top white collar attorneys in the country,” David brings more than three decades of courtroom, investigative, and strategic defense experience to matters involving the DOJ, SEC, FINRA, PCAOB, CFTC, state regulators, federal grand juries, and private arbitration forums.

Clients turn to David when the stakes are existential: potential criminal charges, market-moving investigations, regulatory enforcement actions, reputational crises, and complex civil litigation arising from government scrutiny. His first objective is often to prevent charges or enforcement actions from being filed at all. He has successfully resolved investigations before charges in matters involving financial services, securities and commodities trading, banking, investment advisers, hedge funds, cryptocurrency, public company accounting, consumer products, pharmaceuticals, professional sports agency, technology, cybercrime, data security, anti-corruption, BSA/AML compliance, tax, insurance, and obstruction-related allegations.

When litigation is unavoidable, David has delivered exceptional results in some of the country’s most closely watched white collar and business disputes. He has tried more than 20 federal criminal and civil cases, obtained dismissals of federal securities and wire fraud indictments, secured two federal court rulings suppressing evidence obtained through search warrants in indicted white collar cases, and defeated major claims in trial and arbitration settings. His work has earned recognition from Chambers USA, American Lawyer Litigation Daily, Law360, the National Law Journal, Best Lawyers in America, and New York Super Lawyers.

David is perhaps best known for clearing a high-profile private equity financier of federal criminal and civil securities fraud and money laundering charges after persuading the trial court that the FBI violated his client’s Fourth Amendment rights when executing defective search warrants. Following the suppression of evidence obtained from those warrants, both the DOJ and SEC voluntarily dismissed their cases. More recently, David defended an education finance startup executive in a $175 million bank-related fraud trial in the Southern District of New York and helped exonerate a former public company chief financial officer when the DOJ and SEC voluntarily dismissed accounting-related securities fraud, conspiracy, and false statements charges.

David also has a strong record beyond white collar matters. He defeated an attempt by a professional sports union to end a player agent client’s 30-year career after a full evidentiary hearing before the union’s in-house arbitrator, and he has handled numerous evidentiary hearings and federal and state appellate arguments. In complex business litigation, David has represented clients in high-value commercial disputes, intellectual property-related claims, financial services matters, and arbitration proceedings. His courtroom successes include a federal jury trial victory for Marvel Entertainment in Arizona, where the jury returned a $0 verdict on claims that Marvel stole a patent holder’s design for a Spider-Man role-play web-shooting toy.

David is a frequent writer and speaker on Fourth and Fifth Amendment issues and attorney-client privilege issues arising in corporate and criminal investigations. He has presented to the Association of Corporate Counsel, the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and the New York Council of Defense Lawyers, and he is frequently quoted by the media on federal criminal procedure and securities matters.

Before entering private practice, David served for almost a decade as an Assistant US Attorney in the Criminal Division of the Southern District of New York, where he was a lead prosecutor on complex white collar investigations and prosecutions, federal criminal jury trials, and Second Circuit appeals. As a member of the office’s Securities and Commodities Fraud Task Force, he investigated and prosecuted insider trading, accounting fraud, market manipulation, Ponzi schemes, and investment adviser fraud matters. He also served in the Major Crimes Unit and as a Computer Hacking and Intellectual Property prosecutor, handling cases involving cyberattacks, data security, intellectual property theft, insurance fraud, bank fraud, tax fraud, and investment fraud.

During law school, David was a Notes Editor on the Stanford Law Review.

Experience

Enforcement Actions & Investigations

  • Represented a former public company CFO indicted on conspiracy, securities fraud, and false statements charges arising from SEC filings; the DOJ and SEC later voluntarily dismissed the charges.
  • Defended a high-profile startup executive in a month-long federal criminal jury trial involving $175 million in alleged bank, wire, and securities fraud tied to one of the world’s largest financial institutions.
  • Defended the highest-ranking non-clergy executive of a major religious nonprofit institution against federal fraud charges.
  • Represented the chief executive and board chair of a clean-energy company in a high-profile federal corruption and bribery investigation.
  • Represented the CFO of a publicly traded food service company in parallel SEC and DOJ accounting fraud and tax investigations.
  • Represented a US bank’s chief anti-money laundering officer in a criminal investigation involving alleged AML and Bank Secrecy Act violations.
  • Advised employees of major international financial institutions in DOJ, CFTC, foreign regulator, SEC, and state investigations involving alleged trading improprieties, anticompetitive conduct, and residential mortgage-backed securities.
  • Counseled a Big Four accounting firm executive in an international PCAOB obstruction and accounting fraud investigation.
  • Counseled an advisor at a Fortune 100 financial institution in a DOJ insider trading investigation.
  • Represented a hedge fund analyst in a criminal insider trading investigation involving an alleged expert network.
  • Counseled the CEO and founder of an international market consulting firm in a federal market manipulation and money laundering case.
  • Represented companies and individuals in FCPA and commercial bribery investigations, including financial institution employees, a former investment banking division chief, and the founder and CEO of an international oil and gas company.
  • Represented the chief operating officer and director of several foreign financial services companies in a DOJ Tax Division corporate tax fraud investigation.
  • Represented the CEO of one of the country’s largest REITs in an internal investigation concerning portfolio-marking issues.
  • Represented a prominent community advisor to the mayor of a major American city in a corruption investigation.
  • Represented a professional athlete in an SEC investigation involving alleged cryptocurrency touting violations.
  • Counseled an investment advisory firm in an SEC “pay-to-play” investigation.
  • Represented a bitcoin trader in a private dispute involving a multimillion-dollar trading loss.
  • Counseled a foreign corporation in a federal grand jury investigation involving a Bitcoin exchange.
  • Represented a construction and paving company in a DOJ Antitrust Division bid-rigging investigation.
  • Represented a records systems and services company in a federal government contracts and False Claims Act investigation.
  • Represented a former program manager of a Fortune 500 weapons manufacturer in a government contracts and False Claims Act investigation involving antiballistic missile systems supplied to foreign countries.
  • Represented a company and individuals in an investigation involving alleged trade secret theft and misappropriation of a competitor’s data.
  • Represented an internet transaction payment provider in an internal investigation involving a ransomware and denial-of-service cyberattack.
  • Advised an automobile manufacturing executive in a DOJ investigation and related civil litigation concerning National Highway Traffic Safety Administration issues.
  • Advised an internet technology executive in a Computer Fraud and Abuse Act investigation.
  • Represented a professional basketball player agent in matters involving alleged NCAA rules violations and related assertions of federal mail and wire fraud.
  • Represented the general counsel of an international food company in a federal grand jury investigation.
  • Represented current and former financial institution traders and trading executives in FINRA, SEC, and other market-access and complex financial instrument trading investigations.
  • Advised a cash-handling and processing company on legal issues related to commercial marijuana distribution.

Complex Business Litigation

  • Won a federal jury trial for Marvel Entertainment, defeating a multimillion-dollar breach of contract claim involving royalties for the Spider-Man Web Blaster role-play toy.
  • Secured summary judgment dismissing a $30 million federal business tort claim against the COO of a multinational financial conglomerate, and prevailed on a rare motion to access attorney-client communications under the offensive-use doctrine.
  • Represented real estate loan securitization and servicing companies in a $100 million breach of contract case in New York federal court.
  • Secured dismissal of multimillion-dollar fraud and contract claims against an international oil and gas executive in the Commercial Division of the New York Supreme Court.
  • Obtained a preliminary injunction for Krispy Kreme Doughnuts in New York federal court against a franchisee in Lanham Act trademark and trade secret litigation.
  • Defended a professional basketball player agent in decertification proceedings initiated by the players’ union in the collective bargaining context.
  • Represented a senior NHL team executive in a business dispute with the organization and related arbitration before the NHL Commissioner.
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News & Press

Insights-card-Press-Release

Mintz has again earned top rankings in the 2026 edition of Legal 500 United States. The firm is ranked across 20 practice categories and boasts 82 recognized individual attorneys, including seven ranked as “Leading Partner,” one “Leading Associate,” and five “Next Generation Partner” designations.

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Mintz earned recognition for 43 practices and 85 attorneys in the 2026 edition of Chambers USA. Among this year’s results, 14 attorneys and six practice areas received Chambers’ highest distinction, Band 1. Mintz Insurance Practice Chair Nancy Adams was also named a “Star Individual,” a rare designation awarded to lawyers with exceptional recommendations in their field. The firm further expanded its rankings with newly recognized practices and attorneys ranked for the first time or in additional categories.

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173 Mintz attorneys across 53 practice areas have been recognized by Best Lawyers® in the 2026 edition of The Best Lawyers in America©. Five Mintz attorneys received 2026 “Lawyer of the Year” awards, and 61 firm attorneys were included in the 2026 edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch.

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Mintz has earned top rankings in the 2025 edition of Legal 500 United States and Canada guides. The firm is recognized in 20 practice categories, and 78 of its attorneys are individually ranked in the guide, with several receiving recognition in more than one category. Additionally, two attorneys are featured in the "Hall of Fame," seven attorneys are named "Leading Lawyers," and five attorneys are recognized as a "Next Generation Lawyers."

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Chambers USA has recognized 43 of Mintz’s practices and 88 of its attorneys in its 2025 guide to the country’s leading law firms. Of those featured in the guide, 17 attorneys and seven practice areas were awarded Chambers’ highest ranking, Band 1. The firm expanded its rankings this year with three new practice area listings and 17 attorneys recognized for the first time or in additional categories.

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Mintz is pleased to announce that 15 attorneys have been named New York Metro Super Lawyers and 12 attorneys have been named New York Metro Rising Stars by Super Lawyers for 2024.

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187 Mintz attorneys have been recognized by Best Lawyers® in the 2025 edition of The Best Lawyers in America©. Notably, three Mintz attorneys received 2025 “Lawyer of the Year” awards, and 64 firm attorneys were included in the 2025 edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch.

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Mintz has earned top rankings in the 2024 edition of Legal 500 United States guide. The firm is recognized in 14 practice categories, and 72 individual attorneys are also recognized in the guide, some in more than one category. Additionally, two attorneys are featured in the "Hall of Fame," three attorneys are named "Leading Lawyers," four attorneys are recognized as a "Next Generation Lawyers" and one attorney is recognized as a "Rising Star."

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Mintz announced today that 42 of its practices and 83 of its attorneys earned recognition in the 2024 edition of Chambers USA, a guide to the country’s leading law firms. Of those included in the guide, 18 attorneys and seven practice areas were awarded Chambers’ highest ranking, Band 1. The firm obtained new listings in three practice areas and 10 of its lawyers were recognized for the first time.

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NEW YORK – Mintz is pleased to announce that 18 attorneys have been named New York Metro Super Lawyers and 11 attorneys have been named New York Metro Rising Stars by Super Lawyers for 2023.

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Mintz is pleased to announce that 120 firm attorneys have been recognized as leaders by Best Lawyers® in the 2024 edition of The Best Lawyers in America©.

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BOSTON –Mintz announced today that 39 of its practices and 81 of its attorneys earned recognition in the 2023 edition of Chambers USA, a guide to the country’s leading law firms.

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17 Mintz attorneys have been named New York Metro Super Lawyers and nine Mintz attorneys have been named New York Metro Rising Stars by Super Lawyers for 2022.

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Best Lawyers® recognized 108 firm attorneys in the 2023 edition of The Best Lawyers in America©. Notably, two Mintz attorneys – Poonam Patidar and Scott M. Stanton – received 2023 “Lawyer of the Year” awards, and 28 firm attorneys were included in the inaugural edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch.

The New York Law Journal reported on a new indictment in a federal white collar crime case in the Eastern District of New York. Mintz Member David M. Siegal was quoted as counsel for the defendant, John Drago.
The New York Law Journal reported that the defendant in a federal white collar crime case will get some of his business records back, now that a U.S. District Judge in the Eastern District of New York has found that they were seized through an illegal search warrant and must be suppressed. Mintz Member David M. Siegal is representing the defendant in the case, United States v. Drago.

Mintz Member David Siegal has uncovered yet another violation of a client's Fourth Amendment rights (unreasonable search and seizure), this one in the Eastern District of New York. Forbes covered the development in the case, United States v. Drago, and noted Mr. Siegal as “one of the top white collar attorneys in the country.”

The New York Law Journal reported that a U.S. Magistrate Judge in the Eastern District of New York recommended the suppression of evidence from a white-collar crime investigation, finding that the evidence was obtained under a search warrant with “plainly unconstitutional” language. Mintz Member David M. Siegal is representing the defendant in the case, United States v. Drago.
Law360 reported that a U.S. Magistrate Judge in the Eastern District of New York recommended the suppression of evidence from a white-collar crime investigation, finding that the evidence was obtained with a non-specific warrant that violated the Fourth Amendment. The article included a quote from Mintz Member David M. Siegal, who is representing the defendant in the case, United States v. Drago.
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Mintz Members David Siegel and Jason Halperin authored this New York Law Journal article, which revisits the Autumn Jackson decision, and the subsequent 20 years of case law, for perspective on the Avenatti charges. The piece focuses on the challenges federal prosecutors face in trying to make reputational-threat based extortion charges stick.

This New York Law Journal outside analysis column discusses the rapidly growing cryptocurrency space and how multiple federal and state agencies are trying to regulate these evolving markets. The column is authored by Mintz Members David Siegal and Jason Halperin. Associates Ellen Shapiro and Matthew Novian assisted in the preparation of this column.
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This New York Law Journal special section column discusses some of the lurking pitfalls when the relationship between the government and the private law firms on which the government relies becomes a little too close. The column is authored by Mintz Members David Siegal and Jason P.W. Halperin, both of whom are former federal prosecutors from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York. Associate Peter Mulcahy assisted in the preparation of the column.
David Siegal is among those individuals featured as "trailblazers" in this special section highlighting leading white collar, regulatory and compliance attorneys.
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Further bolstering its nationally recognized litigation practice, Mintz announced that former federal prosecutor David M. Siegal has joined the firm as a Member in the New York office. Mr. Siegal joins the firm from Haynes and Boone.
David Siegal wrote this column. The piece notes that white-collar attorneys will continue to employ the attorney proffer to advance their clients’ interests in responding to investigations, even while on occasion accepting the consequence of some limited waiver of privilege over the facts they strategically divulge.
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Events & Speaking

Panelist
Nov
15
2018

New York Council of Defense Lawyers Retreat

Hot Topics in Trial Preparation

National Arts Club - 15 Gramercy Park S, New York, NY 10003

Speaker
Nov
8
2018

2018 NACDL White Collar Seminar

Panel on Attorney Client Privilege

The Capital Hilton Hotel - 1001 16th St NW, Washington, DC 20036

Moderator
Nov
7
2018

UJA White Collar & Securities Enforcement Lunch & Learn

Briefing with Marc Berger, Director, SEC's New York Regional Office

New York, NY

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Recognition & Awards

  • Chambers USA: New York - Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations (2021 - 2026)

  • National Law Journal: Criminal Law Trailblazer (2020)

  • Forbes: “…one of the top white collar attorneys in the country…” Federal Judge Rules FBI Agents Conducted Illegal Search of Business, by Walter Pavlo (2019)

  • Best Lawyers in America: Commercial Litigation, Criminal Defense: White-Collar (2013-2026)

  • New York Super Lawyers: Criminal Defense: White Collar (2011-2025)

  • Legal 500 Recommended Lawyer - Corporate Investigations and White-Collar Criminal Defense (2026)

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