Atty. Michael Battle
Criminal defense lawyer and civil litigator Michael Battle is focused on white collar criminal matters. Having previously served as a prosecutor and judge himself, Michael understands their perspectives and designs compelling arguments that have the best chance of defending his clients and mitigating their exposure to prosecution.
Criminal Defense: White-Collar Attorney · Serving Washington, DC
Profile Summary
About Michael Battle at a Glance
Michael Battle is a criminal defense and white collar attorney based in Washington, District of Columbia, practicing at Barnes & Thornburg LLP. Educated at University of Buffalo Law School (J.D., 2007). Recognitions include Best Lawyers in America — Criminal Defense: White-Collar (2026), Best Lawyers in America — Additional Areas of Practice: (2026), and Best Lawyers in America — Litigation - Construction (2026). Serves clients in Washington, DC and the surrounding metropolitan area.
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About Michael Battle
- Criminal defense lawyer and civil litigator Michael Battle is focused on white collar criminal matters
- Having previously served as a prosecutor and judge himself, Michael understands their perspectives and designs compelling arguments that have the best chance of defending his clients and mitigating their exposure to prosecution
- After leaving public service for private practice, Michael has counseled numerous clients on cases involving the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), healthcare fraud, the False Claims Act (FCA) and disadvantaged business regulatory violations, among others
- A proven advocate with keen instinct for effectual negotiation, Michael has defended businesses and individuals faced with high-stakes investigations and claims by drawing upon his broad and multi-dimensional understanding of how government agencies prioritize policy and enforcement objectives
- Prior to joining the firm, Michael held several distinguished public service posts
- He served as director of the U.S
- Department of Justice’s Executive Office for U.S
- Attorneys, where he oversaw all 93 U.S. attorneys and acted as a liaison with other federal agencies
- He also sat on the Attorney General’s Subcommittee on Civil Rights, U.S
- Sentencing Guidelines and White Collar Fraud, as well as helped create a U.S. task force to prosecute fraud in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina
- Michael also was U.S. attorney for the Western District of New York (2002-2005) and was one of the first three federal defenders in the Western District of New York
- Notably, Michael spent six years as a judge on the Erie County (New York) Family Court bench, during which he decided hundreds of family law cases
- Michael’s first-hand experience and credibility as a prosecutor gives him insight into what is important to prosecutors and how they think, and the policies and decisions around what types of criminal activity they may pursue
- As a result, Michael is able to position his clients as favorably as possible, anticipating what the opposition will do next and using that knowledge to leverage his client’s position
- Having also served as a judge for a number of years, Michael believes in the importance of fact versus argument, which serves as his compass when representing clients faced with even the most precarious challenges and potentially devastating consequences
- Michael knows how to identify and analyze all the facts of a case to create a comprehensive and multi-dimensional defense strategy
- Always prepared, diligent, calm, cool and collected, Michael is a proven communicator with a honed ability to observe and synthesize what is going on around him, as well as how to identify and create advantage as a result of that skill
Practice Areas Explained
Michael Battle's Areas of Legal Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Michael Battle handles, with a practical overview of what that area of law involves and how it may apply to your situation in Washington.
Criminal Defense in Washington
A criminal defense attorney protects your rights from arrest through trial. Find experienced lawyers handling DUI, drug, federal, theft, and violent-crime charges.
Michael Battle is one of 212,605 criminal defense attorneys indexed nationally. Browse criminal defense attorneys in District of Columbia →
White Collar Crimes in Washington
Michael Battle is one of 19,824 white collar attorneys indexed nationally. Browse white collar attorneys in District of Columbia →
Jurisdictional Context
Why Local Counsel Matters in Washington
Practicing law in District of Columbia. Legal matters in District of Columbia are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Washington are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate District of Columbia state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in District of Columbia brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this venue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in District of Columbia courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.
Washington Courts and Legal Process
Choosing a Washington-based attorney means your counsel already knows the local docketing timelines, preferred filing formats, and how individual judges typically rule on procedural motions — details that only come from practicing in this jurisdiction day after day. That local familiarity can translate to better strategy, faster filings, and fewer costly surprises.
Looking for additional District of Columbia attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Washington or all attorneys in District of Columbia.
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Professional Profile
Why Clients in Washington Choose Michael Battle
Selecting an attorney is one of the most consequential decisions you can make when a legal matter arises. Below are the core qualities that distinguish Michael Battle's practice in the field of criminal defense and white collar.
Broad Practice Area Coverage
Covering criminal defense and white collar, Michael Battle can address the full spectrum of a client's legal needs without requiring referrals to separate specialists for each issue.
Local Presence in Washington
A Washington-based practice means Michael Battle attends hearings in the same courthouses, knows the local clerks, and understands the unwritten scheduling norms that affect every case filed here.
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Michael Battle's Practice Areas & Specializations
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