Atty. Michael L. Spafford
Michael Spafford is a partner in the Investigations and White Collar Defense practice of Paul Hastings and is based in the firm’s Washington, DC office. Mr.
Profile Summary
About Michael L. Spafford at a glance
Michael L. Spafford is a criminal defense, white collar, and whistleblower attorney based in Washington, District of Columbia, practicing at Paul Hastings LLP. Admitted to practice in New York, New York State Bar Association and District of Columbia, The District of Columbia Bar. Educated at Duke University (J.D., 1983) and Duke University (—, 1983). Recognitions include Best Lawyers in America — Criminal Defense: White-Collar (2026), Best Lawyers in America — Derivatives and Futures Law (2026), and Best Lawyers in America — Qui Tam Law (2026). Serands clients in Washington, DC and the surrounding metropolitan area.
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About
- Michael Spafford is a partner in the Investigations and White Collar Defense practice of Paul Hastings and is based in the firm’s Washington, DC office
- Mr. Spafford’s practice focuses on white-collar criminal defense, government investigations, regulatory enforcement, internal investigations, and related litigation
- He has represented financial institutions, funds and other companies, as well as individual clients in numerous high-profile government investigations and parallel litigation involving alleged violations of the federal securities, commodities and banking laws, price fixing and collusion, fraud and manipulation, tax, accounting, trading offenses, and the False Claims Act
- Mr. Spafford frequently represents clients before the DOJ, SEC, CFTC, FERC, FTC, and other federal and state government authorities
- Frequently recognized as a leading lawyer in White Collar Defense and Investigations, Mr. Spafford is ranked Band 1 by Chambers USA in Nationwide Derivatives Enforcement
- Mr. Spafford currently serves as the Chair of the ABA Business Law Section Committee on Derivatives and Futures Law
- He previously served as the Chair of the ABA Subcommittee on Innovative Digitized Products and Processes, including virtual currencies and block chain, and co-authored the ABA White Paper on Digital and Digitized Assets: Federal and State Jurisdictional Issues
Practice Areas Explained
Michael L. Spafford's Areas of Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Michael L. Spafford handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.
A criminal defense attorney protects your rights from arrest through trial. Find experienced lawyers handling DUI, drug, federal, theft, and violent-crime charges.
Michael L. Spafford is one of 214,270 criminal defense attorneys indexed nationally. Browse criminal defense attorneys in District of Columbia →
Michael L. Spafford is one of 20,025 white collar attorneys indexed nationally. Browse white collar attorneys in District of Columbia →
Michael L. Spafford is one of 3,552 whistleblower attorneys indexed nationally. Browse whistleblower attorneys in District of Columbia →
Jurisdictional Context
Why local counsel matters in District of Columbia
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 andnue, 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.
Looking for additional District of Columbia attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Washington or all attorneys in District of Columbia.
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