Schiff Hardin Adds Financial Services Investigations Partner

WASHINGTON, D.C. – April 21, 2016 – Schiff Hardin LLP is pleased to announce that Michael J. Rivera has joined the firm as a partner in the Financial Markets and Products Group. Mike defends businesses and individuals in criminal and civil government investigations and enforcement proceedings and conducts internal investigations. He has extensive experience relating to securities and financial investigations by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) and Department of Justice (DOJ).  Mike also counsels companies on compliance and regulatory issues under the federal securities, anti-money laundering, and anti-corruption (FCPA) laws. Mike is resident in the firm’s Washington, D.C. and New York offices.

In addition to working over two decades in private practice at Fried Frank LLP, and, most recently, Venable LLP, Mike gained valuable experience as a government investigator and prosecutor. From 2010-2013, Mike served as Chief Investigative Counsel for the Office of the Special Inspector General for the Troubled Asset Relief Program (SIGTARP). At SIGTARP, Mike managed a premier white collar fraud unit of seasoned federal prosecutors and law enforcement agents engaged in investigations and prosecutions of complex financial frauds. Mike also functioned as SIGTARP’s lead liaison to the senior staff of law enforcement agencies, federal prosecutor offices, securities and bank regulators, and President Obama’s Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force (FFETF).

“Mike’s breadth of experience makes him a valuable counselor to a wide variety of our clients, from public companies, hedge funds, and accounting firms to securities professionals, executives, and lawyers,” said Marci A. Eisenstein, Schiff Hardin’s Managing Partner. “He is a welcome addition to our firm, particularly as we build out our regulatory capabilities in Washington, D.C.”

Paul Dengel, leader of the firm’s Financial Markets and Products Group, said, “As a public servant, Mike led complex, high-profile securities fraud investigations. In private practice, he helps clients understand, anticipate, and respond to investigations. Relying on his counsel, our clients can make smarter compliance decisions.”

Mike began his legal career as a staff attorney in the Enforcement Division of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), where he conducted investigations into insider trading, disclosure and reporting violations, fraudulent securities transactions, and other violations of the federal securities laws.

“Given the current regulatory and enforcement climate, companies must be more mindful than ever of their compliance policies and obligations,” said Mike. “I look forward to advising Schiff Hardin’s clients on current and pending securities regulations and, when necessary, guiding them through complex investigations and enforcement proceedings.”

Mike earned his J.D. from the University of Pennsylvania Law School and his B.S. from St. John’s University, where he graduated magna cum laude.

About Schiff Hardin LLP

Schiff Hardin LLP is a dynamic general practice law firm representing clients across the United States and around the world. We have offices located in Ann Arbor, Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Lake Forest, New York, Palo Alto, San Francisco, and Washington. Our attorneys are strong advocates and trusted advisers — roles that contribute to lasting client relationships.