As a partner in the Insurance Fraud Practice Group, Michael Vanunu prosecutes complex civil lawsuits under the federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act, including affirmative actions to recover insurer claim payments to physicians, medical clinics, medical suppliers, and others involved in complex, large-scale insurance fraud schemes.

As part of the Commercial Litigation and Compliance, Investigations & White Collar Practice Groups, Michael litigates civil cases related to fraud or theft and defends individuals and entities from criminal prosecution. Michael has successfully handled litigation and pre-litigation business disputes that arise out of potential fraud or other wrongdoing between the parties. He has also successfully defended criminal prosecutions in New York state courts including cases involving workers compensation fraud, tax fraud, and unemployment insurance fraud. Additionally, Michael is called upon to resolve contractual disputes either through litigation or early settlement.

Prior to joining Rivkin Radler, Michael was associated with two separate defense litigation firms in Manhattan, where he defended companies and individuals in claims arising out of construction accidents, general negligence, and medical malpractice.

Michael started his career as an assistant district attorney in the Queens County District Attorney’s Office under Hon. Richard A. Brown, where he prosecuted violent and non-violent crimes, and conducted jury and bench trials to verdict.

Michael is a special professor of law at Hofstra University’s Maurice A. Deane School of Law where he teaches trial advocacy to students and prepares them to compete against other law schools in mock trial competitions throughout the region and country.

Court Admissions

U.S. District Courts for the Eastern and Southern Districts of New York

U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey

U.S. Supreme Court

U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit

Bar Affiliations

New York City Bar Association

New York State Bar Association

Assistant District Attorney’s Association of Queens County

Education

St. John’s University School of Law, J.D.

New York University, B.A.

News & Publications

• 56 Rivkin Radler Attorneys Named 2024 New York Metro Super Lawyers®/Rising Stars
  October 24 | 2024
• 53 Rivkin Radler Attorneys Named 2023 New York Metro Super Lawyers®/Rising Stars
  September 22 | 2023
• Rivkin Radler Attorneys Named 2022 New York Metro Super Lawyers®/Rising Stars
  September 22 | 2022

Since graduating law school, Michael has remained committed to helping the next generation of trial lawyers through his involvement in law school mock trial competitions by teaching trial advocacy to students and helping them prepare to compete against other law schools in trial competitions. Michael has coached students at St. John’s University School of Law, Hofstra University’s Maurice A. Deane School of Law, and New York Law School.

He serves on the Board of Directors for the Merrick Jewish Centre and takes an active role in bringing together members of his synagogue to support each other and Israel.

Michael has been recognized in Ones to Watch by Best Lawyers in America^® from 2021 to 2023. Ones to Watch is a recognition given to attorneys who are earlier in their careers for outstanding professional excellence in private practice.

Michael has been named to New York Metro Super Lawyers Rising Stars since 2020. The Risings Stars list is comprised of the top 2.5 percent of lawyers under the age of 40.