As an Associate 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, attorneys, public adjusters and others involved in complex, large-scale insurance fraud schemes.

As part of the Compliance, Investigations & White Collar Practice Group, Michael defends individuals and entities from criminal prosecution relating to fraud or theft. Michael has successfully defended cases in New York State, including cases involving workers’ compensation fraud, tax fraud, and unemployment insurance fraud.

Additionally, Michael is called upon to handle commercial litigation and pre-litigation business disputes that arise out of potential fraud or other wrong doing between the parties.

Prior to joining Rivkin Radler, Michael was associated with two separate defense litigation firms in Manhattan, where he successfully defended contractors in claims arising out of construction accidents.  He also defended companies against claims of general negligence, medical professionals accused of medical malpractice, and companies in administrative hearings brought by New York State regarding unemployment insurance fraud.

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.  As an Assistant District Attorney in the Narcotics Trials Bureau, Michael successfully prosecuted a wide variety of violent, theft, fraud, felony DWI, and drug-related offenses.

Michael currently teaches trial advocacy to students at New York Law School and prepares them to compete against other law schools in mock trial competitions throughout the region and country.

While a law student at St. John’s, Michael served as a Senior Staff Member of the American Bankruptcy Institute Law Review, was the training coordinator for the Polestino Trial Advocacy Institute, and competed in mock trial competitions around the country.  Michael won St. John’s internal mock trial competition for first-year law school students and won the 2010 Buffalo-Niagara Mock Trial Competition hosted by the University at Buffalo School of Law.

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

Michael was also named a 2020 New York Metro Super Lawyers Rising Star. The Risings Stars list is comprised of the top 2.5 percent of lawyers under the age of 40.