Attorney Profile

Michael Vanunu
AssociateAs 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 Rising Star. The Risings Stars list is comprised of the top 2.5 percent of lawyers under the age of 40.
926 RXR Plaza
Uniondale, NY 11556-0926
New York
New Jersey
Court AdmissionsUnited States District Court for the Eastern and Southern Districts of New York
United States District Court for the District of New Jersey
United States Supreme Court
Bar AffiliationsNew York City Bar Association
New York State Bar Association
Queens County Bar Association
Assistant District Attorney’s Association of Queens County
EducationSt. John’s University School of Law, Juris Doctor
New York University, B.A.
Practice Groups
News & Publications
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Rivkin Radler Attorneys Named As 2020 New York Metro Super Lawyers
October 28 | 2020 -
10 Rivkin Radler Attorneys Named Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch
August 26 | 2020 -
Amended Law Increases Civil Penalties for Greed During Crisis
June 9 | 2020 -
Whether Buying or Selling PPE, Protect Yourself
May 15 | 2020 -
Supreme Court Reverses ‘Bridgegate’ Convictions
May 15 | 2020 -
Vanunu Quoted in Times Union
April 15 | 2019 -
Vanunu Mentioned in Times Union
April 12 | 2019 -
Sweeping Changes to the Criminal Justice System Benefit those Accused
April 4 | 2019
View All Publications