People
Andrew Michaelson is an accomplished former prosecutor who has advised global financial institutions, Fortune 100 companies, hedge funds, and senior executives in high-stakes investigations and related civil litigation. Andrew has secured declinations, favorable settlements, and litigation victories in a wide range of white-collar and securities-related matters. He has deep experience in trading and markets and is co-head of the firm’s Fintech Working Group, with several notable representations concerning the development of digital asset and blockchain technology.
Chambers USA has noted that Andrew is “increasingly recognized” for his work defending “companies and individuals alike” in white collar and government investigations in New York. According to Chambers, clients described Andrew as “incredibly smart and understated,” and “very, very knowledgeable on regulatory matters.” He has appeared on 60 Minutes to discuss insider trading, and his prior work as a federal prosecutor was profiled in the Wall Street Journal and The New Yorker.
Andrew previously served in government with the SEC, Division of Enforcement, and with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, where he led the Galleon insider trading investigation and prosecuted numerous securities and wire fraud cases. He served as trial counsel in U.S. v. Rajaratnam, the high-profile criminal trial resulting in the conviction of Raj Rajaratnam. Andrew has spoken about the Galleon case and federal securities law enforcement at Harvard Law School and the NYU School of Law.
J.D., Harvard Law School, cum laude
A.B., Princeton University, cum laude
New York
Law Clerk, Hon. Sarah S. Vance, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana
March 20, 2025
Law360 Selects 13 from King & Spalding to Serve on its 2025 Editorial Boards
November 8, 2024
Securities Docket Names Five King & Spalding Partners to its “Enforcement Elite” List
Digital Assets / Cryptocurrencies
Representing Ripple Labs in connection with class action litigation, in multiple federal courts across the country, concerning whether Ripple’s distributions of XRP constitute “investment contracts” subject to regulation under federal securities laws.
Advising major financial institution on application of federal banking laws and regulations to state-chartered banks and trust companies affiliated with cryptocurrency exchanges or otherwise focused on digital assets.
Representing major hedge fund in connection with internal review of trading in digital assets, to ensure compliance with federal laws and regulation.
See moreMarch 5, 2025
Meme Coins: Collectibles, Not Securities.
February 25, 2025
SEC Creates Crypto Task Force and Pivots Away from Regulation by Enforcement
February 18, 2025
Could Stablecoin Legislation Be Finally Leaving the Stable?
March 20, 2025
Law360 Selects 13 from King & Spalding to Serve on its 2025 Editorial Boards
November 8, 2024
Securities Docket Names Five King & Spalding Partners to its “Enforcement Elite” List
Digital Assets / Cryptocurrencies
Representing Ripple Labs in connection with class action litigation, in multiple federal courts across the country, concerning whether Ripple’s distributions of XRP constitute “investment contracts” subject to regulation under federal securities laws.
Advising major financial institution on application of federal banking laws and regulations to state-chartered banks and trust companies affiliated with cryptocurrency exchanges or otherwise focused on digital assets.
Representing major hedge fund in connection with internal review of trading in digital assets, to ensure compliance with federal laws and regulation.
See moreMarch 5, 2025
Meme Coins: Collectibles, Not Securities.
February 25, 2025
SEC Creates Crypto Task Force and Pivots Away from Regulation by Enforcement
February 18, 2025
Could Stablecoin Legislation Be Finally Leaving the Stable?
March 20, 2025
Law360 Selects 13 from King & Spalding to Serve on its 2025 Editorial Boards
November 8, 2024
Securities Docket Names Five King & Spalding Partners to its “Enforcement Elite” List
J.D., Harvard Law School, cum laude
A.B., Princeton University, cum laude
New York
Law Clerk, Hon. Sarah S. Vance, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana