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Mike Attanasio is a partner in the Cooley Litigation Department, chairs that Department in San Diego, and is also a member of the Firm's Risk Management Committee. Mr. Attanasio was recently named one of the Top 100 Lawyers in California by the Daily Journal.
Mr. Attanasio represents companies in a wide range of industries in complex business litigation, including securities and consumer class actions, commercial contract litigation, and disputes involving corporate governance and breaches of fiduciary duty. Mr. Attanasio, a former federal prosecutor, also specializes in white collar criminal defense and internal investigations. He has represented individuals and corporations in proceedings and investigations being conducted by various United States Attorney's Offices, the SEC, the FBI, congressional committees, and Major League Baseball.
Mr. Attanasio is an experienced jury trial lawyer who has tried numerous cases to verdict in courts around the country. Recently, he led the successful defense of a former Arthur Andersen partner accused by the Justice Department with conspiracy, securities fraud, and wire fraud in connection with the financial reporting of Peregrine Systems, a worldwide software company. The U.S. Attorney described the case as the largest fraud in the history of the Southern District of California. After two trials lasting nearly six months, both juries declined to convict Mr. Attanasio's client on a single count and all charges were dismissed.
From 1991 through 1999, Mr. Attanasio was a federal prosecutor in Washington, D.C., for the Public Integrity Section of the U.S. Department of Justice. During his tenure with DOJ, Mr. Attanasio was assigned to handle sensitive investigations and trials in districts around the country. He has received several commendations from the Attorney General and various law enforcement agencies, including the Attorney General's John Marshall Award for Legal Achievement (Trial).
In 2004, Mr. Attanasio was recognized by The Daily Journal as one of the top 20 California lawyers under the age of 40. He is routinely named among the best in his fields of practice by various publications, including The Best Lawyers in America (Commercial Litigation and White Collar Defense); Southern California Super Lawyers (Securities Litigation); and San Diego Daily Transcript "Top San Diego County Attorneys" (Criminal Law).
Mr. Attanasio graduated from Stanford Law School in 1990 and thereafter served as a Law Clerk to the Honorable Rudi M. Brewster, United States District Judge for the Southern District of California. He received his B.A. from Princeton University, The Woodrow Wilson School for Public and International Affairs.
Mr. Attanasio is an Adjunct Professor of Law at the University of San Diego Law School, where he teaches White Collar and Corporate Crime. He is also Co-Chair of the White Collar and Corporate Investigations Subcommittee of the Securities Litigation Committee of the ABA Section of Litigation. From 2004-06, Mr. Attanasio served as a Lawyer Representative to the Ninth Circuit Judicial Conference. He speaks and publishes frequently about trial practice and white collar criminal issues.
Education- Stanford Law School
JD, 1990 - Princeton University
BA, 1987
Court Admissions
- All California State Courts
- U.S. Court of Appeals, District of Columbia Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of California
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of California
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas
Admissions
Memberships
- American Bar Association
- Association of Business Trial Lawyers
- Federal Bar Association
- San Diego County Bar Association
Professional Affiliations
- American Inns of Court, Louis Welsh Chapter, Master
- San Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program, Director
- Junior Seau Foundation, Director
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