The general counsel of Morgan Lewis, Michele A. Coffey focuses her practice on representing financial institutions and their employees in investigations and enforcement actions by the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), and other agencies. One of the leaders for the litigation practice’s financial services practice, she also represents clients in state and US federal courts, and in arbitration and mediation. Michele frequently lectures on securities regulatory and enforcement issues.
Some of the world’s top financial institutions have turned to Michele to handle multiple high-stakes investor and employee disputes in FINRA and other arbitral forums. She has experience in SEC investigations into issues including market manipulation and insider trading, and in FINRA inquiries into short selling, mark-ups, front-running, and other trading practices.
Prior to assuming her role as general counsel of the firm, Michele served as deputy general counsel, one of several internal leadership positions she has held at Morgan Lewis.
Member, Law Firm of the Year, Securities Regulation, US News/Best Lawyers – Best Law Firms (2019)
Recommended, The Legal 500 US (2016)
Member, Legal Ethics Editorial Advisory Board, Law360 (2018, 2019, 2021)
Member, American Bar Association
Member, Association of the Bar of the City of New York, Judiciary Committee (2000-2004), Interim Member (2005-2006)