Overview
Michael R. DiStefano concentrates his practice in the areas of white-collar investigations and criminal defense, including defending clients at trial and in pre-indictment government investigations. He advises clients under investigation in a variety of forums outside of court, including government civil investigative proceedings, college and university disciplinary matters, workplace investigations, and professional licensing board hearings.
Mr. DiStefano’s notable case accomplishments include:
- Resolving Department of Justice investigation of public official with no criminal charges brought against client
- Prevailing at trial on behalf of a business owner accused of engaging in improper relationship with employee resulting in dismissal of employee's application for harassment prevention order
- Obtaining a probationary sentence for a client charged with $3.3 million tax fraud
- Obtaining dismissal of criminal charges against medical and financial professionals where convictions could have had negative consequences on professional licenses
Mr. DiStefano serves on the Criminal Justice Act Panel of the U.S. District Court in Massachusetts.
Prior to joining Todd & Weld, Mr. DiStefano was an Assistant Attorney General in the Office of the Attorney General of Massachusetts, where he prosecuted multi-jurisdictional criminal enterprises involving narcotics, firearms, and human trafficking. He also conducted extensive white collar criminal investigations.
Before moving to the Office of Attorney General, Mr. DiStefano was an Assistant District Attorney in the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office, where he conducted more than 30 jury trials. As a Gang Unit Prosecutor, he was responsible for all aspects of prosecution, including grand jury investigations, charging decisions, suppression motions, pre-trial motions, plea bargaining, and search warrant review.