Michael C. Rakower

Practice areas

Business Litigation, General Litigation, Appellate

Focus areas

Appeals, Litigation

Michael C. Rakower is a founding member of Rakower Law, specializing in commercial litigation in both federal and state courts. His extensive legal experience covers a wide array of areas, including executive compensation, finance, real estate, not-for-profits, ERISA, civil RICO, and contracts across various industries.

Mr. Rakower’s remarkable legal career has been consistently recognized by esteemed institutions. He has been consistently featured in Super Lawyers’ “Top 100” attorney list for the New York Metro region since 2015 and holds a prominent position as a top commercial litigator in New York, according to Chambers USA. Additionally, since 2011, he has maintained an “Preeminent” AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell and has been honored with the Platinum Client Champion designation every year since its inception in 2017. Lawdragon has twice interviewed Mr. Rakower (in 2014 and 2019) to showcase his outstanding achievements in the legal field. Furthermore, in 2007, Lawyers USA highlighted him as one of the “top eight” lawyers in the nation with a “fast track” toward making a substantial impact on the legal profession. The New York State Bar Association also recognized his dedication to the highest standards of the legal profession by naming him the Outstanding Young Lawyer of the Year in 2006.

Mr. Rakower’s legal career includes significant roles in various organizations. He previously worked in the New York office of Latham & Watkins, served at the United Nations Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR), and was part of the chambers of the Honorable Richard C. Wesley of the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.

His academic background is impressive as well, with a cum laude B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania in 1993 and a J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law in 1999. During his time at the University of Virginia, he also served on the Managing Board of the Virginia Journal of International Law.

Mr. Rakower is known for his unwavering commitment to advocating passionately for his clients, consistently striving to achieve exceptional results.

In addition to his accolades and achievements, Mr. Rakower has received several additional awards and recognitions, including being a Lifetime Achievement Member of America’s Top 100 Attorneys in 2016 and featured in Lawdragon’s “Lawyer Limelight” column in May 2014. He has been recognized as a “Recognized Practitioner” by Chambers USA from 2017 to 2019 and received Martindale-Hubbell’s Client Distinction Award from 2013 to 2017. Mr. Rakower also served as a Panel Judge for ALM’s Rising Stars from 2013 to 2016 and was selected for inclusion in the 2011 New York Metropolitan edition of Super Lawyers — Rising Stars.

Mr. Rakower’s legal insights have been published in various notable publications, covering topics such as ERISA claims procedures, incentive compensation, attorney fees under ERISA, and more. He has also contributed to legal discussions through publications on subjects like statutory indemnification of officers and directors and civil RICO.

In addition to his legal career, Mr. Rakower has been actively involved in various associations and memberships. He served as Vice President from 2011 to 2015 and Board Member from 2003 to 2015 of American Friends of the Kigali Public Library. He has held positions as Principal at The Law Office of Michael C. Rakower, P.C. (2005-2012) and Of Counsel at The Law Offices of Gordon Mehler, PLLC (2005-2012). He also served as a Senior Law Clerk for the Hon. Richard C. Wesley at the U.S. Court of Appeals, Second Circuit, in 2004, and as Of Counsel at The Legal Aid Society, Prisoner’s Rights Project, in 2003. Additionally, he worked as a Legal Researcher at the Office of the Prosecutor for the United Nations International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda in 2002 and as an Associate at Latham & Watkins from 1999 to 2002. During his time at the University of Virginia, he was part of the Managing Board of the Virginia Journal of International Law from 1998 to 1999.