Timothy D. Sini

My focus

With more than 18 years of experience in government investigations, crisis management, and litigation, I focus my practice on the following areas:

Internal and External Investigations

I handle a diverse array of matters involving government investigations or charges, including by agencies such as the Department of Justice, the United States Congress, state attorneys general, district attorneys, and regulatory agencies. I also conduct internal investigations for companies and nonprofits, as well as external investigations for clients, with the objective of uncovering theft, public corruption, and fraud negatively impacting their businesses.

As a former federal prosecutor in the Southern District of New York and as the former Suffolk County District Attorney where I led one of the largest prosecutors’ offices in the nation, I have personally handled and supervised hundreds of complex investigations and prosecutions involving a wide range of crimes, including RICO, public corruption, environmental crime, fraud, financial crimes, organized crime, labor offenses, among other offenses. My investigative and litigation experience include matters that are multi-jurisdictional and international in scope.

As the former Police Commissioner of the Suffolk County Police Department and as the former Suffolk County District Attorney, I led internal investigations into each agency rocked by high-profile scandals and successfully developed and implemented corrective action plans.

With these unique experiences, I am able to protect my clients’ interests by conducting comprehensive investigations, proactively identifying risks, and developing plans to ensure compliance and minimize future vulnerabilities.

Criminal Defense & Litigation

I use my skills and experience as a former federal prosecutor in the Southern District of New York and the District Attorney of one of the largest prosecutor’s offices in the nation to effectively represent individuals and entities in connection with government investigations, criminal prosecutions, and civil litigation. I’ve personally handled numerous jury trials, appeals, and other contested court proceedings. My experience includes trying federal felony cases to verdict, involving novel, complex factual and/or legal issues. As District Attorney, I supervised and strategized hundreds of successful investigations and prosecutions. I leverage this experience to help corporate and individual clients involved in civil and criminal litigation.

Crisis Management

I am no stranger to crisis. I took over both the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office and the Suffolk County Police Department in crisis: both agencies were led by individuals who have since been convicted of federal corruption offenses and were using their respective organizations in furtherance of their criminal schemes. As both Police Commissioner and District Attorney, I led massive internal investigations and instituted comprehensive corrective action measures, which restored the integrity and efficacy of both agencies. I also led the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office during the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic and the most sweeping change in criminal law in a generation. My proven success in crisis management allows me to swiftly and strategically advise and counsel individuals and entities facing all forms of emergent situations, including criminal, civil, regulatory, and/or reputational in nature.

Compliance

I assist clients in developing and implementing policies and protocols to ensure compliance with applicable law and regulations and to minimize future risk. I have advised clients in the areas of corporate governance, the pharmaceutical industry, healthcare, lobbying and government consulting, government procurement, private investigations and security, physical security, etc. My broad experience in complex investigations and prosecutions coupled with my in-the-trenches reform work positions me well to handle compliance for clients in a broad array of areas.

Representative experience

Tim brings to his clients a truly unique blend of experience in investigations, litigation, and crisis management. He previously served as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Criminal Division of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York under U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara; the District Attorney for the Suffolk County (Long Island) District Attorney’s Office, one of the top 20 largest prosecutors’ offices in the nation; and the Police Commissioner of the Suffolk County Police Department, the 11th largest police department in the nation. Tim has been recognized as an expert in investigations and prosecutions, testifying before the President’s Commission on Law Enforcement & the Administration of Justice; the U.S. House of Representatives, Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence; and the U.S. Senate, Committee on the Department of Homeland Security and Government Affairs. Tim also served on the White House’s Office of National Drug Control Policy, NY/NJ Regional High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Team where he worked with law enforcement, diversion investigators, and regulators to enhance compliance with the Controlled Substances Act and reduce drug overdoses in the region. He uses his past experience to represent a diverse client base, including entities, individuals, and executives, in all types of investigations, litigations, prosecutions, and crisis management situations.

• Represent a senior intelligence official in connection with a Congressional investigation and hearing
• Represent and defend high-profile individuals and companies of all sizes in connection with government investigations and prosecutions, including matters involving public corruption and securities, healthcare, and financial fraud
• Represent victims and witnesses before government agencies
• Counsel pharmaceutical and healthcare clients in connection with the Controlled Substances Act and other applicable regulations
• Counsel corporate clients in crisis, including physical security breaches and cyber intrusions
• Conduct internal investigations for corporate clients, including in the area of corporate theft, corporate governance, and employee misconduct allegations
• Conduct external investigations for clients, including in the area of public corruption and corporate fraud
• Represent and defend a medical doctor charged federally with healthcare fraud in connection with the provision of COVID-19–related services
• Represent a medical practice in connection with a New York State Attorney General investigation regarding medical billing
• Represent founder and former CEO of a security technology company in connection with a private equity dispute
• Represent cannabis companies in litigation and in connection with regulatory compliance
• Draft policies for companies, including large multinational companies, and counsel them regarding physical security and workplace threats
• Counsel lobbyists, consultants, and former public officials in connection with applicable regulations and ethics rules
• Counsel FFLs regarding compliance with local, state, and federal firearms laws
• Serve as outside pro bono general counsel for Long Island Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependency, a regional not-for-profit organization dedicated to helping those suffering from addiction

Prior Experience

• Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office, Suffolk County District Attorney, January 2018–December 2021
• Suffolk County Police Department, Police Commissioner, November 2015– December 2017
• Suffolk County Assistant Deputy County Executive for Public Safety, August 2014–November 2015
• United States Attorney’s Office, Southern District of New York, Assistant United States Attorney, March 2010–August 2014
• Prior to government service, Tim clerked for a United States District Judge for the Southern District of New York and a United States Circuit Judge for the Second Circuit Court of Appeals. He also worked as a commercial litigation associate at a large international law firm and a litigation boutique

Clerkships

• United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, Law Clerk for the Honorable Chester J. Straub, August 2008–March 2010
• United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, Law Clerk for the Honorable William C. Conner, October 2006–September 2007

Looking ahead

Expect increased enforcement by government at all levels in white-collar matters, with a focus on ensuring that companies implement robust compliance programs and respond appropriately to corporate wrongdoing. Continue to expect sophisticated bad actors to take advantage of cyber vulnerabilities, requiring companies to be proactive in their defenses and responses to such threats. Also, keep an eye on the cannabis market and the varying regulatory schemes with the federal government likely to reschedule marijuana in the next several months.