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Thomas A. McKay represents individuals and organizations in white collar criminal, civil, and regulatory matters, particularly in the financial services and crypto industries.
Tom has a proven track record of success, often convincing the Department of Justice to decline to bring criminal charges. Recent examples include:
- Represented CEO and founder of major crypto company in investigation regarding alleged Bank Secrecy Act and sanctions violations. Convinced the DOJ to close its investigation without charges.
- Represented prominent physician in investigation regarding alleged kickbacks related to the purchase of medical supplies. Convinced the DOJ to close its investigation without charges.
- Represented investor in DOJ and SEC insider trading investigation. Convinced the DOJ to close its investigation without charges and reached favorable settlement with SEC.
- Represented operations specialist in investigation regarding alleged fraud and Foreign Corrupt Practices Act violations. Secured a non-prosecution agreement from the DOJ.
Tom also represents individuals and companies in False Claims Act investigations and civil litigation, and serves as the court-appointed Independent Integrity Officer for the District Council of New York City and Vicinity of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America.
Prior to joining Morvillo Abramowitz, Tom served for close to a decade in the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, most recently as Co-Chief of the Public Corruption Unit. He tried and supervised hundreds of matters involving bribery, financial fraud, FCPA violations, tax crimes, campaign finance crimes, and drug and sex trafficking. Tom also served as Deputy Chief of Appeals, arguing numerous cases before the Second Circuit and briefing dozens of others.
Tom is a highly acclaimed litigator and accomplished legal writer whose work has earned him repeated recognition from leading legal directories and industry publications. He has been recognized by Benchmark Litigation on its “Under 40 Hot List” for three consecutive years (2023–2025), highlighting his standing among the top emerging litigation talent in the United States. He is ranked by Chambers USA as an “Up and Coming” attorney in Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations (New York), where clients and peers describe him as “a strategic thinker and skilled trial lawyer...extremely smart and capable.” The Legal 500 also recommends Tom in Securities Litigation: Defense, highlighting his “creative, thoughtful solutions in sticky, thorny situations.” Additionally, Tom received the Burton Awards’ “Law360 Distinguished Legal Writing Award” for his article, co-authored with Brian Jacobs, “How Recent Crypto Prosecutions May Crack the U.S. Code.” He was one of only 20 recipients nationwide honored at a ceremony held at the Library of Congress. Tom is also contributor to the New York Law Journal and has published articles in the Review of Securities and Commodities Regulation and on the Forbes “The Insider” blog.