Sandra L. Musumeci
Partner
- Email Address
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- Location
- New York
- Phone number
- (212) 808-7788
A formidable litigator whose persuasive advocacy and pragmatic counsel effectively protect her clients’ interests before and after litigation or claims arise, Sandra Musumeci represents a diverse clientele of businesses, individuals, educational institutions, and not-for-profit organizations in a wide range of matters.
Sandy leverages extensive trial experience, a prosecutorial and government background, and credibility earned among adversaries, investigators, and adjudicators to diffuse contentious situations or find favorable resolutions to complex contested matters.
Sandy focuses her practice on commercial litigation, government and internal investigations, white-collar criminal defense, civil rights claims, and general corporate counseling. Quick on her feet while serving as a steady hand, Sandy helps her clients manage crises and claims that pose substantial financial and reputational risks.
She understands her clients’ priorities and pressures while also appreciating those of opposing parties, investigators, or prosecutors. This allows her to develop strategies that align with her clients’ goals and bring matters to a conclusion with minimal cost and disruption. Her clients value her most for the careful thought, experienced practicality, and true commitment she brings to them and their matters.
Though her experience extends to a broad spectrum of commercial issues and disputes, Sandy is particularly well-versed in the unique challenges faced by employers and educational institutions. Sandy’s clients include corporations looking to uncover and remediate employee misconduct, organizations managing crises and responding to media fallout, and colleges and universities defending their processes in discrimination and Title IX litigation. She also proactively counsels clients to manage and mitigate risk, including compliance issues related to employment, sexual harassment, and discrimination issues. Sandy has represented organizations in complex commercial disputes and class actions and advised companies and individuals in criminal, governmental, and internal investigations and proceedings. She also has experience in cutting-edge legal issues, such as those surrounding the cryptocurrency market.
Prior to entering private practice, Sandy was an Assistant District Attorney, Criminal Court Supervisor, and member of the Sex Crimes Unit at the New York County District Attorney’s Office under Robert M. Morgenthau. As a prosecutor, Sandy tried 18 criminal jury trials, including two homicides, and conducted scores of pre-trial hearings and grand jury presentations.
Sandy also served as founding Deputy Inspector General at the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) for the New York City Police Department (NYPD) within the City of New York’s Department of Investigation. As Deputy Inspector General, she developed protocols and managed a staff of investigators, analysts, attorneys, and auditors to investigate, evaluate, and issue reports and recommendations about NYPD’s policies and operations, all amidst the competing voices of community advocates, unions, city government, and the media.
This government experience informs her work helping companies and individuals navigate the challenges of complex government investigations and court proceedings. She also leverages the insights she gained in these roles to represent clients before criminal and regulatory authorities, such as the U.S. Department of Justice, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the New York District Attorney’s Office, and other law enforcement and regulatory agencies.
Committed to using her skills and experience to do justice and aid underserved communities, Sandy maintains a diverse pro bono practice. She has successfully represented inmates in civil rights cases, counseled victims of abuse and exploitation subpoenaed in criminal investigations, defended a disabled person wrongly accused of a crime, and helped domestic violence survivors obtain lawful immigration status.
“In litigation, there is no substitute for courtroom experience. It is essential not only for effectively advancing or parrying arguments, but it also forms the foundation for creative and favorable negotiated resolutions of business disputes, government investigations, and other contested proceedings.”
White Collar Defense and Investigations
Won the largest verdict – $25.2 million – in the Northern District of Illinois on behalf of a single client in claims related to a wrongful conviction.
Defended executive facing federal conspiracy and fraud indictment in connection with business pursuits.
Defended medical professionals in federal health care fraud investigations.
Obtained dismissal of charges against a professional athlete falsely accused of criminal conduct.
Conducted internal investigations and counseling the global leadership of a Fortune Global 500 corporation in connection with its internal policies against the backdrop of U.S. litigation and regulatory inquiries.
Secured the dismissal of charges against a developmentally-disabled teenager wrongfully accused of robbery.
Higher Education
Successfully obtained the dismissal of claims filed against a university in litigation challenging the school’s Title IX investigative and disciplinary process.
Advised colleges, universities, and private K-12 schools on compliance with federal and state regulations, including Title IX.
Investigated allegations of sexual assault, sexual harassment, and other misconduct by multiple tenured faculty at a public university.
Conducted witness tampering investigation in connection with research integrity inquiry at private university.
Counseled families of secondary students facing school disciplinary proceedings.
Class Actions
Coordinated the nationwide class notice effort for two ground-breaking multi-billion-dollar class action settlements.
Secured summary judgment on behalf of a transportation carrier defending against a class action suit involving one of its customer loyalty programs.
Achieved pre-discovery dismissal of class action claims on behalf of a Fortune 100 insurance company.
Defended individual client in securities class action brought by purported class of shareholders against former corporate managers based on allegations of fraudulent and misleading public statements.
Provided a corporate client with legal advice and support regarding external communications and media issues related to high-profile class action litigations and settlements.
Commercial Litigation
Successfully negotiated a financial settlement on behalf of a small business in a breach of contract suit based on a former client’s unauthorized disclosure of proprietary information to a third-party competitor.
Defended former pharmaceutical executive in securities fraud litigation related to DOJ investigation of alleged kickbacks and off-label sales in the United States.
Obtained partial summary judgment and a favorable settlement for a client after extensive deposition practice in a federal mass action litigation arising from a failed real estate development.
First-chaired jury trial in New York state court defending a closely-held corporation in a $30 million suit brought by former shareholders, successfully defeating claims for fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, and punitive damages.
Represented co-founder(s) of closely-held cryptocurrency private equity investment vehicles in litigation over shares, governance, and distribution of profits.
Labor and Employment
Investigated claims of racial discrimination and favoritism by high-ranking executive at public company.
Achieved a full dismissal of defamation claims in a suit filed against a company manager related to employment decisions.
Achieved a favorable settlement through mediation on behalf of a real estate firm defending against wrongful termination claims brought by a former agent.
Negotiated employment agreements and separation agreements on behalf of individuals and companies.
Counseled and represented clients in connection with non-compete and non-solicitation agreement.
Pro Bono
Represented victim in federal extortion and forced labor prosecution.
Represented inmates in civil rights suits against municipalities.
Submitted U-visa applications and VAWA petitions on behalf of domestic violence victims.
Defended low-income persons in criminal matters.
Counseled non-profit organizations in legal and compliance issues.
Served as a judge for the National Moot Court Competition at the New York City Bar.
Sandy was named to Forbes Advisor’s 2024 list of the top ten criminal defense lawyers in New York City. A description of the selection methodology can be found at https://www.forbes.com/advisor/legal/criminal-defense/best-criminal-defense-lawyers-nyc/.
She was selected for inclusion in the 2021-2023 New York Super Lawyers lists, issued by Thomson Reuters. A description of the selection methodology can be found at www.superlawyers.com/about/selection_process.html.
No aspect of these advertisements have been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.
American Bar Association
Association of Title IX Administrators (ATIXA) – Certified Civil Rights Investigator, Level IV
New York City Bar Association
Women’s White Collar Defense Association (WWCDA)
Princeton Quadrangle Club, graduate board member
Princeton University, alumni admissions interviewer
Residential Cooperative Association, board member
Take Office, founding board member