Timothy D. Sini

My focus

With more than 15 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, state attorneys general, and district attorneys. 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, and much more. 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 remedial plans to ensure compliance and minimize future exposure.

Crisis Management

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. 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.

Trials and Litigation

I’ve personally handled numerous jury trials and other contested court proceedings. My experience includes trying federal felony cases to verdict, involving novel, complex factual and/or legal issues. I leverage this experience to help corporate and individual clients involved in civil and criminal litigation.

Compliance

I assist clients in developing and implementing policies and protocols to ensure compliance with applicable law and regulations and to minimize future risk. As an example, in my government service, I instituted a digital case management system with electronic discovery, artificial intelligence, and data analytics, as well as a series of new policies to ensure compliance with once-in-a-generation law changes. My broad experience in complex investigations and prosecutions coupled with my in-the-trenches reform work positions me well to handle corporate compliance for clients.

Looking ahead

Expect increased oversight and enforcement in connection with COVID-19–related issues both on the PPP side and in healthcare, as well as the PHE continuing to change its complexion, creating a constantly evolving regulatory environment.

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.

• Counsel pharmaceutical and healthcare clients on the requirements of the Controlled Substances Act.
• 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 and defend pharmaceutical company in products liability litigation
• Draft policies for companies, including large multinational companies, and counsel them regarding physical security and workplace threats
• Represent and defend high-profile individuals and companies of all sizes in connection with government investigations, including matters involving securities, healthcare, and financial fraud
• Counsel FFLs regarding compliance with local, state, and federal firearms laws
• Represent individuals in connection with the sealing or expungement of their criminal convictions
• 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
• Conduct internal investigations for corporate clients in the area of controlled substances, healthcare, corporate theft, etc.

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