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Michael Gulland is a Partner in Gentry Locke’s Government and Regulatory Affairs and White Collar Defense, Investigations & Compliance practice groups. He leads internal investigations, including for Fortune 500 companies in domestic and international matters, involving allegations of fraud, misconduct, regulatory violations, and other sensitive matters. Michael also represents companies, executives, board members, and other professionals in government investigations, white collar and regulatory enforcement matters, complex civil litigation, and cybersecurity and data privacy matters.

Michael brings a distinctive combination of private practice, federal law enforcement, and investigative experience. Before joining Gentry Locke, he spent nearly 14 years with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), most recently serving as Chief Legal Counsel and Supervisory Special Agent for the FBI’s Norfolk Division. In that role, he advised on operational, intelligence, policy, ethics, and cybersecurity matters and worked closely with investigators and federal prosecutors on complex white collar, public corruption, cyber, and other significant investigations. He also supported investigations involving cyber breaches, ransomware attacks, and other significant incidents affecting public and private entities.

Earlier in his FBI career, Michael served as Associate Legal Counsel and Special Agent in the FBI’s Chicago Division, where he advised on legal matters and investigated violent gangs and complex criminal organizations. His experience as a Special Agent continues to inform his work on internal investigations, government investigations, regulatory matters, and complex litigation.

Prior to joining the FBI, Michael practiced complex commercial litigation at leading law firms in Chicago and Washington, D.C. He represented clients in high-stakes commercial and regulatory disputes, including False Claims Act matters and other complex civil litigation in state and federal courts.

From 2021 to 2025, Michael served as an adjunct professor at Old Dominion University, where he taught cyber law and cybersecurity.

  • FBI field offices served as agency legal counsel
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  • Fiction short stories published
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  • Semesters taught as a university adjunct professor
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  • Rambunctious Weimaraner dog
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  • What is your favorite thing about your job?

    I enjoy understanding the client’s goals and desired endgame and then devising imaginative, creative, and efficient means to achieve success.

  • What’s on your bucket list?

    See the Northern Lights; publish a full fiction novel; motorcycle cross country.

  • What made you decide to pursue a law degree?

    By virtue of their training and licensure, lawyers have the ability to help clients and effect positive change in a unique and impactful manner. Serving clients in this fashion motivated me to attend law school.

Education

  • Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law, J.D., cum laude.
  • University of Virginia, B.A.

Experience

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

Chief Legal Counsel for the FBI Norfolk Division; Associate Legal Counsel for the FBI Chicago Division; Temporary Duty Assignments as Chief Legal Counsel for FBI Washington Field and Anchorage Field Offices.

  • Advised on complete array of FBI operational, cyber, intelligence, policy, ethical, and employment/HR matters.
  • Defended interests of federal government in civil litigation and claims involving FTCA, Touhy, and Title 31.
  • Served as Privacy, Ethics, and Policy Officer and member of Compliance Council.
  • Advised on and assisted in the conducting of internal investigations and white collar and other prosecutions.

Special Agent

  • Investigated complex criminal enterprises and some of the country’s most dangerous and violent gangs. Contributed to substantial disruptions and dismantlement of their illegal activity.

Private Sector Civil Litigation

  • Defended major aircraft manufacturer in multi-million-dollar qui tam/False Claims Act lawsuit in which Relator alleged massive fraudulent billing scheme related to arms deal with foreign government.
  • Prosecuted class actions against major automotive companies for universal product defects inherent in certain vehicle models.
  • Appealed ruling by SEC instituting lifetime ban against client for purported securities violations.
  • Litigated dozens of personal injury lawsuits against automobile manufacturer in various state courts around the country.
  • Represented major chemical manufacturer in breach of contract action.
  • Defended major law firm in high-profile age discrimination lawsuit brought by the EEOC on behalf of multiple former equity partners.
  • Represented insurance company in two separate trials spanning a combined 13 weeks involving complex issues of first impression under state law.
  • Defended private equity company in multi-million-dollar fraud and breach of contract action.

Admissions

  • Virginia State Bar
  • Illinois State Bar
  • United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia
  • United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia
  • United States Courts of Appeal for the Seventh Circuit
  • United States Courts of Appeal for the D.C. Circuit
  • United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
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