Sam Amir Toossi

Partner at Akrivis Law

Speaker

Sam Amir Toossi is a Chambers-ranked litigator who leads Akrivis Law Group’s White Collar Defense and Commercial Litigation practice. He represents companies, financial institutions, executives, investment funds, and high-net-worth individuals in government investigations, economic sanctions matters, internal investigations, complex commercial litigation, and other high-stakes disputes. His practice is distinguished by its focus on cross-border matters where criminal, regulatory, commercial, and reputational risks intersect. His experience across government, private practice, and consulting enables him to provide clients with practical advice that reflects not only legal risk, but also the commercial, operational, and reputational considerations that frequently accompany government investigations and complex disputes.

Mr. Toossi has developed a nationally recognized practice advising clients on U.S. economic sanctions, anti-money laundering, and cross-border enforcement. His representative matters include successfully removing multiple individuals from OFAC’s Specially Designated Nationals (“SDN”) List, obtaining declinations in numerous federal criminal investigations, negotiating extraordinary resolutions in complex federal prosecutions, and representing clients in significant commercial, bankruptcy, and appellate litigation.

Mr. Toossi is ranked by Chambers and Partners in Litigation: White Collar Crime & Government Investigations. Chambers clients describe him as “highly analytical,” “solution-focused,” and “deliberate and thoughtful in his approach to litigation.” Clients further commend his ability to provide “a level of attention that gives the client a sense of comfort and confidence,” while noting that his written advocacy is “particularly thorough and impressive.”

A seasoned trial lawyer, Mr. Toossi has tried 26 cases to verdict and argued numerous appeals before state and federal courts, including the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. Whether defending a government investigation, litigating a sanctions designation, or pursuing complex commercial litigation, he approaches every matter with the perspective that effective advocacy requires not only exceptional legal analysis but also a deep understanding of each client’s business objectives and strategic priorities.

Before entering private practice, Mr. Toossi served as an Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, where he was Deputy Chief of the International Narcotics and Money Laundering Section. He supervised and prosecuted some of the Department of Justice’s most significant cross-border investigations involving money laundering, corruption, international narcotics trafficking, public corruption, healthcare fraud, and financial crime. During his tenure, he served as one of the federal prosecutors responsible for the investigation and prosecution of Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, including indicting the case on which Guzmán was ultimately tried and convicted. He also served as co-lead trial counsel in the prosecution of international narcotics trafficker Jimmy Cournoyer and was a member of the trial team that secured the conviction of Gambino Crime Family consigliere Bartolomeo Vernace on racketeering charges. For his service, Mr. Toossi received the Attorney General’s Award for Exceptional Service—the Department of Justice’s highest honor—as well as the Federal Prosecutor Award from the Federal Law Enforcement Foundation.

Prior to his government service, Mr. Toossi practiced at Sullivan & Cromwell LLP, where he represented clients in white-collar matters, securities, patent, and commercial litigation. He later served as a director at PwC, leading investigations and regulatory engagements involving financial fraud, cybersecurity, professional liability, and data breaches.

Mr. Toossi is an Adjunct Professor of Law at Seton Hall University School of Law, where he teaches dispute resolution and arbitration with an emphasis on international frameworks. He is also a Fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America, an invitation-only honorary society recognizing excellence in trial advocacy.