is a Partner in Gentry Locke’s Government and Regulatory Affairs and White Collar Defense, Investigations & Compliance practice groups. He advises corporations, executives, and professionals on government investigations, regulatory enforcement actions, internal compliance reviews, and risk management strategies. Michael also represents clients in litigation and data privacy matters, including guidance through both the immediate and longer-term aftermath of a cyber incident.
Michael has an unusually diverse combination of private and public sector legal and investigative experience. Before joining Gentry Locke, Michael 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 handled all of the Division’s legal matters including advising on the complete array of operational, intelligence, policy, and ethical issues. He advised on the FBI’s investigation of cyber breaches and related incidents, counseling how to remediate such attacks and to mitigate the harm to private and public entities. Michael worked in lockstep with investigators and federal prosecutors in structuring high-profile white collar, public corruption, and other criminal investigations. Further, he defended the federal government and its components in civil litigation involving the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA), Touhy, and EEOC matters, and further assisted employees subject to Bivens actions in their personal capacity.
Before this role with FBI Norfolk, Michael served in multiple capacities in the FBI’s Chicago Division. Most recently, Michael represented the FBI Chicago’s legal interests as an Associate Legal Counsel. Prior to that, he investigated Chicago’s most violent and dangerous gangs and other complex criminal organizations, partnering with federal and state prosecutors and law enforcement agencies in employing complex techniques to disrupt and dismantle these illegal enterprises.
Prior to his FBI career, Michael practiced complex civil litigation at premier law firms in both Chicago and Washington, D.C. He developed significant trial and litigation proficiency in subject matters involving The False Claims Act, breach of contract and other business disputes, products liability, employment discrimination claims, and insurance coverage. Michael conducted the direct and cross examinations of expert and lay witnesses at trial, took and defended dozens of depositions in state and federal courts, and briefed and argued numerous dispositive, in limine, and other motions.
Michael taught an undergraduate cyber law class from 2021 to 2025, serving as an adjunct professor in Old Dominion University’s Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice. Michael instructed students regarding complex cyber-attacks including ransomware, spyware, social engineering, and DDoS techniques, among others, as well as providing an overview on cybersecurity.
A quick handshake
•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 (I was stationed in Anchorage for two months but in the off season to see the Aurora); 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.
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.
Library
•DOJ Targets Corporate Diversity Programs Via the False Claims Act
Articles
Jan 2026
•Executive Order Targeting State AI Regulation Shakes Up State Enforcement
Articles
Dec 2025
•Small Business Administration (SBA) Orders 8(a) Firms to Submit Extensive Financial Records
Articles
Dec 2025
•Gentry Locke Welcomes Former FBI Norfolk Division Chief Legal Counsel and Supervisory Special Agent Michael S. Gulland to Its Government Investigations and White Collar Defense & Compliance Practices
News
Nov 2025
