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Genny Ngai

Partner
Genny Ngai's headshot
Genny Ngai Partner

Genny Ngai is a trial lawyer and negotiator with more than a decade of experience in complex criminal and civil litigation.

A former federal prosecutor in the Eastern District of New York, she handled high-stakes cases involving financial fraud, money laundering, RICO and healthcare crimes. Genny believes every powerful litigation strategy begins with a compelling story. Whether she is persuading prosecutors to close an investigation or presenting to a jury or judge, she builds each matter around a clear, credible narrative that puts her clients in the strongest position.

Drawing on her trial experience and insider knowledge of the government, Genny vigorously defends clients against enforcement and prosecution in matters involving the DOJ, SEC, FBI, IRS, CFTC and FINRA, and has successfully obtained dismissal of criminal investigations with no charges filed. She also advises individuals and businesses—including start-ups in cryptocurrency, artificial intelligence, healthcare, and investment advisory services—on regulatory and compliance issues to mitigate the risk of litigation and government scrutiny.

Genny also regularly appears in federal and state court and has litigated civil RICO and fraud claims, breach of contract disputes, and theft and misappropriation of trade secrets claims on behalf of both plaintiffs and defendants. She leverages her trial skills to advance her clients’ positions throughout the litigation.

Before joining Morrison Cohen LLP, Genny spent more than five years as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Eastern District of New York, serving in the International Narcotics and Money Laundering Section and the Business & Securities Fraud Section. She tried numerous high-profile cases to verdict—most notably securing the conviction of Mozambique’s former Minister of Finance in a $2 billion international fraud and money laundering scheme.

Earlier, as a litigator at Gibson Dunn & Crutcher, Genny handled complex business disputes, including class action employment suits and product liability cases, and helped secure summary judgment for a manufacturing conglomerate that resulted in dismissal of over 150 mass tort claims. She began her career as a judicial clerk to the Honorable Ann M. Donnelly of the Eastern District of New York.

Beyond the courtroom, Genny is co-chair of the Litigation Committee of the Asian American Bar Association of New York (AABANY), advocating for diversity and mentorship in the legal profession.

Experience

White Collar and Regulatory Enforcement Defense

  • Counsel for multiple investment advisers in separate actions brought by the DOJ, SEC and FINRA.
  • Counsel for a business owner in parallel DOJ and SEC actions alleging fraud and unregistered sales of securities; successfully resolved the criminal case through a six-month deferred prosecution agreement.
  • Defended a cryptocurrency client in a criminal tax investigation, which was successfully closed with no charges filed.
  • Counsel for an attorney in a criminal tax fraud investigation brought by the IRS and DOJ.
  • Counsel for an individual cryptocurrency trader in a DOJ asset seizure and market manipulation investigation.
  • Represented a real estate developer in parallel DOJ and SEC actions alleging wire and securities fraud.
  • Represented multiple cryptocurrency and technology companies in DOJ investigations into alleged third-party misconduct.
  • Counsel for a non-profit entity against election fraud allegations in administrative and tribunal proceedings.

Civil Litigation and Other Matters

  • Represent plaintiff, a private security and advisory services company, in federal litigation asserting misappropriation of trade secrets and unfair business practices claims.
  • Represent companies and individuals in complex RICO litigation and business disputes, successfully obtaining dismissals of claims prior to discovery or trial.
  • Defended a New York retail tobacco dealer and lottery operator against alleged state and city regulatory violations.
  • Assisted Stand Columbia Society in preparing The Sunlight Report: A Reappraisal of the Sundial Report, responding to the Columbia University Senate’s findings.

Prior Government Experience at the United States Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of New York

  • Obtained conviction of Mozambique’s former Minister of Finance for his role in a $2 billion international fraud, bribery, and money laundering scheme.
  • Prosecuted and tried cases involving bank fraud, extortion, firearms, murder, drug trafficking, and RICO offenses.
  • Secured extraditions of foreign nationals in complex money laundering and drug trafficking schemes.
  • Obtained a first-of-its-kind deferred prosecution agreement requiring online adult content distributors to pay a criminal fine and forfeiture and undergo a three-year independent monitorship.
  • Achieved a groundbreaking corporate resolution with an online telehealth company, including multimillion-dollar forfeiture, for unauthorized distribution of controlled substances via telemedicine.
  • Prosecuted an adult daycare operator for kickbacks in violation of the Anti-Kickback Statute.

Other Experience (Prior to Joining Morrison Cohen)

  • Defended a global professional services firm in a high-profile fraud and breach of contract case brought by the City of Los Angeles; all claims dismissed after exposing the City’s litigation misconduct.
  • Represented a professional services firm in multiple wage-and-hour class actions in California and New York.
  • Secured summary judgment for a manufacturing conglomerate in lead-paint mass tort litigation, dismissing over 150 claims.

Professional Activities

  • Member and Co-Chair of the Litigation Committee, Asian American Bar Association of New York
  • Member, National Asian Pacific American Bar Association
  • Member, Health Law Committee of the New York City Bar Association
  • Member, Women in AI

Recognition

  • Honoree, City & State New York, 2026 Above & Beyond, recognized as remarkable leader moving New York forward
  • Recipient, Prosecutor of the Year Award from the Society of Asian Federal Officers, 2024
  • Recipient, True American Hero Award from the Federal Drug Agents Foundation, 2023

News & Publications

Genny Ngai's headshot

Education

  • Georgetown University Law Center, J.D., cum laude
  • Dartmouth College, B.A., cum laude

Bar Admissions

  • New York
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York
  • U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit

Media & Insights