C. Michael Tarone is a seasoned trial attorney with more than four decades of experience representing clients in complex civil litigation, regulatory matters, and white-collar investigations. A founding partner of Tarone & McLaughlin, Mr. Tarone has built a distinguished career at the intersection of environmental law, civil rights, fraud investigations, campaign law, and whistle-blower litigation.
Mr. Tarone’s practice is marked by significant accomplishments across state and federal forums. From 2007 to 2010, he led a team defending clients in a high-profile Superfund environmental investigation conducted by the U.S. EPA and the Ohio EPA. He has successfully deposed and defended witnesses in state and federal proceedings, settled major actions through mediation, and advanced whistle-blower and False Claims Act litigation in federal court. His record includes defeating motions to dismiss in complex cases before the U.S. District Courts for the District of Columbia, the Northern District of Ohio, and the District of Maryland.
Earlier in his career, Mr. Tarone was a partner at Karl & Tarone, where he focused on federal mortgage fraud, deceptive trade practices under TILA, and Section 1983 civil rights actions. He has long served as general counsel to presidential and congressional candidates and has extensive experience advising non-profit organizations and political committees on compliance and litigation matters. His practice also includes employment and discrimination law, along with whistle-blower retaliation claims.
Mr. Tarone began his legal career as a law clerk to the Honorable Edward R. Neaher in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York. His government service includes roles as Special Counsel to the Executive Office of the Vice President and to the Law Enforcement Assistance Administration (LEAA) at the U.S. Department of Justice.
Throughout his career, Mr. Tarone has represented clients before nearly every major federal agency, including the Department of Justice, U.S. Customs, the Federal Aviation Administration, and the U.S. Trade Representative. He has also advised exporters under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and the Arms Export Control Act, and represented interests before Congress and international regulatory bodies.
Mr. Tarone resides in Bethesda, Maryland, with his wife, Catherine McQuilkin. They have three children. An avid sportsman, he enjoys squash, fly fishing, and collecting antique furniture and oriental rugs.
Education
- J.D., Georgetown University Law Center, 1970
- B.S., B.A., Georgetown University, McDonough School of Business, 1967
Associations
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Master and former Program Chair, William B. Bryant Inn of Court
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Past President and Board Member, The Counsellors
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Member, Pro Bono Panel for the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia
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Member, Trial Sections of both the Bar Association of D.C. and the D.C. Bar
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Member, Metropolitan Washington Employment Lawyers Association
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Alumnus, National Institute of Trial Advocacy (Oxford and Boulder programs)
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Former Member, D.C. Board of Appeals and Review (appointed by the Mayor)
Licenses
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New York (1971)
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District of Columbia (1972)
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U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia
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U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland
Work Experience
- 1983 – Present, Managing Attorney, C Michael Tarone PC
- 1984 – 2018, Of Counsel, Michaels and Wishner
- 1971 – 1972, Judicial Law Clerk, United States District Court for Eastern District of New York
Publications
- 1993, District Of Columbia Bar Association, Litigation Section Case Summaries
- 1971, Federal Bar Assocation Job Opporunties
Legal Experience
- Complex Commercial Litigation. Defended and prosecuted multiple actions involving contracts, torts and environmental law in federal and state trial and appellate courts involving a 27-acre land transaction.
- Employment Law Matters. Litigated federal and DC employment law matters under Title VII and the DC Human Rights Act in federal and state courts involving discrimination based on race, gender, age, disability and retaliation, and wage claims under the DC Wage Payment and Collection Law and the FLSA
- US False Claims Act. Successfully litigated a whistleblower action under the federal False Claims Act in DC federal court.
- Mortgage Fraud. Successfully litigated mortgage fraud claims against Wells Fargo Bank in DC federal court
- Civil Rights Matters. Litigated civil rights actions in DC and federal courts
- International Trade Litigation. Represented the Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer SA in a countervailing duty action brought by Fairchild Industries against Embraer alleging unlawful government interest rate subsidies before the US International Trade Commission
- Pro Bono Representation. Active member of the Civil Pro Bono Panel DC federal court
- The William B. Bryant Inn of Court; Master of the Bench and Program Chair
- President of The Counsellors, a Bar and Bench fraternal organization
- Member on the DC Board of Appeals and Review, Appointed by the Mayor
- Member of Civil Pro Bono Panel, US District Court for the District of Columbia
- DC Bar
- NY Bar (inactive)