Fernald Advisory & Legal Consulting, PLLC
A boutique Austin practice in white collar defense, government investigations, complex civil matters, and outside counsel — built on twenty-eight years of federal experience.
About
Michelle Fernald spent more than three decades as a prosecutor — thirty-three years in total, the last twenty-eight as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Western District of Texas. Since 2012, she also served in leadership roles in the Austin Division, including tenures as Deputy Chief and Chief.
Over the course of her career she worked on complex federal investigations and prosecutions — from sophisticated financial crimes and money-laundering networks to high-profile public-safety matters — in close coordination with the FBI, IRS-Criminal Investigation, DEA, U.S. Marshals Service, and U.S. Postal Inspection Service.
She now brings that federal experience to private practice, working with businesses and individuals on white collar matters, government investigations, complex civil disputes, and strategic regulatory work — and serving as outside counsel to organizations and their leadership teams.
A full curriculum vitae is available on request. Additional background is on LinkedIn.
Services
The firm works with businesses and individuals on federal matters — bringing investigative discipline, courtroom judgment, and a calm, strategic approach to sensitive, high-stakes issues.
Representation and strategic counsel for businesses and individuals facing federal allegations of fraud, public corruption, tax, healthcare, securities, and money-laundering exposure — including pre-indictment advocacy, grand jury practice, and corporate internal investigations.
Learn More →Counsel for businesses and individuals facing inquiries from the Department of Justice, U.S. Attorney’s Offices, the SEC, and other federal regulators — subpoena response, voluntary disclosures, witness preparation, and parallel-proceeding strategy.
Learn More →False Claims Act, Anti-Kickback Statute, Stark Law, and HHS-OIG defense for providers, executives, and companies — including qui tam relator cases and parallel civil and criminal proceedings.
Learn More →Trusted counsel to businesses and individuals on white collar and federal regulatory strategy — supporting leadership teams and clients with investigative readiness, crisis response, and senior-level judgment on sensitive, high-stakes matters.
Learn More →Prior Casework
Representative matters drawn from more than two decades of federal practice and from ongoing work in private practice. The descriptions below summarize the nature and scope of the work.
01 · White Collar & Financial Crime
02 · Government Investigations & Crisis Response
03 · Complex Civil & Regulatory
04 · Strategic & Inter-Agency Work
Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Each matter is unique and depends on its specific facts, applicable law, and circumstances.
Recognition & Honors
A selection of fellowships, awards, and leadership roles spanning Michelle’s career in federal practice, the trial bar, and the Austin legal community.
Honors & Awards
Elite, highly selective, invitation-only fellowship of international trial lawyers — membership limited to less than 1% of active attorneys in the United States.
Recognized by the Western District of Texas for work on United States v. Terry Miles.
Recognized for service as Lead Prosecutor at the Command Post during the 2018 Austin bombing investigation.
One of nineteen women selected statewide — recognized in part for the Los Zetas / American Quarter Horse money-laundering prosecution.
Recognized for casework by the FBI (2003, 2009, 2013), IRS-Criminal Investigation (2013), DEA (2002, 2013), U.S. Marshals Service (2009), and U.S. Postal Inspection Service (1998).
Honor extended to a limited number of Texas attorneys for outstanding professional achievement and service.
Professional Leadership
President, Austin Chapter (2025–26). Executive Board, 2018–2021.
President; Master, Team Leader, and Executive Committee member. The Inn fosters excellence and civility among federal practitioners.
Moderator, Federal Criminal Law (2021); Advanced Criminal Law Course Planning Committee.
Education Committee (2017–2020).
University of Texas School of Law (2017–2020); University of Arkansas, Fayetteville and Little Rock (2017–2025).
Human Trafficking Task Force, Texas Central Region (2004–2025); Lone Star Fugitive Task Force, USMS (2005–2025); Crisis Management Task Force, Texas Central Region (2015–2025); Travis County Hate Crimes Task Force (2014–2025).
Additional professional background and a full curriculum vitae are available on request and on LinkedIn.
Credentials
Bar Admissions
Education
University of Arkansas at Little Rock,
William H. Bowen School of Law, 1991
University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, 1987
Selected Speaking & Teaching
In Practice
A perspective informed by more than three decades of federal practice.
Contact
Inquiries are reviewed personally and held in strict confidence. Please share a brief description of your matter, and we will follow up to schedule a consultation.
