About Michael Richard
Michael Richard Powers earned a Bachelor of Science in Finance and Accounting from Fairfield University in 1996 and a Juris Doctor from Pace University in 2005. He moved from the world of numbers into law, keeping both disciplines close in his work. His education laid the groundwork for a practice that sits at the intersection of tax, accounting and litigation.
Early in his career Powers added professional credentials that complement his law degree. He is a Certified Public Accountant and an enrolled agent with the Internal Revenue Service. He also holds certifications in fraud examination and anti-money laundering: Certified Fraud Examiner through the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, Certified Anti‑Money Laundering Specialist, and the Certified Fraud Examiner (Cr.FA) credential from the American College of Forensic Examiners Institute. Those qualifications inform how he evaluates financial records and prepares cases.
Powers is admitted to multiple jurisdictions. His admissions include the State of Connecticut and New York, the United States Tax Court, the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, and federal district courts including the District of Connecticut, the Southern District of New York and the Eastern District of New York. He has handled matters in court and before administrative bodies, often involving complex tax disputes, fraud investigations and contested financial issues.
The combination of accounting credentials and courtroom admission shapes his approach. He prepares technical analyses of tax positions and forensic reports that can be used in litigation or negotiation. He takes depositions, develops expert testimony and works with other experts when cases require specialized financial modeling. He also assists clients with compliance-related matters that require an understanding of both regulatory frameworks and accounting practice.
Colleagues and clients see him as an attorney who can move between spreadsheets and statutes without losing detail. He spends time on document review and evidentiary preparation. He also focuses on strategy—deciding when a matter is best resolved outside of court and when it requires a trial posture.
Powers has been a member of the Connecticut State Bar since 2006. He maintains his professional licenses and certifications to support work that crosses legal and financial lines. He currently concentrates his practice on tax controversy, forensic accounting, fraud examination and related federal and state litigation.
