LAWYER PROFILE
George Canellos

George Canellos

USA 2026

Chambers ranking badge
Chambers ranking badge

Ranked in 3 practice areas

About

Provided by Milbank LLP

Practice Areas

George S. Canellos is the Global Head of Milbank's Litigation & Arbitration Group. Mr. Canellos represents financial institutions, public companies, asset management firms, and individuals in government investigations and contested litigation in federal and state courts, and advises clients on corporate governance and compliance with the securities and banking laws.

Career

Mr. Canellos has received national recognition and many awards for his achievements in litigation and capital markets enforcement. Mr. Canellos has more than two decades of experience prosecuting and defending white collar criminal cases and civil actions arising under the securities laws, having served twice in federal law enforcement — most recently in top positions at the US Securities and Exchange Commission and earlier in his career as a federal criminal prosecutor in the US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York.

Professional Memberships

American Law Institute

NYC Bar Committee on Investment Management Regulation

Board of Advisors of New York University Law School’s Program on Corporate Compliance and Enforcement

Executive Council of the Federal Bar Association’s Securities Section

New York Council of Defense Lawyers

Securities Industry Financial Markets Association (SIFMA).

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Chambers Guide to the USA

Securities: Regulation: Enforcement - USA - Nationwide

Star Individual
Star Individuals

Individual Editorial
George Canellos is lauded by market commentators for his top-end work in SEC enforcement. He handles major regulatory investigations for investment funds, banks and accounting firms, as well as high-ranking executives.

Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations - New York

Band 1
Band 1

Individual Editorial
George Canellos enjoys a reputation as one of the city's most sought-after criminal defense attorneys, winning widespread acclaim for a sophisticated practice that includes high-stakes criminal trials and regulatory investigations.

Accountant and Auditor Liability - USA - Nationwide

Band 3
Band 3

Individual Editorial

George Canellos of Milbank has decades of experience defending Big Four accounting firms around the world. As a former head of enforcement at the SEC, he brings his expertise to assisting firms in regulatory investigations.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • George is one of the smartest securities experts.

    Securities: Regulation: EnforcementChambers Guide to the USA
  • George is an absolutely outstanding attorney.

    Securities: Regulation: EnforcementChambers Guide to the USA
  • George is very detail-oriented and a great advocate.

    Securities: Regulation: EnforcementChambers Guide to the USA
  • George is a force of nature with skills I never cease to be impressed by.

    Securities: Regulation: EnforcementChambers Guide to the USA
  • George is incredibly smart and knowledgeable about all sorts of securities laws and connects with people really well.

    Securities: Regulation: EnforcementChambers Guide to the USA
  • I continue to be impressed by his strategic insight into how to manage complex investigations.

    Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government InvestigationsChambers Guide to the USA

Ranked Individuals at Milbank LLP (80)

District of Columbia

New York

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