Michael Royster

Michael Royster is a Senior Associate at Southworth PC, where he focuses his practice on federal employment litigation. He represents federal employees before the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB), the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), and in federal court. Michael is dedicated to protecting clients’ rights in complex and high-stakes matters.

Before joining Southworth PC, Michael served for a decade as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Northern District of Alabama. There, he specialized in white-collar and public-corruption prosecutions. In 2023, he was selected as the district’s Criminal Civil Rights (CRT) Coordinator, a role that reflected his integrity, judgment, and commitment to civil-rights enforcement.

As CRT Coordinator, Michael prosecuted 29 public officials for violations of federal civil-rights statutes. He collaborated with the DOJ Civil Rights Division and the FBI on one of the nation’s largest criminal civil-rights prosecutions—a landmark case that led to significant reforms and increased awareness of civil-rights accountability within federal agencies.

Michael has extensive trial experience. He served as lead counsel in five federal jury trials at the DOJ and held leadership roles as Project Safe Neighborhoods Coordinator and Smart on Crime Coordinator. Prior to his federal service, he served as a Deputy District Attorney in Aurora, Colorado, where he prosecuted violent crimes and brought 60 jury trials to verdict, developing a reputation for tenacity and precision in the courtroom.

Michael’s commitment to justice is deeply personal. Raised by a single mother who instilled the values of education and perseverance, he has dedicated his career to fairness, accountability, and public service.

Outside of work, Michael is an avid runner and enjoys spending time with his wife, son, and extended family.