Michael is a civil litigator and trial attorney with more than 30 years of experience representing clients in complex, high-exposure disputes in both state and federal courts throughout Massachusetts.
He brings a strategic and disciplined approach to each matter, with particular focus on catastrophic personal injury and wrongful death defense, insurance coverage and extra-contractual litigation, and legal malpractice claims.
Michael has argued before the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court and Appeals Court, and has submitted briefs to the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. His litigation experience spans a range of industries, including construction, transportation, insurance, and professional services, and he is often engaged in matters involving significant media attention or substantial financial exposure.
In recent years, Michael has achieved several noteworthy outcomes. In 2024, Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly recognized him for securing one of the Top Verdicts of the Year—a $1 million jury award on behalf of a primary insurer in a coverage and bad faith dispute. In 2023, he obtained a defense verdict in a wrongful death and catastrophic injury case involving a pedestrian–motor vehicle accident. In 2022, he represented an aggregate company in litigation stemming from a barge accident that resulted in a double amputation injury.
CREDENTIALS
Education
- JD, Boston College Law School, 1994, Boston College Environmental Affairs Law Review, Topics Editor
- BA, summa cum laude, University of Massachusetts Amherst, 1991
Bar Admissions
- Massachusetts
- US District Court for the District of Massachusetts
- US Court of Appeals for the First Circuit
- US District Court for the District of Connecticut
AWARDS & ACCOLADES
Experience recognized
- Lawdragon 500 Leading Litigators in America, 2026
- Best Lawyers in America, Commercial Litigation; Insurance Law, 2014-2026
- Boston Magazine’s Top Lawyers, Civil Law Litigation, 2021-2025
- Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly, Top Verdict of the Year, 2024
- Massachusetts Super Lawyers List, 2016, 2021-2025
- AVVO – Rated 10/10, “Superb” and the highest rating available, 2016
- Massachusetts Super Lawyers, Rising Stars, 2005
- Defense Verdict in Pedestrian Wrongful Death Trial
Successfully defended the driver of a school van in a wrongful death case involving an 83-year-old pedestrian struck in a crosswalk. After a two-week jury trial in Middlesex County Superior Court, the jury returned a verdict in favor of the defense. (Wednor Montlouis et al. v. Marjorie Jones and S.P. & R Transportation of N.H., Inc.) - High-Profile Injury Case Involving Crane Accident in Boston’s North End
Defended a roofing contractor after a crane dislodged a metal railing from a six-story building, striking a pedestrian on the street below. The case drew widespread media attention and was resolved through a confidential settlement. Also assisted in the client’s response to OSHA and City of Boston regulatory inquiries. (Kimberly Frawley et al. v. Corolla Contracting, Inc.) - Catastrophic Fall on Construction Site
Defended a general contractor in a catastrophic injury case involving a mason who fell 29 feet from scaffolding. The case was resolved in a confidential settlement prior to trial. (Steven A. Milligan v. Stateside Construction Group, Inc.) - $1 Billion Construction Claim from Hurricane Sandy Flooding
Represents an excess insurer for the general contractor in litigation related to over $1 billion in alleged property damage to NYU Langone Medical Center during Hurricane Sandy. (New York University v. Turner Construction Company) - Litigation Arising from Champlain Towers South Collapse
Represents an insurer for the general contractor in litigation stemming from the tragic collapse of the Champlain Towers South condominium building in Surfside, Florida, which resulted in 98 fatalities. (In Re Champlain Towers South Collapse Litigation) - Structural Defect Claims at Massachusetts High School
Defended a contractor in a construction-defect case involving allegations that a high school was structurally unsound due to subsurface conditions. The multi-party case resolved through a multi-million dollar settlement. (City of Lynn v. Albanese Brothers, Inc.) - Coverage Dispute Following Construction Fatalities at Emerson College
Defended an insurer in a declaratory judgment action arising from a mast-climbing platform collapse that caused three fatalities and multiple injury and property damage claims at a college residence hall. (George B.H. Macomber Co. v. Acadia Ins. Co.) - Roofer Fall Leads to Catastrophic Injury Case
Defended a general contractor in a claim by a roofer who fell 30 feet from a roof during a construction project. The case was resolved in a confidential out-of-court settlement. (Jacob Toomey et al. v. Nadeau Corporation) - Fatal Motorcycle Accident Involving Commercial Truck
Defended a contractor in a wrongful death case involving a collision between a commercial truck and a motorcyclist. The matter was resolved through a confidential settlement. (Rosalind S. Amaral v. Kishfy) - Crane-Related Injury in HVAC Equipment Installation
Defended an HVAC contractor in a personal injury case brought by a rigger who was struck by a falling air-conditioning unit. The matter settled before trial. (Erickson v. Johnson Controls, Inc.) - Wrongful Death Claim Following Ladder Fall
Defended a general contractor in a wrongful death action brought by the estate of a laborer who fell from a ladder on a jobsite. (Tammy Whitney v. SK Condos, LLC, et al.) - Legal Malpractice Action Against Personal Injury Firm
Defended an attorney in a legal malpractice trial. Although the jury returned a plaintiff’s verdict, the damages award was favorable to the defense. (Cintra v. Law Office of Dane M. Shulman) - Defense Verdict in Construction Injury Jury Trial
Successfully defended a general contractor in a trial involving a welder who fell 25 feet during a construction project. The jury returned a verdict for the defense. (Patrick Riggs v. Alexandra Construction, et al.) - Defense of School and Administrators in Student Abuse Allegations
Defended a private school for autistic children and its administrators in a lengthy trial over allegations of physical abuse of a student. The jury returned a plaintiff’s verdict. (Tedeman v. Boston Higashi School, et al.) - Head Injury Claim Results in Defense Trial Win
Secured a defense verdict for a general contractor in a claim by a roofer who suffered a head injury from a fall down a 20-foot staircase on a jobsite. Named one of Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly’s biggest defense wins of 2002. (Foley v. Beaver Builders, Ltd.) - Product Liability Defense Yields Notable Defense Verdict
Obtained a defense verdict for a manufacturer in a product liability case brought by a worker who suffered a severe hand injury after reaching into a piece of industrial machinery. Recognized as a notable verdict by Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly. (Bik v. Del-West) - Amputation Injury from Unguarded Machine Blade
Represented a sheet-metal fabricator in connection with an OSHA investigation and potential workers’ compensation exposure arising from an accident that caused partial amputation of a worker’s hand. (Gilberto Cardenas v. Samtan Engineering Corp.)
- Risk-Transfer Disputes in Construction Litigation
Represents insurers and contractors in complex risk-transfer disputes involving contractual indemnity and additional insured obligations. These matters frequently arise from catastrophic construction accidents and claims of defective workmanship, and often include disputes over priority of coverage among multiple carriers. - Speaker on Insurance Coverage and Risk Allocation in Construction
Regularly presents to insurers, claims professionals, and construction companies on risk-transfer strategies, including additional insured coverage, indemnification obligations, and litigation trends related to construction site accidents.
- Dismissal and Appellate Win in Legal Malpractice Action
Represented a law firm and one of its attorneys in a legal malpractice case involving the transfer of shares in a closely held corporation. Secured dismissal at the trial level, which was affirmed by the Massachusetts Appeals Court. The Supreme Judicial Court denied further appellate review. (Robinson Green Beretta Corp. v. Adler Pollock & Sheehan P.C.) - SJC Victory in Insurance Coverage Dispute Involving Athlete’s Name
Represented an insurer before the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court in a coverage case involving the use of Olympic marathoner Abebe Bikila’s name in advertising. The court ruled in favor of the insurer, finding no duty to defend or indemnify. (Holyoke Mut. Ins. Co. in Salem v. Vibram USA, Inc.) - Precedent-Setting Win on Statute of Limitations in Fiduciary Duty Cases
Successfully argued before the Supreme Judicial Court in a case that clarified the operation of the statute of limitations in fiduciary duty claims. The Court reversed the Appeals Court and affirmed summary judgment for the defense. (Doe v. Harbor Schools, Inc.) - First Circuit Reverses Injunction in Trademark Dispute
Authored the appellate brief for Building #19 in a Lanham Act and trademark case brought by Swarovski over use of its brand in newspaper advertising. The First Circuit reversed the preliminary injunction, allowing continued fair use. (Swarovski Aktiengesellschaft v. Building #19, Inc.) - Amicus Brief on Building Code Violations and Chapter 93A Liability
Submitted an amicus curiae brief on behalf of the Massachusetts Defense Lawyers Association in a wrongful death case. The Supreme Judicial Court held that a building code violation is not, by itself, a violation of Chapter 93A. (Klairmont v. Gainsboro Restaurant, Inc.) - Stock Option Dispute Win Affirmed on Appeal
Tried a federal jury case to verdict in favor of a publicly traded student loan company in a dispute with a former employee over stock options valued at over $8 million. Authored the successful First Circuit brief affirming the judgment. (First Marblehead Corp. v. House) - Tort Liability Limited for Medical Providers to Nonpatients
Submitted an amicus brief on behalf of the Massachusetts Defense Lawyers Association in a case that addressed the scope of liability of healthcare providers. The SJC adopted the position advanced in the brief, limiting exposure to third-party nonpatients. (Leavitt v. Brockton Hospital, Inc.) - Summary Judgment Affirmed in Double Wrongful Death Case
Authored the appellate brief in a case involving two wrongful death claims. The Massachusetts Appeals Court affirmed the trial court’s grant of summary judgment for the defense, and the SJC denied further review. (Kelly v. OE Plus, Ltd.) - Decision Clarifies Insurer Contribution Rights
Successfully opposed summary judgment in a case concerning equitable contribution among insurers. The Superior Court’s decision addressed novel questions under Massachusetts law involving concurrent coverage obligations. (United States Fire Ins. v. Peerless Ins.) - Pollution Exclusion Interpreted to Allow Common-Law Property Recovery
Authored the brief for the insurer in an appellate case interpreting the pollution exclusion in a homeowners insurance policy. The Appeals Court held that certain cleanup costs related to a heating oil spill could fall within a property-based exception. (Clean Harbors Envtl. Servs. v. Boston Basement Techs., Inc.)
- $14 Million Coverage Dispute Resolved in Cancer Misdiagnosis Case
Represented one of multiple insurers in a complex coverage dispute arising from a medical malpractice claim against a testing laboratory following a false-negative cancer screening. The underlying case settled for $14 million. - Catastrophic Maritime Injury Results in $22.5 Million Settlement
Defended a stone and gravel company in a maritime products liability case brought by a tugboat crew member who suffered a double-leg amputation after an accident involving two deck barges. The case was litigated in state and federal courts and resolved through a $22.5 million multi-party settlement. - $24.75 Million Settlement in Catastrophic Injury Traffic Case
Advised a distributor of traffic control equipment on insurance coverage issues in a high-exposure case involving a motor vehicle collision with a tractor-trailer. The plaintiff sustained a leg amputation and paraplegia. The matter resolved in a $24.75 million global settlement. - Insurance Coverage Counsel in $18.75 Million Housing Development Claim
Represented primary and excess insurers in connection with litigation over conditions at a residential housing development. The related state and federal actions resolved in an $18.75 million settlement.
- Untimely Notice Thwarts Coverage of Legal-Mal Claim, Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly (October 2024, Quoted)
- Massachusetts Defense Lawyers Association, President (2015–2016); Director (2010–2015)
- DRI, The Voice of the Defense Bar