Michael has developed a diverse civil trial practice focused on achieving the best solutions to litigation exposures faced by corporate, insurance and individual clients. He has extensive experience acting as trial counsel and working with clients to assess and limit risk, develop litigation strategies and negotiate dispute resolutions at the pre-litigation stage.
In court, Michael has tried dozens of jury and courtside cases, and binding arbitrations. He also has argued appeals before the Second Circuit Court of Appeals, Connecticut Supreme Court and the Connecticut Appellate Court. Outside the courtroom, Michael has represented clients appearing at Connecticut Legislative hearings and in contested matters involving several government agencies, including the Connecticut Department of Insurance, the Office of the Connecticut Attorney General, the Connecticut Office of the Child Advocate, the Connecticut Freedom of Information Commission, the New Hampshire Insurance Department and the Federal Trade Commission.
His principal areas of practice are healthcare, medical malpractice, products liability, insurance, personal injury and professional liability law. He has considerable experience providing insurance coverage opinions and instituting declaratory judgment actions, as well defending ERISA and other benefit denials, bad faith litigation and professional negligence claims. Michael’s experience includes practice in multi-district litigation and class actions, and over the years, he has represented individual clients in hundreds of property and casualty matters in state and federal court.
Michael has served by appointment as an arbitrator for civil cases in Connecticut Superior Court and as a Special Master in Connecticut District Court. He is a member of the National Arbitration Forum and is active as a mediator and arbitrator in private dispute resolutions. He also has lectured on third-party practice, trial practice, tort reform and discovery.
Prior to joining Carmody, Michael was a partner at the law firm of Donahue, Durham and Noonan P.C.
Fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America
Civil Trial Specialist by the National Board of Trial Advocacy, 1997 – present
Connecticut Health Lawyers Association
Best Lawyers®: Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants, 2024
The Best Lawyers in America, Defendants Lawyer of the Year 2012 for personal injury litigation, New Haven, 2012 and 2016
New England Super Lawyers, 2006-present
Connecticut Super Lawyers, 2006-present and Top 50 list in 2009
Super Lawyers Corporate Counsel Edition, 2008-present
Boston’s Best Lawyers, 2008-present
New York Area’s Best Lawyers, 2007-present, Lawyer of The Year 2012