Michael D. Blanchard represents clients in all facets of shareholder litigation, class actions, securities enforcement matters, investigations, and business disputes. Michael has obtained numerous dismissals at the pleading stage, including, for example, the dismissal of a 1933 Act class action which Forbes magazine called a “stunning class action victory.” Where dismissal is not achievable, Michael has successfully tried cases to judges and juries alike, and successfully litigated numerous appeals. Michael also counsels clients on litigation avoidance strategies, and is member of Morgan Lewis’s crisis management practice.
Staying abreast of the cutting edge issues in his specialized fields of practice, Michael serves as an adjunct professor of law, teaching courses in securities litigation and business torts. Michael is active in the American Bar Association’s Corporate Governance, D&O Liability and Business Litigation sections, where he is contributing in the areas of board-driven investigations, special litigation committees and securities litigation. He is also serving as Chair of an ABA Task Force Regarding the Fiduciary Duties of Officers and Protections of the Business Judgment Rule. Michael also serves on the Boston Bar Association’s Financial Services Committee, focusing on Civil Enforcement and Securities Litigation, and to Connecticut’s Securities Advisory Council, a panel of experts on securities matters advising on issues for the Connecticut Securities and Business Investments Division of the Department of Banking.
Michael splits his time between Boston and Hartford, where he serves as litigation practice leader. The Hartford litigation team was recently recognized by the Connecticut Law Tribune as the “Litigation Department of the Year,” for the third year in a row. Michael has also been recognized as “exceptional” by The Legal 500.
Securities Litigation/Enforcement
Special Litigation Committee Investigations
Shareholder Derivative Litigation
Fund Litigation
M&A Litigation
Business Torts/Complex Litigation
Member, Law Firm of the Year, Securities Regulation, US News/Best Lawyers – Best Law Firms (2019)
Recommended, Dispute resolution: Securities litigation: defense, The Legal 500 US (2018)
Recommended, Financial services litigation, The Legal 500 US (2014, 2016)
Member, Litigation Department of the Year, Connecticut Law Tribune (2013–2015)
Member, American Bar Association
Member, Connecticut Bar Association
Member, Massachusetts Bar Association
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