Michael B. Giaquinto

Michael’s practice is focused on defending clients in coordinated litigation, multidefendant toxic tort matters, and complex product liability actions throughout the Pacific Northwest. He is seasoned in developing litigation strategy, managing risk, and helping clients navigate the operational, financial, and reputational pressures that accompany large-scale litigation. Michael’s multiple bar admissions give his practice broad regional reach across California, Oregon, and Washington, allowing him to provide clients with seamless, in-market defense coverage across key West Coast jurisdictions.

Michael’s work combines front-line litigation execution with strategic docket leadership, serving as the boots-on-the-ground litigator who positions hundreds of cases across multiple jurisdictions for trial, while also acting as National Coordinating Counsel to help drive disciplined, cost-effective defense strategies across large liability portfolios. Beyond traditional product liability defense, Michael supports a wide range of Morgan Lewis practice groups in high-stakes matters by serving as Oregon local counsel in significant finance, aerospace, environmental, and energy disputes.

For nearly a decade, Michael has been at the forefront of talc litigation, defending manufacturers and retailers in some of the most closely watched product liability disputes in the country. He has served as both local and national coordinating counsel, helping clients develop coordinated defense frameworks that reduce risk, control spend, and drive consistency across large-scale litigation. Additionally, Michael has presented talc sourcing issues at litigation seminars, as well as publishing on the fundamental regulatory issues surrounding the cosmetics industry.

Prior to joining Morgan Lewis, Michael was a partner at a national law firm where he served as national coordinating and trial counsel on product liability cases, and as lead counsel on mass, multidefendant toxic tort cases. Known for his work as a California litigator, Michael has been recognized as a Southern California Super Lawyers Rising Star for five consecutive years..

While in law school, Michael worked as clerk for the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office in the felony Preliminary Hearings Unit, where he conducted hundreds of probable cause hearings on behalf of the government for various offenses including robbery, weapons possession, narcotics trafficking, and other serious felony offenses.