Michael Packard is an accomplished trial lawyer who represents companies and individuals facing government investigations, criminal charges, and complex civil disputes.
Michael helps his clients navigate significant criminal and civil disputes in state and federal courts, as well as mission-critical investigations. In defending clients charged with crimes, Michael has secured dismissal of all counts and won complete acquittals at trial. He has also helped his clients avoid trial or charges altogether, navigating investigations initiated by the Department of Justice (DOJ), Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), and more. He joined the firm in 2018, following four years as an Assistant United States Attorney for the District of Maryland, and before that several years at another international law firm. As a federal prosecutor, Michael built successful cases concerning a wide array of crimes, from Foreign Corrupt Practices Act violations, wire fraud, and other financial offenses to serious violent crimes and narcotics conspiracies. Michael secured guilty verdicts in every case he tried and won every appeal he argued.
As part of his practice, Michael is committed to pro bono work. By appointment of the Judges of the District of Massachusetts, he serves on the court’s Criminal Justice Act Panel, representing indigent defendants charged with federal crimes. He has also successfully represented several immigrants seeking asylum, individuals seeking guardianship over minor wards, and was part of a trial team that prevailed on behalf of a state prisoner whose constitutional rights had been violated.
A teacher prior to becoming an attorney, Michael remains involved in education, guest lecturing at law schools and volunteering with mock trial and mentorship programs. Michael also makes use of lessons he learned as a college athlete by helping coach his children's youth hockey and lacrosse teams.
Selected Recent Public Matters
- Trial counsel for the Pangang Group companies, who faced federal charges related to alleged Economic Espionage—secured dismissal of all charges, in the middle of trial.
- Trial counsel for Jie “Jack” Zhao, who faced federal bribery and conspiracy charges—won a complete acquittal at trial.
- Counsel for James D’Amour, who was charged by the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office with perjury and related corruption charges—secured dismissal of all charges, on the eve of trial.
- Counsel for two parents charged in the “Varsity Blues” college admissions cases, including Bruce Isackson, who accepted responsibility for his actions, cooperated with the government, and received a non-custodial sentence.
- Trial counsel for Bill Taylor, former President of biologics company MiMedx, in criminal securities and accounting fraud trial, as well as related civil enforcement actions.
- Trial counsel for Javier Aguilar, a former Vitol oil trader, in defending against Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and money laundering charges.
- Counsel for Robert K. Kraft, owner of the New England Patriots, in persuading a Florida court to throw out unconstitutionally obtained evidence.
- Counsel for Parker “Pete” Petit, former CEO of biologics company MiMedx, in defense of various claims in several state and federal courts, including breach of fiduciary duty, defamation, and malicious prosecution.
Selected Recent Non-Public Matters
- Counsel for attorney charged with several felonies—secured dismissal of all charges.
- Counsel for hospital responding to False Claims Act qui tam action and investigation—resolved with all claims being dismissed.
- Counsel for several major pharmaceutical companies in favorably resolving False Claims Act investigations based on alleged violations of Anti-Kickback Statute.
- Counsel for major electronics company in responding to U.S. Department of Justice investigation.
- Counsel for major management consulting company in responding to U.S. Department of Justice inquiries.
- Counsel for healthcare services company in responding to inquiries by the Federal Trade Commission and state authorities.
- Counsel for pharmaceutical company investigating and responding to data breach incident.
- Counsel for travel company in responding to federal investigation related to consumer protection issues—matter closed with no claims or charges filed.
- Counsel for music streaming service under investigation by various enforcement bodies.
- University of Pennsylvania Law School
(J.D., magna cum laude, 2009)- Order of the Coif
- Wharton School of Business
(Certificate in Business & Public Policy, 2009) - Harvard University
(A.B., cum laude, History: International Relations, 2002)
- Dean’s List
- The State Bar of Massachusetts
- United States District Court:
- District of Massachusetts
- United States Court of Appeal:
- First Circuit
- Fourth Circuit
- Ninth Circuit
- United States Attorney’s Office, District of Maryland-Southern Division:
- Assistant United States Attorney, 2014-2018
- Ropes & Gray LLP:
- Associate, 2010-2014
- Law Clerk for the Honorable Mark Wolf:
- District of Massachusetts, 2009-2010
- AmLaw’s “Litigator of the Week” (2026) and runner-up (2023)
- Listed in Chambers USA, Massachusetts - Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations, Up and Coming, 2026
- Listed in The Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch for Commercial Litigation and White-Collar Criminal Defense, 2022-2025
- Michael T. Packard and George Phillips, When Cooperation Equals Control: What Criminal Defendants & Their Counsel Need To Know To Seek Discovery From Cooperators Through The Government, Am. Crim. L. Rev. (Online Ed.) (2025)
- Michael T. Packard and Daniel Koffmann, “Dealing with ‘Diaz’: How Defendants Can Combat and Use Expert Testimony Regarding Group Mental State,” New York Law Journal, (2024)
- Michael T. Packard and Harvey J. Wolkoff, “Ch 12: Business Litigation,” MCLE Massachusetts Superior Court Civil Jury Instructions, 3rd Edition, 2nd Supplement (2018)
- Criminal Justice Act Panel (D. Mass.)
- Boston Bar Association
- Massachusetts Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers