BT Adds Commercial Litigator Michael Leard in Boston

Leard brings nearly 15 years of experience representing individuals and companies of all sizes in commercial litigation and product liability matters, including pharmaceutical, medical device, and consumer product mass tort litigation. He regularly practices in Massachusetts state and federal courts and has substantial experience in multidistrict litigations. His industry focus spans healthcare, manufacturing, and medical devices, and his practice encompasses the full lifecycle of complex disputes, from investigation and discovery through trial and appeal.

"Mike is a highly skilled litigator with a proven track record in sophisticated cases," said Litigation Department Chair Randy Brown. "His product liability depth and strategic vision in complex commercial matters make him a tremendous asset to our clients and to our national litigation platform. We are very excited to have him join our team."

Leard previously was a partner at a Boston-based law firm, where he built a distinguished practice as one of only a handful of Chambers USA-ranked commercial litigators in Massachusetts. Beyond his litigation practice, Leard is deeply embedded in the Massachusetts legal community. He serves as a trustee of the Massachusetts Bar Foundation, and as Section Council for the Massachusetts Bar Association's Litigation Section. Beyond Massachusetts, he is actively involved in leadership for the Defense Research Institute’s Drug and Medical Device Committee and formerly chaired the global Litigation & Dispute Resolution Group for Lawyers Associated Worldwide. 

"Mike's arrival is a significant moment for our Boston office," said Robyn Maguire, managing partner of the firm’s Boston office and co-chair of the Drug and Medical Device Litigation practice. "He is a highly regarded commercial litigator in and outside of Massachusetts, and his experience in pharmaceutical and medical device product liability is a natural complement to what we have already built here. Boston clients will benefit enormously from having Mike and the full resources of Barnes & Thornburg behind them."

Leard earned his law degree, magna cum laude, from Tulane Law School and his bachelor’s degree from the College of the Holy Cross. He is the latest in a growing roster of skilled litigators joining Barnes & Thornburg across the country. Other prominent additions this year include a 12-lawyer insurance recovery group on the East Coast, product liability litigators Derek Smith in Chicago and Joo Cha Webb in Los Angeles, and investigations partners Jeffrey Lehtman and Reem Sadik in Washington, D.C.

"I am excited to be part of Barnes & Thornburg's renowned litigation team and work closely with my new colleagues," said Leard. "The firm’s national reach and growing strength in Boston, coupled with its depth and breadth across all areas of litigation, will be a benefit to my clients and my practice."

Barnes & Thornburg's Boston office serves clients across intellectual property, life sciences, corporate, commercial litigation, and product liability matters. The firm's Drug and Medical Device Litigation practice is one of the most active in the country, representing pharmaceutical and medical device companies in high-stakes proceedings nationwide.

About Barnes & Thornburg

Barnes & Thornburg operates 26 offices across the United States, enabling more than 850 lawyers to serve clients nationwide. As one of the 100 largest law firms in the country, we provide seamless coast-to-coast coverage for high-stakes litigation, complex transactions and innovative IP matters. Our national reach and knowledge of local markets help clients conduct business confidently wherever opportunities arise.