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Michael T. Packard

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Packard, Michael
Packard, Michael
Michael T. Packard
michaelpackard@quinnemanuel.com
Biography Recent News Practices Representations

Michael Packard represents companies and individuals facing government investigations, criminal charges, and complex civil disputes.  

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.   In private practice, Michael handles complex criminal and civil disputes in state and federal courts, and he frequently counsels clients through high-stakes investigations.  In defending clients charged with crimes, Michael has secured dismissal of all counts and won complete acquittals at trial.  He has also helped both individuals and companies avoid trial or charges altogether, navigating investigations initiated by the Department of Justice, Securities and Exchange Commission, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, and more. 

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.

Practice Areas

Notable Representations

Selected Recent Public Matters

  • Lead trial counsel to Jie “Jack” Zhao, who faced federal bribery and conspiracy charges—won a complete acquittal at trial.
  • Lead counsel to James D’Amour, who was charged by the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office with perjury and related corruption charges—secured dismissal of all charges.
  • Lead counsel to 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 to Bill Taylor, former President of biologics company MiMedx, in criminal securities and accounting fraud trial, as well as related civil enforcement actions.
  • Trial counsel to Javier Aguilar, a former Vitol oil trader, in defending against Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and money laundering charges.
  • Counsel to Robert K. Kraft, owner of the New England Patriots, in persuading a Florida court to throw out unconstitutionally obtained evidence.
  • Counsel to 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.
  • Counsel to Pangang Group and several other Chinese companies facing charges of economic espionage.

Selected Recent Non-Public Matters

  • Lead counsel to attorney charged with several felonies—secured dismissal of all charges.
  • Lead counsel to major health services company in responding to False Claims Act investigation.
  • Lead counsel to major management consulting company in responding to U.S. Department of Justice inquiries.
  • Lead counsel to pharmaceutical company investigating and responding to data breach incident.
  • Counsel to several major pharmaceutical companies in favorably resolving False Claims Act investigations based on alleged violations of Anti-Kickback Statute.
  • Counsel to travel company in responding to federal investigation related to consumer protection issues—matter closed with no claims or charges filed.
  • Counsel to music streaming service under investigation by various enforcement bodies.

Education

  • 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

Admissions

  • The State Bar of Massachusetts
  • United States District Court:
    • District of Massachusetts
  • United States Court of Appeal:
    • First Circuit
    • Fourth Circuit
    • Ninth Circuit

Prior Associations

  • 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

Awards

Listed in The Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch for Commercial Litigation and White-Collar Criminal Defense, 2022-2025

Publications and Lectures

Professional Activities

  • Criminal Justice Act Panel (D. Mass.)
  • Boston Bar Association
  • Massachusetts Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers