Michael Blanchard’s corporate governance litigation practice traverses counseling in the board room to advocacy in the court room, focused on all facets of stockholder litigation: books and records demands, derivative litigation, public and private mergers & acquisitions (M&A), federal securities litigation, directors’ and officers’ compensation, indemnification and advancement, shareholder activism, and control contests. Michael regularly represents boards responding to stockholder litigation demands, serves as independent counsel to special committees, and advises on litigation avoidance and preparation in connection with public company M&A and other transactions.
Michael has obtained multiple 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.” Michael has successfully tried cases to judges and juries alike, including in the Delaware Court of Chancery, and has argued numerous appeals in state and federal appellate courts.
Michael’s client roster includes directors and officers, public and private companies ranging from startups to Fortune 15 companies, registered and unregistered investment funds, financial services companies, and statutory and business trusts.
Staying abreast of cutting-edge issues, Michael has served as an adjunct professor of law specializing in securities litigation, is active in the American Bar Association’s Corporate Governance and Director and Officer Liability Committees and serves as chair of an ABA task force officer liability. Michael routinely speaks on topics related to his practice.
Michael splits his time between Boston and Hartford, where he serves as litigation practice leader.
Shareholder Derivative Litigation
Governance Litigation and Disputes
Federal Securities Litigation
Special Committee Investigations/Stockholder Demands
Books and Records Litigation
M&A
D&O Indemnification & Advancement
Ranked, Litigation: Securities, Massachusetts, Chambers USA (2024)
Member, Law Firm of the Year, Securities Regulation, US News/Best Lawyers – Best Law Firms (2019)
Recommended, Dispute resolution: M&A litigation: defense, The Legal 500 US (2020–2022)
Recommended, Dispute resolution: Securities litigation: defense, The Legal 500 US (2018, 2019)
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