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Michael J. Connolly

PartnerBoston

Michael is a Partner and Co-Chair in the Firm’s White Collar & Government Enforcement Group.

As an Assistant United States Attorney, Michael tried nearly a dozen cases to verdict – resulting in convictions of all defendants in every case. As a prosecutor, Michael concentrated in economic crimes including securities fraud, health care fraud, corruption, tax fraud, and bank fraud. Attorney General Janet Reno awarded Michael the 1996 John Marshall Award, the U.S. Department of Justice’s highest award for trial work. He received this honor for his successful work in prosecuting what then-FBI Director Louis J. Freeh hailed as “the largest commercial bribery case in the history of the Department of Justice,” involving 22 former executives with American Honda Motor Company and some of the country’s largest automobile dealers. The prosecution culminated in a four-month jury trial that resulted in the conviction of two former American Honda senior executives of RICO violations, conspiracy and various other fraud charges.

Since leaving the government, Michael has distinguished himself in trying high-stakes business disputes and white collar criminal cases, including several acquittals in jury trials against the U.S. Department of Justice. He has served as lead counsel in over fifty trials in Federal and State courts throughout New England, as well as in New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Tennessee, and Florida. Michael recently tried the liability phase of a Sarbanes-Oxley whistleblower case before the Honorable Paula Xinis in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland. On the eve of the damages trial, the defendants agreed to pay Michael’s client $34.5 million to end the lawsuit. Michael’s accomplishments as a trial lawyer led to his induction into the American College of Trial Lawyers.

Michael has successfully represented senior executives of publicly traded companies and others in SEC investigations and enforcement actions involving allegedly fraudulent disclosures, insider trading, revenue recognition issues, options back-dating, market timing, and various regulatory violations, including prevailing against the SEC at the U.S. District Court level and before the First Circuit Court of Appeals.

Michael also has extensive experience in defending pharma executives, academic medical centers and various other health care providers in grand jury investigations and False Claims Act prosecutions. Michael provides guidance to corporate officers and boards of directors on various issues involving the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, voluntary and mandatory disclosures, and public relations, among others. Michael has defended a global pharmaceutical company in connection with an investigation of alleged fraudulent marketing practices of opioid medications; a non-profit patient assistance fund being investigated for Anti-Kickback Statute and tax violations; and several pharma executives being investigated for off-label marketing, Anti-Kickback violations and securities fraud.

Michael regularly conducts large-scale internal and independent investigations into billing issues and various forms of possible criminal, unlawful and unethical conduct, including highly publicized sexual abuse scandals involving several prominent boarding schools, a world-renowned professional sports organization and other entities.

Michael’s two most recent trials against the Boston U.S. Attorney’s Office resulted in the juries acquitting his clients on all charges (one involved allegations that his client issued prescriptions for opioids in the absence of medical necessity, and the other involved wire fraud and conspiracy charges in connection with a casino development). A third recent health care trial resulted in a hung jury and a mistrial.

Michael has also convinced federal and state prosecutors to decline prosecution in many cases and has secured voluntary dismissals of indictments against corporations and individuals, including the following examples:

  • The dismissal of mail fraud charges against the public contractor that installed the ceiling panel in the I-90 Connector Tunnel to Logan Airport [as part of a project known as “the Big Dig”) that collapsed, fatally injuring a motorist (United States v. Modern Continental, No. 08 cr. 10183-DPW (D. Mass.)]
  • The dismissal of immigration fraud charges against a recruiter in the hotel industry [United States v. Kirsch, No. 1:14-cr-131-01/02-JD (D.N.H.)]
  • The dismissal of ERISA fraud and mail fraud charges against an asbestos remediation contractor [United States v. Air Quality Experts, Inc., No. 16 cr. 10014 (D. Mass.)]

Michael has served as lead counsel in dozens of False Claims Act cases, achieving the following outcomes:

  • The dismissal of a qui tam case brought against one of the largest public contractors in New England on a Rule 12(b)(6) motion
  • Numerous declinations by federal prosecutors following protracted investigations
  • Agreements with federal prosecutors to return overpayments to CMS without any further government action
  • Agreements with federal prosecutors to close False Claims Act investigations and resolve overpayment issues based on common law theories only, such as unjust enrichment

Reported Cases

  • Fialkov v. Microsoft Corp., 72 F. Supp. 3d 1220 (W.D. Wash. 2014), aff’d, 692 F. App’x 491 (9th Cir. 2017)
  • United States v. Thompson, 229 F. Supp. 3d 91 (D. Mass. 2017)
  • State v. Actavis Pharma, Inc., 167 A.3d 1277 (N.H. 2017)
  • United States v. Thompson, 229 F. Supp. 3d 91 (D. Mass. 2017)
  • United States v. Gattineri et al, 1:14CR10284-NMG (2016)
  • SEC v. Andrade, 157 F. Supp. 3d 124 (D.R.I. 2016)
  • United States v. Denunzio, 123 F. Supp. 3d 135 (D. Mass. 2015)
  • ACQIS, LLC v. EMC Corp., 109 F. Supp. 3d 352 (D. Mass. 2015)
  • United States v. Pliner et al, 1:11CR10070-PBS (2015)
  • Bower v. El-Nady, 962 F. Supp. 2d 368 (D. Mass. 2013)
  • Michelin North Am., Inc. v. Inter-City Tire & Auto Ctr., Inc., 2013 U.S. Lexis 120635 (D.S.C. 2013)
  • United States v. Zolot, 2013 U.S. Dist. Lexis 129690 (D. Mass. 2013)
  • Milford-Bennington R.R. Co. v. Pan Am Rys., Inc., 695 F.3d 175 (1st Cir. 2012)
  • Bower v. El-Nady, 847 F. Supp. 2d 266 (D. Mass. 2012)
  • Rubio v. Rubio, 964 N.Y.S. 2d 62 (N.Y. Sup. Ct. 2012)
  • Grand Circle, LLC v. CCO Investment Services Corp., No. 09-06454, 2010 NASD Arb. LEXIS 1412 (NASD Arb. 2010)
  • State v. Breed, 159 N.H. 61 (2009)
  • Hall v. Brooks, No. 08-00101, 2009 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 54378 (D. N.H. 2009)
  • In re Publ’n Paper Antitrust Litig., No. 04-1631, 2009 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 66654 (D. Conn. 2009)
  • GT Solar, Inc. v. Goi, No. 08-249, 2009 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 97108 (D. N.H. 2009)
  • SEC v. Papa, 555 F.3d 31 (1st Cir. 2009)
  • New England Southern R.R. Co. v. Boston & Me. Co., 2008 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 105580 (D.N.H. December 31, 2008)
  • United States v. Quriaishi, 2008 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 77387 (D. Mass. March 5, 2008)
  • Kolancian v. Snowden 532 F.Supp.2d (D. Mass. 2008)
  • United States v. Shanahan, 2007 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 61124 (D.N.H. August 15, 2007)
  • United States v. Mason, 497 F.Supp.2d 328 (D.R.I. 2007)
  • SEC v. Durgarian, 477 F.Supp.2d 342 (D. Mass. 2007)
  • United States v. Urciuoli, 470 F.Supp.2d 109 (D.R.I. 2007)
  • Enterasys Networks, Inc. v. DNPG, LLC, 2006 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 42225 (D.N.H. June 12, 2006)
  • United States v. Guerrette, 389 F. Supp.2d 10 (D.Me. 2005)
  • United States v. Mikutowicz, 365 F.3d 65 (1st Cir. 2004)
  • In re Tyco Intern., Ltd., 340 F.Supp.2d 94 (D.N.H. 2004)
  • In re Tyco Intern., Inc. Multidistrict Litigation (MDL 1335), 2004 WL 556715 (D.N.H. March 19, 2004)
  • Rooney v. Walt Disney World Co., 2003 WL 22937728 (D. Mass. November 25, 2003)
  • Chrysler Corporation v. Chaplake Holdings, Ltd., 822 A.2d 1024 (Del. 2003)
  • Champion Exposition Services, Inc. v. Hi-Tech Electric, 273 F.Supp.2d 172 (D. Mass. 2003)
  • United States v. Mikutowicz, 2003 WL 21857885 (D. Mass.)
  • United States v. Mikutowicz, 2002 WL 31528324 (D.Mass.)
  • Burling v. Chandler, 804 A.2d 471 (N.H. 2002)
  • Waters v. Walt Disney World Company, 237 F.Supp.2d 162 (D.R.I. 2002)
  • Chaplake Holdings, Ltd. v. Chrysler Corporation, 766 A.2d 1 (Del. 2001)
  • Coakley Landfill Group v. IT Corporation, 116 F.Supp.2d 244 (D.N.H. 2002)
  • United States v. Shea, 211 F.3d 658 (1st Cir. 2000) (Trial Counsel Only)
  • Chaplake Holdings, Ltd. v. Chrysler Corporation, 1999 WL 167834 (Del.Super.)
  • United States v. Shea, 957 F.Supp. 331 (D.N.H. 1997)
  • United States v. Joselyn, 99 F.3d 1182 (1st Cir. 1996)
  • United States v. Conway, 81 F.3d 15 (1st Cir. 1996)
  • United States v. Cardiges, 881 F.Supp. 717 (D.N.H. 1995)
  • Thomas v. American Cyanamid Company, 7 F.3d 235 (6th Cir. 1993) (Trial counsel only)
  • United States v. McCoy, 977 F.2d 706 (1st Cir. 1992)
  • United States v. Desmarais, 938 F.2d 347 (1st Cir. 1991)

Work Experience

  • Hinckley Allen
    • Co Chair, White Collar & Government Enforcement Group
    • Partner (1998-Present)

Honors & Awards

  • Best Lawyers in America® (2005-2026)
    • Lawyer of the Year (2015)
    • Bet-the-Company Litigation
    • Commercial Litigation
    • Criminal Defense: White-Collar
    • Litigation — Banking and Finance
  • Benchmark Litigation, Litigation Star (2023-2026)
  • Chambers and Partners, Chambers USA (2004-2026)
    • Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations
    • Litigation: General Commercial
  • Legal 500, US Elite: Boston (2026)
    • White Collar Crime
  • Super Lawyers, Massachusetts (2004-2006, 2008-2025)
    • Criminal Defense: White Collar
  • New Hampshire Magazine, Granite State's Ideal Attorneys, Federal Criminal Law category (2003-2008)
  • Boston College Alumni Association's Award of Excellence in Law (1997)
  • United States Attorney General's John Marshall Award for Excellence in Trial Work (1996)
  • American College of Trial Lawyers, Fellow
  • Martindale-Hubbell® AV Peer Review Rating, Recipient

Professional Affiliations

  • American Bar Association
    • Litigation Section
    • Criminal Justice Section
  • American College of Trial Lawyers, State Committee Member
  • Boston Bar Association, Litigation and Criminal Sections
    • Litigation Section
    • Criminal Section
  • Federal Court Advisory Committee, U.S. District Court, District of New Hampshire
  • First Circuit Advisory Committee on Rules

Bar Memberships

  • Massachusetts, 1998
  • New Hampshire, 2000
  • New York, 1985
  • United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit, 1991
  • United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, 2009
  • United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts, 1998
  • United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York, 1986
  • United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, 1986
  • United States Supreme Court, 2004
Publication

White Collar & Government Enforcement - 2025 Successes

Our White Collar & Government Enforcement attorneys delivered exceptional results, securing favorable outcomes for clients facing complex investigations and high-stakes litigation. View a selection of our 2025 Successes.

Publication

Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly: Hinckley Allen Team Makes History With $34.5M Whistleblower Recovery

James L. Tuxbury, Christopher V. Fenlon, Michael J. Connolly, and Janelle A. Pelli were recently featured in Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly for their historic victory on behalf of their client, Carlos Domenech Zornoza, in Zornoza v. Terraform, G…

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Firm News

Hinckley Allen Earns Strong Recognition in Chambers USA 2026 Guide

Hinckley Allen has once again earned prominent recognition in the Chambers USA 2026 Guide. This year, 10 practice areas and more than 30 attorneys across the firm’s offices in the Northeast and Florida earned distinguished rankings, underscoring Hinckley…

Firm News

Excellence Across Practices: Legal 500 Recognizes Hinckley Allen Attorneys in US Elite

Fourteen Hinckley Allen partners across the firm’s core practice areas have been recognized in Legal 500’s US Elite rankings—another significant milestone reflecting strategic growth, unwavering commitment to client service, and strong marke…

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Case Study

Hinckley Allen Prevails in $34.5 Million SOX Litigation

Hinckley Allen secured a historic victory with a $34. 5 million recovery in favor of its client, Carlos Domenech Zornoza (Mr. Domenech), marking the culmination of a nine-year legal battle. This is the largest documented recovery for a Sarbanes-Oxley whistl…

Past Event

WEBINAR: Navigating Public Construction Minefields

May 13, 2021

Hinckley Allen construction, environmental and government enforcement & white collar defense attorneys have teamed up to address important developments and legal issues relating to government investigations of public contractors.   This webinar, sponso…

Past Event

WEBINAR: School Reopenings–Risk Management for New England Colleges and Boarding Schools

May 27, 2020

Join Hinckley Allen on Wednesday, May 27, 2020 as our experts help New England colleges and boarding schools reopen safely. We want to hear from you! Please click here to submit a question in advance to be read by our presenters and discussed during the web…

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Practices

Industries

Education

Fordham University School of Law, J.D., 1984

Boston College, B.S., 1981

  • magna cum laude

  • Carroll School of Management, Honors Program