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Professionals The Team Behind the Results

Peirce_Michelle

Michelle R. Peirce

Partner Boston

Michelle R. Peirce is a Partner in Hinckley Allen’s Litigation group and is Co-Chair of the White Collar & Government Enforcement group. She successfully represents clients in high-stakes criminal, civil, and enforcement litigation such as white-collar criminal investigations and indictments, internal investigations, and complex civil litigation. She has tried numerous complex jury and bench trials in state and federal court.

Her criminal experience encompasses a diverse array of cases spanning healthcare, employment, securities, bankruptcy, export, tax, defense procurement, and other federal and state issues. She served as a Special Assistant District Attorney in Middlesex County, where she prosecuted and tried numerous criminal cases.

In her civil practice, Michelle extends her exceptional advocacy to contract disputes, complex business litigation, healthcare matters, employment disputes, insurance matters, and more. In addition, she is among a small group of attorneys who handle disciplinary, regulatory, and licensing proceedings for lawyers, doctors, and other licensed professionals.

Michelle has vast experience spearheading efficient and effective internal and independent investigations into possible criminal, civil, and regulatory violations on behalf of publicly and privately held corporations, non-profit organizations, and boards of directors. These investigations range from complex and broad to narrow and discrete — Michelle tailors each investigation to her clients’ unique needs and the situation presented.

As a result of her exemplary work, Michelle has received multiple awards for excellence and achievement among her peers. Michelle is a Chambers USA America’s Leading Lawyers for the category of Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations, a Top 50 Women and Top 100 Super Lawyer in Massachusetts, a Top Lawyer in Criminal Defense/White Collar by Boston Magazine and recognized in Best Lawyers of America® by Best Lawyers.

Michelle brings her passion for the law to many volunteer positions. She is a past president and current trustee of the Women’s Bar Foundation and past president of the Women’s Bar Association of Massachusetts. She is a member of the Boston Bar Association, serves as Criminal Law Section Co-Chair for the Federal Bar Association (Massachusetts Chapter), formerly served as Civil Healthcare Section Co-Chair for the Federal Bar Association (Massachusetts Chapter), and is a former member of the steering committees for the Boston Bar Association’s White-Collar Crime, and Business and Commercial Litigation Sections. Michelle is also a volunteer attorney with the Women’s Bar Foundation’s Family Law Project.

Michelle is a trained mediator and a panel member of Middlesex Mediation, LLC.

Experience

  • Successfully represented medical practice in contentious arbitration among joint venture members in a dispute over dissolution.  Secured preliminary injunction through arbitration, resulting in successful resolution.
  • Secured verdicts of not guilty on all twenty-five charges of second-degree murder against Barry Cadden in the nationally-covered New England Compounding Center criminal case arising out of the 2012 meningitis outbreak
  • Defended PPE facilitator in criminal and civil investigations
  • Successfully defended public authority in a commercial contract suit claiming nearly $10M in damages
  • Won landmark federal appeal upholding a no-jail sentence for client convicted of Big Dig highway fraud
  • Persuaded federal authorities not to indict scientist for alleged export crimes after lengthy negotiations
  • Successfully resolved case against insurance carrier for failing to cover hospital’s loss
  • Won civil fraud and consumer protection case, without a trial, against an attorney alleged to have participated in a real estate scheme
  • Represented health plan in favorably resolving class action law suit under Mental Health Parity Act
  • Won dismissal of case brought by union against public authority claiming violation of fire safety regulations
  • Defense award in arbitration defending clients in medical practice partnership dispute
  • Dismissal of all criminal charges in kidnapping case
  • Dismissal of disciplinary complaint against physician at Board of Registration in Medicine in matter involving a patient death
  • Summary judgment awards defending clients in employment discrimination, including claims for race discrimination, sexual harassment, and healthcare whistleblower retaliation
  • Successfully represented family and heirs seeking damages after being defrauded by another family member
  • Persuaded federal prosecutors not to bring charges against attorney in a bankruptcy fraud investigation; successfully disposed of attorney disciplinary complaint arising out of same conduct

Credentials

Work Experience

  • Hinckley Allen
    • Partner
    • Co-Chair, White Collar & Government Enforcement Group
    • Co-Chair, Women's Forum
  • Barrett & Singal
    • Partner
  • Goodwin Procter
    • Associate
    • Special Assistant District Attorney (Cambridge District Court)
  • Suffolk University
    • Adjunct Professor
  • Lawyers Weekly, Inc.
    • Vice President
  • Offices of the Honorable Andrew A. Caffrey, U.S. District Court in Boston
    • Law Clerk

Honors & Awards

  • Best Lawyers in America® (2021-2024)
    • Commercial Litigation
    • Criminal Defense: White-Collar
  • Boston Magazine, Top Lawyers (2021-2023)
    • Criminal Defense White Collar
  • Chambers USA America's Leading Lawyers for the category of Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations
  • Super Lawyers, Massachusetts
    • Super Lawyers (2009-2023)
    • Top 100 (2015-2023)
    • Top 50 Women, Massachusetts (2012-2023)
    • Top 50 Women, New England (2015-2019)
    • Rising Star (2005-2006)
  • Lawyer of the Year, Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly (2017)
  • Circle of Excellence honoree, Top Women of Law, Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly (2017)
  • Top Women of Law, Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly (2013)

Charitable & Civic Involvement

  • Women's Bar Foundation
    • President (2021)
    • Trustee (2006-present)
  • Women's Bar Foundation's Family Law Project
    • Volunteer Attorney
  • Pro bono representation for summary judgment purposes of prisoner in Quintal v. Commonwealth of Massachusetts (filed in U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts)

Professional Affiliations

  • Boston Bar Association
    • Business and Commercial Litigation Steering Committee, Member (2016-2018)
    • Civil Litigation and Criminal Law Sections
    • White Collar Crime Conference Advisory Committee (2020)
    • White Collar Crime Steering Committee, Member (2019-2022)
  • Federal Bar Association, Massachusetts Chapter
    • Criminal Law Section Co-Chair (2023-Present)
    • Civil Healthcare Section Co-Chair (2020-2021)
  • Massachusetts Bar Association
  • Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly
    • Former Member of the Board of Editors
  • Middlesex Mediation, LLC
    • Panel Member (2023-Present)
    • Trained Mediator. Completed forty hours of mediation training in accordance with M.G.L. ch.233 § 23C with MWI in Boston, MA
  • National Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys
    • Member
  • National Institute for Trial Advocacy
    • Faculty Member, multiple years
  • Women's Bar Association
    • President (2009-2010)
    • Member of Executive Board (2007-2010)
    • Vice President of Membership and Statewide Outreach (March 2007-2008)
    • Past Media Committee Chair

Bar Memberships

  • Massachusetts
  • United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit
  • United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts
  • United States Supreme Court

Newsroom

Publication

Video: Navigating the Nuances of Internal Investigations

Managing an internal investigation is challenging, particularly so when it is high-profile. Hinckley Allen has handled several very high-profile internal investigations and has the experience that clients need. A key first step in any internal investigatio…

Publication

Video: Protecting Your Secrets – Understanding the Power of Attorney-Client Privilege

Attorney-client privilege is designed to protect the communication between lawyer and client. For something to fall within the scope of attorney-client privilege, it must be both confidential and designed to give legal advice. Simply adding an attorney to …

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Firm News

Hinckley Allen’s Legal Excellence Recognized by Boston Magazine

Hinckley Allen is pleased to announce that numerous attorneys have been recognized by Boston Magazine, earning the prestigious title of "The Top Lawyers of 2023." This annual accolade, initiated in 2021, is designed to highlight outstanding legal talent in…

Firm News

57 Hinckley Allen Lawyers Included in 2023 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Lists

A total of 57 Hinckley Allen attorneys were named to the Super Lawyers® and Rising Stars lists in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Upstate New York for 2023, including those newly recognized as well as featured in Top Lists.Ger…

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Events

Past Event

Navigating the Complexities of Attorney-Client Privilege as In-House Counsel

April 10, 2024

We invite you to participate in a webinar hosted by Hinckley Allen's White Collar & Government Enforcement Group, focusing on the complexities of attorney-client privilege for in-house counsel.Join Hinckley Allen Partners Michelle Peirce and Elizabeth …

Past Event

Boston Bar Association: Navigating the Nuances of Depositions

February 1, 2024

Litigation Partner and Co-Chair of the White Collar & Government Enforcement group, Michelle Peirce will be join an esteemed panel to help you navigate the nuances of depositions.Depositions are an integral part of the discovery phase of a litigation. …

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Featured Media


Testimonials

“I feel such a weight lifted off my shoulders. You have been a rock through out this ordeal, with your composure, confidence yet at the same time being cautious and supportive. You prepared me thoroughly and I appreciate you for that and for your outstanding professionalism.” —Physician, sanction avoided

“I would recommend her to anyone for anything. She was direct, extremely caring, and gave me some hope that better things might actually be possible.” —Criminal client, dismissed by prosecutor

“My most sincere appreciation to you for your expert attention to our recently wrapped up legal troubles. While the vagaries of the law and the government were cause for concern throughout this protracted ordeal, there was never a moment when I doubted your dedication and expertise. Your knowledge, thoroughness and thoughtful manner allowed me to have the peace of mind to feel confident that, whatever the result, we were well represented.” —Medical practice, investigated for healthcare fraud