Michael Packard joined Quinn Emanuel 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. His current practice marries his experiences as a federal prosecutor and a civil litigator, encompassing white-collar defense, government investigations, and commercial litigation.
As a federal prosecutor, Michael built successful cases concerning a wide array of crimes, from FCPA violations, wire fraud, and other financial offenses to serious violent crimes and narcotics conspiracies. Michael secured guilty verdicts in every case he tried, and he successfully briefed and argued a host of contested issues before the District Court of Maryland, as well as on appeal before the Fourth Circuit.
In private practice, Michael handles complex civil and criminal disputes in both state and federal courts, including the defense of individuals facing criminal charges, as well as individuals and companies in high-stakes civil litigation. He has also counseled companies through an array of government enforcement inquiries, such as counseling individuals served with federal grand jury subpoenas, as well as conducting internal investigations for healthcare providers facing inquiries into pricing and promotional activities, and private equity firms analyzing potential FCPA exposure.
Michael is also committed to pro bono work, and he has successfully represented several immigrants seeking asylum and change of status, as well as individuals seeking guardianship over minor wards. Michael was also part of a team that prevailed in a federal trial on behalf of a state prisoner whose constitutional rights had been violated.
A high school teacher prior to becoming an attorney, Michael remains involved in education, having mentored students with Citizen Schools' 8th Grade Academy and volunteered for Discovering Justice's mock trial program. Michael also makes use of lessons he learned as a college athlete by helping coach his children's youth lacrosse and hockey teams.
- Represent Jie “Jack” Zhao, who was charged by the U.S. Attorney’s Office (D. Mass.) with bribery and conspiracy to commit honest services fraud/bribery, and secured a “Not Guilty” verdict on all charges.
- Represent major pharmaceutical company in favorably resolving False Claims Act investigation based on alleged violations of Anti-Kickback Statute.
- Represent several Chinese companies facing charges of economic espionage.
- Represent two parents charged in the “Varsity Blues” college admissions cases, including Bruce Isackson, a parent who accepted responsibility for his actions and is cooperating with U.S. law enforcement authorities.
- Represent Robert K. Kraft, owner of the New England Patriots, in persuading a Florida court to throw out unconstitutionally obtained evidence.
- Represent law enforcement officer facing charges of corruption involving 14 other officers, securing dismissal of all charges.
- Trial counsel to former public company executive battling civil and criminal securities fraud actions.
- Represent public health care company executives in defense of various claims in several state and federal courts, including breach of fiduciary duty, defamation, and malicious prosecution – all of which resolved favorably, with the executives paying nothing in liability.
- Represent music streaming service under investigation by various enforcement bodies.
- University of Pennsylvania Law School
- (J.D., magna cum laude, 2009)
- Order of the Coif
- 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
- The State Bar of Massachusetts
- United States District Court:
- District of Massachusetts
- United States Court of Appeal:
- First Circuit
- Fourth Circuit
- Ninth Circuit
- United States Attorney’s Office, District of Maryland-Southern Division:
- Assistant United States Attorney, 2014-2018
- Assistant United States Attorney, 2014-2018
- Law Clerk for the Honorable Mark Wolf:
- District of Massachusetts, 2009-2010
Listed in The Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch for Commercial Litigation and White-Collar Criminal Defense, 2022-2024
- Michael T. Packard and Harvey J. Wolkoff, “Ch 12: Business Litigation,” MCLE Massachusetts Superior Court Civil Jury Instructions, 3rd Edition, 2nd Supplement (2018)