Michael J. Pineault

Corporations, governmental agencies, and individuals turn to Michael for his three decades of experience representing clients in complex criminal and civil matters. Michael’s experience includes 10 years as a federal prosecutor in the Boston U.S. Attorney’s Office, including as Chief of the Economic Crimes Unit; 7 years as a trial attorney at a large Boston law firm; 10 years as co-founder and principal at a litigation boutique; and three years as Deputy Chief Legal Counsel to former Governor Deval Patrick.  He has tried numerous multi-week jury cases to verdict.

Armed with the insights and relationships acquired over the course of his varied career in private practice and in federal and state government, Michael focuses on the following areas:

• Healthcare: Investigations concerning the Federal Anti-Kickback Statute, the Stark Act, the False Claims Act, the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, and regulations governing the sales and marketing practices of pharmaceutical and medical device companies.
• Securities and Financial Services: Securities and Exchange Commission, Justice Department and state Securities Division investigations of public companies, executives, investment advisers and broker/dealers concerning stock option practices, market timing, insider trading, revenue recognition, and alleged false statements and material omissions.
• Other White Collar Matters: Investigations involving tax evasion, bank fraud, currency reporting violations, government contract fraud, mail and wire fraud, and theft of honest services.
• Business Disputes: Civil litigation involving commercial disputes, including allegations of breach of contract, unfair and deceptive business practices, defamation, misrepresentation and fraud.
• Employment Disputes: Litigation involving employment agreements, severance issues, breach of fiduciary duty claims, non-compete agreements, wrongful termination, discrimination and civil rights claims, and other issues relating to the formation and termination of employment relationships.
• Professional Liability: Defense of claims alleging legal malpractice, principally in complex commercial transactions.

Clients who engage Michael for his expertise and credibility, inside and outside government, with the bench and with the bar, will work closely and directly with him on their matters.

• Internal Investigations
• Litigation
• White Collar Defense & Government Enforcement

Education

Harvard Law School, J.D. 1989, magna cum laude, Harvard Law Review

Dartmouth College, A.B. 1986, summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa

Admissions

Massachusetts

U.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts

U.S. Court of Appeals, First Circuit

Clerkship

The Honorable Hugh H. Bownes, United States Court of Appeals, First Circuit

• Obtained acquittal of company supervisor on RICO conspiracy charges following two-month jury trial;
• Obtained acquittal of chief executive officer of medical device company on federal off-label promotion felony charges following six-week jury trial;
• Successfully represented asset management sub-advisory firm and its principal in connection with federal and state securities investigations and related civil litigation involving theft of investment funds by fund manager.
• Successfully represented bank president and chief operating officer in connection with federal and state investigations and related class action litigation arising out of fraudulent Ponzi scheme operated by former account holder;
• Successfully represented senior executive at pharmaceutical company in connection with federal investigation involving Patient Assistance Program.
• Successfully represented senior engineering executive in connection with federal investigation involving Pipeline Safety Act;
• Obtained favorable decision from the Supreme Judicial Court directing the dismissal of defamation claims against the former Governor of Massachusetts;
• Represented former President of the Massachusetts Senate;
• Represented coach charged in federal “Varsity Blues” college admissions case;
• Retained by various public and private institutions to conduct internal investigations involving allegations of employee wrongdoing;
• Engaged to represent numerous executives and employees in connection with health care matters involving alleged violations of the False Claims Act, the Federal Anti-Kickback Statute, the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, and regulations governing the sales and marketing practices of pharmaceutical and medical device companies;
• Represented small business owners in connection with federal criminal tax investigations; and
• Successfully represented corporate defendants in a wide range of complex commercial litigation matters.