21 May 2026
Barnes & Thornburg Adds Commercial Litigator Michael J. Leard to Boston Office
"Barnes & Thornburg has hired Michael J. Leard as a partner in its Boston office to bolster its commercial litigation and product liability practices, including pharmaceutical and medical device work."
Leard brings nearly 15 years of experience representing individuals and companies in commercial litigation and product liability matters, including pharmaceutical, medical device, and consumer product mass tort litigation. He regularly litigates in Massachusetts state and federal courts, has substantial experience in multidistrict litigations, and focuses on clients in the healthcare, manufacturing and medical device industries. His practice covers the full lifecycle of complex disputes from investigation and discovery through trial and appeal.
Leard is entering Barnes & Thornburg as a partner. He was previously a partner at a Boston-based law firm, where he built a distinguished practice and was one of a small number of Chambers USA-ranked commercial litigators in Massachusetts. He is active in the Massachusetts legal community as a trustee of the Massachusetts Bar Foundation and as Section Council for the Massachusetts Bar Association’s Litigation Section, and he holds leadership roles in the Defense Research Institute’s Drug and Medical Device Committee and formerly chaired the global Litigation & Dispute Resolution Group for Lawyers Associated Worldwide. Leard earned his J.D., magna cum laude, from Tulane Law School and his bachelor’s degree from the College of the Holy Cross.