Michael J. Akerson

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Biography

Michael J. Akerson joined the firm over twenty-three years ago. Since that time he has fostered a diverse and successful litigation practice, focusing upon complex litigation and representing both individuals and corporations in all stages of litigation and in pre-litigation strategy. He is recognized as one of the area’s most experienced civil, administrative and criminal litigators in the field of public official misconduct cases. Another large component of his practice is representing individuals involved in serious personal injury matters involving automobiles, as well as those injured due to workplace misconduct, including harassment and discrimination. He also counsels numerous corporations on a variety of corporate business issues as well as providing residential and corporate transactional services.

Mike has tried in excess of 200 cases. He has significant experience in trying matters before state and federal courts, most state agencies, and a variety of administrative fora. He has proved successful many times over at trial and also at defending a judge or jury’s favorable determinations at the appellate level at the Massachusetts Appeals Court, the Supreme Judicial Court, and the First Circuit Court of Appeals.

The following case summary offers a preview of the depth of Mike’s experience: A municipal employee was investigated for criminal and administrative misconduct. No criminal charges resulted from the investigation, yet the municipal employer discharged him after a hearing before the City’s Mayor and the alleged victim sued in federal court for civil rights violations. After a lengthy employment arbitration, the arbitrator reinstated the employee, awarding back wages and benefits. The case was appealed to the Superior Court, the Appeals Court, the Supreme Judicial Court and ultimately the United States Supreme Court. In the end, ten years after the initial incident, the reinstated employee received a monsterous back pay award given the arbitrator’s findings of no misconduct and the SJC decision created new case law in terms of employee’s rights. As a result, Attorney Akerson was selected one of ten Lawyers of the Year for 2001 by Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly, the state’s leading legal periodical. In 2002, the Massachusetts Police Association also recognized Mike for his efforts in successfully protecting employee rights in the workplace.

Mike’s cases have been reported in all of Massachusetts’ major newspapers, including the Boston Globe, Worcester Telegram, Boston Herald, NewBedford Standard Times, Springfield Union News – Republican, Berkshire Eagle, Fall River Herald News, as well many other local newspapers statewide. He has also appeared on numerous radio and television news shows regarding cases he has handled.

As a graduate of Connecticut College and Western New England College School of Law, Mike has broad connections throughout the local community, both legal and otherwise. As a result, he often receives attorney referrals for complicated litigation cases. As a partner in the firm, Mike stands ready to usher the firm forward, accepting new legal challenges.

Practice Areas

  • 70% of Practice Devoted to Litigation

Bar Admissions

  • Massachusetts, 1991
  • U.S. District Court District of Massachusetts, 1991
  • U.S. Court of Appeals 1st Circuit, 2000
  • U.S. Supreme Court

Education

  • Western New England College School of Law, Springfield, Massachusetts
    J.D.
  • Connecticut College, New London, Connecticut
    B.A.
    Honors: Dean’s List
    Major: Economics

Representative Cases

  • City of Lynn v. Terrance Thompson, 435 Mass. 54 (2001)

Classes/Seminars Taught

  • Annual Survey of Rhode Island Law, 12 Suffolk University Law Review 608, 1978
  • Tort Law – Duty of Care, 12 Suffolk University Law Review 1068, 1978
  • Tort Law – Bystander Recovery, 12 Suffolk University Law Review 212, 1979
  • The Chief’s Guide to Civil Liability, Chapter 1, The Federal Civil Rights Act, Contributor, Municipal Police Institute, 2006

Honors and Awards

  • Selected Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly Lawyer of the Year, 2001

Professional Associations and Memberships

  • Association of Trial Lawyers of America
    Past Member
  • Massachusetts Bar Association
    Member
  • Worcester County Bar Association
    Member
  • Boy Scouts of America, Mohegan Council, Troop 201
    Past Member
  • Mohegan Council of Spencer
    Member
  • Brookfield/ Spencer Little League
    Past Member

Past Employment Positions

  • Law Offices of Austin M. Joyce, Auburn, MA, Attorney, 1980 – 1983
  • Law Offices of Warren C. Lane Jr., Worcester, MA, Attorney, 1979 – 1980
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