Michael joined our litigation department in December, 2007, after most recently being one of the named partners in the firm of Clark & Deakin, LLC. His practice will continue to focus primarily on civil litigation and insurance defense, with a concentration in admiralty law, municipal liability, product liability, tort law and insurance coverage disputes. He has tried numerous jury and bench trials to verdict in both federal and state court, and has extensive appellate experience, having appeared before the Supreme and Appellate Courts of Connecticut as well as the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. In addition to his legal practice, Michael serves as treasurer on the board of directors at the Cold Spring School in New Haven, Connecticut, an independent school for children in grades pre-K through six. He is also an adjunct professor at Western Connecticut State University, where he teaches courses in civil litigation and commercial law. Michael received his law degree from Pennsylvania State University, Dickinson School of Law in 1993, where he was a member of the Dickinson Law Review and was the recipient of the International Academy of Trial Lawyers Award, given to the best student advocate in law school's trial advocacy program. After graduating from law school, he served as law clerk for Judge Edward Y. O'Connell of the Connecticut Appellate Court. Michael lives with his wife and son in Hamden, where he volunteers as a coach for the Hamden Regional Youth Basketball League. His wife, Jennifer, is also an attorney in New Haven. Born Danbury, Connecticut, September 25, 1963; Bar admissions: Connecticut, 1993; United States District Court, Connecticut, 1995; United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, 1998.