Bauernfeind, Barbara A.

Michael Bayer is a counsel in the firm's Litigation/Controversy and Securities Departments, and is a member of the Firm’s Business Trial and Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Groups. He joined the firm in 2004.

Practice

Mr. Bayer's practice focuses on complex commercial disputes and investigations. He has experience working on a variety of litigation matters, particularly in the areas of products liability, healthcare fraud, federal and state False Claims Act cases and securities litigation. Mr. Bayer has particular experience defending pharmaceutical manufacturers in products liability cases and government investigations.

Recent Highlights

• Defended several major pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers in hundreds of products liability cases arising out of the use of diet drugs, antidepressants, and implantable defibrillators.
• Defended a major pharmaceutical manufacturer in multiple parallel civil and criminal government investigations relating to its marketing practices.
• Defended a “Big 3” U.S. auto manufacturer in arbitrations involving hundreds of rejected dealers arising out of historic bankruptcy proceedings.
• Defended a retirement benefit plan administrator in state False Claims Act litigation.
• Represented a major financial services company in litigation involving claims for misappropriation of trade secrets and unfair business practices.
• Represented various companies and individuals in civil securities fraud cases and regulatory investigations.

Honors and Awards

At Cornell Law School, Mr. Bayer was a research assistant to Professor Stephen Yale-Loehr and was involved in the update and editing of Immigration Law and Procedure, a leading immigration law treatise. He was the recipient of the Kastowitz Prize for Excellence in Legal Writing and Oral Advocacy. At Dartmouth College, Mr. Bayer was a recipient of the Nelson A. Rockefeller Prize for the best international relations thesis.

Professional Activities

Mr. Bayer has served as a faculty member for the Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education Pretrial Litigation Basics Seminar, and as an advisor to students participating in the Harvard Law School trial advocacy program.

Mr. Bayer is a member of the American Bar Association and the Boston Bar Association.

Community Involvement

Mr. Bayer is an active member of the National Ski Patrol, and serves as a volunteer alpine patroller at a local New England ski area. He has also served as a volunteer firefighter, emergency medical technician and CPR instructor in the State of New York.