Atty. Michael J. Pendell
Michael Pendell is a trial lawyer who represents people affected by corporate wrongdoing, including whistleblowers, people harmed by tobacco, prescription medications, dangerous medical devices, and victims of international terrorism. He also represents pension fund trustees and other institutional investors in securities, consumer fraud, and other complex class actions.
Anti-Terrorism Lawsuit & More Attorney · Serving Hartford, CT
Profile Summary
About Michael J. Pendell at a Glance
Michael J. Pendell is a Member based in Hartford, Connecticut, practicing at Motley Rice LLC. Their practice focuses on class action, whistleblower, litigation, civil rights, and consumer. Educated at Albany Law School (J.D., 2007) and Emerson College (B.A., 2000). Active member of Associations •American Association for Justice •Connecticut Bar Association •New York State Bar Association. Serves clients in Hartford, CT and the surrounding metropolitan area.
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About Michael J. Pendell
- Michael Pendell is a trial lawyer who represents people affected by corporate wrongdoing, including whistleblowers, people harmed by tobacco, prescription medications, dangerous medical devices, and victims of international terrorism
- He also represents pension fund trustees and other institutional investors in securities, consumer fraud, and other complex class actions
- Michael served as trial counsel in a number of prescription opioid lawsuits representing dozens of governmental entities, including states, cities, and counties in litigation against several pharmaceutical drug manufacturers and distributors for the alleged deceptive marketing and distribution of highly addictive prescription opioids
- A former Naval Reservist who served in a security unit, Michael litigates on behalf of victims of foreign terrorism and international human rights abuses
- Michael, along with other Motley Rice attorneys, is pursuing a civil action against the financiers and supporters of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks
- Michael represents personal injury clients, including people allegedly harmed by tobacco products and thousands alleging harm by dangerous medical devices
- He served as trial counsel in the Engle-progeny litigation in Florida for smokers and families of deceased smokers against tobacco manufacturers
- In transvaginal mesh litigation, he represented women implanted with Ethicon Gynecare Prolift transvaginal mesh devices claiming serious injuries and complications from the devices
- Michael represents institutional and individual investors in claims involving securities fraud
- He played a central role on the litigation team that obtained a seven-figure arbitration award in a case involving secondary liability for an investment advisor’s conduct under the Uniform Securities Act
- Michael also represents clients in complex commercial cases regarding claims of fraud, breach of contract, and tortuous interference, as well as representing whistleblowers in multiple cases involving the False Claims Act, including litigation filed against Afognak Native Corp., alleging Small Business Administration regulatory violations
- Prior to joining Motley Rice
- Michael was an associate with a Connecticut-based law firm, where he litigated in both federal and state courts in commercial and construction law, media and administrative law, personal injury defense and labor and employment matters
- He previously taught business law to B.A. and MBA candidates as an adjunct professor at Albertus Magnus College
- Michael served as a legal intern for the Honorable Randolph F. Treece of the U.S
- District Court for the Northern District of New York and as a law clerk for the Major Felony Unit of the Albany County District Attorney’s Office
- He served as the executive editor for the New York State Bar Association Government Law & Policy Journal and senior editor for the Albany Law Review, which published his 2008 article entitled, “How Far is Too Far?
- The Spending Clause, the Tenth Amendment, and the Education State’s Battle Against Unfunded Mandates.” As of January 2023, Michael serves on the Board of Directors for the Special Olympics of Connecticut. * Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome
- Awards, Accolades & Recognitions Lawdragon 2024-2025 Lawdragon 500 Global Plaintiff Lawyers list: Anti-Terrorism, Product Liability, Whistleblower 2019-2025 Lawdragon 500 Plaintiff Financial Lawyers Consumer Fraud, Securities & Whistleblower Litigation Connecticut Super Lawyers Rising Stars list 2013-2018 Securities litigation
- Business litigation
- Personal injury - products: plaintiff Blog Posts March 18, 2019 Appropriate time limit to bring a qui tam case?
- U.S
- Supreme Court to weigh in Causes, Not Just Cases by: Michael J. Pendell News March 25, 2026 New Mexico AG Prevails in Lawsuit Against Meta Platforms Inc. by: Motley Rice February 17, 2026 National Roundup Class Settlement Agreement Reached in Missouri State Court by: Motley Rice
Practice Areas Explained
Michael J. Pendell's Areas of Legal Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Michael J. Pendell handles, with a practical overview of what that area of law involves and how it may apply to your situation in Hartford.
Class Action in Hartford
Michael J. Pendell is one of 26,226 class action attorneys indexed nationally. Browse class action attorneys in Connecticut →
Whistleblower & Retaliation in Hartford
Michael J. Pendell is one of 3,523 whistleblower attorneys indexed nationally. Browse whistleblower attorneys in Connecticut →
Civil Litigation in Hartford
Civil litigation attorneys for breach of contract, business disputes, civil rights, and class action lawsuits.
Michael J. Pendell is one of 450,750 litigation attorneys indexed nationally. Browse litigation attorneys in Connecticut →
Civil Rights in Hartford
Civil rights attorneys for discrimination, police misconduct, constitutional rights, and civil liberties cases.
Michael J. Pendell is one of 69,634 civil rights attorneys indexed nationally. Browse civil rights attorneys in Connecticut →
Consumer Protection in Hartford
Consumer protection attorneys for fraud, lemon law, debt harassment, and deceptive trade practices.
Michael J. Pendell is one of 50,226 consumer attorneys indexed nationally. Browse consumer attorneys in Connecticut →
Jurisdictional Context
Why Local Counsel Matters in Hartford
Practicing law in Connecticut. Legal matters in Connecticut are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Hartford are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate Connecticut state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in Connecticut brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this venue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in Connecticut courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.
Hartford Courts and Legal Process
Choosing a Hartford-based attorney means your counsel already knows the local docketing timelines, preferred filing formats, and how individual judges typically rule on procedural motions — details that only come from practicing in this jurisdiction day after day. That local familiarity can translate to better strategy, faster filings, and fewer costly surprises.
Looking for additional Connecticut attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Hartford or all attorneys in Connecticut.
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Professional Profile
Why Clients in Hartford Choose Michael J. Pendell
Selecting an attorney is one of the most consequential decisions you can make when a legal matter arises. Below are the core qualities that distinguish Michael J. Pendell's practice in the field of class action, whistleblower, litigation, civil rights, and consumer.
Broad Practice Area Coverage
Covering class action, whistleblower, and litigation, Michael J. Pendell can address the full spectrum of a client's legal needs without requiring referrals to separate specialists for each issue.
Local Presence in Hartford
A Hartford-based practice means Michael J. Pendell attends hearings in the same courthouses, knows the local clerks, and understands the unwritten scheduling norms that affect every case filed here.
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Michael J. Pendell's Practice Areas & Specializations
Education & Law School Background
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