Atty. Michael J. Summersgill

Atty. Michael J. Summersgill

Michael Summersgill is a first-chair trial lawyer who focuses on high-stakes technology litigation including patent, trade secret and general commercial litigation. He has represented major clients—such as Intel, NVIDIA, Natera, Vertex, Akamai and Quest Diagnostics, among many others—in multiple jurisdictions across the country.

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Profile Summary

About Michael J. Summersgill at a glance

Michael J. Summersgill is a patent and ip attorney based in Boston, Massachusetts, practicing at Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP. Admitted to practice in Massachusetts, Massachusetts Bar Association. Educated at Harvard University (J.D., 1996) and Middlebury College (BA, 1992). Recognitions include Best Lawyers in America — Litigation - Intellectual Property (2026), Best Lawyers in America — Litigation - Patent (2026), and Best Lawyers in America — Additional Areas of Practice: (2026). Serands clients in Boston, MA and the surrounding metropolitan area.

Verified attorney profile · Updated June 2026

About

  • Michael Summersgill is a first-chair trial lawyer who focuses on high-stakes technology litigation including patent, trade secret and general commercial litigation
  • He has represented major clients—such as Intel, NVIDIA, Natera, Vertex, Akamai and Quest Diagnostics, among many others—in multiple jurisdictions across the country
  • He has a long track record of winning cases under the most challenging circumstances and in the toughest jurisdictions—earning recognition, among others, from The National Law Journal as a “Winning Litigator.”

Practice Areas Explained

Michael J. Summersgill's Areas of Practice

Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Michael J. Summersgill handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.

Patent Law

Michael J. Summersgill is one of 20,749 patent attorneys indexed nationally. Browse patent attorneys in Massachusetts →

Intellectual Property

IP attorneys protect inventions, brands, and creative work through patent prosecution, trademark registration, copyright, and trade-secret enforcement.

Michael J. Summersgill is one of 106,079 ip attorneys indexed nationally. Browse ip attorneys in Massachusetts →

Jurisdictional Context

Why local counsel matters in Massachusetts

Practicing law in Massachusetts. Legal matters in Massachusetts are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Boston are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate Massachusetts state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in Massachusetts brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this andnue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in Massachusetts courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.

Looking for additional Massachusetts attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Boston or all attorneys in Massachusetts.

Frequently Asked

Common questions about Michael J. Summersgill

Where is Michael J. Summersgill's law office located?
Michael J. Summersgill's law practice is located in Boston, Massachusetts. The firm is Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP. You can contact the office directly through this profile page.
What practice areas does Michael J. Summersgill handle?
Michael J. Summersgill focuses on patent, ip. Each practice area listed reflects experience handling cases of that type in Massachusetts.
Where did Michael J. Summersgill go to law school?
Michael J. Summersgill earned their education at (J.D., 1996); (BA, 1992).
How can I contact Michael J. Summersgill for a consultation?
You can contact Michael J. Summersgill directly through this profile page. Click "Ask the Attorney" to submit a question, or "Schedule a Consultation" to book a meeting. Most claimed-profile attorneys respond within one business day.
What awards or recognition has Michael J. Summersgill received?
Michael J. Summersgill's notable recognition includes: Best Lawyers in America — Litigation - Intellectual Property; Best Lawyers in America — Litigation - Patent; Best Lawyers in America — Additional Areas of Practice:; Best Lawyers in America — Commercial Litigation; Best Lawyers in America — Copyright Law.

Education

J.D.
Harvard University
- 1996
BA
Middlebury College
- 1992

Awards

Best Lawyers in America — Litigation - Intellectual Property
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Litigation - Patent
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Additional Areas of Practice:
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Commercial Litigation
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Copyright Law
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Patent Law
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Trademark Law
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Special Focus:
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Patent
- 2026

Bar Admissions

Massachusetts, Massachusetts Bar Association

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