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Atty. Michael P. Thornton

Atty. Michael P. Thornton

Michael P. Thornton is founder and chairman of Thornton Law Firm LLP.

Boston Boston 51 yrs experience 51 year
Call (857) 347-5877 Email Book Appointment

Profile Summary

About Michael P. Thornton at a glance

Michael P. Thornton is a Founder and Chairman based in Boston, Massachusetts, practicing at Thornton Law Firm LLP. They have 51+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 1975. Their practice focuses on personal injury, workers comp, class action, whistleblower, and product liability. Admitted to practice in New Hampshire (1975), U.S. District Court, District of New Hampshire (1975), Maine (1979), and U.S. District Court, District of Maine (1979). Educated at Vanderbilt University (J.D., 1975) and Dartmouth College (A.B., 1972). Recognitions include AV Preeminent. Active member of Massachusetts Bar Association American Bar Association The American Association for Justice. Serands clients in Boston, MA and the surrounding metropolitan area.

Verified attorney profile · Updated June 2026

About

  • Michael P. Thornton is founder and chairman of Thornton Law Firm LLP. A nationally recognized expert on toxic tort litigation, Mr. Thornton graduated from Dartmouth College and Vanderbilt Law School
  • In the 1970’s he successfully undertook the representation of a number of shipyard and construction workers who had developed asbestos-related diseases
  • Over the years, the firm has grown to become the largest firm in the Northeast representing victims of asbestos and other toxic materials
  • The firm has brought justice to workers who contracted cancer and other health issues from exposure to chemicals, defective drugs, and defective products, and to children who have suffered brain damage from lead poisoning and birth defects from chemicals and pesticides to which their parents were exposed
  • The Commonwealth of Massachusetts and other states and local government have sought the firm’s expertise to address damage from threats to the public health
  • Multi-million dollar recovery from tobacco companies resulted from the firm’s work in these areas
  • Mike has lead the firm to support many charitable causes
  • the most visible and important project involves cancer research
  • Mr. Thornton was approached by clinicians and researchers at Brigham and Women’s Hospital who were interested in studying mesothelioma, a then untreatable and invariably fatal form of asbestos related cancer
  • After making a multiyear commitment from his own firm, Mr. Thornton helped to recruit several other donors
  • The program, begun in 2002, has made groundbreaking strides in cancer research generally, and has helped to revolutionize the treatment of mesothelioma, leading to longer survival and better quality of life for victims of this disease
  • Mr. Thornton also responded to a call to help establish a place for the families of mesothelioma victims to stay, as the financial impact of staying in hotels can be devastating
  • The Thornton House was opened in 2008 and houses up to nine families at a time
  • Mr. Thornton is a member of the Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Maine bars
  • He has published a number of articles on legal subjects and has lectured at the Harvard School of Public Health, Harvard Medical School, and Yale Law School

Practice Areas Explained

Michael P. Thornton's Areas of Practice

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

Personal Injury

Personal injury attorneys help accident victims recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain & suffering. Most work on contingency — no fee unless you win.

Michael P. Thornton is one of 264,852 personal injury attorneys indexed nationally. Browse personal injury attorneys in Massachusetts →

Workers Compensation

Workers compensation lawyers help injured workers get medical care, lost wages, and disability benefits. Free consult, no fee unless you win.

Michael P. Thornton is one of 55,389 workers comp attorneys indexed nationally. Browse workers comp attorneys in Massachusetts →

Class Action

Michael P. Thornton is one of 26,424 class action attorneys indexed nationally. Browse class action attorneys in Massachusetts →

Whistleblower & Retaliation

Michael P. Thornton is one of 3,552 whistleblower attorneys indexed nationally. Browse whistleblower attorneys in Massachusetts →

Product Liability

Michael P. Thornton is one of 66,193 product liability attorneys indexed nationally. Browse product liability 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 P. Thornton

Where is Michael P. Thornton's law office located?
Michael P. Thornton's law practice is located in Boston, Massachusetts. The firm is Thornton Law Firm LLP. You can contact the office directly through this profile page.
What practice areas does Michael P. Thornton handle?
Michael P. Thornton focuses on personal injury, workers comp, class action, whistleblower, product liability. Each practice area listed reflects experience handling cases of that type in Massachusetts.
How long has Michael P. Thornton practiced law?
Michael P. Thornton has 51+ years of legal experience and has been licensed since 1975.
Where did Michael P. Thornton go to law school?
Michael P. Thornton earned their education at (J.D., 1975); (A.B., 1972).
How can I contact Michael P. Thornton for a consultation?
You can contact Michael P. Thornton 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 P. Thornton received?
Michael P. Thornton's notable recognition includes: AV Preeminent.

Education

J.D.
Vanderbilt University
- 1975
A.B.
Dartmouth College
- 1972

Awards

AV Preeminent

Bar Admissions

New Hampshire
Admitted: 1975
U.S. District Court, District of New Hampshire
Admitted: 1975
Maine
Admitted: 1979
U.S. District Court, District of Maine
Admitted: 1979
Massachusetts
Admitted: 1982
U.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts
Admitted: 1984

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