Michael Hecht is a member of the firm's litigation practice.  For more than 10 years, he has represented firm clients at the state and federal level in a variety of matters including national mass tort pharmaceutical litigation (multidistrict litigation and otherwise), other product liability litigation, complex commercial litigation, construction litigation, intentional torts, premises liability, negligence actions, business torts, and insurance coverage disputes, as well as domestic, criminal and civil rights matters. 

Mr. Hecht has participated in and managed every aspect of trial preparation.  He has appeared at dispositive and other hearings, taken and defended fact, company, and expert witness depositions, drafted Daubert and other motions, and prepared witnesses for trial and deposition testimony.  Mr. Hecht's recent focus has been on complex medical and scientific issues in pharmaceutical litigation for a large international manufacturer, where he has had primary responsibility for expert development and company case analysis.  In connection with his representation of firm clients, Mr. Hecht has developed considerable knowledge in the areas of pharmaceutical manufacturing, endocrinology, bone biology, osteoporosis, and oral surgery. 

Significant Matters

 

Mr. Hecht's recent significant matters include:

• participation in defense of a pharmaceutical company in a multi-week trial in federal court that went to verdict and resulted in a favorable result for the client;
• primary responsibility for expert and scientific development in national pharmaceutical product liability litigation;
• responsibility for preparing company scientists and experts for deposition and trial testimony;
• primary responsibility for factual investigation and analysis for a company case in national pharmaceutical product liability litigation; and
• second chair in wrongful death trial resulting in a defense jury verdict in Prince George's County, Maryland in negligence action for a commercial carrier.

Additional notable matters include the following:

• successful motions practice in federal court on behalf of a federal pre-sentencing detainee receiving inadequate medical care, including primary medical expert development and examination;
• victories at the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, the Board of Veterans Appeals, and the VA Regional Office for a disabled veteran concerning his disability benefit entitlement;
• successful litigation of a 10-count civil contempt suit in Baltimore City Circuit Court following a two-day evidentiary hearing;
• primary responsibility for safe-guarding a pharmaceutical client's trade secrets in submissions to the FDA for Vaccine Court proceedings; and
• responsibility for the preparation of manufacturing witnesses for deposition in national pharmaceutical litigation; and primary responsibility for factual investigation and analysis of a complex $161 million construction contract/fraud dispute with overlaying bankruptcy issues.

Activities

Mr. Hecht is actively involved in a variety of pro bono matters, primarily in the areas of contract, civil rights, domestic, and criminal law. At Venable, he has served on the firm’s Hiring Committee and as a mentor in the Summer Associate Program. In addition, Mr. Hecht continues his legal education and training through various CLE courses. He has also performed non-legal work for the community, such as teaching summer bible school at St. Joseph’s Church. Mr. Hecht currently spends most of his free time with his wife and two small children. He also enjoys exercise, sports, movies and games.