Michael Pratt, Chair of the Philadelphia Litigation Practice, is a highly accomplished litigator, trusted government relations advisor, and recognized leader in Philadelphia’s legal and civic communities. He is frequently engaged to handle complex and highly sensitive litigation matters for a broad range of clients across a spectrum of industries, concentrating on complex commercial and product liability disputes in both federal and state courts across the country. In addition, he provides strategic counsel to clients on navigating a broad range of governmental and policy issues. He represents financial institutions, pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers, product manufacturers and governmental institutions, among others.
With three decades of private practice at Am Law 100 firms, Michael brings a wealth of knowledge and a rich array of experiences to his legal representations and government relations work. His prior roles include serving as the chief litigation counsel for corporate and toxic tort matters for a Fortune 100 company and as the former chief deputy city solicitor charged with overseeing the commercial litigation division for the City of Philadelphia Law Department. Michael bridges his in-house, governmental and private practice experience to assemble and manage teams that provide a streamlined and result-oriented approach to the provision of legal services. Additionally, he has authored or co-authored numerous articles and book chapters on areas of relevant and emerging law.
In his bar association and civic lives, Michael has helped lead a variety of organizations in a range of activities. He served as the 81st Chancellor of the 15,000 member Philadelphia Bar Association. He accepted a gubernatorial appointment to serve on the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission - the first African American to hold such a role - and his tenure included serving as vice chairman for four of his six years on the commission. Other previous leadership posts include serving as president of the Barristers’ Association of Philadelphia, Inc., a local affiliate of the National Bar Association; chair of the board of trustees of Community Legal Services, Inc.; and chair of the American Bar Association’s Standing Committee on Pro Bono and Public Service. He maintains a robust roster of pro bono representations, as he has throughout his career, while continuing to speak before professional and community groups, contributing and advancing scholarship, diversity and inclusion and overcoming poverty within the legal community and public life.
Michael is rated AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5.0, and his legal accomplishments have been recognized by myriad organizations and publications, including Lawdragon 500 Leading Lawyers in America, Best Lawyers in America, Profiles in Diversity Journal 'Black Leaders Worth Watching,' The Legal Intelligencer's 'Power Players,' Acritas Stars Independently Rated Lawyers, “Star Lawyers,” and Super Lawyers magazine. Michael is a graduate of Harvard Law School and a former judicial law clerk for the Honorable Nathaniel R. Jones of the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.
Judicial Clerkships
•Hon. Nathaniel R. Jones, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, 1985-1986
Recognition & Leadership
Awards & Accolades
•Listed, Lawdragon, “500 Leading Lawyers in America,” 2021-2026
•Listed, The Best Lawyers in America
•Commercial Litigation, 2021-2026
•Product Liability Litigation - Defendants, 2023-2026
•Team Member, a Law360 “Product Liability Practice Group of the Year,” 2021
•Listed, Acritas StarsTM Independently Rated Lawyers, “Star Lawyers,” 2018-2021
•Listed, City & State, 'Pennsylvania Power 100,' 2021-2024
•Listed, The Legal Intelligencer, 'Power Players,' 2021
•Honoree, Profiles in Diversity Journal, 'Black Leaders Worth Watching,' 2020
•Recipient, Philadelphia Bar Association, “LGBT Right Committee Cheryl Ingram Advocate for Justice Award,” 2009
•Recipient, Friends of Farmworkers, “Leadership Award,” 2009
•Recipient, Legal Intelligencer, “Diversity Attorney of the Year Award,” 2008-2009
•Recipient, Dawn Staley Foundation, “Community Service Leadership Award,” 2008
•Recipient, Barristers’ Association of Philadelphia, “J. Austin Norris Award,” 2007
•Rated, AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5.0
