Michael Altman is an experienced, successful trial attorney known for his intelligent and relentless pursuit of the best possible results for his clients. His 35-year career has included private practice, law school teaching, legal services, and employment as a prosecutor. Mr. Altman was recently chosen by Lawyers Weekly as one of the top ten lawyers of Massachusetts in 2006 and he was then honored by the Massachusetts Bar Association at an awards dinner on February 1, 2007. To read the article announcing his selection as a top lawyer, click here. Mr. Altman has tried hundreds of cases over his career, and Martindale Hubble, the best known directory of lawyers and law firms, gives him the highest possible "AV" rating. One of his most noteworthy victories was in a recent wrongful death case in which the jury awarded his client $15 million, the third highest verdict in 2006 in Massachusetts. To learn more about this case, click here. For a complete list of Reported Cases, click here.

In 1987, Mr. Altman joined the well-known Boston litigation firm of Silverglate, Gertner where he handled a number of high-profile criminal, civil rights, and employment cases. In 1990, he joined the larger Boston firm of Rubin and Rudman where he was an equity partner and handled many business cases in addition to employment, criminal, and civil rights cases.

Mr. Altman began his legal career in 1966 as a Massachusetts Assistant Attorney General. In 1968 the civil rights era was blossoming and Altman became a legal services attorney fighting for the rights of the poor. During this period, he was involved in many high-profile cases against the Boston Public School system. In one case he fought for the rights of non-tenured school teachers. In others he fought for the protection of free speech and other constitutional rights. In one case of great import he helped to establish the rights of children with special needs. This last decision would serve as the foundation for what became Massachusetts General Laws chapter 766. A case he won in the United States First Circuit established the right of tenants to prevent retaliatory evictions.

In 1973, Mr. Altman became a full-time law school teacher and moved to Arizona with his family. For the next 12 years he taught hundreds of Arizona law students criminal and constitutional law, trial practice, and lawyering skills. Eventually, he returned to his roots in Massachusetts and taught at Boston College and Suffolk University Law Schools.

His most celebrated case, the Arizona Sanctuary case, (United States. v. Aguilar) involved an eight-month criminal trial in the United States District Court in Tucson, Arizona. Mr. Altman represented nuns, priests, and ministers accused of engaging in a criminal conspiracy for allegedly smuggling Central Americans into the United States to protect them from brutal dictators in their home countries. For his work on this case, Mr. Altman was honored as a man of the year by the Southern California and Arizona Chapters of the American Civil Liberties Union.

In another noted case, Mr. Altman led a constitutional challenge in state and federal courts to a Massachusetts tax on milk that was finally won in the U.S. Supreme Court (West Lynn Creamery v. Healy).

Mr. Altman’s clients have included corporations and janitors; teachers and students; employers and employees. He prides himself on aggressive litigation on behalf of people and entities needing help. He has directed a three-year defense to a criminal anti-trust investigation and he has successfully represented clients accused of sex crimes. He often represents business partners and shareholders in freeze-out cases and other internal disputes. His cases often include disputes over contracts and leases. His practice has always included a substantial number of employment and civil rights cases.

In January of 2003, Mr. Altman decided to establish a high-profile litigation practice in the context of a smaller, more focused law firm. In July 2006 he merged his growing litigation firm, Altman & Citron LLP, with Riley Esher LLP to become Altman Riley Esher LLP. As the chair of its litigation department, he seeks to provide high-quality representation to people and businesses that need lawyers.

Mr. Altman is particularly proud of his membership on the Board of the American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts and his pro bono representation of people whose rights have been violated. He successfully litigated on behalf of the United American Indians of New England after members were arrested during a Thanksgiving Day demonstration. The result was a dismissal of all criminal charges and a payment by the Town of Plymouth of $135,000.