Shepard O’Donnell Named a Top-Tier Personal Injury Law Firm by Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms” 2025
Shepard O’Donnell, one of the top asbestos personal injury law firms in Massachusetts for 26 years, received top-tier designation in the Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms” 2025 edition. For the third year in a row, the firm was ranked “Tier 1” in personal injury litigation and was highly rated in mass tort litigation and class actions. Law firms included in the “Best Law Firms” rankings are recognized for professional excellence and consistently strong ratings from clients and peers. Below are the firm’s complete rankings.
Metropolitan Tier 1 (Boston)
- Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs
Metropolitan Tier 3 (Boston)
- Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Plaintiffs
The Best Lawyers “Best Law Firms” rankings are determined by an exhaustive evaluation process that includes the collection of client and lawyer evaluations, peer review from leading attorneys in their field and review of additional information provided by law firms as part of the formal submission process. To be eligible for a ranking in a particular practice area and metro region, a law firm must have at least one lawyer included in Best Lawyers in that particular practice area and metro.
Shepard O’Donnell Named a Best Women-Led Law Firm by Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly
Shepard O’Donnell, one of the top asbestos personal injury law firms in Massachusetts for 26 years, has been recognized as a “Best Women-Led Law Firm” by Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly. The inaugural list celebrates the incredible contributions of female-led firms across Massachusetts and how these firms are helping women attorneys thrive professionally.
Shepard O’Donnell represents victims of mesothelioma, asbestos exposure, tobacco, and physician sexual abuse. The firm’s success is a direct result of the many women at Shepard O’Donnell who strive for greatness, including Co-Managing Partner Erika O’Donnell. “It’s an honor to be listed among the many other well-deserving women-led firms in Massachusetts,” said O’Donnell. “This recognition illustrates our commitment to creating an inclusive work environment that empowers our women attorneys and staff to excel in their work. Together, we share a common mission to help people who are likely experiencing the most difficult situation they’ve faced in their lives.”
To be selected as a Best Women-Led Law Firm, a firm must be led by a female attorney in Massachusetts and demonstrate success across a broad spectrum of criteria, including success in the local legal community through growth in revenue or employees; being recognized as a best workplace because of employee support programs; showing a high level of employee morale; demonstrating a strong and consistent community engagement; and having a record of promoting DE&I efforts designed to help women attorneys thrive professionally. The full list of honorees can be found here.
Three Shepard O’Donnell Attorneys Recognized in the 2024 Edition of Massachusetts Super Lawyers
Shepard O’Donnell, one of the top asbestos personal injury law firms in Massachusetts for 26 years, announces that three of its attorneys were selected for inclusion in the 2024 edition of Massachusetts Super Lawyers, with two included on the Super Lawyers list and one on the Rising Stars list.
Founder Michael Shepard and Co-Managing Partner Erika O’Donnell were recognized as Massachusetts Super Lawyers in the Personal Injury - Products: Plaintiff practice area. Shepard was also included in the Top 100: Massachusetts Super Lawyers Top List.
Partner Michael McCann was recognized as a Massachusetts Rising Star in the Personal Injury - Products: Plaintiff practice area. The Rising Star designation recognizes lawyers under the age of 40 years old or those in practice for less than ten years. Each year, no more than 2.5% of lawyers in each state are selected for inclusion on the Rising Star list.
Super Lawyers is a research-driven, peer-influenced rating service for lawyers who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. The mission of Super Lawyers is to bring visibility to attorneys who exhibit excellence in practice. The selection process, as detailed on the Super Lawyers website, is multi-phased and includes independent research, peer nominations, and evaluations that identify a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement.
Three Shepard O’Donnell Attorneys Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2025
Shepard O’Donnell, one of the top asbestos personal injury law firms in Massachusetts for over 25 years, announces that three of its attorneys were selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2025 edition. Published by Woodward/White, Inc since 1982, Best Lawyers is considered by many to be the oldest and most respected peer-reviewed publication in the legal profession.
Founder Michael Shepard was recognized in the Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs practice area. Co-Managing Partner Erika O’Donnell was recognized in the Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Plaintiffs and Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs practice areas.
Partner Michael McCann was recognized in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in the Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Plaintiffs and Product Liability Litigation – Plaintiffs practice areas. The “Ones to Watch” designation recognizes lawyers for outstanding professional excellence who are earlier in their careers.
Inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America is based on an extensive peer-review process designed to capture the consensus opinion of leading lawyers about the professional abilities of their colleagues within the same geographical and legal practice area. Best Lawyers highlights the top 5% of practicing attorneys in each practice area. Its 2025 selections are featured in the 31st edition of The Best Lawyers in America.
Three Shepard O’Donnell Attorneys Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2025
Shepard O’Donnell, one of the top asbestos personal injury law firms in Massachusetts for over 25 years, announces that three of its attorneys were selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2025 edition.
Shepard O’Donnell Partner Michael McCann Named “Rising Star of the Plaintiffs Bar” by The National Law Journal
Shepard O’Donnell, one of the top asbestos personal injury law firms in Massachusetts for over 25 years, announces that Partner Michael McCann has been named a 2024 Elite Trial Lawyers honoree by The National Law Journal in the “Rising Stars of the Plaintiffs Bar” category. The award celebrates the accomplishments of lawyers under 40 who have demonstrated outstanding litigation skills, service to the community and made significant contributions to their firm. McCann and fellow honorees will be recognized at an award ceremony in New York City on July 11.
McCann’s practice focuses on asbestos litigation, tobacco lawsuits and other complex tort litigation matters. His extensive experience includes arguing before the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court and leading the Shepard O’Donnell team in several groundbreaking cases. His exceptional professional acumen led to his promotion to partner in 2019.
“Witnessing Mike’s growth as an attorney and having him a part of our firm has been a privilege. He’s a top-notch litigator and a key partner at Shepard O’Donnell,” said Founder Michael Shepard. “He adeptly manages the complexity of asbestos and toxic tort litigation and is committed to ensuring his clients receive the justice they deserve. I couldn’t think of a more suitable honoree!”
As an active member of the Boston legal community, McCann is a member of the Massachusetts Academy of Trial Attorneys and the American Association for Justice. In addition to his recognition as a “Rising Star of the Plaintiffs Bar,” he has been recognized by Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly as an “Up & Coming Lawyer,” Massachusetts Super Lawyers as a “Rising Star” since 2019 and The Best Lawyers in America as “One to Watch” since 2023. The complete list of finalists and honorees for the 2024 Elite Trial Lawyers awards can be found here.
The National Law Journal reports on breaking news and trends for law firms and legal departments about the evolving federal regulations in a volatile political climate.
Shepard O’Donnell, one of the top asbestos personal injury law firms in Massachusetts for over 25 years, announces that three of its attorneys were selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2025 edition.
Three Shepard O’Donnell Attorneys Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2025
Shepard O’Donnell Announces Mackenzie Hoglund as an Associate Attorney
Shepard O’Donnell, one of the top asbestos personal injury law firms in Massachusetts for 25 years, announces that Mackenzie T. Hoglund has joined the firm as an associate attorney. Working closely with the Shepard O’Donnell team, Hoglund will focus on toxic tort litigation, fighting for victims of mesothelioma, asbestos exposure, tobacco, hazardous products, defective medical implants and dangerous medications.
Hoglund earned his J.D. from Roger Williams University School of Law in 2023 and a B.S. from Stonehill College in 2020. He was admitted to the Massachusetts Bar in July of 2023 with a score recognizing him for all UBE Jurisdictions.
“We are delighted to welcome Mackenzie to the firm,” said Shepard O’Donnell Partner Michael Shepard. “He is eager to advocate for victim’s rights and demonstrates an aptitude for complex litigation. We look forward to working with him on toxic tort cases as we help our clients find justice.”
While in law school, Hoglund worked closely with the Business Start-Up Clinic, where he partnered with start-up companies and entrepreneurs to address a variety of legal concerns. Additionally, he participated in the Pro Bono Collaborative Eviction Help Desk and the USPTO Law School Clinic Certification program.
Shepard O’Donnell Partner Michael McCann Named “Up & Coming Lawyer” by Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly
Shepard O’Donnell, one of the top asbestos personal injury law firms in Massachusetts for over 25 years, announces that Partner Michael McCann has been named a 2024 Excellence in the Law honoree by Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly in the “Up & Coming Lawyers” category. The “Up & Coming Lawyers” award celebrates the exceptional professional and community accomplishments of attorneys practicing less than 10 years. McCann and fellow honorees will be recognized at a reception in Boston on March 19.
McCann’s practice focuses on asbestos litigation, tobacco lawsuits, and other complex tort litigation matters. He has argued in front of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court and served as lead counsel in multiple landmark cases. As a result of McCann’s professional acumen, he was elevated to partner in 2019.
“It has been an honor to watch Mike grow as an attorney over the decade,” said Founder Michael Shepard. “He manages the complexity of asbestos and toxic tort litigation with adeptness and is committed to obtaining justice for his clients. I am elated to see Mike recognized for his consistent excellence!”
As an active member of the Boston legal community, McCann is a member of the Massachusetts Academy of Trial Attorneys and the American Association for Justice. In addition to his recognition as an “Up & Coming Lawyer,” he has been recognized by Massachusetts Super Lawyers as a “Rising Star” since 2019 and The Best Lawyers in America as “One to Watch” since 2023. The full list of Excellence in the Law honorees can be found here.
Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly reports decisions issued by all the state and federal courts in Massachusetts, as well as changes to court rules, verdict and settlement reports, bar-discipline notices, and all other news vital to attorneys in the commonwealth. It also covers hundreds of rulings from state and federal trial courts in Massachusetts.
Three Shepard O’Donnell Attorneys Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2025
Shepard O’Donnell, one of the top asbestos personal injury law firms in Massachusetts for over 25 years, announces that three of its attorneys were selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2025 edition.
Shepard O’Donnell Named a Top-Tier Personal Injury Law Firm by Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms” 2024
Shepard O’Donnell, one of the top asbestos personal injury law firms in Massachusetts for 25 years, received top-tier designation in the Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms” 2024 edition. The firm was ranked “Tier 1” in personal injury litigation and was highly rated in mass tort litigation and class actions. Law firms included in the “Best Law Firms” rankings are recognized for professional excellence and consistently strong ratings from clients and peers. Below are the firm’s complete rankings.
Metropolitan Tier 1 (Boston)
- Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs
Metropolitan Tier 3 (Boston)
- Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Plaintiffs
The Best Lawyers “Best Law Firms” rankings are determined by an exhaustive evaluation process that includes the collection of client and lawyer evaluations, peer review from leading attorneys in their field and review of additional information provided by law firms as part of the formal submission process. To be eligible for a ranking in a particular practice area and metro region, a law firm must have at least one lawyer included in Best Lawyers in that particular practice area and metro. Three Shepard O’Donnell attorneys were recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2024 edition.
Three Shepard O’Donnell Attorneys Recognized in the 2023 Edition of Massachusetts Super Lawyers
Shepard O’Donnell, one of the top asbestos personal injury law firms in Massachusetts for 25 years, announces that three of its attorneys were selected for inclusion in the 2023 edition of Massachusetts Super Lawyers, with two included on the Super Lawyers list and one on the Rising Stars list.
Founder Michael Shepard and Co-Managing Partner Erika O’Donnell were recognized on the 2023 Massachusetts Super Lawyers list in the Personal Injury – Products: Plaintiff practice area.
Partner Michael McCann was recognized on the 2023 Massachusetts Rising Stars list in the personal Injury – Products: Plaintiff practice area. The Rising Star designation recognizes lawyers under the age of 40 years old or those in practice for less than ten years. Each year, no more than 2.5% of lawyers in each state are selected for inclusion on the Rising Star list.
Super Lawyers is a research-driven, peer-influenced rating service for lawyers who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. The mission of Super Lawyers is to bring visibility to attorneys who exhibit excellence in practice. The selection process, as detailed on the Super Lawyers website, is multi-phased and includes independent research, peer nominations and evaluations that identify a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement.