Michael Smith, PhD

Serious injury and medical malpractice cases often turn on tiny details scattered across thousands of pages: a vital sign recorded at the wrong hour, a subtle revision in a chart, or a small inconsistency between two accounts. Michael Smith brings the clinical rigor of a regulated global industry to Cavaliere & Mangiaracina so that critical details are not missed.

Michael spent 14 years in pharmaceutical research and development, including a historic 12-year tenure at Moderna, where he rose from Scientist to Director of Process Development. During the pandemic, he led the Phase I clinical manufacturing for the COVID-19 vaccine and scaled the process for the global emergency use supply, a monumental effort where he was featured by CNN Heroes and New York Magazine. A lead inventor on four lipid-nanoparticle patents and a widely published author in top peer-reviewed journals, Michael spent his career operating under a strict scientific rule: if it isn't documented, it didn't happen.

Today, Michael applies that exact data discipline to our clients' legal cases. As our Director of Technology, he builds and runs the firm's in-house evidence systems under the close supervision of our attorneys. His systems are built so that mountains of medical and corporate records are completely captured, deeply organized, and enabling for the team behind your case.

By bringing a scientific approach to legal evidence, Michael helps our attorneys find the clarity a case turns on. At our firm, technology never replaces a lawyer's human judgment. It makes the record clearer.

When Mike isn't pushing electrons around with computers, he enjoys spending time with his wife and kids, playing DnD with friends, and making videogames.