Skip to main content

Michael K. Gillis

Personal injury Attorney at Newton, MA

5.0   3 reviews

Licensed for 40 years

Virtual consultation available

Free consultation

About Michael

Learn Michael’s areas of practice.

4
Practice areas
  1. Personal injury
    60%

  2. DUI and DWI
    20%

    41 years, 50 cases

  3. Criminal defense
    10%

    41 years, 300 cases

  4. Litigation
    10%

    41 years, 2,000 cases

Michael Gillis has spent the past thirty years helping his clients find creative solutions to complex legal issues. As a seasoned trial attorney, he represents consumers, individuals, entities and companies who have been needlessly harmed, personally and financially, because of the negligent, reckless, and sometimes intentional acts of others. His tireless efforts pursing those who harm his clients have resulted in countless resolutions of his client’s issues whether by agreement, arbitration or litigation.

Michael Gillis graduated with honors from Boston College and was awarded a Trustee Scholarship to attend Suffolk University Law. At Suffolk, he was elected President of the Student Bar Association and was the first recipient of the Wyman Award for outstanding civic achievement.  Upon graduation, Michael Gillis defended products liability cases for General Electric and commercial clients for Travelers Insurance Company, In 1988, he and his partner, David R. Bikofsky, founded Gillis & Bikofsky, P.C.

Michael Gillis has served as the President of the Mass Academy of Trial Attorneys (MATA), the Board of Delegates for the Mass Bar Association (MBA), The Joint Bar Judicial Nomination Commission, President of his law school alumni association, and as a Trustee of Suffolk University. He currently serves on MATA’s Board of Delegates and is the State delegate to the national affiliate, the American Association for Justice (AAJ) where he chairs one of AAJ’s national committees, the Liquor Liability Group. He serves as President of the Board of Governors of the Catholic Lawyers Guild of the Archdiocese of Boston and is the chapter author in several legal books published by Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education (MCLE), American Bar Association and American Law Institute ALI/ABA). Michael Gillis has lectured to other lawyers at trial practice seminars for the American Bar Association, MATA, AAJ, MBA, Suffolk University Law School, and Norfolk County Bar Association.

Michael Gillis has been recognized by various associations for his legal expertise. He has been named one of the “Top Massachusetts Lawyers” and a Massachusetts “Super Lawyer” by Boston Magazine, one of “Boston’s Top Rated Lawyers” by the Boston Globe, and one of Massachusetts’ “Top Lawyers for Women” by Vogue Magazine. He has been peer reviewed by fellow lawyers for Martindale Hubbell, the leading directory of lawyers nationally, and received an “AV” rating, the highest designation for both competence and ethics which is given to only 5% of lawyers nationally.

In addition to his legal work, Michael Gillis has served on many civic and religious boards and organizations. He previously served as Chairman and Counsel for the Hoyt Fund, a non-profit organization working to mainstream individuals with disabilities, as well as Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Milton Public Library. He currently serves on the board of the Pike’s Peak Hockey Club of Boston College, his parish pastoral council, the board of his parish school, asa President of the Board of Trustees of the Little Brothers of St. Francis, and as Advocate and Grand Knight of his local Knights of Columbus. He also coaches hockey and soccer for his town’s youth sports teams.

Michael and his wife live in Westwood along with their three children.

Awards

AV Preeminent Peer Review Rating
Licensed for 40 years
State MA
Status Active
Acquired 1982
Updated 12/25/2022

We have not found any instances of professional misconduct for this lawyer.

Contact Michael

Michael K. Gillis
1150 Walnut Street
Newton, MA, 02461-1299

Reviews

5.0 / 5.0
  3 customer reviews
5 Star
 
100%
4 Star
 
0%
3 Star
 
0%
2 Star
 
0%
1 Star
 
0%
Posted by Louis | November 29, 2018
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
High Recommend
Michael Gillis, a man of integrity, experience and total dedication was my safeguard through the entire court case. From beginning to end, his concentration and focus was 100%, giving me the feeling of total security. His knowledge and guidance were second to none. I highly recommend Michael Gillis as an attorney. I found him to be a caring, sincere person who provided unparalleled legal expertise throughout my entire difficult situation, every step of the way.
Read less
Posted by Eric | September 18, 2018
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Great Man and Great Lawyer
I met Michael after my case had gone on for over 5 years and had burnt out my previous attorney. He took my case, got his team working on it, and within less than 2 years, despite a massive opposition from the insurance company, won. He defended me without compromise, always showed genuine concern for my wellbeing, and presented my case in court with true professional and technical skill. I can't put into words how appreciative I am for the work Michael did in presenting my side of the story and letting the truth be known. With the end of the case and the closure I found afterward my life and health have improved by multitudes and that is a direct result of his efforts and representation. There is no dollar amount that can be put on that and no greater gift. I would recommend Michael and his team to anyone who is looking for a hardworking, genuine, and professional lawyer.
Read less
Posted by Kathleen | August 25, 2017
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Exceptional Attorney for a Unique and Nightmare of a Criminal Case
Hands down, Attorney Gillis is the attorney you want by your side guiding you. When people ask you "Do you have a Good Attorney" be rest assured that Michael Gillis is THAT good attorney. Michael delivered us from a nightmare of a criminal case that was so unbelievable we were approached by the New York Times to cover the case. In addition, there was very little precedent set, if any, that actually matched the various aspects and moving parts of our case. I do not take writing this review lightly at all so when I say Michael was exceptional and saved my son's life and future please believe it. He was able to navigate us through a criminal case as well as a school discipline case and restore my son's future to him. I will never be able to thank Michael enough for his service, guidance, and compassion through our ordeal.
Read less

Cost

Rates
  • Free Consultation 15 minutes
Payment methods
Cash, Check

Resume

AVVO RATING 10.0 (Superb)

Work Experience

  • Managing Partner
  • Gillis & Bikofsky, PC
  • 1986 - Present

Education

  • Suffolk University Law School
  • JD - Juris Doctor
  • 1982
  • Boston College
  • BA
  • 1979

Legal Cases

  • Szafarowicz v Padovano
  • Verdict for our client's family in the amount of $7,900,000
  • Boyle v. Zurich
  • Insurer lost at trial and was ordered to pay approximately $6,000,000.00
  • Lyons v. Johnson
  • Verdict for our clients in the amount of $5,800,000

Associations

  • Catholic Health Initiatives in Uganda
  • Board of Directors
  • 2015 - Present
  • Live the Fast
  • Board of Directors
  • 2014 - Present
  • Knights of Malta
  • Knight
  • 2008 - Present
  • Little Brothers of St. Francis
  • President
  • 2006 - Present
  • Knights of Columbus, Council 1611
  • Grand Knight
  • 2000 - Present
  • American Association for Justice
  • State Delegate
  • 1988 - Present
  • Catholic Lawyers Guild of Boston
  • President
  • 1986 - Present
  • Massachusetts Bar Association
  • Council of Presidents
  • 2001 - 2003
  • Massachusetts Academy of Trial Attorneys
  • President
  • 2000 - 2003
  • Suffolk University
  • Trustee
  • 1996 - 1999
  • Suffolk University Alumni Associaiton
  • President
  • 1990 - 1996
  • Milton Public Library
  • President, Board of Trustees
  • 1984 - 1990
View all associations

Languages Spoken

  • English

Honors and Awards

  • AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated
  • Martindale-Hubbell
  • 2022
  • Super Lawyer
  • Super Lawyers
  • 2021
  • Super Lawyer
  • Super Lawyers
  • 2020
  • Super Lawyer
  • Super Lawyers
  • 2019
  • Super Lawyer
  • Super Lawyers
  • 2018
  • Super Lawyer
  • SuperLawyers
  • 2017
  • AV Preeminent Rated
  • Martindale-Hubbell
  • 2017
  • Super Lawyer
  • SuperLawyers
  • 2016
  • Super Lawyer
  • SuperLawyers
  • 2015
  • Alumni Service Award
  • Suffolk University Law School
  • 2006
  • Super Lawyer
  • SuperLawyers
  • 2006
  • Super Lawyer
  • SuperLawyers
  • 2005
  • Trustee Scholarship
  • Suffolk University Law School
  • 1982
  • Wyman Award for Civic Achievement
  • Suffolk Univeristy Law School
  • 1982
View all awards

Attorney endorsements

Received (0)
Given (0)
Endorse Michael
Endorsements from fellow lawyers are an important consideration for many when selecting the right attorney.
This attorney hasn't created any attorney endorsements recently on Avvo.

Avvo Contributions

This attorney hasn't created any legal answers in Q&A or legal guides recently on Avvo.

Newton Personal injury Lawyer Michael K. Gillis
Michael K. Gillis
Personal injury Attorney
Newton, MA
Licensed for 40 years
Free Consultation
Virtual consultation available