Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2023 
Attorney Michael A. Blanchard is a Director at Suisman Shapiro whose practice focuses on criminal defense and family law. He has more than four decades of legal experience and is admitted to practice in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Court. Attorney Blanchard earned a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics from Assumption College and a Juris Doctor from Western New England College School of Law.
Throughout his distinguished legal career, Attorney Blanchard has represented clients in a wide range of criminal matters, from misdemeanors to the most serious felony charges. His experience includes defending individuals accused of offenses such as homicide, assault, sexual assault, manslaughter, computer crimes, and driving under the influence. Recognized for his depth of knowledge in criminal law, he has also testified as an expert witness regarding standards of legal representation in criminal cases.
Attorney Blanchard is equally respected for his work in family law, where he has handled complex and highly contested matters involving child custody, relocation disputes, and allegations of physical or sexual abuse. He has served as a court-appointed Guardian ad Litem, advocating for the best interests of children in custody proceedings, and has played a significant role in Connecticut’s family court system as a Special Master in the Regional Family Trial Docket. In that capacity, he has worked alongside child psychologists to help resolve some of the state's most challenging custody disputes.
His commitment to improving the administration of family law extends beyond the courtroom. Attorney Blanchard serves on Connecticut’s Family Commission, which reviews and recommends revisions to family law practice rules, and previously served on the Child and Custody Matters Work Group, which developed training programs for attorneys representing children in contested custody cases.
Attorney Blanchard is actively involved in numerous professional organizations, including the Connecticut Bar Association, New London County Bar Association, Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation Bar Association, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and Connecticut Criminal Defense Lawyers Association. He also serves as an appointed member of the Windham County Grievance Panel.
His professional excellence has been recognized through numerous honors. From 2019 through 2025, he was selected to Super Lawyers for Criminal Defense, a distinction awarded to only a small percentage of attorneys in Connecticut. He was also recognized in Best Lawyers in America for Criminal Defense.
Outside the practice of law, Attorney Blanchard is a former Academic All-American and All-New England baseball player who was inducted into the Assumption College Athletic Hall of Fame. He remains active in the athletic community as an advisor and agent to young athletes, continuing his longstanding commitment to mentorship and leadership.
