Michael H. Bison

Michael Bison is a senior partner in Goodwin’s nationally and internationally recognized Life Sciences practice group. He represents privately held and publicly traded companies across the spectrum of the life sciences industry, including biotechnology, medical devices, diagnostics and healthcare information technology.

Michael typically serves as the primary outside general counsel to his clients, closely advising management teams and boards of directors on a wide variety of matters throughout the company’s life cycle, including company formation and founder issues, venture capital and growth equity financings, public offerings, M&A, strategic collaborations, commercial transactions, corporate governance and general corporate matters. He is regularly recognized by his clients for his extensive industry knowledge and for providing practical, result-oriented legal advice.

Michael has advised numerous international companies with respect to their U.S. listings, capital markets transactions, strategic collaborations and M&A transactions, as well as with respect to the establishment of U.S. subsidiaries and various operational matters with respect to these subsidiaries.

Michael also regularly represents leading venture capital firms focused on the life sciences industry in connection with their portfolio company investments, exits and secondary stock sale transactions, as well as underwriters focused on the life sciences industry in connection with capital market and M&A transactions.

Michaels’s work has been recognized by several industry publications, including Chambers USA, the Best Lawyers in America, LMG Life Sciences, Who's Who Legal, The Legal 500, Law & Politics magazine, and Boston magazine.

Michael has served on the board of directors of MassMEDIC and is a member, through the firm, of the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) and Massachusetts Biotechnology Council (MBC). He is also a member of the American and Boston Bar Associations.

Prior to joining Goodwin, Michael was a member of the Business Practice Group at Testa, Hurwitz & Thibeault, LLP in Boston. Prior to beginning his legal career, he was a business and information systems consultant at Andersen Consulting, LLP (now Accenture Ltd.).

Michael has been recognized by The Best Lawyers in America Best Lawyers for his work in Biotechnology, Life Sciences Practice and Venture Capital Law 2022-2025. Michael was also recognized for his work in Life Sciences by Chambers USA 2025.

Michael is also recognized for being an outstanding practitioner in the United States as one of the LMG Life Sciences’ Life Sciences Stars in the areas of Financial & Corporate and Mergers & Acquisitions and as a Global Leader – Life Sciences Transactional by Who’s Who Legal. He has been selected for inclusion in The Legal 500 and recognized as a Massachusetts Super Lawyer “Rising Star” by Law & Politics and Boston magazines.

Michael frequently serves as a guest speaker at conferences and industry meetings on strategic and corporate issues affecting life sciences companies.  He has also published a variety of articles on venture capital and related topics, including:

• Quoted: “As Coronavirus Spreads, A Biotech IPO Squeaks Through. Others May ‘Wait and See,” BioPharma Dive, March 2020
• “New SBA Rule Enabling VC-Backed Small Businesses to Qualify for SBIR Grants Now Effective,” Goodwin Client Alert, January 2013
• “New Law Allows Venture Capital-Backed Small Businesses to Qualify for SBIR and STTR Grants,” Goodwin Client Alert, January 2012
• “Massachusetts Life Sciences Center Launches Small Business Matching Grant Program,” Goodwin Client Alert, February 2010
• “Massachusetts Life Sciences Center Launches New Tax Incentive and Early-Stage Investment Programs,” Goodwin Client Alert, January 2009
• “Rethinking Cash-Management and Investment Policies,” Financial Executive Magazine, September 2008
• “Turbulent Credit Markets Require Carefully Crafted Cash Management Policies,” Goodwin Client Alert, March 2008
• “U.S. House Passes Legislation to Enable Venture-Backed Companies to Qualify for Federal Grants,” Goodwin Client Alert, October 2007
• “Biotech Companies Must Get Creative As They Seek Alternative Paths to Access Public Markets,” BioNews, October/November 2006