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Overview

Howard Goldberg is an accomplished trial attorney and the chairperson of the firm’s Business Litigation Practice. With extensive experience handling high-stakes business disputes, Howard assists clients with their most complex, high-stakes disputes related to contractual, intellectual property, privacy and cybersecurity, real estate and environmental matters. Howard’s practice also encompasses cybersecurity preparedness, incident response, and regulatory compliance, where he provides strategic advice to help businesses navigate evolving legal and regulatory challenges. As a trusted business partner, Howard is dedicated to delivering efficient, cost-effective solutions for his clients' most pressing challenges, whether through negotiation, alternative dispute resolution, or litigation. Howard collaborates with clients to identify the best path forward, and when litigation becomes necessary, Howard serves as a skilled advocate for your business. 

Howard also advises clients on per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) issues, offering guidance on TSCA (Toxic Substances Control Act) reporting and providing strategic advice on a wide range of regulatory, compliance and risk management matters. His in-depth knowledge of PFAS regulations allows him to assist clients in navigating the complex and evolving legal landscape, including addressing potential environmental liabilities and preparing for future regulatory developments. Howard also counsels clients on proactive measures to mitigate risks associated with PFAS, ensuring they remain compliant while protecting their business interests.

Beyond his case and client responsibilities, Howard chairs MG+M's Information Technology and eDiscovery committee, and has extensive experience advising clients on eDiscovery best practices, including legal holds, data preservation, and production, working with eDiscovery vendors and consultants, and managing eDiscovery in anticipation of, during and after litigation.

Admitted to practice in Massachusetts’ state and federal courts, Howard has also appeared pro hac vice in courts across the country. He is an active member of the American Bar Association, Massachusetts Bar Association, and Boston Bar Association. Outside of his legal practice, Howard serves on the Board of Directors for SPUR, a nonprofit organization based in Marblehead dedicated to fostering community engagement through volunteerism and youth enrichment programs on the North Shore. 

Howard lives in Marblehead with his wife and two sons. He enjoys golfing with his family, attempting to keep up with his wife on the pickleball court, Boston sports, and coaching his kids' flag football, basketball, and baseball teams.

Experience

  • Serves as National Discovery Counsel for international airframe manufacturer. 

  • Regularly represents national electric and gas utilities in state and federal courts in breach of contract, indemnification, and catastrophic injury cases.

  • Advises Fortune 500 companies on US, Canadian and European Union PFAS and environmental regulations.

  • In the US Federal Court for the District of Connecticut, obtained dismissal of a class action lawsuit alleging violations of federal trademark laws and the consumer protection statutes of right different states on behalf of a national retail chain accused of selling gray market goods in the United States.

  • Won summary judgment for 3,000 employee consulting firm in breach of contract action where customer refused to comply with the terms of the Parties’ contract. MG+M's client performed audit and consulting services for an international healthcare provider. The company turned to MG+M when its client refused to cooperate under the clear terms of their agreement.

  • Obtained verdict for one of the largest owners and managers of commercial real estate in the United States with a portfolio over 100 million square feet and with a total capitalization of more than $31 billion, in a dispute with its partner over the development of a large, mixed-use project in Boston's Seaport District. The result allowed our client to gain control of the project. 

  • Successfully represented a 200+ employee real estate development, investment construction and management company in litigation involving its lenders who were attempting to seize control of projects in Massachusetts, Florida, Georgia, New Hampshire, Louisiana, and Texas.

  • Represented one of the nation's largest retail developers in negotiations with the City of Boston over the transfer of the lease for Faneuil Hall Marketplace. Successful resolution allowed our client to transfer the lease to a new developer.

  • Represented an international restaurant chain in connection with negotiations with the Massachusetts Department of Transportation concerning pylon sign usage on the Massachusetts Turnpike. MG+M worked with MassDOT and our client to resolve the dispute without resorting to litigation.

  • Served as trial counsel for component of case concerning Clean Air Act claims involving over $500 million in potential damages. The claims involved Clean Air Act regulations concerning flaring devices and the Benzene Waste Operations NESHAPS (BWON). Howard also oversaw and coordinated discovery in the case which consisted of the review of over 30 million documents, the production of over 20 million pages of material, and the review and production of over 1.1 TB of technical data.

Recognition

  • Thomson Reuters, Super Lawyers Rising Star, 2005 - 2007, 2009 - 2017
  • Rising Star by Boston Magazine

Involvement

  • SPUR, Board Member
  • Massachusetts Bar Association, 2002–present
  • Boston Bar Association, 2002–present

Education

  • Boston University School of Law, JD, 2002
  • University of Pennsylvania, BA, 1999

Bar Admissions

  • Massachusetts

Court Admissions

  • US District Court, District of Massachusetts
  • US Court of Appeals for the First Circuit

News + Insights

Publications

The Discoverability of Ephemeral Communications, The Legal Intelligencer and Law.com
Commentary on the Effective Use of Federal Rule of Evidence 502(d) Orders, The Sedona Conference Working Group on Electronic Document Retention & Production

Speaking Engagements

LegalNEXT 2025, TransPerfect Legal
31st Annual National FETTI Conference, The National Forum for Environmental and Toxic Tort Issues
Risk Management Forum on Recent Amicus Brief, American Council of Engineering Companies of Massachusetts
Cannabis in the Workplace, American Council of Engineering Companies of Massachusetts