Background and Experience
Michael Garmisa is a seasoned trial attorney in Locks Law Firm’s Philadelphia office, with 20 years of courtroom experience. His practice focuses on environmental litigation and toxic torts, civil rights matters, and representing survivors of sexual abuse and sexual violence. His background in the criminal legal system and extensive courtroom experience gives him a distinctive perspective in representing injury victims in complex civil litigation.
Before joining Locks, Michael led the Conviction Integrity Unit of the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office where he investigated and litigated claims of actual innocence and wrongful conviction. His work resulted in numerous exonerations in state and federal courts. He handled complex litigation of often decades-old cases that frequently utilizing the latest developments in forensic, medical, digital, phycological, and other technical evidentiary fields.
Michael also served in the District Attorney’s Special Investigations Unit, where he investigated police misconduct, officer-involved shooting incidents, and prosecuted referrals from internal affairs. Michael successfully prosecuted landmark cases involving official perjury, obstruction of justice, institutional sexual assault, and excessive force.
Earlier in his career, Michael spent more than a decade as an Assistant Defender at the Defender Association of Philadelphia, representing individuals through all stages of criminal prosecutions and appeals. Michael has tried countless cases to verdict and argued numerous appeals in Pennsylvania’s courts.
Michael is a recognized leader in prosecutorial ethics, police accountability, and trial techniques. He is a member of the Faculty of the National Institute of Trial Advocacy. He is admitted to practice in Pennsylvania.
Originally from Brooklyn, New York, Michael attended New York City public schools before moving to Atlanta, where he graduated from Emory College and Emory School of Law. After law school, Michael made Philadelphia his home.
Michael lives in West Philadelphia with his wife and three children. Outside of Locks Law Firm, he enjoys cooking, photography, and is an avid cyclist.
Speaking Engagements
- National Police Accountability Project, Dreams and Nightmares: Representing Civil Rights Clients with Criminal Pasts and Presents (2023).
- Innocence Network Annual Conference, Navigating Collaboration Between Conviction Integrity Units and Wrongful Conviction Organizations: A Philadelphia Perspective (2024).
- Philadelphia Bar Association, Collaboration: Best Practices for Defense Attorneys and Conviction Integrity Units (2024)
- Faculty, National Institute for Trial Advocacy (NITA) (2023-Present).
