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Our Team Michael J. Needleman

Michael J. Needleman is a partner in the firm’s Philadelphia office and has extensive trial experience in the state and federal courts of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and the District of Columbia. He represents domestic and international insurers and acts on their behalf in employers’ practice liability cases, property damage and bad faith cases, premises liability cases, and first-party disputes. Mike also represents insurers seeking to subrogate losses. He brings his trial experience and unique perspective to achieve excellent results for clients, cost-effective results for insurers, and maintain a sterling reputation with the courts. 

Mike is appointed by the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania as Counsel for the indigent. He regularly presents to the insurance industry and legal education classes on litigation and litigation-related topics. 

Michael J. Needleman is a graduate of American University and the University of Delaware Law School, from which he graduated cum laude. He was also a member of the Delaware Journal of Corporate Law. After law school, he clerked for the Honorable Theodore Z. Davis, P.J. Ch., Superior Court of New Jersey Camden County.

Outside of the office, Mike is a dedicated neighbor and community member and enjoys time with his family and in the garden.  

  • Presenter, ”Federal Court 101: How to Take a Federal Court Case.” LawPractice CLE (April 10, 2020).
  • Presenter, ”Representing Your Client in Federal Court.” LawPractice CLE (February 11, 2019).
  • Presenter, ”Advanced Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Law.” The National Business Institute (December 21, 2018).
  • Presenter, ”Nuances of Federal Trial Practice and Removal Procedures.” The Federal Bar Association (February 8, 2018).
  • Presenter, ”Nuances of Federal Trial Practice and Removal Procedures.” The Federal Bar Association (August 10, 2016).
  • Author, ”The Medicare Secondary Payer Act and Distribution of Settlement Funds: Life in the Trenches,” (December 14, 2015).
  • Author, ”Forum Non Conviens in the Keystone State: A Common Sense Approach.” DRI: The Voice (Vol. 14, Issue 44) (November 4, 2015).
  • Author, ”Out of Joint (and Several Liability).” New Jersey Defense Association (Spring 2015).
  • Featured, named 2014 Pennsylvania Rising Star.
  • Author, ”Defending Workers’ Compensation Discrimination Claims.” New Jersey Defense Association (Fall 2013).
  • Author, ”New Jersey Makes it Easier for Employees to Sue Under the Family and Medical Leave Act,” (March 5, 2013).
  • Author, ”Update Regarding the SMART Act,” (March 1, 2013).
  • Author, ”Expansion of Bad Faith Case Law Blog,” (November 6, 2012).
  • Won summary judgment on behalf of Lloyds in a coverage dispute where the demand was more than $18,000,000.
  • Successfully represented the insurer in a complicated coverage dispute involving firearms and a tragic accident.
  • Successfully tried to defense verdict a premises liability case where the Plaintiff was injured in a commercial business.
  • Successfully tried to verdict a premises liability case where the Plaintiff was injured on an exterior walkway.
  • Co-Chair, The ADR committee of the New Jersey Defense Association
  • Member, Advisory Board to the Board of Directors of the Charcot Marie Tooth Association
  • Volunteer, Philadelphia Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts
  • Member, Civil Rights Panel of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
  • Vice President, Board of School Directors, School District of Springfield Township
  • Member, Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts
  • Past member, Advisory Board CMT Association
  • Honored as Attorneys on the Court’s Civil Rights and Employment Panels of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
  • Selected for Inclusion in the 2008, 2010 – 2016 list of Pennsylvania Rising Stars Super Lawyers®