Skip To Content
Our Team Michael J. Needleman

Michael J. Needleman is a Partner in the Firm’s Philadelphia office and has extensive trial experience in state and federal court in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Washington, D.C. Michael is also appointed by the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania to represent indigent parties.

In his work, Michael represents domestic and international insurance carriers and represents their insureds on a third-party basis in premises liability disputes, general liability claims, employment-based litigation, and in bad faith claims. He also represents insurers in pursuing subrogation claims. He brings his trial experience and unique perspective to achieve excellent results for clients, cost-effective results for insurers, and maintains a sterling reputation with the courts.

Outside of practicing law, Mike regularly presents to the insurance industry and conducts legal education classes on litigation and litigation-related topics, including CLEs on analyzing and drafting pleadings in insurance coverage disputes. Mr. Needleman has also conducted training seminars for employers on maintaining harassment-free workplaces and minimizing claims.

A graduate of American University and the University of Delaware Law School, he graduated cum laude and was a member of the law review. After law school, he served as law clerk to the Honorable Theodore Z Davis, P.J. Ch. New Jersey Superior Court, Camden County.

Outside the office, Mike is active in his community, and was elected by his neighbors to the school board. He enjoys time with his family and in the garden.

Insurance Law for Non-Insurance Lawyers

August 14, 2026 – Reger Rizzo & Darnall LLP Partner Michael J. Needleman will present Trigger and Duty-to-Defend Issues and Claims Valuation, Reserves, and Policy Limits Strategy during an all-day National Business…
More

EEOC Sets New Enforcement Agenda

June 10, 2026 Under each Administration, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) develops a National Enforcement Plan (NEP) identifying its enforcement priorities and the areas where it intends to focus its investigative…
More

PAMIC 2026 Spring Conference

March 12, 2026 – Reger Rizzo & Darnall LLP Partner Michael J. Needleman will attend the Pennsylvania Association of Mutual Insurance Companies 2026 Spring Conference in Hershey, Pennsylvania. The annual event provides…
More

Techniques for Proving Conscious Pain and Suffering

August 5, 2025 – Reger Rizzo & Darnall Partner Michael J. Needleman will present “Techniques for Proving Conscious Pain and Suffering” at the NBI National Live Seminar Pain and Suffering Damages in…
More

How to File a Proof of Claim

December 6, 2024 – RRD Partner Michael J. Needleman will be a panelist on an interactive webinar hosted by the Pennsylvania Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts (PVLA). The webinar, “How to File…
More

Go Pro Bono!

December 4, 2024 – RRD Partner Michael J. Needleman will attend Go Pro Bono!, a reception to recognize the Pro Se Prisoner Civil Rights, Employment, and Social Security panels for the United…
More

Federal Court 101: How to Take a Federal Court Case

April 10, 2020 – Reger Rizzo & Darnall LLP attorney Michael J. Needleman served as a presenter for “Federal Court 101: How to Take a Federal Court Case” for LawPractice CLE. Michael…
More

Representing Your Client in Federal Court

February 11, 2019 – Reger Rizzo & Darnall LLP attorney Michael J. Needleman served as a presenter for “Representing Your Client in Federal Court” for LawPractice CLE. Michael represents domestic and international…
More

Advanced Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Law

December 21, 2018 – Reger Rizzo & Darnall LLP attorney Michael J. Needleman served as a presenter for “Advanced Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Law” for The National Business Institute. Michael represents domestic and international…
More

Nuances of Federal Trial Practice and Removal Procedures

February 8, 2018 – Reger Rizzo & Darnall LLP attorney Michael J. Needleman served as a presenter for “Nuances of Federal Trial Practice and Removal Procedures” for The Federal Bar Association. Michael…
More

Nuances of Federal Trial Practice and Removal Procedures

August 10, 2016 – Reger Rizzo & Darnall LLP attorney Michael J. Needleman served as a presenter for “Nuances of Federal Trial Practice and Removal Procedures” for The Federal Bar Association. Michael…
More

Out of Joint (and Several Liability)

March 20, 2015 – Reger Rizzo & Darnall LLP attorney Michael J. Needleman authored “Out of Joint (and Several Liability)” for the New Jersey Defense Association Spring 2015 Newsletter. Michael represents domestic…
More

Defending Workers’ Compensation Discrimination Claims

September 1, 2013 – Reger Rizzo & Darnall LLP attorney Michael J. Needleman authored “Defending Workers’ Compensation Discrimination Claims” for the New Jersey Defense Association. Michael represents domestic and international insurance carriers…
More

Update on the SMART Act

March 1, 2013 – Reger Rizzo & Darnall LLP attorney Michael J. Needleman authored “Update Regarding the SMART Act.” Michael represents domestic and international insurance carriers and represents their insureds on a…
More

Expansion of Bad Faith Case Law

November 6, 2012 – Reger Rizzo & Darnall LLP attorney Michael J. Needleman authored “Expansion of Bad Faith Case Law Blog.” Michael represents domestic and international insurance carriers and represents their insureds…
More
  • 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.
  • Successfully tried to verdict a case where Plaintiff alleged he fell down steps in an apartment complex.
  • Won case in Monmouth County NJ representing insurance carrier on coverage demand.
  • 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
  • National Business Institute 2025 Outstanding Faculty Award
  • 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®
  • New Jersey Defense Association, Co-Chair, ADR Committee
  • Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts, Member