Michael A. Ponterio is a founding partner of Lipsitz & Ponterio, LLC. Mr. Ponterio represents families in Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, and across New York State who have suffered injuries as a result of exposure to asbestos, childhood lead poisoning, automobile accidents, medical malpractice, and families suffering injuries as a result of defective products.
Mr. Ponterio has been representing people suffering from mesothelioma caused by asbestos for 26 years. He obtained the first personal injury jury verdict in the State of New York for an asbestos victim (Racich v. Celotex Corporation). Mr. Ponterio also obtained the first punitive damage award for an asbestos worker in the State of New York (Racich v. Celotex Corporation). Mr. Ponterio and his partner, John Ned Lipsitz, also received the first personal injury jury verdict in Buffalo, New York, on behalf of an asbestos victim (Wolf v. Celotex Corporation).
In July 2017, Mr. Ponterio together with Lipsitz & Ponterio attorney John Richmond obtained a $1.2 million dollar jury verdict in a medical malpractice lawsuit against two doctors at the University of Rochester Medical Center for failing to timely diagnose a female client's bowel perforation.
In September 2011, Mr. Ponterio, together with Neil McKinnon obtained the first jury verdict in Western New York on behalf of a lead poisoned child. In November 2013, Mr. Ponterio, together with Lipsitz & Ponterio attorney Zachary J. Woods, obtained a verdict on behalf of a Rochester, New York, child for injuries resulting from exposure to lead based paint.
Since 1988, Mr. Ponterio has obtained over $250 million in settlements on behalf of the firm’s mesothelioma clients.
Mr. Ponterio has served as trial counsel in asbestos cases involving plaintiffs’ jury verdicts in excess of $25 million:
Mr. Ponterio was selected as a Super Lawyer by Thomson Reuters from 2011 to 2019, recognizing his excellence in the practice of law. Only 5% of the attorneys in Upstate New York are named Super Lawyers.
Languages spoken
English
State | Status | Acquired | Updated |
---|---|---|---|
NY | Currently registered | 1984 | 12/09/2020 |
Legal answers | 0 |
Legal guides | 0 |
Award name | Grantor | Date granted |
---|---|---|
Top 1% of Attorneys in America | Distinguished Justice Advocates | 2019 |
AV Rated for Highest Level of Professional Excellence | Martindale-Hubbell | 2019 |
National Trial Lawyers Top 100 Attorneys | National Trial Lawyers | 2019 |
Super Lawyers | SuperLawyers | 2019 |
Super Lawyer | SuperLawyers | 2018 |
Super Lawyer | SuperLawyers | 2017 |
---|---|---|
Super Lawyer | SuperLawyers | 2016 |
Nation's Top One Percent (1%) | National Association of Distinguished Counsel | 2016 |
Nation's Top 10% of Lawyers in the USA | Lawyers of Distinction | 2016 |
Lifetime Achievement | America's Top 100 Attorneys | 2016 |
Super Lawyer | SuperLawyers | 2015 |
Nation's Top One Percent (1%) | National Association of Distinguished Counsel | 2015 |
Super Lawyer | SuperLawyers | 2014 |
Super Lawyer | Super Lawyers | 2013 |
Top Trial Lawyers in America | Million Dollar Advocates Forum | 2012 |
Super Lawyer | Super Lawyers | 2012 |
Super Lawyer | Super Lawyers | 2011 |
Title | Company name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Member | Lipsitz & Ponterio, LLC | 1995 - Present |
Association name | Position name | Duration |
---|---|---|
American Bar Association | Member | N/A |
American Trial Lawyers Association | Member | N/A |
New York State Trial Lawyers Association | Member | N/A |
Western New York Trial Lawyers Association | Member | N/A |
Bar Association of Erie County | Member | N/A |
Publication name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
New York State Bar Association | Products Liability in New York Strategy and Practice | 1997 |
School name | Degree | Graduated |
---|---|---|
New England School of Law | JD - Juris Doctor | 1983 |
St Bonaventure University | BA - Bachelor of Arts | 1978 |
Conference name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
Lead Litigation Conference | Trial Strategies in Lead Poisoning Cases | 2012 |
New York State Bar Association, General Practice Section | The Vital Aspects of Your Case | N/A |
New York State Bar Association | Products Liability | N/A |
New York State Bar Association, Torts, Insurance and Compensation Law Section | Civil Litigator's Guide to Discovery Under New York Law | N/A |
Case name | Outcome |
---|---|
$3 Million Dollar Verdict in Suttner vs. Crane Co. | $3 Million dollar verdict in favor of plaintiff |
$350,000 verdict in Kuehn v. Hedman | $350,000 in favor of the plaintiff |
$2 Million Dollar Verdict in Failing v. Hedman | $2 Million Dollar Verdict in Favor of Plaintiff |
$2.5 Million Dollar Verdict in Ginter v. Ford Motor Company | $2.5 Million Dollar Verdict in Favor of Plaintiff |
Posted by anonymous
Thu Aug 30 2012
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