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Michael A. Ponterio

135 Delaware Ave
5th Floor
Buffalo, NY 14202-2415
Phone: (716) 849-0701
Fax: (716) 849-0708

Michael A. Ponterio is a founding partner of Lipsitz & Ponterio, LLC. Mr. Ponterio represents families who have suffered injuries as a result of exposure to asbestos, childhood lead poisoning, as well as representing families suffering injuries as a result of defective products.

Mr. Ponterio has been representing people suffering from mesothelioma caused by asbestos for over 27 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 September 2011, Mr. Ponterio, together with Mr. Vona and Neil McKinnon obtained the first jury verdict in Western New York on behalf of a lead poisoned child.

Since 1988, Mr. Ponterio has obtained over $100 million in settlements on behalf of the firm’s mesothelioma clients.

In the last two years, Mr. Ponterio has served as trial counsel in asbestos cases involving plaintiffs’ jury verdicts in excess of $10 million:

October 2012 - Mr. Ponterio, together with Lipsitz & Ponterio attorney Joseph Kremer, obtained a jury verdict in the amount of $3 million dollars on behalf of a former GM worker.
March 2012 – Mr. Ponterio together with Lipsitz & Ponterio attorneys Keith Vona, and Matt Morton, obtained a jury verdict in the amount of $325,000 on behalf of a Former Durez Plant Worker in Lung Cancer Case.
December 2011 - Mr. Ponterio together with Keith Vona, obtained a jury verdict in the amount of $2 million dollars on behalf of a former Durez factory worker. The jury in this case assigned 100% of the responsibility for damages to defendant Hedman, and the jury also found that Hedman’s actions were taken with reckless disregard for the safety of others.

July 2011 - Mr. Ponterio and Keith Vona obtained a jury verdict in the sum of $2.5 million dollars against Ford Motor Company on behalf of a former chemist.

November 2009 - Mr. Ponterio and Keith Vona served as counsel for a trial in Buffalo, New York, and obtained a $3 million dollar settlement award on behalf of our client, a local union boilermaker for injuries resulting from exposure to asbestos on the job.

Mr. Ponterio was selected as a 2012 and 2011 Super Lawyer by Thomson Reuters, recognizing his excellence in the practice of law. Only 5% of the attorneys in Upstate New York are named Super Lawyers.

Mr. Ponterio resides in Clarence, New York with his wife Mary and their four daughters.

Admissions:

1984, New York State

Education:

J.D., 1983, New England School of Law
M.B.A., St. John's University
B.A., 1978, St. Bonaventure

Memberships:

American Association of Trial Lawyers
New York State Trial Lawyers' Association
Western New York Trial Lawyers Association
American Bar Association
Bar Association of Erie County
Million Dollar Advocates Forum - The Top Trial Lawyers in America® - see press release

Publications:

Mr. Ponterio is a contributing author in the New York Handbook entitled "Products Liability in New York Strategy and Practice" published by the New York State Bar Association (1997).

Awards/Nominations:

2013; 2012; 2011, Selected as a Super Lawyer by Thomson Reuters
2012, AVVO Rating of Excellent based on experience, industry recognition and professional conduct.
2008; 2009; 2010, Listed BV Distinguished Rating by Martindale-Hubbell. This is the highest peer review rating for both legal ability and ethical standards.