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Michael J. Puma

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Michael J. Puma focuses on complex litigation, particularly wage and hour class and collective actions, and restrictive covenant and trade secrets disputes, including successfully prosecuting claims to prevent or limit executives seeking to join competitors and/or to recover stolen files. He has litigated a number of race and gender discrimination class actions and more than 100 wage and hour class and collective actions across many industries. Mike is the labor and employment practice leader for the Philadelphia and Pittsburgh offices, a member of the global labor and employment practice leadership team, and a member of the firm’s Advisory Board.

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In addition to litigation, Mike conducts comprehensive internal wage and hour audits to assist clients in properly classifying employees as exempt or nonexempt, avoiding off-the-clock liability, and ensuring compliance with meal and rest, wage payment, and other US federal and state law obligations. In particular, as one of the leaders of the firm’s cross-practice independent contractor initiative, Mike counsels clients on avoiding contractor misclassification and joint and co-employment liability. He also helps them manage legal risks and financial and employee relations issues associated with reclassification projects. He represents clients in state and US Department of Labor (DOL) audits.

Mike taught a University of Pennsylvania Law School course on litigating employment class and collective actions for several years.

  • The George Washington University Law School, 1999, J.D.
  • Boston University, 1996, B.S.
  • Pennsylvania
  • New York

Ranked, Labor & Employment, Pennsylvania, Chambers USA (2022–2024)

Best of the Bar, Employment Litigation, Philadelphia Business Journal (2020)

Fellow, The College of Labor & Employment Lawyers

Listed, The Best Lawyers in America, Litigation – Labor and Employment, Philadelphia (2020–2025)

Member, Practice Group of the Year, Employment, Law360 (2017, 2019)

Labor & Employment Star, Northeast, Benchmark Labor & Employment (2018)

Recommended, Labor and employment - Labor and employment disputes (including collective actions) - defense, The Legal 500 US (2018–2021)

Recommended, Labor and employment: Workplace and employment counseling, The Legal 500 US (2018)

Recognized, Pennsylvania Super Lawyers (2013–2014)

Rising Star, Labor and Employment Law by Law360 (2013)

Lawyers on the Fast Track, The Legal Intelligencer (2013)

Lecturer, "Litigating Employment Class and Collective Actions," University of Pennsylvania Law School (2010–2014)

Rising Star, Pennsylvania Super Lawyers (2006, 2008, 2011, 2012)

Member, Labor and Employment Section, American Bar Association

Member, Federal Labor Standards Legislation Committee, American Bar Association

First Judicial District Pro Bono Honor Roll

Anti-Defamation League, Daniel R. Ginsberg Leadership Award (2010)

American Bar Association Leadership Development Program (2011)