As Director of the Workers' Compensation Department, Michele oversees more than 35 attorneys throughout nine of the firm's offices. She is also a member of the firm’s Board of Directors. Michele has been with the firm for more than 35 years, and has been a shareholder in the Worker’s Compensation Department since 1998. Michele represents third party administrators, insurance carriers and self-insureds, handling matters for construction companies, steel product and technology companies, hospitals, retailers, supermarkets, hotels, personnel corporations, landscaping contractors, assisted living facilities, townships, and manufacturers. In addition to her managerial and litigation responsibilities, Michele supervises client development efforts for the Workers’ Compensation Department.
During her career, Michele has successfully defeated numerous claim petitions by presenting medical and factual evidence showing that the claimants did not sustain work-related injuries and/or corresponding disabilities. Her innovative legal strategies have included requesting the judge's presence at the employer's premises. In addition, Michele has argued numerous cases in front of the Workers' Compensation Appeal Board and has taken multiple cases to the Commonwealth Court.
In March 2022, Michele was inducted into the College of Workers' Compensation Lawyers, joining a select group of attorneys from across the country who have distinguished themselves in the practice of workers' compensation law.
Michele has lectured for various organizations, including the Claims & Litigation Management Alliance and Philadelphia Bar Association. She has published many articles and educational/training materials and has authored a chapter on workers' compensation in the prestigious West Pennsylvania Forms and Commentary Employment Law treatise.
Michele graduated cum laude from the University of Pittsburgh and the Widener University School of Law. Michele's success is due in large part to the care and dedication she exhibits to each client and the attention to detail shown in her work. It is these characteristics that have led many of her clients to look to her as a sounding board for business and legal advice.
Michele is active in the community, donating her time to a host of charitable organizations including Northern Children's Services and the American Cancer Society.
Honors & Awards
•AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell
•The Best Lawyers in America, Workers' Compensation Law - Employers (2023-2026)
•Pennsylvania Self-Insured Association, Award of Excellence (2008)
•Pennsylvania Super Lawyer (2007-2008, 2021-2026)
•Pennsylvania Super Lawyer Corporate Counsel Edition, 2008-2009
•Pennsylvania Super Lawyer Rising Star, 2005
Classes & Seminars Taught
•Preventable, Defensible, and Detectable: Managing Risk in Workers Compensation and Liability, CLM Annual Conference, Orlando, FL, March 26, 2026
•Workers' Comp Risk Management Best Practices: Insights from High-Risk Industries, CLM Focus Conference, Lake Buena Vista, FL, February 12, 2025
•The Dream Team Approach to WC Case Management, co-presenter, CLM Workers’ Comp Week: A Virtual Series, August 1, 2024
•Getting Caught With Your Hand in the Proverbial Cookie Jar, ClaimsXchange Annual Conference, Philadelphia, PA, October 12, 2023
•Building a Better Business, Achieving a More Diverse Future, CLM Annual Conference, Tampa, FL, March 30, 2023
•The Dawning of the Age of Remote Work, CLM Workers' Compensation and Retail, Restaurant and Hospitality Conference, Chicago, IL, May 19, 2022
•The Right Way to Avoid a Wrongful Termination Claim When the Employee Is Also a Workers’ Compensation Claimant, Marshall Dennehey webinar, March 3, 2022
•Workers' Compensation Winter Roundup, Graham Company webinar, December 15, 2020
•Survivor: Workers' Compensation Edition, CLM Workers Compensation and Retail, Restaurant & Hospitality Conference webinar, June 16, 2020
Published Works
•'Danger: High Risk Ahead: Managing Workers' Comp Exposure in Risky Industries,' CLM Magazine, June 1, 2025
•' 6 Key Workers’ Compensation Safety and Data Analysis Considerations, ' Risk & Insurance, September 12, 2024
•'Read A Banned Book - Bar Association Members Reflect on the Works That Have Stayed With Them,' The Philadelphia Lawyer, Fall 2023
•'Reflecting the Talent You Want to Recruit: Building and Achieving a Diverse Team and a Better Business,' CLM Magazine, September 2023
•'Why Contest Mental Health Claims in Workers' Comp When You Can Prevent Them to Begin With?' Risk & Insurance, March 29, 2023
•' In Court: What's New on the Medical Marijuana Front for Workers' Compensation, ' Risk & Insurance, August 8, 2022
•'Are You In or Out? Controlling Exposure During the Era of Remote Work,' CLM Magazine, June 2022
•'Workers' Compensation Claims Mounting? A Collaborative Review Process Can Help,' Risk & Insurance, December 13, 2021
•'Keep Your Eyes on the Road -- Distracted Driving and Workers' Comp Claims,' The Legal Intelligencer's Workers' Compensation Supplement, October 13, 2020
•' Reflections on a Pandemic, ' Philadelphia Bar Reporter, August 2020
•'Driven to Distraction: How to Mitigate Distracted Driving Claims,' CLM Magazine, March 2020
Media Commentary
•'5 Questions on High-Risk Industries: CLM Session With Michele Punturi and Michelle Leighton,' Workerscompensation.com, January 26, 2025
•“Workers’ Comp Making Gains in Attracting Claims Talent, ” CLM Magazine, November 2024
•'Survivor: Workers' Compensation Edition,' Safety National Conference Chronicles, June 16, 2020
Results
Successfully Prosecuted a Workers’ Compensation Termination Petition
We successfully prosecuted a termination petition involving a 65-year-old, 35+ year employee of a renowned international automobile corporation who sustained a left knee injury on June 19, 2023. We secured medical records supporting a significant pre-existing history-with a prior left knee replacement and treatment leading up to June 1, 2023-establishing that the only work injury sustained was a left knee contusion. Further, the opinions of the defense medical expert, a board-certified orthopedic surgeon with a sub-specialty in the treatment of the knees, were found competent and credible, thus supporting a full recovery based upon his comprehensive physical examination and his review of records and diagnostic studies. The workers’ compensation judge further found the employer had a reasonable basis to contest all issues and denied attorney’s fees. Such a decision will result in a substantial recoupment of indemnity and benefits payments made throughout the course of the litigation via a Supersedeas Fund Reimbursement recovery.
Termination Petition Involving Low Back Injury Successfully Prosecuted
We successfully prosecuted a termination petition involving a low back injury for a delivery truck service company. Our expert opined that the MRI failed to reveal any acute or post traumatic findings, that the claimant only sustained a soft tissue lumbar sprain/contusion and the exam revealed no objective findings. The workers’ compensation judge found our expert’s opinions were well-supported and terminated all liability.
Thought Leadership
CLM Magazine
Danger: High Risk Ahead - Managing Workers' Comp Exposure in Risky Industries
June 1, 2025
The landscape of workers' compensation is continuously evolving, especially within high-risk industries such as construction, health care, transportation, retail, and hospitality. These sectors face unique challenges that require proactive risk management strategies focused on injury prevention, cost control, and employee well-being. In this environment, employers, claims professionals, and defense counsel must collaborate closely to mitigate risk, reduce claim frequency and severity, and improve outcomes for both organizations and their workforces.
Risk & Insurance
6 Key Workers’ Compensation Safety and Data Analysis Considerations
September 12, 2024
The landscape of workers’ compensation is constantly evolving, requiring corporations, claims professionals and the defense community to remain vigilant in injury prevention, risk mitigation and cost control. Despite the variation in workers’ compensation systems across states, a shared priority exists: ensuring a safe work environment for employees and managing businesses effectively.
News
Marshall Dennehey Announces 2026 Pennsylvania Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Honorees
May 22, 2026
A. Judd Woytek Named a Fellow of The College of Workers’ Compensation Lawyers
April 20, 2026
