Michael is the supervising attorney of the Health Care Department in the firm's Harrisburg office. Michael focuses his practice on the defense of medical professional liability matters filed against hospitals, long-term care/rehabilitation facilities, medical practices, physicians, dentists, veterinarians and other health care providers. He also has significant experience in the defense of correctional health care claims and medical professional licensure matters. In his career to date, Michael has defended a countless number of such matters, achieving consistently favorable results through dispositive motion practice, alternative dispute resolution and formal hearing or trial. Michael is devoted to zealous representation of his clients and prides himself on preparation, good communication and conducting highly detailed investigations.
Even before graduating from law school, Michael decided to dedicate his career to these areas of practice. Prior to joining Marshall Dennehey in 2009, he practiced at a Harrisburg area law firm for several years, where he gained significant experience defending medical professional liability claims.
Michael graduated cum laude from Widener University School of Law in 2001. He was awarded a Certificate of Achievement in Advocacy and served as a student mentor. Michael completed his undergraduate degree at the University of Scranton, where he graduated magna cum laude in criminal justice. While at the University of Scranton, he was inducted into Alpha Phi Sigma, the National Criminal Justice Honor Society.
When not practicing law, Michael enjoys music, everything outdoors, motor/water sports, skiing and vegetable gardening. He is also a talented vintner of organic red wines.
Honors & awards
The Best Lawyers in America, Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants
2024-2026
The Best Lawyers in America, Health Care Law
2026
Year joined
2009
Results
Medical Malpractice Defense Verdict in a Complex Urosepsis Case
Health Care Liability
April 18, 2025
We secured a medical malpractice defense verdict in a complex urosepsis case where the damages included allegations of neurological sequelae and cognitive deficits. The trial was marked by aggressive cross-examination of expert witnesses and a deep dive into comprehensive neurological records and literature.
Summary judgment for orthopedic surgeon despite plaintiff’s claimed application of the discovery rule.
Health Care Liability
February 10, 2023
We obtained summary judgment on behalf of an orthopedic surgeon based on the statute of limitations despite the plaintiff’s claimed application of the discovery rule. After conducting written discovery and deposing the plaintiff to solidify that the medical professional liability action was untimely commenced, we early on filed a motion for summary judgment in an effort to avoid the incurrence of significant additional expense in defending the case through the remainder of the discovery process.
Defense verdict following a binding arbitration hearing in a medical professional liability action.
Health Care Liability
February 16, 2022
The plaintiff claimed that our client, an orthopedic surgeon, was negligent (directly or circumstantially under a theory of res ipsa loquitur) in causing a right common peroneal nerve injury during a L4-5 laminectomy and posterior spinal fusion. The plaintiff sought to prove that the peroneal nerve injury was the result of improper positioning and/or monitoring of the plaintiff intra-operatively.
Vigorous pre-suit investigation leads to favorable resolution of medical professional liability case.
Health Care Liability
The claims arose from the alleged occurrence of an unrecognized left tibial/medial plantar nerve injury during left ankle deltoid ligament reconstruction. Despite challenging liability issues the defense was able to significantly discredit the plaintiff at her videotaped discovery deposition based on the findings of an extensive pre-suit investigation. After testifying to having no criminal history, the plaintiff was confronted with multiple guilty pleas for writing bad checks.
Thought Leadership
98 Marshall Dennehey Attorneys Recognized in the 2026 Editions of The Best Lawyers in America and the Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America
August 20, 2025
Marshall Dennehey is proud to highlight the firm’s 98 attorneys who have been recognized in the 2026 editions of The Best Lawyers in America and the Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America. Less than 6% of all practicing lawyers in the U.S.
Classes/Seminars Taught
Malpractice Risks of Health Care Communication Failures, presented to medical staff of a large health care provider, March 9, 2021
Social Media Update: Discoverability, Admissibility and Jury Strategy, Marshall Dennehey Health Care and Health Law Seminar, November 9, 2017
The Nuts and Bolts of Defending Correctional Healthcare Claims,' Jersey City, New Jersey, April 2014
Documentation: A Matter of Life/Death, Liability & Livelihood, Mechanicsburg, PA, August 2013
Augmentation of Recordkeeping Through Social Media: The New Frontier, Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, August 2013
Documentation: A Matter of Life/Death, Liability & Livelihood, Lebanon, Pennsylvania, May 2013
The Best Defense is a Good Offense: Medical Documentation, Lebanon, Pennsylvania, May 2012
Informed Consent: Nursing Concerns, Lebanon, Pennsylvania, May 2012
Most Common Claims Arising Out of Correctional Healthcare in Federal and Pennsylvania Courts, Dallas, Texas, April 2011
