Michael J. Puma focuses on complex labor and employment litigation, particularly wage and hour class and collective actions, and noncompete and trade secrets litigation throughout the United States. He has litigated more than 50 wage and hour class and collective actions, including in the retail, entertainment, financial services, insurance, food, and telecommunications industries. He also regularly counsels clients on wage and hour compliance, protecting their trade secrets, and day-to-day employment issues. Michael is the labor and employment practice leader for the Philadelphia and Pittsburgh offices.
In addition to litigation, Michael conducts comprehensive internal wage and hour audits to assist clients in properly classifying employees as exempt or nonexempt, avoid off-the-clock liability, and ensure 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, Michael counsels clients on avoiding contractor misclassification and joint and coemployment liability. He also helps them manage legal risks and financial and employee relations issues associated with reclassification projects. He represents clients in US and state Department of Labor (DOL) audits.
For several years, Michael taught a course at the University of Pennsylvania Law School on litigating employment class and collective actions.
Education
The George Washington University Law School, 1999, J.D.
Boston University, 1996, B.S.
Admissions
Pennsylvania
New York
Awards and Affiliations
Best of the Bar, Employment Litigation, Philadelphia Business Journal (2020)
Fellow, The College of Labor & Employment Lawyers
Recognized, Litigation – Labor and Employment, Philadelphia, The Best Lawyers in America (2020)
Member, Practice Group of the Year, Employment, Law360 (2017, 2019)
