J. Michael Kunsch

Philadelphia, PA


J. Michael Kunsch

Philadelphia, PA


Michael Kunsch brings over two decades of experience to MGC, representing manufacturers, retailers, transportation companies and commercial clients in complex civil litigation matters. Licensed in all state and federal courts in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, he focuses on product liability, catastrophic injury, fire and explosion cases, transportation, general liability and commercial disputes. Michael has successfully argued before various appellate courts, including the Third Circuit Court of Appeals, the Pennsylvania Superior Court and the New Jersey Appellate Division.

Michael has extensive experience defending manufacturers and retailers in high-exposure product liability cases, including fire and explosion litigation, catastrophic burn injuries and litigation involving a wide range of industrial, commercial and consumer products such as ladders, power tools, gas-fired appliances, plumbing fixtures, recreational equipment and tractor-trailer components. He also handles general liability claims for clients in the retail and hospitality sectors—including concert promoters, entertainment venues, security companies, apartment complex owners, restaurants and national retailers—and defends trucking and logistics companies in transportation matters involving fatalities and serious injuries.

As a trusted advisor, Michael counsels clients on evidence preservation, expert retention and e-discovery protocols. He is a frequent lecturer on issues central to high-stakes litigation, regularly presenting to national audiences on topics including product liability defense, expert witness strategy, spoliation, risk management, supply chain liability and effective litigation practices for the retail, hospitality and transportation industries.

Practice Areas


Commercial & Business Litigation

Construction Litigation

Premises Liability

Products Liability

Trucking & Transportation

Curriculum Vitae


Education (2)
  • Villanova University School of Law (JD)
  • University of Arizona (BA, cum laude)
Professional Memberships (2)
  • DRI (Product Liability Committee)
  • USLAW (Former Director, Board of Directors; Former Chair, Complex Tort and Product Liability Practice Group)
Bar Admissions (8)
  • United States Supreme Court (2015)
  • U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania (2004)
  • U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania (1995)
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit (1992)
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania (1992)
  • U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey (1992)
  • Pennsylvania (1991)
  • New Jersey (1991)
Awards (3)
  • Pennsylvania Super Lawyer (2011-2024)
  • Pennsylvania Super Lawyer Rising Star (2006)
  • Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Rating™ - AV Preeminent®
Publications (8)
  • No Standards: Defending Product Liability Claims When Compliance with Standards is Inadmissible
    USLAW Magazine, Summer 2024
  • Don’t Be So Forward: A Cautionary Tale for the Digital Age
    USLAW Magazine, Fall 2021
  • Avoiding Rudderless Litigation: Assessing the Standard of Care for COVID Claims, USLAW Magazine
    USLAW Magazine, Spring 2021
  • Locking the Plaintiff In: Accident Demonstrations in Product Liability Litigation
    USLAW Magazine, Fall/Winter 2018
  • Accident Investigation: Avoiding the Creation of Plaintiff’s Exhibit "A"
    USLAW Magazine, Fall/Winter 2016
  • Love Me Tender, Don’t be Cruel
    USLAW Magazine, Spring/Summer 2015
  • Pre-Emption Double Standard? Manufacturers of Identical Products are Not Equal
    USLAW Magazine, Spring/Summer 2012
  • Personal Jurisdiction: A Casualty of Global Commerce?
    USLAW Magazine, Fall/Winter 2011
Presentations (13)
  • New Perspectives on the 30(b)(6) Deposition
    USLAW Transportation and Logistics Winter Roundtable
  • Critical Succession Planning for Key 30(b)(6) Witnesses
    USLAW Client Conference
  • Starting Off Right With Spoliation Letters
    USLAW Client Conference
  • Strategies to Work Effectively and Successfully With Outside Counsel
    USLAW General Counsel and In-House Counsel Forum
  • Examination of an Expert: Direct Examination
    USLAW Client Conference Courtroom Academy
  • Use of Exemplars and Testing to Defend Power Tool Litigation
    USLAW Complex Tort & Product Liability Exchange
  • Don’t Be Left Holding The Bag: How To Protect Yourself From Insolvent (Foreign) Suppliers
    USLAW Client Conference
  • Global Supply Chains: Were Businesses Asleep at the Wheel at the Beginning of the Pandemic and How to Avoid Similar Issues Next Time
    USLAW Client Conference
  • Protecting the Privilege
    USLAW Worldwide Virtual Retreat
  • Combatting National Discovery Requests in the Retail and Hospitality Industry
    USLAW Retail & Hospitality Exchange
  • Just Saying "No": The Success and Perils of Believing in Your Product and How That Can Affect Litigation
    USLAW Client Conference
  • Reserve or Not to Reserve
    USLAW Retail & Hospitality Exchange
  • Effective Use of Exemplar Tools at Deposition and Trial
    DRI Product Liability Conference
Representative Matters (5)
  • Defended the distributor of scaffold in a product liability case that resulted in a defense verdict following a four-day jury trial in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

  • Obtained summary judgment for the franchisee of a national fast food restaurant in a premises liability case in the Superior Court of New Jersey: Hunterdon County which was later affirmed by the Superior Court of New Jersey Appellate Division.

  • Defended a leading manufacturer of outdoor power equipment in a product liability case that resulted in a defense verdict after 13 days of trial in the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County (Pennsylvania).

  • Obtained summary judgment for the manufacturer of a stepladder in a product liability case following a successful Daubert challenge to plaintiffs’ liability expert in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

  • Defended the manufacturer of a stepladder in a product liability case that resulted in a defense verdict following a three-day jury trial in the Middle District of Pennsylvania.