Atty. Michael P. McKenna
Michael McKenna has been a partner in Margolis Edelstein since 1983 and has served as the firm’s Managing Partner since 1995. Before joining Margolis Edelstein in 1982, Michael was Assistant General Counsel for the Pennsylvania Manufacturers’ Association Insurance Company.
Profile Summary
About Michael P. McKenna at a glance
Michael P. McKenna is a Managing Partner based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, practicing at Margolis Edelstein. They have 51+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 1975. Their practice focuses on employment, construction, and insurance. Admitted to practice in Pennsylvania (1975), United States District Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania (1976), United States Court of Appeals, Third Circuit (1983), and United States District Court, Middle District of Pennsylvania (2000). Educated at Villanova University School of Law (J.D., 1975) and LaSalle College (B.A., 1972). Recognitions include AV Preeminent. Serands clients in Philadelphia, PA and the surrounding metropolitan area.
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About
- Michael McKenna has been a partner in Margolis Edelstein since 1983 and has served as the firm’s Managing Partner since 1995
- Before joining Margolis Edelstein in 1982, Michael was Assistant General Counsel for the Pennsylvania Manufacturers’ Association Insurance Company
- He handles files, publishes, and speaks on a broad array of insurance and tort topics
- As Managing Partner, Michael oversees all operations in a firm which has grown during his tenure from two to nine offices
- Michael has tried hundreds of jury, non-jury, and UM/UIM arbitration trials with subject matter ranging from auto to premises to fire to products to insurance coverage
- He has appeared pro hac vice in Delaware, Kentucky, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, and Puerto Rico
- He has also defended or prosecuted appeals before the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court, Superior Court, and Supreme Court and before the Third Circuit Court of Appeals
- In addition to frequent speaking engagements before insurance industry groups, Michael also publishes, annotates, and updates the Pennsylvania Motor Vehicle Financial Responsibility Law Booklet, a comprehensive guide to auto law in the Commonwealth
- Honors •AV Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Rated •Selected for Inclusion in Pennsylvania Super Lawyers •Recipient of Philadelphia Bar Foundation Crystal Award for Commitment to Equal Access to Justice •Selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America for Insurance Law •Recognized by The Legal Intelligencer’s 2025 Pennsylvania Legal Awards with the Lifetime Achievement Award Articles & Publications •Pennsylvania Motor Vehicle Financial Responsibility Law Booklet (2025) 2026 Litigation Update 2025 Litigation Update 2024 Litigation Update 2023 Litigation Update 2022 Litigation Update 2021 Litigation Update 2019 Litigation Update 2018 Litigation Update 2017 Litigation Update 2016 Litigation Update 2015 Litigation Update Speaking Engagements •“2026 Litigation Update” PAMIC Claims Summit, April 2026 (Lancaster, PA) •“2025 Litigation Update” PAMIC Claims Summit, April 2025 (Lancaster, PA) •“2024 Litigation Update” PAMIC Claims Summit, May 2024 (Lancaster, PA) •“2023 Litigation Update” PAMIC Claims Summit, April 2023 (Gettysburg, PA) •Pennsylvania Unfair Insurance Practices Act and Regulations, PAMIC, Harrisburg, PA •Employer’s Liability Insurance: A Port Depending on the Storm, Risk and Insurance Management Society, Dallas, TX •Insurance Coverage for Underground Storage Tanks, PAMIC, Lancaster, PA •Annual Presentation of Litigation Update to Pennsylvania Association of Mutual Insurance Companies, 1984 to present Client Testimonials “Mike McKenna was instrumental in helping us get a very favorable outcome on a case this week.” “Michael McKenna...was incredibly knowledgeable and professional.” “Mike McKenna is the best” “We couldn’t have done it without you!” News & Case Results Judgment on the Pleadings Granted in Philadelphia Coverage Dispute 11 Margolis Edelstein Attorneys Named to the 2026 Best Lawyers and Ones to Watch Lists Margolis Edelstein’s Managing Partners Recognized by The Legal Intelligencer’s 2025 Pennsylvania Legal Awards Margolis Edelstein Announces Expanded Leadership Team - Christopher Tinari Joins Michael McKenna as Managing Partner Judgment on the Pleadings Granted in High-Exposure Insurance Coverage Case in Philadelphia County 10 Attorneys Rated by Best Lawyers for 2025 6 Margolis Edelstein Attorneys Present at PAMIC’s 2024 Claims Summit Michael McKenna Obtains Summary Judgment for Insurer in Philadelphia County
Practice Areas Explained
Michael P. McKenna's Areas of Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Michael P. McKenna handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.
Employment lawyers represent workers in wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, wage & hour disputes, and severance negotiations.
Michael P. McKenna is one of 169,120 employment attorneys indexed nationally. Browse employment attorneys in Pennsylvania →
Michael P. McKenna is one of 40,689 construction attorneys indexed nationally. Browse construction attorneys in Pennsylvania →
Insurance attorneys for coverage disputes, bad faith claims, denied claims, and policy disputes.
Michael P. McKenna is one of 121,912 insurance attorneys indexed nationally. Browse insurance attorneys in Pennsylvania →
Jurisdictional Context
Why local counsel matters in Pennsylvania
Practicing law in Pennsylvania. Legal matters in Pennsylvania are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Philadelphia are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate Pennsylvania state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in Pennsylvania brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this andnue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in Pennsylvania courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.
Looking for additional Pennsylvania attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Philadelphia or all attorneys in Pennsylvania.
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