PRACTICES
OVERVIEW
Michael DeBona is a litigator in the firm's Subrogation Department, where he represents major property insurers in recovering their losses caused by product and construction defects. Michael has a particular specialty in recovering on water losses arising from product design and manufacturing defects. He litigates cases throughout the United States, including in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Massachusetts, Illinois, Maryland, Virginia, the District of Columbia and Florida.
As a trial lawyer, Michael has tried dozens of cases before both judges and juries. In addition to trying jury and bench trials to verdict, Michael has successfully taken dozens of cases before binding arbitration panels. Having previously defended the claims he now prosecutes, Michael is uniquely positioned to build a strong and cohesive case at each step in litigation - allowing him to weave complex expert issues into clear, creative and compelling stories for the jury.
Michael serves as a writer for The Subrogation Strategist, White and Williams' subrogation blog, providing commentary on emerging subrogation issues. He is also a contributor to Subrogator, a publication of the National Association of Subrogation Professionals, as well as CLM Magazine, a publication of the Claims and Litigation Management Alliance.
Michael graduated magna cum laude from Rutgers University and earned his law degree from Villanova University School of Law, where he was an Editorial Board member of the Environmental Law Journal and published his comment in Volume 22 of the Journal.
Recognition and Involvement
Recognition & Involvement
Michael has been named as a Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America since 2021 for Insurance Law and since 2023 for Litigation - Construction.
Michael handles pro bono cases for the Senior Law Center, where he assists Pennsylvania seniors with their legal matters. He also serves as a volunteer attorney for the Philadelphia Bar Association’s Legal Line.
Credentials
Bar and Court Admissions
Pennsylvania
New Jersey
New York
Massachusetts (admission pending)
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey
Education
Villanova University School of Law, JD
Rutgers University, BA, magna cum laude
News & Insights
REPRESENTATIVE MATTERS
- Achieved million dollar settlement in complex product liability and construction defect case in New Jersey
- Litigated product and construction defect claims in New York action involving a water loss occurring at the top floor of one of Manhattan's tallest skyscrapers, affecting 30 floors and causing over $20 million in damages
- Defeated defendant's Daubert challenge resulting in tripling of settlement offer in complex product liability action
- Convinced federal court that statute of repose did not bar million dollar product liability claim, defeating summary judgment and resulting in settlement at 70% of full damages
- Conducted and defended expert depositions in construction defect case resulting in immediate doubling of six figure settlement offer
- Represented global insurer in multi-million dollar water loss at historic landmark hotel in Washington, DC
- Briefed and argued opposition to defendant's preliminary objections seeking to dismiss insurer’s strict liability cause of action, which the judge overruled on all grounds
- Overturned arbitration award involving three issues of first impression
- Obtained summary judgment for insurer by persuading court to narrowly apply seemingly far-reaching Supreme Court precedent
- Prosecuted declaratory judgment action rescinding insurance policy and precluding coverage of $25 million claim
BLOGS & PODCASTS
Podcasts
Subro Sessions
- Water Losses 101: A Discussion of Common Causes of Water Losses and How to Investigate them – Part 27.16.24
The newest episode of the Subro Sessions podcast, is hosted by Gus Sara, Partner, and Michael DeBona, Counsel, who are joined by guest J. Pablo Ross, PE, of Ross Engineering. The episode, entitled “Water Losses 101: A Discussion of Common Causes of Water Losses and How to Investigate Them – Part 2,” gives insight into the role of the attorney in a joint-evidence investigation, steps that subrogation professionals and experts take to complete the analysis, make appropriate recommendations to the client and the process of evidence lab examinations.