Michael D. Ponce
| Born: | Michael D. Ponce
July 4, 1965 Columbia, South Carolina, USA |
|---|---|
| Education: | Suffolk University, B.S., Communications and Biology
(Undergrad) Suffolk University, M.B.A (Masters) Tulane University Law School, J.D., cum laude (Law School) Tulane University, Environmental Law Specialist |
| Occupations: | Attorney |
| Years active: | 1993 - Active |
| Known for: | Salazar v. Concrete Form Erectors, Inc., 2003 Tenn. LEXIS 1207 |
Michael D. Ponce (born July 4, 1965) is a Nashville-based personal injury attorney. Michael Ponce has been an avid supporter of the Nashville Rescue Mission for years, contributing through both volunteer work and financial donations. His philanthropic efforts also extend to animal welfare organizations, including Proverbs 12:10 Animal Rescue, Sumner Spay and Neuter Alliance, and the Humane Society of Sumner County, which are beneficiaries of Michael Ponce's fundraisers and event sponsorships. Michael Ponce sponsors various educational programs, including the Outstanding Teacher Contest, scholarships for Academic Team students, and the Perspectives $1000 Scholarship to college students from Tennessee or those attending college in Tennessee. Members of the firm have also participated in educational outreach by speaking to students of all ages about careers, entrepreneurship and the workforce. In recent years, he has collaborated with the American Red Cross on fire safety campaigns and blood drives. Michael Ponce also sponsors the High School Sports Awards and Athlete of the Week program, honoring outstanding athletes in the Middle Tennessee Area. He partners with Fox 17 on the Tennessee Hero Program (formerly Hometown Hero), which highlights a local hero each month who receives a $1,000 award and an interview segment. In partnership with the Nashville Predators, Ponce Law recognizes seven "Smashville Hometown Heroes" each hockey season during live game presentations. Additionally, Michael Ponce sponsors several community races and events, including the Goodlettsville Four Mile Classic, Music City Track Carnival, Portland Strawberry Stride, and the Frostbite 5K/10K.
Education
After graduating from Highland Academy in 1983, Michael D. Ponce attended Suffolk University and earned his bachelor’s degree in 1988. He then earned his Master's in Business Administration from Suffolk University in 1990. He later attended Tulane University Law School and received his juris doctor in 1993.
Career
After completing his clerkship with Judge John Wisdom of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit in New Orleans, Michael D. Ponce founded Ponce Law in 1993.[1] Based in the Greater Nashville area, the firm focuses on personal injury law, with practice areas including workers’ compensation, employment law, immigration law, and trucking accidents. Ponce is known for Salazar v. Concrete Form Erectors, Inc., 2003 Tenn. LEXIS 1207.[2]
Ponce is admitted to practice law in Tennessee and Colorado, and he is also licensed before the Tennessee Supreme Court, all Tennessee Federal District Courts, the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, and, since 2013, the Supreme Court of the United States.
He is board-certified as a Civil Trial Specialist by the Tennessee Commission on Continuing Legal Education, a Civil Trial Advocate by the National Board of Trial Advocacy, and a Civil Pretrial Advocate by the National Board of Civil Pretrial Practice Advocacy. Ponce is also an active member of professional organizations such as the Tennessee Bar Association, Nashville Bar Association, American Association for Justice, American Bar Association, Million Dollar Advocates Forum, and the Motor Vehicle Trial Lawyers Association.
Awards and recognition
Michael D. Ponce has received numerous professional recognitions throughout his legal career. He has been listed in Mid-South Tennessee Super Lawyers annually since 2007 and was named a Top Attorney in Tennessee, Arkansas, and Mississippi.[3] He holds a "Superb" rating from Avvo[4] and was recognized as a Top Rated Lawyer in 2019. Ponce has earned multiple Client Distinction and Client Champion Awards from Martindale-Hubbell, including the Platinum Award in 2020 and 2021 and the Gold Award in 2019.[5] He was named "Best Lawyer" and led Ponce Law to "Best Law Firm" honors in multiple editions of The Tennessean's Best of Music City and Toast of Music City awards. In 2021, Ponce Law also received honors for Best Place to Work, Most Innovative Workplace, Best Company Culture, and Best Employee Recognition Program. His firm won the Middle Tennessee Better Business Bureau Torch Award for Ethical Commerce in 2017 and was a nominee in 2014. He is a Certified Civil Trial Specialist and has been certified in Civil Trial Advocacy (2013) and Civil Pretrial Practice Advocacy (2012) by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. Ponce has been recognized by the American Trial Lawyers Association for Justice, and has been recognized by the American Trial Lawyers Association as one of the Top 100 Trial Lawyers in 2010 and 2012. Million Dollar Advocates While in law school Michael Ponce clerked for Judge John Minor Wisdom on the United States 5th Circuit Court of Appeals.
Board and Community Involvement:
- Better Business Bureau (Active)
- Boy Scouts of America, Troop 157, Troop Leader (Past)
- Goodlettsville Chamber of Commerce (Active)
- Goodlettsville Help Center (Active)
- Humane Society of Sumner County (Active)
- Sumner Spay and Neuter Alliance
- St. Timothy Lutheran Church (Active)
- Nashville Rescue Mission (Active)
- Room in the Inn (Past)
References
- ↑ "Michael D. Ponce | Managing Attorney | Senior Litigator". Ponce Law, LLC. Retrieved 2025-09-16.
- ↑ "Victor Salazar v. Concrete Form Erectors, Inc., | Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts". www.tncourts.gov. Retrieved 2025-09-16.
- ↑ "Top Rated Nashville, TN Personal Injury Attorney | Michael Ponce | Super Lawyers". SuperLawyers.com. Retrieved 2025-09-16.
- ↑ "Michael Ponce - Lawyer in Goodlettsville, TN - Avvo". www.avvo.com. Retrieved 2025-09-16.
- ↑ "Michael D. Ponce Profile | Goodlettsville, TN Lawyer | Martindale.com". www.martindale.com. Retrieved 2025-09-16.
External links
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