Michael D. Ponce

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Chief Executive Officer - CEO

Michael D. Ponce is a Board Certified Civil Trial Specialist and Managing Attorney of Ponce Law. He has been serving injured individuals across Tennessee since 1994.

(615) 235-0272

Meet Michael Ponce

A light in the dark. A breath when you’re drowning. A hand when you’re juggling. That is what this experience has been like with the presence of Mr.Ponce and Miss Brooke. Words cannot express the gratitude I have for all of the help I received after being involved in an accident with my son in the backseat. 100% recommend.

– AJ Johnson

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

PERSONAL BACKGROUND

Michael D. Ponce grew up in Portland, Tennessee, where his connection to the local community helped shape the values that continue to guide his personal and professional life. Since beginning his legal career in 1993, Michael has remained committed to serving individuals and families throughout Tennessee.

Outside of his professional responsibilities, family remains an important part of Michael’s life. He has been married to his wife, Kim, for more than 30 years, and together they have two sons, Michael and Alex. His long-standing commitment to family, community, and service is reflected in the personal approach he brings to his work and the people he serves.

Beyond his work as an attorney and firm leader, Michael enjoys an active and well-rounded lifestyle. He is an avid reader and enjoys running, cycling, and rock climbing. These interests reflect his appreciation for continued learning, personal challenge, and staying active while making time for the people and activities that matter most to him.

EDUCATION & ACHIEVEMENTS

Michael D. Ponce earned his Bachelor of Science and Master of Business Administration from Suffolk University in Boston, Massachusetts. He went on to earn his Juris Doctor, cum laude, from Tulane University Law School in New Orleans, Louisiana, where he also completed an Environmental Law Specialist program.

Following law school, Michael served as a law clerk to the Honorable Judge John Wisdom of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, gaining valuable experience within the federal judicial system. In 1994, he founded Ponce Law and began building a career focused on representing injured individuals and families throughout Tennessee.

Michael is certified as a Civil Trial Specialist by the Tennessee Commission on Continuing Legal Education and is Board Certified as a Civil Trial Advocate by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. These credentials reflect his advanced experience and commitment to maintaining high standards in civil trial practice.

Throughout his career, Michael has received recognition for his professional accomplishments, including a Superior Rating from Avvo, the Martindale-Hubbell Platinum Award, Million-Dollar Circle of Advocates recognition, Super Lawyer recognition, and being selected by readers of The Tennessean as a “Best Local Lawyer.”

PRACTICE AREAS

AWARDS, EDUCATION, & MORE

EDUCATION

Suffolk University, B.S., communications and biology
Suffolk University, M.B.A.
Tulane University Law School, J.D., cum laude
Tulane University, Environmental Law Specialist

BAR ADMISSIONS

Colorado
Tennessee
U.S. District Court for the Eastern, Middle, and Western Districts of Tennessee
U.S. Supreme Court

AWARDS

Board Certified Civil Trial Specialist, National Board of Trial Advocacy
Board Certified Civil Trial Specialist, Tennessee Commission of Continuing Legal Education
Michael has been listed in Mid-South Tennessee Super Lawyers® since 2007.
Martindale-Hubbell Client Distinction Award
2014 BBB Torch Award nominee
Named “Best Lawyer” by the Tennessean Newspaper.
Winner of the Middle Tennessee Better Business Bureau Torch Award for Ethical Commerce.
Winner of the 2020 Martindale-Hubbell Client Champion Platinum Award.
Voted “Best Law Firm” in the Best of Music City Tennessean readers’ poll.
Winner of the Million Dollar Circle of Advocates Award
2019 Super Rating by Avvo
2021 Best of Music City Winner Best Place to Work, Best Law Firm, Most Innovative Workplace, Best Company Culture, Best Employee Recognition Program
2020 Best of Music City Winner Best Law Firm, Most Innovative Workplace and Best Employee Recognition program
2015 Best Law Firm The Tennessean Toast of Music City- Ponce Law
2017 Best Law Firm- Ponce Law
2017 Best Lawyer – Michael Ponce
2021 Main Street Awards Best Law Firm/Attorney in Donelson, Hermitage and Old Hickory
2020 – Ponce Law
Client Distinction Award-Lawyers
2016 Client Distinction Award
2014 Client Distinction Award
2014 Nomination to the 2014 Middle TN BBB Torch Awards A celebration of ethical commerce – Michael D. Ponce & Associates
2017 Torch Award Recipient for Ethical Commerce Medium size category 11-50 employees Michael D. Ponce & Associates
BBB Accredited Business 2003- present
2019 Client Champion Gold Award by Martindale Hubble- Michael D. Ponce
2020 Client Champion Platinum Award by Martindale Hubble – Michael D. Ponce
2021 Client Champion Platinum Award by Martindale Hubble- Michael D. Ponce
2019 Avvo Top Rated Lawyer Michael Ponce Superb Attorney Rating
2015 Member of the Motor Vehicle Trial Lawyers Association – Michael D. Ponce
2015 Member of Business Tort Trial Lawyers Association- Michael D. Ponce
2015 Top Lawyers in Tennessee Michael David Ponce – The Legal Network
Super Lawyers
2021 Mid South Honoree- Michael D. Ponce
2020 Mid South Honoree- Michael D. Ponce
2007 Mid South Super Lawyers Top Attorneys in Tenn. Arkansas and Mississippi – Michael D. Ponce
Million Dollar Advocates Forum – Michael David Ponce
Member of American Association for Justice Michael Ponce, Esq.
2010 and 2012 Top 100 Trial Lawyers – American Trial Lawyers Association- Michael D. Ponce
2013 Certified in Civil Trial Advocacy by the National Board of Trial Advocacy – Michael D. Ponce
2012 Certified in Civil Practice Advocacy – Michael D Ponce
License to practice law issued on October 19, 1993

PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

ORGANIZATIONS & ACTIVITIES

Better Business Bureau
Boy Scouts of America, Troop 157, Troop Leader
Goodlettsville Chamber of Commerce
Goodlettsville Help Center
Humane Society of Sumner County
St. Timothy Lutheran Church
Nashville Rescue Mission
Room in the Inn

SEMINARS TAUGHT

Damages in Tennessee Civil Trial Practice
Auto Accident Evidence and Reconstruction
Balancing Ethics and Professionalism in the Law

OUR REVIEWS

I’d highly recommend Ponce Law for personal injury claims! Our paralegal, Barbi, was always very responsive to my calls, knowledgeable to provide answers to my questions and made me feel like she really cared about us as individuals, which I truly appreciated!! I hope we never need personal injury representation ag...

- Michelle Uhles

I was in a bad wreck and tried to handle everything on my own at first, but the insurance company kept giving me the runaround. I realized I needed legal help and finally decided to call Ponce Law, and I’m so thankful I did. David and Kayla fought incredibly hard for me and were able to secure a settlement that allo...

- LO DWN

Estuve en un accidente de carro hace dos años, un borracho nos pego cuando íbamos saliendo del trabajo mandándonos a mi compañero de trabajo y a mi al hospital. Este accidente fue muy complicado dado a que también implicaba un caso criminal …

- Santos Ismael Castro García

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PONCE LAW AWARDS & RECOGNITION

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