Portrait of Michael Conley

Michael Conley

Principal

Michael Conley is co-managing principal of the Philadelphia office and the founder of the firm's Insurance Recovery Practice Group. His broad legal experience includes insurance coverage litigation and general litigation. He exclusively represents policyholders, including closely held, publicly traded, nonprofit and municipal entities, with claims against their insurance companies. His insurance coverage law experience includes handling coverage actions on behalf of insureds relating to claims under general liability policies, bad faith claims, defense obligations, law and ordinance exclusions, crime coverage, employment liability coverage and coverage for data loss and environmental liability.

Michael's commercial litigation experience includes representing clients in cases involving breach of contract, abuse of process, trademark and copyright infringement and unfair trade practices. Michael has also served as an expert on insurance-related matters in both Pennsylvania and Maryland.

Michael has utilized his insurance recovery experience to address the unique insurance issues facing the growing cannabis industry. Michael works with not only those directly involved in the industry, such as growers and dispensary owners, but also with ancillary businesses that include those companies providing goods and services to the industry. Whether directly or indirectly involved, the cannabis industry presents unique risks and therefore unique insurance-related concerns. Mr. Conley has also been active speaking and presenting to the cannabis industry over the past few years.

Prior to joining Offit Kurman, Michael was co-managing shareholder of a national law firm in their Philadelphia office and a senior shareholder in its Insurance Recovery and Corporate and Commercial Litigation Departments. He was also head of the Philadelphia Business Group and chair of Philadelphia's Commercial Litigation Group.

    Education

    • Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law (J.D.)
    • George Washington University (B.A.)

    State Bar Admissions

    • Pennsylvania

    Court Admissions

    • United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
    • United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit

    Professional Affiliations

    • Pennsylvania Bar Association

    Recognitions

    • Named to The Best Lawyers in America® for Insurance Law (2010-2026)
    • Band 3 Lawyer in Insurance - Pennsylvania, Chambers USA (2015-2020)
    • Selected to Pennsylvania Super Lawyers® for Insurance Coverage (2012-2017, 2023-2026)
      • Super Lawyers is a publication of Thomson Reuters.

Firm Highlights

  • Podcasts
    Artful Donations: Exploring Museum Exchange
    In this episode of The Legal Canvas, host Caryn Keppler welcomes Robert Wainstein and Michael Darling, co-founders of Museum Exchange, the first digital platform dedicated to facilitating art donations to museums and nonprofit institutions across North America. Together, they explore how technology is transforming the way collectors, artists, estates, and cultural organizations connect through charitable giving. Robert and Michael explain the inspiration behind Museum Exchange, the challenges they set out to solve, and how the platform has grown into a network of more than 400 museums. They walk listeners through the donation process—from evaluating artwork and matching donors with institutions to handling logistics, documentation, and tax considerations. Along the way, they discuss the realities of museum collecting, why many donations are declined, and how thoughtful placements can help preserve artists' legacies while expanding access to important works of art. The conversation also explores Museum Exchange's work with living artists, artist estates, hospitals, universities, and smaller regional museums, as well as the launch of the Charis Foundation for the Arts, a nonprofit designed to steward significant collections before placing them with institutions that can best benefit from them. Robert and Michael conclude by sharing their vision for the future of charitable art transactions and how Museum Exchange is helping reshape philanthropy in the arts for generations to come.