Meet Michael W. Cardamone, the founder, and CEO of Cardamone Law, a rare boutique firm dedicating 100% of its practice to the strong representation of injured workers under the Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Act. Currently, the law firm is spread across Pennsylvania, from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh, and it has two attorneys and one ‘of counsel’ lawyer to serve clients effectively.
A graduate of Villanova University School of Law in 1999, Attorney Cardamone is a Certified Specialist in Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation- a designation earned by approximately 10% of the practicing Workers’ Compensation Lawyers in Pennsylvania.
Over the years, Attorney Cardamone has been recognized by the Best Attorneys of America, Super Lawyers, Top 100 in Pennsylvania, Lawdragon, and has a perfect 10 on 10 rating on Avvo.
Attorney Cardamone’s father was a well-known attorney in Montgomery and Buck Counties during the 1970s-90s. While growing up, Attorney Cardamone would listen to the fascinating stories at the dinner table, which eventually encouraged him to pursue law. Later in 1999, he got a job in a small but excellent law firm in the suburbs of Philadelphia, which introduced him to Workers’ Compensation Law. Since then, he has always handled Workers’ Compensation cases, and once he started to garner many of his own clients from 2012-2013, he decided to go on his own.
“For many years, I always put my head down and did my work- learning the nuances of Workers’ Compensation Law and absorbing as much as possible inside the courtroom. Then, perhaps 10 years ago or so, I started to get more involved with speaking, teaching, writing, etc.” – asserts Attorney Cardamone.
Eventually, just a few years ago, he landed a prominent role on a radio show as the Pennsylvania Work Comp Expert Attorney to help educate the population about the Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Law. Later in 2022, he was selected as the Co-Chair of the Montgomery County Bar Association, Workers’ Compensation Committee, where he is still currently serving in this leadership role.
Changing Lives
“I love many aspects of the job- especially winning! There is nothing better than making that phone call to a client who has suffered physically, emotionally, and financially to alert them to the fact that we won and that they will have money coming to pay their bills.” – asserts Attorney Cardamone.
He enjoys the strategy involved in determining how to try a case, who will be the potential witnesses, what kind of documentary evidence will be needed, etc. Attorney Cardamone also loves the marketing aspects; he feels that realm is wide open and endless with possibilities vs. the legal side of things, which has a tendency to box you into particular forms, ways or behaviors. In fact, he recently branded “Always Call Cards!®”- he was nicknamed “Cards” while in high school by a math teacher at Saint Joseph’s Preparatory School in Philadelphia, and the nickname stuck. His firm also boasts a trademark, “Comp? Cardamone!®” which highlights the fact that the firm exclusively handles Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation cases.
One of the main USPs of Cardamone Law is the level of care it provides for its clients. “I’ve heard countless clients over 23 years tell me that I listened to them, that I cared, and that I put so much effort into their cases. Too many lawyers become robotic and emotionless. I take my cases personally- which isn’t always good for one’s health, but it’s the way I’m wired. I do whatever I can, within the ethical rules, to win.”- says Attorney Cardamone.
Suggestions for Young Lawyers
Attorney Cardamone says, “The key advice I would give to a lawyer or a business person is, to be honest at all costs. Honesty is the root of everything else and so fundamental. The people that I see fail the most often tend to struggle with being honest and genuine. Be yourself- and embrace who you are and what makes you different. Be bold, but always stay ethical and honest- and always read and re-read the rules of ethics that govern your practice- or business.”
He also suggests young entrepreneurs to go at their own pace. “Do what feels right for you and your lifestyle. It’s great to speak to others about their experiences, but ultimately you have to call the shots. Don’t be guided by fear. If things don’t work out, you can always go back to what you were doing before.”– he added.
“Honesty and Passion should govern what you do. If either is missing, you won’t hit your goals.”
Picture of the Future
As the owner and founder of Cardamone Law, Attorney Cardamone never wanted to make the firm a big organization. Instead, he likes the law firm’s boutique size and the quality of work, which gives it an edge over other law firms. He says, “we are quite busy, and it’s not a long shot to add another lawyer in the near future. I want to keep the firm at 5 lawyers or fewer in the long term.”
