Biography

Michael specializes in general liability insurance coverage and complex multi-party litigation, including construction defect and mold claims. He has handled all phases of such litigation from inception through trial.

From 2005-2007, Michael served as lead coverage and defense counsel for an insurer in connection with a complex, multi-million dollar mold claim involving St. John's Hospital in Oxnard, California, including defense of the carrier in related bad faith litigation brought by an insured subcontractor and developer in state and Federal court, and prosecution of a related contribution action against a non-participating co-carrier.

Michael earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California at Santa Barbara (UCSB) in 1992, where he majored in Law & Society, with an emphasis in Criminal Justice, and served as Editor-in-Chief of the UCSB Pre-Law Journal from 1991-1992. He received his Juris Doctor degree from Pepperdine University School of Law in 1995, where he earned Dean's List Honors, while also participating in the National Moot Court Competition and advocacy tournaments as a member of Pepperdine's appellate and trial teams. Michael also served as Associate Editor of the Pepperdine Law Review, and contributing author to the California Supreme Court Survey.

Michael is a member of the State Bar of California and is admitted to practice before the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. He is also admitted to practice in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.