Atty. Jonathan A. Michaels
Defining the Automotive Liability Industry Since 1995 Jonathan Michaels has been in practice since 1995, and during that time has created an exemplary law firm. By challenging some of the largest companies in the world, Michaels has gained national recognition as the “go to” attorney for high stakes litigation, when everything is on the line.
Profile Summary
About Jonathan A. Michaels at a glance
Jonathan A. Michaels is a personal injury, business, class action, product liability, and consumer attorney based in Costa Mesa, California, practicing at Mlg Attorneys At Law. Educated at Whittier Law School (J.D., 1995). Recognitions include Best Lawyers in America — Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships) (2026), Best Lawyers in America — Consumer Protection Law (2026), and Best Lawyers in America — Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Plaintiffs (2026). Serands clients in Costa Mesa, CA and the surrounding metropolitan area.
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About
- Defining the Automotive Liability Industry Since 1995 Jonathan Michaels has been in practice since 1995, and during that time has created an exemplary law firm
- By challenging some of the largest companies in the world, Michaels has gained national recognition as the “go to” attorney for high stakes litigation, when everything is on the line
- Michaels has developed a unique practice in the automotive industry, where he has litigated cases against nearly every major automotive manufacturer in the world
- This includes cases against GM, Audi, Maserati, Mitsubishi, FCA, Kia, Nissan, Honda, AM General, Isuzu, Toyota, Hyundai, Harley-Davidson, Ford, Acura, Tesla, Volvo, Volkswagen, Aston Martin, Land Rover, Mercedes and Porsche
- Leader in Vehicle Product Liability Litigation Michaels has filed some of the largest and most important automotive class action cases in the United States
- These cases have led to Congressional hearings, Department of Justice investigations and billion-dollar settlements, as well as the recall of millions of defective vehicles
- Michaels’ work has drawn attention from a multitude of media outlets, including appearances in The New York Times, Reuters, Fortune, USA Today and The Wall Street Journal, as well as feature stories on CBS Evening News and ABC Evening News
- Michaels authored the best-selling book Automotive 101: The Car Industry Exposed, and has also authored more than 100 articles for the distinguished Los Angeles Daily Journal – more than any person in the paper’s history, dating back to 1880
- In 2015, Michaels was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize in Journalism for his work on the GM ignition switch recall
- Complex Business Transactions Structuring Expertise Michaels is also aptly skilled at structuring complex business transactions
- In 2013, he was involved in taking the supercar company Saleen Automotive public, and during his career he has structured international distribution agreements, supply-chain agreements and automotive dealer networks
- Michaels has also been involved in structuring race teams that have competed in some of the most heralded races, including the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the Indianapolis 500
- Respected by Peers in Legal Profession and Academic Community Michaels’ efforts have earned him the respect of his peers
- He has received the prestigious “Super Lawyers” award every year since 2012, a distinction reserved for no more than 5 percent of the lawyers in the state
- In addition to his professional work, Michaels maintains close ties to the academic community
- He is privileged to have been invited to speak at numerous law schools and business schools about effective litigation strategy, and in 2012 he was named “Attorney of the Year” by his law school alma mater
- All of this follows a strong scholastic beginning
- Michaels graduated from the USC Marshall School of Business in 1992, before attending Whittier Law School where he graduated in 1995 in the top 4 percent of his class
- In law school, Michaels served as the Notes and Comments Editor of Law Review, he competed in several national Moot Court Honors Board competitions, and he published a winning Law Review article that is permanently housed in the U.S
- Library of Congress
- Michaels is a member of the California, Colorado and Michigan state bars, and is actively involved in the Southern California community
- He is the proud father of two sons, Jake and Dean
Practice Areas Explained
Jonathan A. Michaels's Areas of Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Jonathan A. Michaels handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.
Personal injury attorneys help accident victims recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain & suffering. Most work on contingency — no fee unless you win.
Jonathan A. Michaels is one of 264,852 personal injury attorneys indexed nationally. Browse personal injury attorneys in California →
Business attorneys advise founders and growing companies on entity formation, contracts, financing, M&A, and dispute resolution.
Jonathan A. Michaels is one of 501,317 business attorneys indexed nationally. Browse business attorneys in California →
Jonathan A. Michaels is one of 26,424 class action attorneys indexed nationally. Browse class action attorneys in California →
Jonathan A. Michaels is one of 66,193 product liability attorneys indexed nationally. Browse product liability attorneys in California →
Consumer protection attorneys for fraud, lemon law, debt harassment, and deceptive trade practices.
Jonathan A. Michaels is one of 50,607 consumer attorneys indexed nationally. Browse consumer attorneys in California →
Jurisdictional Context
Why local counsel matters in California
Practicing law in California. Legal matters in California are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Costa Mesa are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate California state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in California brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this andnue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in California courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.
Looking for additional California attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Costa Mesa or all attorneys in California.
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