Atty. Jonathan Michaels
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.
Automotive Defects & More Attorney · Serving Costa Mesa, CA · 31+ Years Experience
Profile Summary
About Jonathan Michaels at a Glance
Jonathan Michaels is a Principal based in Costa Mesa, California, practicing at Mlg Attorneys At Law. They have 31+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 1995. Their practice focuses on wrongful death, business, class action, product liability, and litigation. Admitted to practice in California (1995) and Colorado (1997). Educated at Whittier Law School (J.D. Summa, 1995) and University of Southern California (B.S., 1992). Active member of · Ninth Judicial Circuit Historical Society · Super Lawyers · Association of Business Trial Lawyers · Orange County Trial Lawyers Association · Robert A. Serves clients in Costa Mesa, CA and the surrounding metropolitan area.
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About Jonathan Michaels
- 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
- Michaels has all but defined the vehicle product liability industry
- He authored the best-selling book Automotive 101: The Car Industry Exposed, and has filed some of the largest and most important automotive class action cases in the nation
- 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 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
- 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
- Michaels 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
- 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 Michaels's Areas of Legal Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Jonathan Michaels handles, with a practical overview of what that area of law involves and how it may apply to your situation in Costa Mesa.
Wrongful Death in Costa Mesa
Jonathan Michaels is one of 30,932 wrongful death attorneys indexed nationally. Browse wrongful death attorneys in California →
Business & Corporate Law in Costa Mesa
Business attorneys advise founders and growing companies on entity formation, contracts, financing, M&A, and dispute resolution.
Jonathan Michaels is one of 497,491 business attorneys indexed nationally. Browse business attorneys in California →
Class Action in Costa Mesa
Jonathan Michaels is one of 26,226 class action attorneys indexed nationally. Browse class action attorneys in California →
Product Liability in Costa Mesa
Jonathan Michaels is one of 65,610 product liability attorneys indexed nationally. Browse product liability attorneys in California →
Civil Litigation in Costa Mesa
Civil litigation attorneys for breach of contract, business disputes, civil rights, and class action lawsuits.
Jonathan Michaels is one of 450,750 litigation attorneys indexed nationally. Browse litigation attorneys in California →
Jurisdictional Context
Why Local Counsel Matters in Costa Mesa
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 venue, 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.
Costa Mesa Courts and Legal Process
Choosing a Costa Mesa-based attorney means your counsel already knows the local docketing timelines, preferred filing formats, and how individual judges typically rule on procedural motions — details that only come from practicing in this jurisdiction day after day. That local familiarity can translate to better strategy, faster filings, and fewer costly surprises.
Looking for additional California attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Costa Mesa or all attorneys in California.
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Professional Profile
Why Clients in Costa Mesa Choose Jonathan Michaels
Selecting an attorney is one of the most consequential decisions you can make when a legal matter arises. Below are the core qualities that distinguish Jonathan Michaels's practice in the field of wrongful death, business, class action, product liability, and litigation.
Decade-Tested Legal Experience
Jonathan Michaels brings 31+ years of hands-on legal practice — enough to have navigated the recurring fact patterns, procedural traps, and negotiation dynamics that shape case outcomes.
Multi-State Bar Admission
Licensed in California and Colorado, Jonathan Michaels can represent clients in cases that span state lines or require counsel in multiple jurisdictions.
Broad Practice Area Coverage
Covering wrongful death, business, and class action, Jonathan Michaels can address the full spectrum of a client's legal needs without requiring referrals to separate specialists for each issue.
Local Presence in Costa Mesa
A Costa Mesa-based practice means Jonathan Michaels attends hearings in the same courthouses, knows the local clerks, and understands the unwritten scheduling norms that affect every case filed here.
Case Types
Common Legal Issues Jonathan Michaels Handles in Costa Mesa
Below is a representative sample of the types of matters Jonathan Michaels has experience with under California law. If your situation involves one of these case categories, this attorney may be well positioned to help you understand your options.
This list is illustrative, not exhaustive. Contact Jonathan Michaels directly to discuss the specifics of your situation.
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How People Find Jonathan Michaels Online
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Jonathan Michaels's Practice Areas & Specializations
Education & Law School Background
Bar Admissions & Licensed Jurisdictions
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