Atty. Michael L. Baum
Michael L. Baum is a senior partner of Wisner Baum (formerly Baum Hedlund Aristei & Goldman) based in Los Angeles.
Antidepressant Birth Defect Litigation & More Attorney · Serving Los Angeles, CA · 41+ Years Experience
Profile Summary
About Michael L. Baum at a Glance
Michael L. Baum is a Managing Partner based in Los Angeles, California, practicing at Wisner Baum. They have 41+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 1985. Their practice focuses on wrongful death, personal injury, class action, whistleblower, and product liability. Admitted to practice in California (1985), U.S. District Court, Central District of California (1986), U.S. District Court, Eastern District of California (1989), and U.S. District Court, Northern District of California (1989). Educated at University of California at Los Angeles (J.D., 1985) and University of California at Los Angeles (B.A., 1982). Recognitions include AV Preeminent. Serves clients in Los Angeles, CA and the surrounding metropolitan area.
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About Michael L. Baum
- Michael L. Baum is a senior partner of Wisner Baum (formerly Baum Hedlund Aristei & Goldman) based in Los Angeles
- For 29 years, Michael was the managing partner of Baum Hedlund until he turned over the reins to R. Brent Wisner at the beginning of 2023
- Under Michael’s stewardship, our firm grew from a small boutique law firm to one of the nation’s leading plaintiffs’ litigation firms that is now known for its cutting edge, superior legal work
- While running Baum Hedlund, the firm’s success in challenging cases and precedent-setting legal rulings has helped shape the law for the benefit of those harmed in commercial transportation accidents and by dangerous pharmaceuticals and consumer products
- Michael’s ceaseless advocacy in pharmaceutical and consumer fraud litigation has brought our firm international attention and acclaim. “When I became an attorney in 1985, we were the new kids on the block
- We only had dreams of achieving the success we now enjoy,” Michael Baum says. “Our ethos from the beginning was pure and simple: we wanted to use the law to help people who had been wronged and make the world a better place
- As much as we have grown over the years, that philosophy has remained, and out of it grew a culture that has attracted talented lawyers like Brent who share the same mission
- He is exactly the kind of lawyer and leader that will take this firm to new heights
- Wisner Baum is in good hands.” Our firm has won billions under Michael’s leadership in consumer fraud and product liability cases against some of the world’s largest pharmaceutical and life sciences corporations, including Bayer Corp. (Monsanto), Eli Lilly, Forest Labs, GlaxoSmithKline, and Pfizer, among many others
- As a sophisticated legal team, the firm has helped uncover harmful drug industry practices, chemical manufacturer misconduct and deceptive marketing schemes which have resulted in groundbreaking verdicts, major consumer safety advocacy and improved drug warning labels
- Michael has also successfully led the firm through thousands of wrongful death and personal injury cases stemming from mass disasters
- These include structure fire and wildfire litigation
- His experience litigating fire cases began in 1987 when he worked on the Dupont Plaza Hotel arson case, one of the deadliest hotel fires in U.S. history
- He also helped litigate hundreds of homeowner and business claims that resulted in lost structures that burned down in Malibu, California as a result of the 2018 Woolsey Fire
Practice Areas Explained
Michael L. Baum's Areas of Legal Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Michael L. Baum handles, with a practical overview of what that area of law involves and how it may apply to your situation in Los Angeles.
Wrongful Death in Los Angeles
Michael L. Baum is one of 30,932 wrongful death attorneys indexed nationally. Browse wrongful death attorneys in California →
Personal Injury in Los Angeles
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.
Michael L. Baum is one of 262,557 personal injury attorneys indexed nationally. Browse personal injury attorneys in California →
Class Action in Los Angeles
Michael L. Baum is one of 26,226 class action attorneys indexed nationally. Browse class action attorneys in California →
Whistleblower & Retaliation in Los Angeles
Michael L. Baum is one of 3,523 whistleblower attorneys indexed nationally. Browse whistleblower attorneys in California →
Product Liability in Los Angeles
Michael L. Baum is one of 65,610 product liability attorneys indexed nationally. Browse product liability attorneys in California →
Jurisdictional Context
Why Local Counsel Matters in Los Angeles
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 Los Angeles 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.
Los Angeles Courts and Legal Process
Choosing a Los Angeles-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 Los Angeles or all attorneys in California.
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Professional Profile
Why Clients in Los Angeles Choose Michael L. Baum
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 Michael L. Baum's practice in the field of wrongful death, personal injury, class action, whistleblower, and product liability.
Decade-Tested Legal Experience
Michael L. Baum brings 41+ 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, U.S. District Court, Central District of California, and U.S. District Court, Eastern District of California, Michael L. Baum can represent clients in cases that span state lines or require counsel in multiple jurisdictions.
Broad Practice Area Coverage
Covering wrongful death, personal injury, and class action, Michael L. Baum can address the full spectrum of a client's legal needs without requiring referrals to separate specialists for each issue.
Local Presence in Los Angeles
A Los Angeles-based practice means Michael L. Baum 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 Michael L. Baum Handles in Los Angeles
Below is a representative sample of the types of matters Michael L. Baum 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 Michael L. Baum directly to discuss the specifics of your situation.
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How People Find Michael L. Baum Online
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Michael L. Baum's Practice Areas & Specializations
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