Atty. Philip Michels

Atty. Philip Michels

Philip Michels, A.P.L.C., is the founding principal of The Law Offices of Michels & Lew in West Los Angeles, specializing in medical malpractice, catastrophic personal injury and sexual abuse cases. Awards & Honors: Best Lawyers/US News - Best Law Firm - Los Angeles Tier 1 - Medical Malpractice Law – Plaintiffs, 2006 - Present; Best Lawyer in America, 2013 - Present; Los Angeles Best Lawyers: “Professional Malpractice Law - Lawyer of the Year,” 2013; Southern California Super Lawyer, 2006 - Present; AV-Rated by Martindale-Hubbell; Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles: “Trial Lawyer of

Santa Monica Santa Monica 53 yrs experience 53 year
Call (310) 882-7123 Book Appointment

Profile Summary

About Philip Michels at a glance

Philip Michels is a Principal based in Santa Monica, California, practicing at Law Offices Of Michels Lew. They have 53+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 1973. Their practice focuses on medical malpractice and personal injury. Admitted to practice in California (1973). Educated at University of California at Los Angeles, School of Law (J.D., 1973) and University of California at Los Angeles (B.A. Mathematics, 1966). Recognitions include AV Preeminent. Serands clients in Santa Monica, CA and the surrounding metropolitan area.

Verified attorney profile · Updated June 2026

About

  • Philip Michels, A.P.L.C., is the founding principal of The Law Offices of Michels & Lew in West Los Angeles, specializing in medical malpractice, catastrophic personal injury and sexual abuse cases
  • Awards & Honors: Best Lawyers/US News - Best Law Firm - Los Angeles Tier 1 - Medical Malpractice Law – Plaintiffs, 2006 - Present
  • Best Lawyer in America, 2013 - Present

Los Angeles Best Lawyers

  • “Professional Malpractice Law - Lawyer of the Year,” 2013
  • Southern California Super Lawyer, 2006 - Present
  • AV-Rated by Martindale-Hubbell
  • Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles: “Trial Lawyer of the Year,” 2003
  • California Business Journal, Litigator Profile
  • Los Angeles Daily Journal, Litigator Profile, 1997, 2011
  • Certified in Professional Negligence, American Board of Professional Liability Attorneys
  • The American Trial Lawyers Association Top 100 Trial Lawyers in California
  • The State Bar of California Legal Specialist: Medical Professional Liability (American Board of Professional Liability Attorneys)

Published Works

  • Does Anyone Read These Things?
  • Boilerplate Hospital Admission Forms with Steven B. Stevens, OC Lawyer, December 2012
  • Effective Strategies for Deposing Physicians and Other Medical Professionals, Advocate - Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles, September 2012

Citizens United

  • The Protest Version, Advocate – President’s Column, Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles, December 2011
  • A Collaborative Effort: Promises Made and Kept, Advocate - President’s Column, Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles, November 2011
  • Clean Torture, Advocate - President’s Column, Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles, October 2011Ways Around the Logjam, Advocate - President’s Column, Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles, September 2011
  • The Impact of Court Budget Cuts, Advocate - President’s Column, Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles, August 2011
  • CAALA Vegas Convention 2011, Advocate - President’s Column, Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles, July 2011
  • On Wisconsin!
  • The Hazards of Speaking Up, Advocate - President’s Column, Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles, May 2011
  • People’s Protest in the Mideast and the Midwest: Back to the Streets, Advocate - President’s Column, Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles, April 2011
  • The Rich and the Rest, Advocate - President’s Column, Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles, March 2011
  • Political Influence in Judicial Selection, Advocate - President’s Column, Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles, February 2011
  • Patient Safety vs
  • Corporate Profits, Advocate - President’s Column, Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles, January 2011
  • Thirty-five years’ experience with MICRA, Advocate - President’s Column, Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles, October 2010
  • Development and Resolution of Medical Malpractice Cases, Advocate - Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles, September 2010
  • Preparing for and Taking a Defense Expert Deposition, Advocate - Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles, September 2010
  • “Crusading Against Medical Malpractice - With or Without Legal Fees," Daily Journal, 2009; Marshaling Medical Evidence for Trial, Advocate - Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles, September 2009; Medical Issues in Discovery, Advocate - Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles, August 2008; Finding and Effectively Using Experts in a Professional Negligence Case, Advocate - Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles, April 2007; Deposition Strategies, Advocate - Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles, December 2005; Finding and Retaining Experts in a Professional Negligence Case, Advocate - Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles, September 2005; The Psychology of Depositions, Advocate - Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles, April 2003; Common Mistakes You Should Avoid in Medical Malpractice, Advocate - Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles, August 2002; Motions in Limine, Advocate - Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles, December 2001; Presenting the Best Case with an Unsympathetic Client, Advocate - Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles, August 2001; Opening Statement, Advocate - Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles, 2001; Strategies for Dealing with the Statute of Limitations in Medical Malpractice Cases, Advocate - Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles, September 1999; Liability of Pre-paid Health Plans for the Medical Malpractice of their Subcontracting Providers, Advocate - Los Angeles Trial Lawyers Association, August 1982; Attacking the Doubling Time Defense in Breast Cancer Cases with Dr. Joseph Mirra, Medical Trial Technique Quarterly and California Trial Lawyers Association Forum, Winter 1981; How to Obtain and Use Experts in Medical Malpractice Cases, California Trial Lawyers Association Journal v. 19, no. 1

Practice Areas Explained

Philip Michels's Areas of Practice

Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Philip Michels handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.

Medical Malpractice

Medical malpractice lawyers represent patients harmed by negligent doctors, hospitals, and other providers. Free case review, no fee unless you win.

Philip Michels is one of 49,086 medical malpractice attorneys indexed nationally. Browse medical malpractice attorneys in California →

Personal Injury

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.

Philip Michels is one of 264,852 personal injury attorneys indexed nationally. Browse personal injury 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 Santa Monica 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 Santa Monica or all attorneys in California.

Frequently Asked

Common questions about Philip Michels

Where is Philip Michels's law office located?
Philip Michels's law practice is located in Santa Monica, California. The firm is Law Offices Of Michels Lew. You can contact the office directly through this profile page.
What practice areas does Philip Michels handle?
Philip Michels focuses on medical malpractice, personal injury. Each practice area listed reflects experience handling cases of that type in California.
How long has Philip Michels practiced law?
Philip Michels has 53+ years of legal experience and has been licensed since 1973.
Where did Philip Michels go to law school?
Philip Michels earned their education at (J.D., 1973); (B.A. Mathematics, 1966).
How can I contact Philip Michels for a consultation?
You can contact Philip Michels directly through this profile page. Click "Ask the Attorney" to submit a question, or "Schedule a Consultation" to book a meeting. Most claimed-profile attorneys respond within one business day.
What awards or recognition has Philip Michels received?
Philip Michels's notable recognition includes: AV Preeminent.

Education

J.D.
University of California at Los Angeles, School of Law
- 1973
B.A. Mathematics
University of California at Los Angeles
- 1966

Awards

AV Preeminent

Bar Admissions

California
Admitted: 1973

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