Maureen M. Michail

Bar Admissions

  • California

  • U.S. District Court, Central District of California

  • U.S. District Court, Southern District of California

  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of California

  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of California

  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit

 

Maureen Michail has nearly 30 years of experience handling complex and high-exposure cases, ranging from business litigation, insurance bad faith and coverage litigation, construction, employment, real estate, and film finance in both state and federal courts.

In the early 1990s, Maureen worked for an engineering and construction firm on large public works construction projects as an estimator and government claims administrator.

Her law practice began in 1996, focusing on both litigation throughout California as well as advising corporate clients regarding policies, procedures, and planning to manage risk on a day-to-day basis to avoid costly litigation.

  • Insurance Coverage and Insurance Bad Faith Issues

    Business Litigation

    Construction

    Employment

    Financial and Banking Litigation

    Contract Disputes

    Film Finance

    Real Estate

  • Loyola Law School - Los Angeles, California

    J.D. - 1996

    University of California at Los Angeles - Los Angeles, California

    B.A. - 1993

    Major: Economics

  • William M. Dorfman, D.D.S. v. Cantor et al.,
    Los Angeles County Superior Court:

    After a 2-month long trial, the jury found in favor of our client, Dr. Dorfman in a Misappropriation of Trade Secret and Employment Action between Dr. Dorfman and his former hygienist and another dentist. Dr. Dorfman’s former hygienist sued him seeking over $6 million in damages. The jury awarded her $0 and instead awarded Dr. Dorfman over $3 million in damages. The case involved extremely complicated legal issues pertaining to federal and state labor laws and trade secret statutes.

    Union Patriot Capital Management, LLC v. Hannibal Classics, Inc. et al.,
    Los Angeles County Superior Court:

    Following a several month trial, Maureen obtained judgments totaling over $21 million in favor of her film financier clients against their former film distributor and sales agent arising out of two motion picture films: Vengeance: A Love Story and USS Indianapolis: Men of Courage (“USSI”). The litigation involved complex film finance and distribution contract issues, as well commercial fraud claims.

    Hartwell Corp. v. Superior Court,
    (2002) 27 Cal.4th 256:

    Maureen drafted most of the legal briefing for this California Supreme Court case in which Plaintiffs, residents of the San Gabriel Valley in Southern California, filed lawsuits in superior court, alleging, inter alia, that certain water companies provided them unsafe drinking water causing death, personal injury, and property damage. The Supreme Court concluded that the PUC’s regulation of water quality and safety does not preempt damage claims alleging violations of federal and state drinking water standards against the water providers subject to PUC regulation, but that the remaining claims against those water providers, including Maureen’s client were preempted.

    R. L. H. v. United Services Auto. Ass’n,
    (9th Cir. 2009) 327 Fed. Appx. 714:

    Maureen prevailed on summary judgment in the United States District Court on the issue of whether a fetus is a member of his mother’s household for purposes of the interfamily liability exclusion common in auto liability insurance policies. The defendant appealed and Maureen argued the issue again in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals which affirmed summary judgment in favor of Maureen’s client. By coincidence, Maureen argued the issue of whether a fetus is a member of his mother’s household for purposes of the insurance liability exclusion while 8 months pregnant with one of her sons, which perhaps gave the argument added credibility.

  • Federation of Defense & Corporate Counsel (FDCC)

    AV Preeminent by Peers & Judiciary - Highest Rating in Legal Ability & Ethical Standards

    Los Angeles Bar Association

    American Bar Association

    Association of Southern California Defense Counsel

    Super Lawyers, Southern California (Rising Star) - 2011

    Super Lawyers, Southern California - since 2012

    American Center for Law & Justice

    Coptic Orphans U.S. and Canada Liaison

    • Defending an Insurance Bad Faith Case: Tips from the Other Side

    • Defending a Bad Faith Case: Keeping the Exposure Under Control

    • Keep the Lid on that Policy

    • Tik Tock for Claims Professionals: Time Limited Demands