ORIGIN STORY
Since the tender age of 11, Michelle wanted to be a lawyer. She experienced a traumatic life event that set her on a long and challenging path to becoming an attorney. Humble beginnings do not even begin to describe it. Michelle was laser focused on academic and athletic excellence leading to numerous scholarships and recognitions that helped as she worked to put herself through seven years of education. Her dream of becoming a lawyer came true when she graduated from UCLA School of Law. Her unparalleled work ethic, integrity and core belief that everyone should be treated with dignity and respect continues to serve her well.
Michelle is a leading subject matter expert on a wide variety of issues, including employment discrimination, harassment prevention and wage and hour laws. She is regularly interviewed on and quoted in prestigious radio/television programs and news publications from across the Country as an employment law thought leader, including NPR, Fast Company, Fortune, U.S. News & World Report, Variety, The Economist, Huffington Post, iHeart Radio, USA Today, Los Angeles Times, SiriusXM radio “In the Workplace” Wharton Business Radio, CBS News, CNBC, NBC Universal Telemundo and Associated Press. [details]
PRESS
Southern California Super Lawyers® 2014-2025, Labor and Employment Law
The Recorder’s Women Leaders in Law, 2012
Southern California Super Lawyers® "Rising Star" 2004-2007, Labor and Employment Law
California Employment Law Letter/HR Hero, Advisory Board Contributor, 2013-2019
University of California Press Foundation, Secretary of the Board, 2014-2016; Board of Trustees 2012-2018
Mexican American Bar Foundation, Board of Trustees, 2008-present
Beverly Hills Bar Association, Member, 2005-present; Labor and Employment Section, Executive Committee Board Member, 2005-2018, Former Chair
California Bar Association, Labor and Employment Law Section, Member, 1994-present
UCLA Law Alumni 1L Mentor Program, Mentor, 2005-present; UCLA Law Alumni 1L Mock Interviews Program, Mentor, 2007-present
Southern California Mediation Association, Member, 2021-present
Association of Workplace Investigators, Member, 2022-present; Certificate Holder (AWI-CH)
Cornell University’s New York State School of Industrial and Labor Relations, Employment Law Mediator Training program, 2019
DISTINCTIONS & AFFILIATIONS
Michelle brings 30+ years of employment litigation and counseling experience to the settlement table, not only as BigLaw defense counsel, but also as counsel for plaintiffs/employees. In sum, Michelle essentially grew up at Ervin, Cohen & Jessup LLP in Beverly Hills and thereafter joined Greenberg Traurig’s Los Angeles office. She was at this top Am Law 100 firm for a decade while it doubled in size and she cultivated and refined her skills, experiences and diverse clients throughout numerous industries and across the country. Her subsequent partnership with a couple Am Law 100 firms in Downtown LA lead to opening her own law firm in 2019. She quickly recognized that her natural talents for dispute resolution while a litigator and trusted advisor could and should formally be made available for parties to engage her as a mediator.
Michelle received her Juris Doctor from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) School of Law and her Bachelor of Arts magna cum laude from Arizona State University where she was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa.
Michelle is admitted to practice law in the State of California.