Ellen K. Michaels

Ellen K. Michaels

also known as Ellen K. Michaels and Associates PLLC, E. Michaels Law

4.7
Rating: 10.0

Licensed for 21 years

Criminal defense Lawyer at West Bloomfield, MI
Practice Areas: Criminal Defense, White Collar Crime, Sex Crime, Violent Crime

4301 Orchard Lake Road, Suite 180-233, West Bloomfield, MI

About Ellen

Biography

Practice Areas

4

Practice Areas

Criminal Defense 50%

Ellen Michaels is a smart, results oriented attorney who knows that every client’s case is unique.

34 years | 1,500 cases

50%
White Collar Crime 20%

34 years | 125 cases

20%
Sex Crime 15%

34 years | 150 cases

15%
Violent Crime 15%

34 years | 200 cases

15%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Free Consultation

$0 first 30 minutes


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Credit Card

Looking for an attorney? Avvo can help.

search module image

Search our directory

Quickly connect with top attorneys through our legal directory to get help with your legal issue.

chat module image

Avvo's live chat agents can help coordinate a consultation with a local attorney.

Chat with a live agent who can match you with the right attorney for your legal needs.

Chat with

Licenses

Licensed in Michigan for 21 years

State: Michigan

Acquired: 2005

Active in Good Standing

No misconduct found

Location

Ellen K. Michaels & Associates PLLC.

4301 Orchard Lake Road, Suite 180-233, West Bloomfield, MI, 48323

Ad

Transform legal challenges into solutions.

Connect now to review your situation.

The Avvo Rating explained

display-bg

The Avvo Rating explained

Ellen K. Michaels's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

4.7 /5.0

39 Client Reviews

Showing 1 - 5 of 7 reviews | Practice Area Knowledge

Posted by TIM | January 22, 2026 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense

She is the BEST!!

In August 2025, I was arrested in my home and accused of domestic violence. Once I got out of jail, I knew I needed to get a really good Attourney. So I used Google and sought out many different lawyers, but then came across Ellen. I read her Bio and was intrigued by her results, honesty, and work e...thic. I lived in Birmingham & her office was in Birmingham. She is very well connected within the Birmingham- Bloomfield Hills court system. She is extremely intelligent and has a very warm side of her. Ellen is not only very thorough, Knowledgeable & professional, but she was very loving and caring person as well. I knew in my heart, mind and soul that I had the right person to defend my honor. I went ahead and hired her as my criminal defense attorney. She did amazing job in negotiating & getting me out of a lot of trouble. I did exactly what she told me to do and she was Excellent. Not just in the courtroom, but with everything that she did for me. My case was dismissed right out of the gate. Thank you from the bottom of my heart! For anybody looking for an outstanding attorney? Look no further because Ellen is it! I walked out of that courtroom with 1,000,000 pounds lifted off my shoulders. Ellen is not only my go to lawyer for anything I need in the future, but I can also call her my friend. Thank you!

Posted by Jeff | June 02, 2018 | Hired Attorney | Speeding & Traffic Ticket

Total Professional

We hired Ellen for assistance with a traffic matter for my teenage son. She was fantastic to work with! Very easy to get in touch with at all times and obviously very knowledgeable about the process. She undoubtedly saved me thousands of dollars in increased insurance premiums. Highly recommend!

Ellen Michaels

Replied last June 02, 2018

I’m so glad we came away with a great outcome!

Posted by Ashley | December 07, 2017 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense

Ellen Michaels Defense Attorney

I hired Ellen Michaels to represent me after I was charged with retail fraud 3 in Livonia. She was wonderful to work with, she understood my financial situation and worked with me even after others would not. She is genuinely caring and she has one of the most reassuring personalities of anyone that ...I have met. I was given 9 months of probation and 6 days of work program and nothing on my record. I was so fortunate to have met her.

Posted by Nancy | December 05, 2017 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense

Beyond Grateful

Ellen represented my daughter when she received an MIP. She not only fought for a full dismissal, which she was able to get, but she listened to and supported my daughter throughout the process. We were so thankful for this as we live 2000 miles away and were unable to join the proceedings in pers...on. She treated our daughter like her own, and we can not recommend her highly enough. Kind and smart! A great combo.

Posted by anonymous | October 05, 2017 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense

Blessed

I got in a heap of trouble in two different cities. Charged with 3 misdemeanor and 2 felony's. Ms. Michaels explained everything to me. She had a strategy and she knew all the people in the courtroom. I got nervous and she took my call at all hours day/night. I got reduced charges and probation. ...No jail time. Highly recommend her services.

See All Client Reviews

Ellen K. Michaels's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Ellen
Randy Babi headshot
Randy Babi

Criminal defense lawyer | May 31

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"From my perspective, Ellen Michaels excels in her advocacy skills within the courtroom. She represents her clients with fervor and effectiveness that are a testament to her commitment."

Angela B. Peterson headshot
Angela Peterson

Criminal defense lawyer | Sep 03

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Ellen is a compassionate and dedicated defender. She doesn't shrink at a challenge and is always pursuing the best for her clients."

Joey Scott Niskar headshot
Joey Niskar

Criminal defense lawyer | May 29

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I have known Ellen for many years. She is an exceptionally smart and tough litigator who always has the best interests of her clients at heart, and is not afraid to fight the prosecution. I strongly recommend Ellen for any criminal law matters a client may have."

Matthew A. Fraiberg headshot
Matthew Fraiberg

Criminal defense lawyer | Apr 17

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Ms Michaels is a fantastic attorney. I strongly endorse this lawyer."

Jeffrey Scott Kaplan headshot
Jeffrey Kaplan

Criminal defense lawyer | Nov 14

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I have consulted with Ms. Michaels on several cases and highly endorse her. She has a command of the subtleties of criminal procedure that allows her to get every advantage in negotiating the best possible outcome for her clients."

Daniel I. Weberman headshot
Daniel Weberman

Criminal defense lawyer | Nov 10

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"Ms. Michaels is a skilled and seasoned defense attorney who works hard to get the job done. Never daunted by prosecutors or judges, she is able to help navigate one through the chaos of a criminal matter with the proper emotional support and superb legal skills with aplomb."

Staci D. Giske headshot
Staci Giske

Criminal defense lawyer | Oct 13

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Ellen takes the time to find out all the facts and works hard to represent her clients with care. I know that when I refer clients to Ellen, they are in good hands."

Jonathan Jones headshot
Jonathan Jones

Criminal defense lawyer | Feb 18

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"As a fellow criminal attorney, I have worked with Ms. Michaels on many cases. She is an outstanding attorney who will always go the extra mile to defend her clients. She knows the law and is an excellent trial attorney. I have recommended her on many occasions to represent clients when my schedule does not allow. I highly endorse this attorney."

View All Endorsements
Angela B. Peterson headshot
Angela Peterson

Criminal defense lawyer

Matthew A. Fraiberg headshot
Matthew Fraiberg

Criminal defense lawyer

Jeffrey Scott Kaplan headshot
Jeffrey Kaplan

Criminal defense lawyer

Daniel I. Weberman headshot
Daniel Weberman

Family lawyer

Staci D. Giske headshot
Staci Giske

Family lawyer

Jonathan Jones headshot
Jonathan Jones

Criminal defense lawyer

Experience

Rating:  10.0 (Superb)

Honors

2021

Top 100 Trial Lawyers, National Trial Lawyers

2021

Excellence in Criminal Defense, Lawyers of Distinction

2021

Attorney of the year, National Alliance of Attorneys

2020

Top 100 National Trial Lawyer, The National Trial Lawyers Top 100

Work Experience

2005 - Present

Attorney, Ellen K. Michaels and Associates PLLC

1994 - 2003

Attorney, Cook County Public Defender's Office

1988 - 1990

Attorney, Federal Defender Program

Associations

2009 - Present

Wayne County Criminal Defense Bar Association

Member

2010 - 2017

Criminal Defense Attorneys of Michigan

Member

Sample of Legal Cases

K.S. Detroit Murder Case

Not Guilty all counts. Client released from custody

See More Legal Cases

Education

1990

Northwestern University School of Law

JD - Juris Doctor

1986

University of Michigan

BA - Bachelor of Arts

Speaking Engagements

2016

Know Your Rights

MIP Law: Knowing Your Constitutional Rights If Stopped By The Police

Publications

2013

Legal News Love of the Game

Languages

English

Spanish

Hebrew

Activity

Avvo Rating

Our Rating is calculated using information the lawyer has included on their profile in addition to the information we collect from state bar associations and other organizations that license legal professionals. Attorneys who claim their profiles and provide Avvo with more information tend to have a higher rating than those who do not.

What determines Avvo Rating?
  • Experience & background Years licensed, work experience, education
  • Legal community recognition Peer endorsements, associations, awards
  • Legal thought leadership Publications, speaking engagements
  • Discipline Disciplinary information may not be comprehensive, or updated. We recommend that you always check a lawyer's disciplinary status with their respective state bar association before hiring them.
Avvo Rating Levels
10.0 - 9.0 Superb8.9 - 8.0 Excellent7.9 - 7.0 Very Good6.9 - 6.0 Good5.9 - 5.0 Average4.9 - 4.0 Concern3.9 - 3.0 Caution2.9 - 2.0 Strong Caution1.9 - 1.0 Extreme Caution