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Michael D. Waks

This lawyer was disciplined by a state licensing authority in 2014. Read more
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Avvo Rating8.8
  • Long Beach, CA
  • Licensed for 38 years
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About Michael

Hello and thank you for visiting my Avvo profile.

 

I am a personal injury attorney in Long Beach and have been representing seriously injured victims of accidents for more than 30 years. I try cases all over Southern California, Primarily Los Angeles and Long Beach, and handle a variety of matters including all types of motor vehicle accidents, premises liability/slip and fall, bicycle accidents, sexual assaults and legal malpractice.

 

I am a member of the Consumer Attorneys of Los Angeles and have been selected as a "Southern California Super Lawyer" in 2009, 2010 and 2011 by Los Angeles Magazine.  Martindale-Hubbell has given me an AV Rating which is considered the highest rating available to an attorney and recognizes excellence in the practice of law as well as ethics. I also provide pro bono services to the County of Los Angeles as a mediator, arbitrator and Judge Pro Tem.

 

My practice is strictly limited to the representation of accident victims and all fees are paid on a contingency fee basis (no recovery=no fee).

 

I frequently am asked to speak at events concerning topics relating to the Civil Justice System.

 

I look forward to reviewing your personal injury case and delivering superior results.

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Practice areas

OtherMotorcycle accidentCar accidentPersonal injuryAnimal law
  1. Animal law: 18%

    If you have been seriously injured by an animal attack, you need to hire an attorney who understands the applicable law, the insurance company nonsense, and the defendants' attorneys and their dilatory and obstructive tactics. You need an accomplished attorney who has experience and resources regarding dog bite attacks and is committed to you and your case and can obtain for you the results you deserve. Michal D. Waks is an experienced, aggressive and highly susuccessful dog bite lawyer.

  2. Personal injury: 18%

    Mr. Waks has been a personal injury attorney for almost 30 years and specializes in the representation of injured accident victims. His practice represents accident victims of car / auto collisions, motorcycle accidents, dog bite victims, bicycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, trucking accidents, premises liability, wrongful death, legal malpractice, burn victims, slip and fall, brain injuries, sexual assault and also specializes in the representation of injured foster children.

    40 years

  3. Car accident: 18%

    For more almost 30 years, the Law Office of Michael D. Waks has successfully represented thousands of people injured in automobile accidents. This experience has resulted in our legal expertise and financial resources to handle our clients' personal injury cases in the most effective manner. We have the dedication and commitment to make sure that we do everything possible to achieve the maximum results for every one of our Auto Accident related clients.

    40 years

  4. Motorcycle accident: 18%

    When you are involved in a motorcycle accident, you should take immediate action to preserve your rights and claims. The Law Office of Michael D. Waks will begin an immediate investigation, go to the scene of the accident, take pictures of your injuries and motorcycle, and work with the necessary experts to build your accident case and claim. Our goal is to maximize your compensation for all medical injuries, lost wages, pain and suffering, and additional financial setbacks you have endured.

    40 years

  1. Slip and fall accident: 18%

    If you have been seriously injured as a result of the negligence of a premises owner in Los Angeles, you need to hire an attorney who has a thorough understanding of slip and fall / premises liability law. Just because you were injured while on someone else’s property does not automatically make them responsible. You must prove all of the elements required under the law to be entitled to compensation. It is imperative that you hire an experienced premises liability attorney.

    40 years

  2. Animal and dog bites: 5%

  3. Spinal cord injury: 5%

Languages spoken

English, Spanish

Photos and videos

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241651 1407315367

241651 1407315490

241651 1407380367

Contact

300 E. San Antonio Drive
address map

Law Office of Michael D. Waks

300 E. San Antonio Drive
Long Beach, CA, 90807-2002

Resume

License
StateStatusAcquiredUpdated
CAActive198202/12/2021

Professional misconduct


This lawyer was disciplined by a state licensing authority.

  • Public reproval with/duties
    issued in CA, 2014

    updated on 07/15/2014

    A censure or reprimand issued by the Supreme Court or the State Bar Court that is not a matter of public record unless imposed after the initiation of formal disciplinary proceedings. No period of suspension is imposed. The reproval may be imposed with duties or conditions.

Avvo Contributions
Legal answers5
Legal guides16
Awards
Award nameGrantorDate granted
Super LawyerSuper Lawyers2011
MemberMillion Dollar Advocates Forum2011
Super LawyerSuper Lawyers2010
Super LawyerSuper Lawyers2009
AV RatingMartindale-Hubbell2002
LexisNexis Peer Review Rating (AV)LexisNexis2002
Work Experience
TitleCompany nameDuration
Judge Pro TemLA County Superior Court1985 - Present
MediatorLA County Superior Court1985 - Present
ArbitratorLA County Superior Court1985 - Present
PrincipalLaw Office of Michael D. Waks1982 - Present
OwnerLaw Office of Michael D. Waks1982 - Present
Associations
Association namePosition nameDuration
Consumer Attorneys Association of Los AngelesMember Public Relations Committee1985 - Present
Consumer Attorneys Association of Los AngelesMember Government Relations Committee1985 - Present
Los Angeles County Bar AssociationMember1982 - Present
American Bar AssociationMember1982 - Present
State Bar of CaliforniaMember1982 - Present
Consumer Attorneys Association of Los AngelesMember1982 - Present
Million Dollar Advocates ForumMember1982 - Present
Consumer Attorneys of CaliforniaMember1982 - Present
Supreme Court of CaliforniaAdmitted Attorney1982 - Present
The United States Supreme Court (9th Circuit)Admitted Attorney1982 - Present
Publications
Publication nameTitleDate
Going LegalSlip and Fall Cases2009
Education
School nameDegreeGraduated
Southwestern Law SchoolJD - Juris Doctor1982
State University of New York at AlbanyBA - Bachelor of Arts1978
Speaking Engagements
Conference nameTitleDate
Torrance Democratic ClubMyths and Misconceptions of the Civil Justice System2010
Kiwanis ClubMyths and Misconceptions of the Civil Justice System2010
Legal cases
Case nameOutcome
Steven Walker v. Sid Balkman Electrical Contractors Inc. and Ralph Rico Gonzalez$900,000.00 | Settlement
Mary Beth Ely v. Arnold Chol Kim, M.D. and Mobile Medical Examination Services, Inc.Mediated Settlement | $1,515,000.00
Jane Doe v. Unnamed Nursing Home$500,000.00 | Mediated Settlement
Roberta Rodriguez vs DoeMediated Settlement | $750,000.00
John Doe V. ConfidentialSettlement | $1,750,000
Jane Doe v. ConfidentialSettlement | Confidential
Donald Carey v. Thomas SteoSettlement Arbitration Award $388,066
Garza v. Trinity Children and Family ServicesVerdict | $254,523.00
Keith Lockett v. Andres Alberto Perez, Martin Perez and V.P. Trucking$750,000.00 | Settlement
Robert Shafer v. City of Torrance and Alma PottsVerdict | $322,434
John Doe V. ConfidentialSettlement | $250,000
Denise Starkey V. Fairchild Industries, Samuel Nunn and William NoelVerdict | $308,280.26
Michael Bonasoro and Rickie Krantz vs. Alex Madrid and Mijos PropertiesVerdict | $356,228.91

Reviews

(4)
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Review Michael Waks

straight up !! HIGHLY RECOMMEND.....

Posted by

I sincerely recommend Michael Waks , I have had to deal with other attorneys, Micheal is the one and only attorney i trust and beleive, Michael is to the point, good or bad he will tell you striaght up. We have know Michael for over 20yrs. He will look out for you. . . .

You won't find a better attorney

Posted by

I would not have received a just settlement to my case without the exceptional work of Michael Waks. You won't find a more capable, knowledgeable, intelligent and hard working attorney. Plus, he's a great guy.

Don't delay; if you THINK you need a lawyer, call Michael Waks

Posted by

I made only one mistake. I dawdled trying to deal with an insuance company on my own. I should've called an attorney right away. I live out-of-state and my mother is in CA; though phone, fax and email we were able to get a settlement even better than we had hoped for through Michael.

Voted one of LA Magazine's Top Lawyers

Posted by

Over the last 25 years I have enlisted Michael's advise regarding several legal cases. He is fair-minded, a forward thinker with vision; he utilizes his broad knowledge of the law to present good options for his clients; his humor and easy-going personality make dealing with him an absolute pleasure.

Attorney endorsements

(10)
Are you an attorney? Endorse this lawyer

Marc Lazarus, Personal injury Attorney on Jun 18, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

Michael Waks is a very knowledgeable and hard working attorney who cares about his clients, and I endorse this lawyer.

Michael Waddington, Personal injury Attorney on May 27, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse Michael. He is a highly skilled attorney that is well respected in the legal community.

Catherine Lerer, Personal injury Attorney on Aug 6, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

Michael is an excellent and I highly recommend him on personal injury claims. He is also well respected in the legal community and known for fighting for his clients and achieving outstanding results.

Mark Caruso, Car accident Attorney on Jan 2, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer. Highly rated and knowledgeable. Great responses on questions. Right on target.

Christopher Russell, Personal injury Attorney on Oct 26, 2012
Relationship: Worked together on matter

If you are looking for a personal injury attorney who is not only passionate about helping his clients but is as well connected to the legal community as any attorney in Southern California, look no further than Michael Waks. Michael practices in a location overshdowed by some of the large mega large, TV attorneys who usually promise their clients everything but usually deliver very little with no attorney involvement. Michael is the exact opposite as not only is he involved but he is the perfect quarterback of a client's claim as he knows not only the medicine involved with personal injuries but he knows & utilizes the best doctors as he has established a network of high end physicians that is the envy of all other Southern California personal injury attorneys. Bottom line is if you have a personal injury claim, especially in the Long Beach area, & you want access to the best doctors & you want a passionate, caring, attorney, hiring Michael Waks is the best decision you could make.

John Blumberg, Personal injury Attorney on Jun 9, 2011
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer.

Daniel Rodriguez, Personal injury Attorney on May 10, 2011
Relationship: Worked together on matter

Michael is relentless in representing his clients. He is especially good in making sure that his clients get the best possible medical treatment. I recommend Michael without reservation.

Robert Simon, Personal injury Attorney on May 9, 2011
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer. Mr. Waks is a great attorney and a GREAT communicator.

David Reinard, Personal injury Attorney on Oct 14, 2009
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I have known Michael for many years, since I opposed him on a matter. At that time, I found him to be an excellent lawyer, simply one of the best. Now my practice is similar to Michael, as we both represent seriously injured people, so we interact as colleagues. I seek Michael's advice on difficult issues and would recommend that others do so as well.

David Ring, Personal injury Attorney on Oct 13, 2008
Relationship: Worked together on matter

Michael is an outstanding lawyer. We have worked together on cases, and I've found Michael to be a total professional who truly cares about his clients and getting them the best result possible. I highly recommend Michael.

Cost

RATES
      RATES
      • Contingency A contingency fee is the percent of the final award a lawyer will receive as compensation. For some of these cases, lawyers will only be paid if there is a successful outcome.33%-40%
      PAYMENT METHODS

      Cash, Check