About Michael
Biography
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.
Practice Areas
7
Practice Areas
Fees and Rates
Cost
33%-40%
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in California for 43 years
State: California
Acquired: 1982
Lawyer disciplined by state licensing authority in 2014
Location
Michael D. Waks Long Beach Personal Injury Lawyer & Car Accident Attorney
1 World Trade Center #800, Long Beach, CA, 90831
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Michael D. Waks's Reviews
Showing 1 - 4 of 4 client reviews from Avvo
Posted by Evangelina | February 19, 2015
straight up !! HIGHLY RECOMMEND.....
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. . . .
Posted by Steve | May 20, 2011
You won't find a better attorney
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.
Posted by Frank | May 12, 2011
Don't delay; if you THINK you need a lawyer, call Michael Waks
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.
Posted by Leslie | May 10, 2011
Voted one of LA Magazine's Top Lawyers
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....
Michael D. Waks's Lawyer Endorsements
"Michael Waks is a very knowledgeable and hard working attorney who cares about his clients, and I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse Michael. He is a highly skilled attorney that is well respected in the legal 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."
"I endorse this lawyer. Highly rated and knowledgeable. Great responses on questions. Right on target."
"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."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"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."
"I endorse this lawyer. Mr. Waks is a great attorney and a GREAT communicator."
"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."
"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."
Criminal defense lawyer
Experience
Professional misconduct
This lawyer was disciplined by a state licensing authority in 2014.
Public reproval with/duties issued in CA, 2014
updated on 07/15/2014A 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.
Honors
2011
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2011
Member, Million Dollar Advocates Forum
2010
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2009
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2002
AV Rating, Martindale-Hubbell
2002
LexisNexis Peer Review Rating (AV), LexisNexis
Work Experience
1985 - Present
Judge Pro Tem, LA County Superior Court
1985 - Present
Mediator, LA County Superior Court
1985 - Present
Arbitrator, LA County Superior Court
1982 - Present
Principal, Law Office of Michael D. Waks
1982 - Present
Owner, Law Office of Michael D. Waks
Associations
1985 - Present
Consumer Attorneys Association of Los AngelesMember Public Relations Committee
1985 - Present
Consumer Attorneys Association of Los AngelesMember Government Relations Committee
1982 - Present
Los Angeles County Bar AssociationMember
1982 - Present
American Bar AssociationMember
1982 - Present
State Bar of CaliforniaMember
1982 - Present
Consumer Attorneys Association of Los AngelesMember
1982 - Present
Million Dollar Advocates ForumMember
1982 - Present
Consumer Attorneys of CaliforniaMember
1982 - Present
Supreme Court of CaliforniaAdmitted Attorney
1982 - Present
The United States Supreme Court (9th Circuit)Admitted Attorney
Sample of Legal Cases
$900,000.00 | Settlement
Mediated Settlement | $1,515,000.00
$500,000.00 | Mediated Settlement
Mediated Settlement | $750,000.00
Settlement | $1,750,000
Settlement | Confidential
Settlement Arbitration Award $388,066
Verdict | $254,523.00
$750,000.00 | Settlement
Verdict | $322,434
Settlement | $250,000
Verdict | $308,280.26
Verdict | $356,228.91
Education
1982
JD - Juris Doctor
1978
BA - Bachelor of Arts
Speaking Engagements
2010
Myths and Misconceptions of the Civil Justice System
2010
Myths and Misconceptions of the Civil Justice System
Publications
2009
Languages
English
Spanish
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Guides
Legal Answers
This is awkward, but my boyfriend was driving me home late one night when he asked me to crawl over into his seat and start..
29 May 2011
I need a real kick-ass lawyer to sue the school district for an assault on my son by an adult school district employee. Help!
16 May 2011
Legal Guides
Private Property Injury - Injury Due to Dangerous Conditions on Private Property
10 Jun 2011
Pedestrian Accidents in Los Angeles - know your rights as a pedestrian in Los Angeles traffic
10 Jun 2011
Electrical Accident Victims - Information about accidents involving electricity in Los Angeles
10 Jun 2011