Michaela Cathleen Curran

Michaela Cathleen Curran

4.8
Rating: 10.0

Licensed for 37 years

Family Lawyer at La Jolla, CA
Practice Areas: Family, Criminal Defense, Employment & Labor, Contracts & Agreements

4225 Executive Square., Suite 600, La Jolla, CA

About Michaela

Biography

Practice Areas

Fees and Rates

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Licenses

Licensed in California for 37 years

State: California

Acquired: 1988

Active

No misconduct found

Location

The Curran Law Firm, APC

4225 Executive Square., Suite 600, La Jolla, CA, 92011

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Michaela Cathleen Curran's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

4.8 /5.0

22 Client Reviews

Filter Avvo Reviews (22) Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.

Showing 1 - 5 of 7 reviews | Family

Posted by Sylvia | June 09, 2022 | Hired Attorney | Family

Extremely competent and tough on your opponent

tl;dr Amazing all around. Hire them now. I’ll start off by saying I’ve been around the family law block, and handled the beginning part of my case after consulting with a few attorneys. The Curran Law Firm stood out, because they seemed to be supremely organized, and it was very obvious that Mic...haela knows her ish. Of all the lawyers I spoke with, she was the most versed in terms of Rules of Court, Rules of Evidence, and case law. She knew every single pertinent to my circumstances case law off the top of her head, and how to most effectively use it. She stood out. I eventually hired the Curran Law firm, and I was able to relax, knowing with full confidence I was in capable and competent hands. And was I ever. I won on every point except one. And won big. Michaela did such a phenomenal job managing expectations all around, and getting results, all while being humble enough (despite her 30+ years’ experience in many facets of law) to sit in on our newish judge’s courtroom to get a feel for her style. To boot, she has a fun engaging personality, which goes far when you a. have to hang out in court all day waiting for your turn and b. rely on impressions for favorable judgements. Every question and concern was answered promptly, and I was kept apprised of what was going on with my case from beginning to end. I would hire The Curran Law Firm again in half a second, and I would recommend them to anyone needing sensible, take no sh!t and get things done representation.

Posted by Chris | December 23, 2021 | Hired Attorney | Family

Seriously Poor Performance for such a top rated lawyer

Michaela and especially Kelli Blackburn did a great job with my initial family case. I dont know what happened after that. My narcissistic ex wife pathologically lied for 8 years eventually leading to me being incarcerated for violating numerous false restraining orders trying to protect my child...ren .I was a highly respected special education teacher for over 24 years with a Masters degree in Early childhood special education. My ex wife made false allegations of abuse. I was eventually jailed for 8 months and lost my teaching Credential after 24 years of helping children. Michaela charged me twice what her initial retainer was She never came to see me once to discuss my case, never gave me my discovery even though I requested it multiple times, and never set up a private line to discuss my case that she said she would do multiple times. I ended up spending 8 months in Vista county jail. She had me plead guilty to a charge I never committed even though I gave her ample evidence to contest the ridiculous charge. She lost valuable evidence I gave her and never even looked at my discovery to prepare any kind of defense. The notebook of evidence I gave her took months to put together and she didnt use it and then she lost it. I finally got my discovery and was in shock. My case was so easy to defend and she did absolutely nothing except encpirahe me to plead to a horrible deal offered by the DA. She charged me $10,000 to do absolutely nothing and letting me spend more time in jail when I should have never been there in the first place. After I got out she said she would file a motion to see my children in 6 months. The. she changed it to after I finished the court ordered classes and conditions. I completed everything thing she asked and she still didnt file a motion for family court. She finally filed a motion for family court. One day before my court date she obtained a 2 month continuance without my permission. I was devastated. She said she needed to prepare better for my case. That never happened. She sent me into family court with a claw clerk that couldn't even represent me. Right before my case was called another attorney came. The lawyer knew nothing about my complex case and just sat there. Now I have to wait another 8 months to request visitation with the kids I have not seen in 2 years. Kids that love their dad more than anything. I have made numerous requests for her to return my notebook of vital and crucial evidence but she lost it I highly recommend you find another attorney.

Posted by Heather | July 22, 2021 | Hired Attorney | Family

Michaela Curran is a Best in Class (Family Law/Custody)

If you are looking for a family attorney... I know that you are feeling overwhelmed, emotional and do not know where to begin. In our case, Michaela was the second and final attorney. In a perfect world she would have been our first. Michaela is a straight shooter. She is highly motivated attorn...ey with the experience and professionalism you need as representation in Family Court. Everyone on her team was equally committed to our case and our goals for the case. Michaela is realistic. She knows the law. She knows the judges. And, she is very strategic when planning out your case. Without getting into the dirty details of our case, we had an incredibly litigious Custody Case against a complete Narcissist. The case took two years to get to trial. There were bumps in the road (COVID court closures and continuances by opposing counsel for non-sense) and at least 30 or so different motions. All this was meant to increase the cost of litigation and prompted by the opposition. 90% of this was prior to hiring Michaela. Michaela never would have let it get out of hand as it did as she reviewed the history of our case. But, she swung it out of the park come trial for us. As I mentioned, Michaela was our second attorney. Had she been our first, I am certain that the duration would have been cut in half (at least). She doesn't mess around. She knows what she's doing and it's up to you to trust her. Thank God we did. She is ethical and personally involved in all of the details, and that was very important to us since this was our little person's future at stake. I wish you luck if you're reading this. Buckle up and retain Michaela Curran & her team, because it is going to be a bumpy ride... especially in the SD Court System. Good luck to you.

Posted by Deborah | May 03, 2019 | Hired Attorney | Family

5 star amazing excellent

I don’t even know where to begin. I will start off by saying that I am eternally grateful for the Curran Law Firm and what they have done for my family. Kelli Blackburn and Ashley Dudley took on this case as if it were their own. During a very difficult time for our family, they came in with experien...ce, knowledge, and confidence. They guided us every step of the way and were quick to respond to every text, call, and email. They took their time to review every little detail to ensure that they would win this case and reunite our family back together. They were calm, warm, and friendly outside of the courtroom with the utmost patience for our family and all of our questions and concerns during this difficult time. But during the trial, they were fierce, confident, and ran the courtroom as if it were a one man show, leaving the judge to see the petitioners false accusations and discredit him and his testimony all together. Kelli and Ashley are a power team and well oiled machine. They know exactly what they are doing. What started out as a professional relationship turned into a life long friendship and knowing these girls will forever be on our family’s side for the remainder of what we may walk through, is the most comforting feeling to have. If you aren’t using the Curran Law Firm you’re doing it wrong. Do yourself a favor and use these bad ass b****es for any roadblock you may run into in life. I can’t thank you ladies enough for all you have done for my family.

Posted by Natalie | April 27, 2019 | Hired Attorney | Family

The Single Best Investment You Can Make For Your Family

We had the honor of being represented by the Curran team, specifically Kelli Blackburn & Ashley Dudley on an extremely sensitive and personal family court case. They were unfathomably knowledgeable, capable and professional in representing us- offering clear direction and support while aiding us i...n understanding every step in the process. They eloquently held us through one of the heaviest seasons in our lives and did so while making us feel protected, educated and heard. No call went unanswered. No stone went unturned. They don’t waste time or over bill. They are both fierce and kind while making their clients feel like their sole priority and every case, their personal mission. No one plans to find themselves in family court or in the wreckage that can lead to it - but I can confidently say that entrusting them to represent you is the single best thing you can do to protect your family.

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Michaela Cathleen Curran's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Michaela
Lena A. Clark headshot
Lena Clark

Criminal defense lawyer | Dec 22

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I highly recommend Michaela. She is an experienced lawyer that you want on your side!"

Karen Lee Karavatos headshot
Karen Karavatos

Family lawyer | May 28

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer 100%. Attorney Michaela Curran is a first rate lawyer. She is dedicated to her clients' interests, hardworking, and goal-oriented. In addition, Michaela Curran is an admirable person, with high ethical standards. In her law practice, Ms. Curran consistently demonstrates keen and perceptive insights into human behavior and motivation. She is a lawyer that I would always want on my side. She is also a great humanitarian. I admire Ms. Curran as an attorney and as an individual. Overall, she is both a great lawyer and a fantastic person."

John Patrick Kennedy headshot
John Kennedy

Family lawyer | Mar 19

Relationship: Worked for lawyer

"Michaela is a very knowledgeable and experienced attorney!"

Richard Glenn Freed headshot
Richard Freed

Family lawyer | Jan 17

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I endorse Ms. Curran as an attorney who always puts her clients first, and everything else follows behind. She is professional and polished in court, and in the office. She has earned the respect of both bench and bar with a reputation as a formidable adversary who always brings 110% for every phase of litigation. She is fair but has an unlimited supply of tenacity and grit. I have found Ms. Curran highly knowledgeable and she is one of the friendliest people who you will ever meet (eg outside of the courtroom)."

Sami Malek Haddad headshot
Sami Haddad

Family lawyer | Jan 16

Relationship: Worked for lawyer

"Ms. Curran is a true advocate for her clients. She is very influential, genuinely cares about her clients, and I'd trust her to handle any matters involving criminal, family or civil litigation. She has high ethical standards, and her work effort, passion for the law, and experience are unparalleled in the legal community."

Taylor D. Hanks headshot
Taylor Hanks

Divorce and separation lawyer | Jan 15

Relationship: Worked for lawyer

"Ms. Curran is a professional in all aspects of her practice. She is a client centric attorney, and she always provides the best possible outcome in each and every case."

Christopher David McDonough headshot
Christopher McDonough

Family lawyer | Jan 15

Relationship: Worked for lawyer

"I endorse this lawyer."

Daniel Wade Watkins headshot
Daniel Watkins

Family lawyer | Oct 27

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"We have referred several clients to Michaela for various family law issues and they have all been extremely pleased with her level of service."

View All Endorsements
Karen Lee Karavatos headshot
Karen Karavatos

Litigation lawyer

Ariela Izsak headshot
Ariela Izsak

Unknown lawyer

Sami Malek Haddad headshot
Sami Haddad

Unknown lawyer

Daniel Wade Watkins headshot
Daniel Watkins

Business lawyer

Experience

Rating:  10.0 (Superb)

Honors

2019

Top 100 Trial Lawyers, National Trial Lawyers

2018

Top 100 Trial Lawyers, National Trial Lawyers Association

2018

Top Lawyer, Lawyers of Distinction

2017

Top 100 Trial Lawyers, National Trial Lawyers

2016

Top 100 Trial Lawyers, National Trial Lawyers

2014

Preeminent 5.0 out of 5, Martindale-Hubbell

Work Experience

1988 - Present

Founder, The Curran Law Firm APC

Associations

2004 - Present

San Diego Society for Human Resource Management

Member

1988 - Present

State Bar of California

Member

1988 - Present

San Diego Consumer Attorneys

Member

Education

1987

University of San Diego School of Law

JD - Juris Doctor

1982

Univ of California Santa Barbara

BA - Bachelor of Arts

Languages

English

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