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Michael G. Wales

Personal injury Attorney at San Diego, CA

5.0   9 reviews

also known as The Wales Law Firm, P.C., Mike Wales

Licensed for 31 years

Virtual consultation available

Free consultation

(888) 974-2687
Message Website
Highly Recommend!
anonymous
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired Attorney
Member, Das Boat, LLC
Keith
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired Attorney
Read more reviews

About Michael

Learn Michael’s areas of practice.

3
Practice areas
  1. Personal injury
    90%
    Handling serious injury and wrongful death cases arising out of e-bike accidents, scooter accidents, dog bites, auto accidents and truck accidents.

    30 years, 65 cases

  2. Admiralty and maritime
    5%
    I represent those injured at sea, including those injured on a cruise ship, as well as representing charter boat companies, vessel owners, and local businesses within the San Diego boating industry.

    5 years, 10 cases

  3. Business
    5%
    I handle business and general counsel matters for select clients which include entity formation, business purchases and sales, franchising, securities and limited tax work.

    30 years, 40 cases

CLIENT FIRST. THAT'S MY MOTTO. I AM PERSONALLY AVAILABLE AND RESPONSIVE TO HELP MY CLIENTS WITH ANY LEGAL ISSUES AND ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THEY MAY HAVE.

I am a former judge and experienced litigator located in San Diego, California.  I am committed to providing you the professional representation, communication and legal assistance you deserve. Please give me a call to see if I can help you. 

 

 

Awards

Silver Client Champion
Distinguished Peer Review Rating
Client's Choice 2021
Client's Choice
2021

Photos and videos

Photos and videos

Licensed for 31 years
State TX
Status Eligible to Practice in Texas
Acquired 2017
Updated 11/24/2021
State CA
Status Active
Acquired 1993
Updated 12/05/2022
State AZ
Status Active
Acquired 1991
Updated 03/17/2023

We have not found any instances of professional misconduct for this lawyer.

Contact Michael

The Wales Law Firm, P.C.
955 Harbor Island Drive
Suite 190
San Diego, CA, 92101
waleslaw.com/
Message Get Directions

Reviews

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5.0 / 5.0
  9 customer reviews
5 Star
 
100%
4 Star
 
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Client's Choice 2021
Client's Choice
Michael received a significant number of 4+ stars in 2021
Posted by anonymous | March 21, 2023
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Highly Recommend!
I hired Michael to handle contract negotiations, update trust/living will documents and more for me. He is thorough, knowledgeable, timely, honest, trustworthy and a straight-shooter. I have recommended him to family and friends. You will not find a better attorney!
Posted by Keith | March 20, 2023
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Member, Das Boat, LLC
MICHAEL WALES did an amazing job helping us to establish a new LLC for our boat purchase in Florida. He also helped us to navigate the process of moving the boat from Florida to California which entails many steps beyond just hiring a shipping company. There’s Florida paperwork to file to defer sales tax there is Mexican government paperwork to file to allow the boat to be offloaded in Mexican waters and registered temporary early and then US government Coast Guard documentation needed to bring the boat back into the US through customs. Michael was kind and very patient since we have never done this type of project before and walked us through perfectly and our boat is now residing in Southern California happily . I would highly recommend MICHAEL to help you with any marine legal services, he has a team of professionals that can help with every aspect of the process, as well as his expert knowledge of every step of the process.
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Posted by Darlene | March 18, 2023
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Estate Planning
Mike was great! He did our documents for estate planning. Very knowledgeable, professional and advised us to do what was best suited for our situation. He took whatever time needed to explain and review all aspects of the process and documents he would provide in the full package. I would absolutely recommend him for your legal needs.
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Posted by Bill | March 14, 2023
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Purchase of a sinlge asset LLC
I used Michael Whales, The Whales Law Firm, when I purchased a single asset LLC and he was very professional. He was prompt when returning my calles and emails and went above and beyond my expectations. He is very detail oriented and his fee was extremely competitive. I will be using him in the future and recommend him highly. Bill Whitacre
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Posted by Julie | September 27, 2021
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Managing Member
Mr. Wales have been my attorney for years. The best attorney I work with. He is knowledgeable on the cases he represents. Always there for his clients. Pleasant to work with. I recommended to all my friends and anyone that need consultations or an attorney to represent them.
Posted by Horacio | September 24, 2021
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Great job
Michael was always on top of things. I was rewarded with a win on my legal matter. He is the coolest lawyer. I recomend him always.
Posted by David | September 23, 2021
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Exceptional knowledge/help/service
I contacted Michael to help me figure out an international boat purchase which was the best decision I could have made. He took us from start to finish and without his knowledge and expertise the transaction would have never happened. Michael went above and beyond in all aspects and would gladly hire him again!
Posted by William | September 23, 2021
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Marine Law
He is attentive, detailed, and profechional. He also has a great demeanor. He is responsive and prompt when you ask questions. I think he goes the extra mile for his clients. Anyways I know he went the extra mile for me. I appreciate the time and effort he put forth with my tasks; I will continue to use him in the future.
Posted by Heidi Hawk | September 23, 2021
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Excellent Communicator, attention to details and has your back
Mike has worked with me over the last 18 months and every time I've needed his assistance (for myself and/or my clients) he has been top notch. A well thought out communicator assuring we all understand the pros and cons, as well as very at tentative to the details of the issue at hand. I have recommended him to a number of real estate related clients and will continue to do so.
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Cost

Rates
  • Free Consultation 30 minutes
Payment methods
Cash, Check, Credit Card

Resume

AVVO RATING 9.0 (Superb)

Work Experience

  • Owner
  • The Wales Law Firm, P.C.
  • 2020 - Present
  • Partner
  • Carpenter Hazlewood Delgado & Bolen, LLP
  • 2014 - 2020
  • Partner
  • Resnick & Louis, P.C.
  • 2011 - 2014
  • Judge
  • Tempe City Court
  • 2009 - 2011
  • Judge
  • State Of Arizona
  • 2008 - 2009
  • Judge
  • City Of Scottsdale
  • 2006 - 2008
  • Owner
  • The Wales Law Firm
  • 2004 - 2008
  • Managing Partner
  • Burdman & Benson/Burdman Law Group
  • 2001 - 2004
  • Owner
  • The Wales Law Firm
  • 1995 - 2001
  • Deputy Prosecuting Attorney
  • Anaheim City Attorney's Office
  • 1993 - 1995
  • Prosecuting Attorney
  • Maricopa County Attorney's Office
  • 1992 - 1993
  • Police Officer
  • Houston Police Department
  • 1981 - 1987
View all work experience

Education

  • University of Phoenix
  • 40-Hour Mediation Training Certificate
  • 2004
  • Arizona State University Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law
  • JD - Juris Doctor
  • 1991

Legal Cases

  • Sandhu adv. Sawhney
  • Settled
  • DSH Marine adv. M/V Sole E Mar
  • Settled

Associations

  • San Diego Sail & Power Association, Inc.
  • Board Member and Law Officer
  • 2021 - Present
  • California Yacht Brokers Association, Inc.
  • Member & Sponsor
  • 2020 - Present
  • Coronado Cays Yacht Club
  • Member & Legal Counsel
  • 2020 - Present
  • Association for Conflict Resolution
  • Member
  • 2000 - Present
View all associations

Languages Spoken

  • English

Honors and Awards

  • Featured Attorney
  • Lawyers of Distinction
  • 2022
  • Multi-Million Dollar Advocate
  • Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum
  • 2015

Publications

  • California Yacht Brokers Ass'n Newsletter
  • Website Accessibility Cases & California's Unruh Act
  • 2021

Speaking Engagements

  • United Institute for CLE
  • Handling Liens in PI Cases- CLE Attended
  • 2022
  • State Bar of California, Appellate Courts Committe
  • Difficult Personalities Confronted by Lawyers - CLE Attended
  • 2022
  • State Bar of Arizona
  • Real Estate Lien Law- CLE Attended
  • 2022
  • Marine Recreation Association Annual Conference
  • Website Accessibility Cases & California's Unruh Act
  • 2021
View all speaking engagements

Attorney endorsements

Received (1)
Given (1)
Endorse Michael
Aaron Michael Smith headshot
Aaron Smith
Business Attorney | Apr 20
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter
"Mr. Wales was professional and courteous. His correspondence communicated a legitimate interest in his clients and in settling the matter efficiently. I would be happy to work with him in the future."
Teresa Hayashi Wales headshot
Teresa Wales
Litigation

Avvo Contributions

This attorney hasn't created any legal answers in Q&A or legal guides recently on Avvo.

San Diego Personal injury Lawyer Michael G. Wales
Michael G. Wales
Personal injury Attorney
San Diego, CA
Licensed for 31 years
Free Consultation
Virtual consultation available
(888) 974-2687 Message Website