Overall Rating
This is an aggregated review score of Avvo and Lawyers.com reviews.
This is an aggregated review score of Avvo and Lawyers.com reviews.
5.0 /5.0
49 Client Reviews
Free Consultation
$0 first 120 minutes
PRO
Michael Pines
Virtual Consultation Available
Free Consultation
About Michael
Biography
After growing up in the South (Kentucky, Tennessee and Louisiana), Mike moved to California when he was 15. After worked his way through college, graduating after three years, Michael attended Hastings College of Law on a full scholarship.
Upon graduation, Michael began his legal career working for a major law firm that specialized in Insurance Defense, on behalf of several Fortune 500 companies. Michael changed sides to fight for consumers and now uses his wealth of experience against insurance companies.
Free Consultation-No Recovery No Fee-Serving San Diego For Over 20 Years-800-655-6585
Practice Areas
10
Practice Areas
Brain Injury
11%
37 years
Car Accident
11%
37 years
Defective and Dangerous Products
11%
Motorcycle Accident
11%
37 years
Fees and Rates
Cost
Contingency
25%-40%
Retainer
Sometimes
Awards
Licenses
Licensed in California for 36 years
State: California
Acquired: 1989
No misconduct found
Location
Pines Salomon Injury Lawyers, APC
4660 La Jolla Village Drive, Suite 575, San Diego, CA, 92122
seriousaccidents.comGallery
Online Presence
Other places you can find Michael online.
Michael Pines's Reviews
Filter Avvo Reviews (48)
Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.
Practice Areas
What Clients Mention
Case Results (39)
Advocacy (30)
Recommendation (28)
Communication Style (23)
Practice Area Knowledge (23)
Professionalism (23)
Cost of Services (22)
General Knowledge (19)
Character & Conduct (18)
Responsiveness (16)
Staff & Support (14)
Compassion (10)
Trustworthiness (8)
Payment Plans (7)
Punctuality (4)
Showing 1 - 5 of 5 reviews | Insurance
Posted by JoAnna | February 05, 2010 | Insurance
My late husband and my attorney
I hired Michael Pines to represent me in for the wrongful death of my husband due to a car accident. I felt this review must be written. It involved my late husband who was in his late 80’s at the time of the van and car accident. He died about 5 weeks after the car accident. I felt this review mu...
Posted by Kody | February 03, 2010 | Insurance
Excellent San Diego Attorney
I was injured in a serious rear-end automobile accident about one year ago. I had never been in an accident and did not know what to do. My car was totaled and I started receiving letters from the other person’s insurance company asking lots of questions. I called the Law Offices of Michael Pines an...
Posted by anonymous | June 01, 2009 | Insurance
Progressive Car Accident Insurance Was trying to rip me off (my own insurance company)
My 7 year old daughter and I were involved in a major t-bone accident with a driver who had no car accident insurance. So, I had to deal with my own car insurance company, Progressive. They were not helpful. Instead, they did very little for me, especially with the damage to my car. They did noth...
Posted by Oralia | April 27, 2009 | Insurance
Excellent personal injury lawyer
Michael Pines was my 2nd attorney. I hired another attorney who was referred by a friend. Unfortunately, we had to part ways as this attorney did not know my case and seemed to be working for the car insurance company. Car accident attorney Michael Pines office was a breath of fresh air. Ever...
Posted by Edmond | April 21, 2009 | Insurance
Superb car acclident lawyer and excellent personal injury attorney
Have known Michael for 17 years. He really cares about the injured people he helps as a personal injury attorney. First met him 17 years ago when he helped me with a complicated car insurance situation. At that time, I had no money. He knew this and voluntarily helped me with the my own car accid...
Michael Pines's Lawyer Endorsements
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse Michael. He is a highly skilled attorney that is well respected in the legal community."
"I was the opposing counsel. He has the highest degree of professionalism and integrity."
"Mr. Pines has done a terrific job getting relevant information out to injured folks in San Diego since 1992. Just check out his website, legal resource center, his numerous blogs and articles - also his many answered legal questions and publications right here on Avvo.com. I highly endorse this gentleman's integrity and legal work without hesitation!"
"I endorse this lawyer. Great job educating the public about auto safety."
"Michael Pines is a dedicated lawyer. He is focused on getting the best possible results for his clients. His years of working on behalf of the insurance companies gives him impressive tools to advocate on behalf of his injured clients. I you or a family member is injured in an automobile accident, I highly recommend you hire Michael Pines to represent your interests."
"I am writing this recommendation for Michael Pines, who has worked with PPH as opposing counsel for many years. The work he does for his clients requires the talent of an attorney with keen analytical skills and the ability to communicate complex legal issues to his clients. His ability to relate to people of all levels of understanding, his knowledge of the law, and awareness of legal issues is unparalleled. His work ethic, his legal abilities are nothing short of outstanding. He consistently exceeds my every expectation in delivering quality work that enhances the business and professional relationships of all he comes in contact with. He is trustworthy, discrete, and above board in all his actions. He has earned the confidence of me and my legal team. He has a communicative, people-directed, and participatory style that has brought credit to him, and to the legal profession. He has my highest recommendation for any legal issue for which he is retained."
"I have vigorously represented major hospitals' and insurers' interests for 28 years in California and have known Michael Pines since he became an attorney. Mr. Pines is a challenging and energetic foe who takes the time to know the law and use it to his clients' benefit. His assertive presentation of the facts and law has forced me on repeated occasions to try to perfect my adversarial position since anything less is fatal. He is one of the few attorneys that made me check the fairness and the constitutionality of my client's position. I am always pleased but no longer surprised by his attention to details and his ability to find the one true path--a path that you can either get on with him or get out of the way. I highly recommend Michael Pines and the fine associates and staff that make his energetic team. His high ethical standards are clearly mirrored by everyone in his office and his calm and confident demeanor shows the practice of law in its best light."
"I have known Michael Pines since at least 1992. We have had several cases over the years opposing one another on personal injury matters. I have been impressed with Michael's professionalism and dedication to his client's cause. He has consistently demonstrated an ethical. yet aggressive. manner of obtaining the very best results for his clients. His sense of fair play and his ability to analyze the legal and moral issues and to effectively communicate them, has led to many settlements quite favorable to his clients. I believe Michael truly cares about his client's situation and does his very best to achieve a just and fair result. Michael has an engaging personalty, is obviously brilliant in his approach to the law and is always a pleasure to work with in the many cases we have faced each other. With Michael it is not just bombastic hyperbola from an opposing lawyer but thoughtful, reasoned and logical arguments with an overall sense of fair play and justice. Highly recommended."
"Michael Pines is an honest and aggressive personal injury attorney who fights for his clients’ rights. I have had the honor and privilege to work with Michael for almost four years now. In addition to being my legal mentor, Mike is also a person I go to for advise on some of life’s most important decisions. As a personal injury attorney, he is deeply committed to helping his clients in any way possible, and I have personally witnessed Mike “pour” over cases for weeks and/or months just to make sure that justice was achieved for our clients. I have always been impressed with how he extends the same courtesy to clients as he does to his family and friends. Michael’s grasp of the intricacies of personal injury law -- as well as trial strategy -- is nothing short of remarkable. As a friend and colleague, I consider Michael to be the type of person that you can count on whenever you need him."
"Michael is a brilliant, knowledgeable and diligent attorney, who cares deeply about his clients. He is actively involved in the practice of law and loves what he does. When I first met Mike in 2001, I went to work for him. I left at the beginning of 2006 to form my own firm and Mike was extremely supportive. He took my success personally! Mike knows personal injury inside and out and is great at predicting what the opposition will do. He has the uncanny ability to think as his clients do and put himself in their shoes, and he works his tail off to get them the best result possible. I have seen Mike work all night on many cases, most with little financial reward on behalf of clients. One time, while Mike was on vacation with his family, he wrote a complicated brief which was due over Christmas (we communicated by phone and email). Bottom line, Mike will do what it takes for his clients and colleagues. He is my mentor, and he is the best source for legal advice that I have."
"I have had the privilege and pleasure of working side-by-side with attorney Michael Pines in several important legal matters during the past five years. I wholeheartedly endorse Mr. Pines to anyone seeking an attorney who is selflessly commitment to their client's success."
Robert Sidell
Personal injury lawyer
Experience
Honors
2005
President's Award, Consumer Attorneys of California
N/A
Distinguished, Martindale-Hubbell
Work Experience
1992 - Present
Founder, Pines Salomon Injury Lawyers, APC
1900 - Present
President, Pines Salomon Injury Lawyers, APC
1990 - 1992
Counsel for Major Insurance Companies, Lumbermans Mutual Casualty Company
1989 - 1990
Litigation Attorney, Law Firm of DiCaro & D'Antony
1988 - 1989
Litigation Unit, Rigg & Dean Law Firm
1987 - 1988
Corporate Insurance Defense, Murtaugh, Miller, Meyer & Nelson
1986 - 1987
Tort's Litigation Unit, California State Attorney General's Office
Associations
1992 - Present
Consumer Attorneys of San DiegoMember
1992 - Present
Consumer Attorneys Association of Los AngelesMember
1992 - Present
Consumer Attorneys of CaliforniaMember
1989 - Present
American Association for JusticeMember
Sample of Legal Cases
Armstrong v. Breslin, et al.
$147,606.36 Verdict/Judgment for Plaintiff
Tahbaz, et al. v. Aguirre
Family Rec'd Policy Limits
Valencia, et al. v. Robles, et al.
$750,000 Insurance Policy Limits
Doe Family v. Ford Motor Company
Family members received $1,200,000
Education
1987
University of California, San Francisco, Hastings College of the Law
Juris Doctor
1984
University of California - Irvine
Undergraduate
1984
University of California
BA
Speaking Engagements
1991
Bench-Bar Coalition of the United States
Laying a Foundation for the Introduction of Evidence at Trial
1991
Bench-Bar Coalition of the United States
Effective Introduction of Demonstrative Evidence at Trial
1991
American Inns of Court Foundation
Cross-Examination of a Defense Medical Malpractice Expert
1990
Legal Demonstration
Deposition of a Medical Doctor (Direct Examination)
Publications
1990
Firm Proprietary Documentation
Discovery of Plaintiff (extensive compilation from Discovery, Deposition to Trial)
Languages
Farsi
Spanish
Activity
Legal Guides
Legal Guides
Video Legal Guide
10 Safe Driving Tips
29 May 2010
Legal Guide
Prevent Children’s Injuries With New Booster Seat Ratings
22 Feb 2010
Legal Guide
Car Safety Myths that Could Cost You Your Life
05 Aug 2009