PRO
also known as Jonathan Michaels
Jonathan Michaels has been in practice since 1995, and during that time has created an exemplary law firm. By challenging some of the largest companies in the world, Michaels has gained national recognition as the “go to” attorney for high stakes litigation, when everything is on the line.
Michaels has developed a unique practice in the automotive industry, where he has litigated cases against nearly every major automotive manufacturer in the world. This includes cases against GM, Audi, Maserati, Mitsubishi, FCA, Kia, Nissan, Honda, AM General, Isuzu, Toyota, Hyundai, Harley-Davidson, Ford, Acura, Tesla, Volvo, Volkswagen, Aston Martin, Land Rover, Mercedes and Porsche.
Michaels has all but defined the vehicle product liability industry. He authored the best-selling book Automotive 101: The Car Industry Exposed, and has filed some of the largest and most important automotive class action cases in the nation. These cases have led to Congressional hearings, Department of Justice investigations and billion-dollar settlements, as well as the recall of millions of defective vehicles. Michaels’ work has drawn attention from a multitude of media outlets, including appearances in The New York Times, Reuters, Fortune, USA Today and The Wall Street Journal, as well as feature stories on CBS Evening News and ABC Evening News.
Michaels is also aptly skilled at structuring complex business transactions. In 2013, he was involved in taking the supercar company Saleen Automotive public, and during his career he has structured international distribution agreements, supply-chain agreements and automotive dealer networks. Michaels has also been involved in structuring race teams that have competed in some of the most heralded races, including the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the Indianapolis 500.
Michaels’ efforts have earned him the respect of his peers. He has received the prestigious “Super Lawyers” award every year since 2012, a distinction reserved for no more than 5 percent of the lawyers in the state. Michaels has also authored more than 100 articles for the distinguished Los Angeles Daily Journal – more than any person in the paper’s history, dating back to 1880. In 2015, Michaels was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize in Journalism for his work on the GM ignition switch recall.
In addition to his professional work, Michaels maintains close ties to the academic community. He is privileged to have been invited to speak at numerous law schools and business schools about effective litigation strategy, and in 2012 he was named “Attorney of the Year” by his law school alma mater.
All of this follows a strong scholastic beginning. Michaels graduated from the USC Marshall School of Business in 1992, before attending Whittier Law School where he graduated in 1995 in the top 4 percent of his class. In law school, Michaels served as the Notes and Comments Editor of Law Review, he competed in several national Moot Court Honors Board competitions, and he published a winning Law Review article that is permanently housed in the U.S. Library of Congress.
Michaels is a member of the California, Colorado and Michigan state bars, and is actively involved in the Southern California community. He is the proud father of two sons, Jake and Dean.
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Practice Areas
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State: Michigan
Acquired: 2016
No misconduct found
State: Colorado
Acquired: 1997
No misconduct found
State: California
Acquired: 1995
No misconduct found
Other places you can find Jonathan online.
Showing 1 - 1 of 1 review | 5 stars
Posted by anonymous | January 16, 2020 | Hired Attorney
Incredible Lawyer!!!
He is the most knowledgeable lawyer I have ever worked with. His knowledge of the auto industry blows away anyone else in his field. I highly recommend hiring him!
"Jonathan has an expectational legal mind and ability to win cases. While he is well known as being the leading attorney for Automotive Law, I have seen Jonathan in other arenas of law doing perfected work. His courtroom skills are beyond compare. Jonathan has a strong and likable courtroom presence and strong legal mind. Not to mention he comes prepared. He knows his case and how to win (something few do) - for me there is no higher compliment."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer. Jonathan is a trailblazer in the automotive industry and never settles for less than the best. He was a shoo-in for this year's Whittier Law School Alumni Attorney of the Year award. Congratulations, Jonathan!"
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2025
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2024
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2023
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2022
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2021
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2020
Super Lawyers, Super Lawyers
2020
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2019
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2018
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2017
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2016
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2015
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2014
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2013
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2012
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
N/A
Client Champion Award, Martindale-Hubbell
2007 - Present
Principal, MLG Attorneys at Law
1900 - Present
Member, MLG Attorneys at Law
1997 - 2007
Partner, Burkhalter, Michaels, Kessler & George, LLP
2017 - Present
ProVisorsMember
2010 - Present
USC Marshall PartnersVice-Chair
2009 - Present
National Association of Dealer CounselMember
2009 - Present
Association of Business Trial LawyersMember
2009 - Present
Specialty Equipment Manufacturer AssociationMember
2009 - Present
Motor Press GuildMember
2008 - Present
USC Marshall PartnersMember
2002 - Present
Southland Motor Car Dealers AssociationMember
2002 - Present
Orange County Automobile Dealers AssociationMember
2002 - Present
California New Car Dealers AssociationMember
2007 - 2008
YEOPresident
2005 - 2006
YEOMembership Chair
2004 - 2010
YEOMember
2002 - 2007
Robert A. Banyard Inn of CourtMember
2001 - 2004
USC Alumni AssociationDirector
1997 - 2007
Los Angeles County Bar AssociationMember
1997 - 2007
Orange County Bar AssociationMember
1995 - 2002
American Bar AssociationMember
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1995
JD - Juris Doctor
1992
BS - Bachelor of Science
2010
Fundamentals of Business Law
2010
Emerging Trends in the Automotive Industry
2009
Business Law
2009
Fundamentals of Business Law
2011
2011
2011
2011
2010
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2005