Michael Arend Velthoen

Michael is the managing partner of Ferguson Case Orr Paterson LLP. He maintains a diverse practice in all aspects of business litigation, with an emphasis on trade secret disputes, intellectual property and employment law.

Michael has significant experience in defending and prosecuting cases in a variety of business litigation disputes. He has handled numerous trade secret disputes, including helping his client obtain a complete defense verdict after a five-week jury trial. Michael also recently obtained a dismissal on behalf of clients accused of participating in scheme to fraudulently transfer equity in a publicly-traded company through a leveraged buyout by private equity firm. In that case, the plaintiffs sought over $80 million from his clients. Michael has also successfully tried numerous consumer and wage and hour class actions on behalf of his clients. He was recently named by the Pacific Coast Business Times as a leading business attorney in the Tri-County region.

Michael earned his law degree magna cum laude from Georgetown University, where he also received a master’s degree from the School of Foreign Service. At Georgetown, Michael was a member of the Georgetown Law Review and interned for the Hon. Harry T. Edwards, Chief Judge of the United States Court of Appeal for the District of Columbia. After graduation, Michael spent a year serving as a law clerk for the Honorable William D. Keller, a judge of the United States District Court for the Central District of California. He then joined the litigation department of the international law firm of Latham & Watkins in San Francisco. In 1999, Michael moved to the firm of Farella, Braun & Martel. While at Farella, Michael obtained a complete defense jury verdict on behalf of a major aeronautical manufacturer against claims of defamation, fraud, negligence, and unfair competition. Michael also helped resolve a complicated copyright/partnership claim on behalf of the developer of a popular computer software program.

A Ventura County native, Michael moved back to Ventura and joined Ferguson Case Orr Paterson LLP in 2001. Michael’s personal life revolves around his wife and two children and their various activities. When he has the time, Michael enjoys coaching his kids, hiking, basketball and golf.