$ 675-675 per hour
About G.
Biography
I deal with a wide variety of legal issues on a daily basis, which include, but are not limited to, pre-litigation strategy and negotiation, general and complex civil litigation, alternative dispute resolution, discovery preparation and responses, as well as law and motion, trial, and appellate appearances.
I have been involved as Plaintiff's counsel in numerous complex civil litigation matters, many of which have settled prior to trial; and have also been involved as lead counsel or second chair in multiple cases that went to trial and/or were appealed.
Practice Areas
6
Practice Areas
Business
20%
16 years
Lawsuits and Disputes
20%
16 years
Litigation
20%
16 years
Landlord or Tenant
15%
16 years
Fees and Rates
Cost
Hourly Rates
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
Looking for an attorney? Avvo can help.
Search our directory
Quickly connect with top attorneys through our legal directory to get help with your legal issue.
Avvo's live chat agents can help coordinate a consultation with a local attorney.
Chat with a live agent who can match you with the right attorney for your legal needs.
Chat withLicenses
Licensed in California for 15 years
State: California
Acquired: 2010
No misconduct found
Location
Cappello & Noël LLP
831 State Street, Santa Barbara, CA, 93101
Ad
Transform legal challenges into solutions.
Connect now to review your situation.
G. Michael Brelje's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
23 Client Reviews
Filter Avvo Reviews (23)
Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.
Practice Areas
Showing 1 - 3 of 3 reviews | Communication Style
Posted by Beverly | March 07, 2019 | Hired Attorney | Lawsuits & Disputes
?
I hired Michael to help me through a lawsuit during a difficult personal time in my life. Even though I had insurance coverage on my property, I wanted to have personal representation my an attorney to keep in close contact with the insurance company that covered my apartment complex. Michael kept ...
Posted by Kathy | June 24, 2016 | Hired Attorney | Landlord & Tenant
Avoiding a potential lawsuit
Mike took my worries away I enjoy being a landlord until the day you deal with the difficult tenant When I knew that time had come I called Mike From past experiences I have learned not to do it myself as I could make the problem much worse navigating between all the legal ramifications The whol...
Posted by Clark | May 09, 2014 | Trusts
A lawyer worth having
I hired Mike to handle an estate dispute where the trustee was failing his fiduciary responsibilities. I do not live in the U.S. so everything was done long distance. Mike got a very rapid handle on the entire affair, did an outstanding job, kept up communications, and got what we both though was a d...
G. Michael Brelje's Lawyer Endorsements
"Mike Brelje demonstrates extensive knowledge and experience in a wide variety of legal matters. His responses on Avvo are remarkably thoughtful, articulate and accurate. It is my pleasure to endorse him."
"I have worked with Mike on several cases and found that he is extremely intelligent and easy to work with. I rely on him as a resource for the real estate and other litigation matters that I encounter in my practice. I highly recommend Mike."
"I endorse this lawyer. Michael provides great insight with his responses to legal questions on Avvo."
"I have referred clients to Mike and have gotten to know him serving on a non-profit board together. Mike has integrity and works harder than most lawyers are willing to. These qualities make him a great advocate for his clients."
"Michael is a highly competent attorney who is a tenacious advocate for his clients. When I refer work his way, I rest assured knowing the referrals are in good hands."
"Mike is an extremely reputable litigator known for his civility and credibility. In addition to his strong advocacy, Mike is a personable guy and has the ability to put his clients at ease and work productively with opposing counsel."
"Mike is an aggressive, intelligent and tenacious litigator who successfully represents landlords in all types of landlord-tenant disputes."
"Mike is competent, efficient, dedicated, and straightforward, and I would gladly refer him to anyone seeking advise on any landlord / tenant related issues."
"Mike is not only a great lawyer, but a great person. Mike is smart, caring and a great advocate. Mike ensures that his clients interests are zealously represented. Providing his clients with the ability to make sound reasoned business decisions is second nature. I would not hesitate to work with Mike again in the future."
"Mike Brelje is an intelligent lawyer who fights hard for his clients. He has a wealth of industry know-how and will not rest until he has achieved for his clients the best results possible. You can't go wrong with Mike."
Jethro Busch
Landlord or tenant lawyer
Jason Wansor
Litigation lawyer
Frank Chen
Real estate lawyer
Timothy Deakyne
Estate planning lawyer
Travis Logue
Real estate lawyer
Benjamin Minkow
Litigation lawyer
Reed Olmstead
Bankruptcy and debt lawyer
Robert Forouzandeh
Litigation lawyer
Jason Frantz
Family lawyer
Jennifer Yates
Family lawyer
Herb Fox
Appeals lawyer
William Makler
DUI and DWI lawyer
Cristi Michelon Vasquez
Landlord or tenant lawyer
James Cote
Estate planning lawyer
Experience
Honors
2021
2021 Super Lawyers Rising Star Southern California, Super Lawyers Magazine a part of Thompson Reuters
2020
2020 Super Lawyers Rising Star Southern California, Super Lawyers Magazine a part of Thompson Reuters
2019
Client's Choice - Litigation, Avvo
2015
Top Contributor - Litigation, Avvo
2014
Client's Choice - Litigation, Avvo
2007
Richard Abbe Honor’s Moot Court Finalist, Santa Barbara College of Law
Work Experience
2026 - Present
Partner, Cappello & Noël LLP
2022 - 2025
Associate Attorney, Cappello & Noël LLP
2018 - 2022
Senior Attorney, Rogers, Sheffield & Campbell, LLP
2010 - 2017
Senior Associate, Grokenberger & Smith
2004 - 2009
Legal Assistant, Garrison Law Corporation
Associations
2018 - Present
United States District Court, Eastern District of California (EDCA)Member
2018 - Present
United States Supreme CourtMember
2010 - Present
Santa Barbara County Bar AssociationMember
2010 - Present
United States District Court, Central District of California (CDCA)Member
2016 - 2017
Santa Barbara County Bar AssociationBoard of Directors
2012 - 2012
Santa Barbara BarristersPresident
2010 - 2010
American Inns of Court, William L. Gordon ChapterMember
Sample of Legal Cases
Zissler v. Saville
Represented Plaintiff during a Three Week Court Trial, Judgment in favor of Plaintiff
Garl v. Justin Vineyards & Winery, LLC
Represented Plaintiff during a Three Week Court Trial, SOD in favor of Plaintiff
Education
2008
Santa Barbara College of Law
Juris Doctor
2003
University of California - Santa Barbara
BA - Bachelor of Arts
Speaking Engagements
2013
UCSB Annual Property Owner/Manager Meeting
Companion and Comfort Animal Law
2012
Santa Barbara Superior Court
Attorney Swearing-In Ceremony
Publications
2017
Santa Barbara Lawyer
Medical Marijuana: Questions and Answers regarding Reasonable Accommodation Requests by Residential Tenants
2016
Santa Barbara Rental Property Association: Rental Property News
City of Santa Barbara Tenant Displacement Assistance Ordinance
2016
Santa Barbara Rental Property Association: Rental Property News
Ask an Expert
2016
Santa Barbara Lawyer
Pre-Judgment Writ of Attachment: A Powerful and Unique Provisional Remedy, If Used Correctly
2013
Santa Barbara Rental Property Association: Rental Property News
Landlord's Responsibility to Provide Reasonable Accomodations for Companion Animals
2012
Santa Barbara Rental Property Association: Rental Property News
What Are Fixtures and Does the Landlord or Tenant Own them at the End of a Tenancy?
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Answers
Q&A
I lost my job and when I talked to my mortgage about refi they said you have a "Lis Pendes"
23 Mar 2026
Q&A
Complaint for breach of real estate contract
10 Mar 2026
Q&A
What percent can a lawyer get from a client if they win in the boyscout of america lawsuit
08 Aug 2025