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James Anthony Michel
About James
Biography
I'm a consumer protection attorney helping people get relief from debt, and clearing their credit reports of errors. I also pursue debt collectors who violate the law.
I have been fighting for the interests of regular people since I became a lawyer in 1996. In those first years, I represented employees in discrimination cases and tenants in lawsuits against landlords.
In response to the global financial crisis of 2008, I turned my focus toward consumers seeking debt relief in bankruptcy court, obtaining discharges of all kinds of debt and preventing foreclosures of their homes. I responded to the student loan debt crisis by helping borrowers get into affordable payment plans, and by litigating private student loan cases in court.
Now I use all courts to represent consumers facing debt and credit problems: California Superior Courts, Federal Disctrict Court, and Bankruptcy Court, whereever it is in the best interests of my clients. There is a federal statute and a California state statute protecting a consumer's right to a credit report free from errors, even if you have filed a bankruptcy petition.
Practice Areas
3
Practice Areas
Bankruptcy and Debt
65%
29 years | 178 cases
Consumer Protection
20%
17 years | 22 cases
Foreclosure
15%
22 years | 25 cases
Fees and Rates
Cost
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in California for 29 years
State: California
Acquired: 1996
No misconduct found
Location
Law Offices of James Anthony Michel
2912 Diamond St #373, San Francisco, CA, 94131
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James Anthony Michel's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
30 Client Reviews
Filter Avvo Reviews (30)
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 (14)
Practice Area Knowledge (14)
Advocacy (11)
Communication Style (10)
Recommendation (9)
Cost of Services (7)
Professionalism (7)
Responsiveness (6)
General Knowledge (4)
Trustworthiness (4)
Character & Conduct (3)
Compassion (2)
Free Consultations (2)
Payment Plans (2)
Punctuality (2)
Showing 1 - 5 of 6 reviews | Debt Settlement
Posted by Carla | November 11, 2021 | Hired Attorney | Debt Settlement
Excellent ability to get all my money back
If it wasn't for hiring James Michel I would not have gotten thousands of dollars returned to me from the opposing party (an aggressive debt repayment agreement they rushed me into signing), many thanks James!
Posted by anonymous | November 10, 2021 | Hired Attorney | Debt Settlement
Best in Class!
We had an unusual bankruptcy issue, and we felt as if we were doomed, in spite of the benefits of the Bankruptcy law which is intended to give debtors a fresh start. It turned out that while our situation was complicated, it was not beyond James Michel's knowledge. Mr. Michel ran circles around t...
Posted by Amy | September 13, 2019 | Debt Settlement
Excellent Choice for an Attorney!
James Michel has been an excellent attorney throughout my Chapter 13 filing. Without his attention to detail and always looking out for my interests, I would not have been able to afford to modify my mortgage and keep my home. He was instrumental in getting me a $32,000 credit card debt removed from ...
James Michel
Replied last September 13, 2019This was a fun one. I couldn't tell from the beginning how it was going to turn out but sometimes with faith and the right client, something that seems impossible can be turned around.
Posted by dan | September 13, 2019 | Hired Attorney | Debt Settlement
Superb attorney
If there is anyone who is undecided about hiring James, they need to know our story. We got into financial trouble from overwhelming medical expenses. I wish we have been profligate and scattered our money experiencing wild and exciting things, but that was not the case. Before we were in contact...
James Michel
Replied last September 13, 2019Thanks, Dan, and don't be afraid to get back in touch if anything gets weird in the future. Although we wrapped it up for now, certain parties can play games after the fact and hope you don't notice!
Posted by Richard | September 13, 2019 | Debt Settlement
My hero!!
James Michel is God’s gift to seniors. Only James, of the many attorneys I contacted, was caring enough to listen to my shock at finding a big hole in my Social Security deposit. Only he took it upon himself to find and contact the right person for me. Only he arranged my debt to be tiny instead ...
James Michel
Replied last September 13, 2019Thanks for your kind words. You deserve the best and I was happy to nudge the debt collector in the right direction.
James Anthony Michel's Lawyer Endorsements
"I am a creditor's attorney in the bankruptcy courts. I have had a number of matters as opposing counsel with James Michel. I have always found him to be diligent in his work for his clients, and always well-prepared in court. He has a thorough grasp op of the legal issues in hearings and can ably argue and articulate his position, even if I don't agree with his position. He is a detail-oriented attorney and in bankruptcy law, which has many technicalities, this is super important."
"I've worked with James before, and he's a highly skilled attorney for bankruptcy and/or consumer protection matters. I highly recommend him."
"James is an astute lawyer, with his finger always on the pulse of the law, both with evolving and historical trends."
Alexander Berry-Santoro
Bankruptcy and debt lawyer | Nov 19
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer. Mr. Michel is thoughtful, tenacious, and intelligent. He has a knack for creativity in approaching problem solving and is a wonderful Attorney. I highly recommend."
"I endorse this lawyer. Why? Attorney Michel provides answers to persons questions so that they know what to do or where to go for answer. If you look at his over 500 questions he has answered here on AVVO you can see why his knowledge in practicing bankruptcy since 1996 is crucial. When hiring an attorney you want one who has "seen it all" and not "practicing" on you. He has knowledge his answers establish to assist a debtor in filing bankruptcy and the many issues related thereto. For that reason set forth I endorse him. Sincerely, Richard D. Granvold Attorney at Law"
"James is a top notch attorney, and clients are lucky to have him on their side."
"I endorse this lawyer. His responses to questions on Avvo have shown a high understanding of bankruptcy law"
"I endorse this lawyer."
"Mr. Michel is a frequent contributor on the Avvo website. His responses are accurate, concise and best of all, practical and useful. I endorse this lawyer."
"The answers of Mr. Michel are consistently accurate, analytic, and customized to the needs of the Avvo askers. These are exactly the qualities that every client would look for when hiring an attorney."
"James Michel is a true advocate for the little guy: the consumer who has just been sued by a creditor, the homeowner trying to avoid foreclosure... I have referred people to James because I know him to be smart, hard-working and a skilled attorney."
"James Michel is a fighter, creative and a smart attorney. Any litigant would do very well to have him on their side."
"I am impressed by Attorney Michel's credentials. I endorse this lawyer."
"I am very impressed with James Michel and his credentials. I endorse this attorney."
"I have known James for years, and have had many occasions to refer clients to him. The reports I get back are always glowing. He has just the right mix of professionalism and bedside manner necessary to both get the job done and put the clients at ease."
"I endorse this lawyer. James attended my Bankruptcy Boot Camp intensive 5 day seminar and as a result he is fully qualified and competent to represent individuals in consumer bankruptcy and consumer rights cases."
"James Michel is a good lawyer with a good heart and he does very fine work for his clients. I refer clients to him without hesitation."
Mark Romeo
Real estate lawyer
Brent Meyer
Chapter 11 bankruptcy lawyer
Oliver Gardner
Bankruptcy and debt lawyer
Joshua Cohen
Consumer protection lawyer
Alexander Berry-Santoro
Bankruptcy and debt lawyer
Kameron Miura
Debt collection lawyer
Damian Richard
Bankruptcy and debt lawyer
Tammy Gruder Hussin
Consumer protection lawyer
Max Rosenberg
Bankruptcy and debt lawyer
Samuel Henderson
Litigation lawyer
Aaron Lloyd
Bankruptcy and debt lawyer
Robert Firth
Bankruptcy and debt lawyer
Edna Straus
Probate lawyer
Michael Cataldo
Bankruptcy and debt lawyer
Richard Heston
Bankruptcy and debt lawyer
Andrea Herman
Workers compensation lawyer
Richard Granvold
Bankruptcy and debt lawyer
David Dastrup
Criminal defense lawyer
Christine James
Estate planning lawyer
Scott Dyle
Debt collection lawyer
Experience
Honors
2021
Client's Choice Award, Avvo
2020
Top Contributor, Avvo
2019
Client's Choice, Avvo
2012
Client's Choice, Avvo
Work Experience
1996 - Present
Attorney at Law, Law Office of James A. Michel
Associations
2014 - Present
National Association of Consumer AttorneysMember in Good Standing
2008 - Present
National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy AttorneysMember in Good Standing
1996 - Present
State Bar of CaliforniaMenber in Good Standing
Sample of Legal Cases
Reyes v. Franchise Tax Board
settled for less than one percent of claimed tax debt of $142,000
T.R.E.S. v. R. M.
jury verdict in favor of James' client -- the jury found that the real estate brokers breached the fiduciary duties they owed to James' client
St. Francis Bay v. Ferro, Ramil
Homeowner paid nothing to Condo Ass'n. However, the homeowner obtained payment from debt collector JQD LLC (ProSolutions) who had sent a demand letter to homeowner.
National Collegiate Trust v. Norberg
award of attorney fees for borrower's lawyer, in the amount of $24,412.50
Education
1996
Golden Gate University School of Law
JD - Juris Doctor
1992
St. John's College
B.A.
Speaking Engagements
2017
Private Student Loan Dischargeability in Bankruptcy: A New Perspective
Student Loans and Bankruptcy
2016
How to Fight Debt Collectors in State Court
How to Fight Debt Collectors in State Court
Publications
2019
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Guides
Legal Answers
Q&A
Had a lien expire and want to confirm if I can stop paying on it.
10 Nov 2025
Q&A
Bankruptcy lawyer assured me my private student loans would be dismissed in a Ch.7 but they were not do I have case?
06 Oct 2025
Q&A
Pro bono?
13 Aug 2025