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“Fighting for the Underdog”
The theme of my life has been a determination to fight for the underdog. My work is a natural extension of that theme and fulfills me every day. I value hard work above most other things in my life. I often find myself preoccupied with how to fix a client’s problem or how to fix ERISA on a larger scale. Helping clients with disabilities became a personal mission of mine after seeing my father, a disabled veteran, struggle to work and support his family while dealing with the consequences of debilitating medical conditions. I like to think I got from him my strong work ethic, compassion, and desire to serve. I also value taking advantage of every opportunity for personal growth and am always looking for a way to become a better person. Running a business and raising children in a busy city is all consuming, but I am as happy as I’ve ever been, and wouldn’t have it any other way. For fun and relaxation, I enjoy the ritual of Peloton or a hike in the mornings so that I can start work with a clear head and ready to face the challenges that may lie ahead. I also try to practice mindfulness throughout the day, which helps me stay calm in stressful situations. At the end of the day, I enjoy listening to music on Spotify, a book on Audible, or a podcast. In addition to fighting for my clients, I volunteer with the Federal Bar Association, the Legal Aid at Work Workers’ Rights Clinic, and the AIDS Legal Referral Panel. I hope to show my kids by example that giving to others is the best way to lead a life of fulfillment.
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21 years | 100 cases
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Chat withState: California
Acquired: 2005
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66 Franklin Street, Suite 300, Oakland, CA, 94607
Showing 1 - 5 of 47 client reviews from Avvo
Posted by anonymous | January 15, 2026 | Consulted Attorney
Michelle spent more time than she needed with me in advance of an upcoming review for my disability claim. The process for those of us that ACTUALLY DISABLED can be very stressful, and Michelle provides a calmness and guidance that alleviates the pressure. Her poignant advice about the do's and don...
Posted by David | November 26, 2025 | Hired Attorney
Attorney's are very picky when they need to hire another attorney to represent them. I'm an attorney and needed representation in a very difficult disability case. I wanted one of the best disability lawyers in California and several attorneys highly recommended Michelle and it was soon apparent why ...
Posted by anonymous | October 25, 2025 | Hired Attorney
Michelle is an exceptional ERISA disability attorney and truly one of the best in her field. I came to her after my insurance company unfairly denied my long-term disability benefits. From our very first conversation, it was clear she had deep expertise in ERISA law and a strategic understanding of h...
Posted by Craig | August 8, 2024 | Hired Attorney
Michele Roberts & all members of the team are excellent, professional, empathetic, personable, and fun to kid around with. This was an excellent experience and I highly recommend this firm to all that will listen!!! In addition they were highly thorough and focused on the which was a big reason I wo...
Posted by Bryan | June 20, 2024 | Hired Attorney
We are incredibly grateful to Michelle and her team for successfully leading us through an extremely difficult and stressful process with my LTD insurance company. I can wholeheartedly recommend Michelle as a highly experienced and professional attorney who knew exactly what it would take to win my c...
"I was opposing counsel to Michelle in ERISA litigations when I represented insurers. I later worked with her on cases representing insureds. I can confirm that she does an excellent job of representing her clients."
"I got to know Michelle as a colleague working in the same field of employee benefits. I have relied on her as a sounding board for my cases from time to time, and she is always willing to provide her thoughts. I know she has an excellent track record with her litigated cases. I would highly recommend her for ERISA benefits cases."
"Michelle is a widely respected, zealous advocate on behalf of individuals who have wrongfully had their disability benefits terminated or denied. She is knowledgeable, active in a number of professional organizations devoted to the development of employee benefits law, and is an empathetic, caring person as well."
"Michelle and her partner are among the elite in this specialized practice area. Highly skilled and knowledgeable. In the California federal ERISA bar, both Michelle and Cassie (individually and together) are well-known and highly-respected. I refer potential clients to them with complete confidence."
"I have known Michelle for my entire career. She is a smart and tireless advocate for those in need. A superb lawyer."
"I have worked with Michelle on several employment law matters. She is a skilled lawyer and I endorse her."
"To call Michelle a "rising star" doesn't quite do justice to the achievements she has already had. Well-respected by judges and her peers in the ERISA bar, and adored by her clients, Michelle is a credit and a tribute to the practice of law."
Employee benefits lawyer
Employee benefits lawyer
Employee benefits lawyer
Employee benefits lawyer
Employee benefits lawyer
Workers compensation lawyer
Employee benefits lawyer
Employee benefits lawyer
Wrongful termination lawyer
Employment and labor lawyer
Employee benefits lawyer
Employee benefits lawyer
2023
Top 100 Attorney and Top 50 Women Attorney, Northern California Super Lawyers
2022
Top 100 Attorney and Top 50 Women Attorney, Northern California Super Lawyers
2022
Super Lawyer, Northern California Super Lawyers
2021
Top 100 Attorney and Top 50 Women Attorney, Northern California Super Lawyers
2021
Super Lawyer, Northern California Super Lawyers
2020
Super Lawyer, Northern California Super Lawyers
2020
Top 100 Attorney and Top 50 Women Attorney, Northern California Super Lawyers
2019
Super Lawyer, Northern California Super Lawyers
2019
Top 100 Attorney and Top 50 Women Attorney, Northern California Super Lawyers
2018
Super Lawyer, Northern California Super Lawyers
2018
Top 100 Attorney and Top 50 Women Attorney, Northern California Super Lawyers
2017
Super Lawyer, Northern California Super Lawyers
2016
Super Lawyers, Northern California Super Lawyers
2015
Super Lawyer, Northern California Super Lawyers
2015
Volunteer of the Year Award, ALRP
2015
Client Distinction Award, Martindale-Hubbell
2014
Rising Star, Northern California Super Lawyers
2013
Rising Star, Northern California Super Lawyers
2012
Rising Star, Northern California Super Lawyers
2007
Distinguished CELA lawyer, California Employment Lawyers Association
2005
Prosser Prize,
2021 - Present
Principal, Roberts Disability Law, P.C.
2018 - 2021
Partner, Kantor & Kantor, LLP
2016 - 2018
Partner, Roberts Bartolic LLP
2008 - 2016
Partner, Springer & Roberts LLP
2005 - 2007
Associate, Lewis, Feinberg, Lee, Renaker & Jackson, PC
2013 - Present
National Employment Lawyers AssociationMember
2005 - Present
California Employment Lawyers AssociationMember
2021 - 2024
Bar Association of San Francisco, Judiciary CommitteeMember
2019 - 2020
American Bar Association, Tort Trial and Insurance Practice SectionVice Chair to the Employee Benefits General Committee
2019 - 2020
Federal Bar Association, Northern District of California ChapterImmediate Past President
2019 - 2022
Ninth Circuit Judicial CouncilLawyer Representative
2018 - 2019
Federal Bar Association, Northern District of California ChapterPresident
2017 - 2018
Federal Bar Association, Northern District of California ChapterPresident-Elect
2016 - 2017
Federal Bar Association, Northern District of California ChapterTreasurer/Secretary
2014 - 2015
Federal Bar Association, Northern District of California ChapterVice President for Oakland
2014 - 2015
American Bar Association, Labor and Employment Law SectionWelfare Plans/Benefit Claims Co-Chair
2013 - 2015
ABA Employee Benefit CommitteeLiaison -Section's Diversity Committee
2011 - 2014
AIDS Legal Referral Panel Board of DirectorsCo-chair
Judgment granted to Plaintiff
Judgment granted to Plaintiff
Summary judgment granted to plaintiff
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Won at judgment
settled
settled
settled
settled
Plaintiff's motion granted
Settled
2005
JD - Juris Doctor
2002
BA - Bachelor of Arts
2023
ERISA Benefit Claims Administrative Procedures & Litigation Overview
2022
From Long-COVID to Compliance with Regulations: Trends in Health and Welfare Administration and Disability Litigation
2020
2019
ERISA Hot Topics
2016
A Practical Guide to Ethics in ERISA Litigation
2016
2016
Interaction of ERISA 502(a)(3) and 502(a)(1)(B) claims
2016
2015
Discovery in ERISA Litigation—FRCP 26-34, ESI, and FOIA Requests
2015
Expert’s Guide to Research
2015
2015
Wide World of Post-Amara ERISA Remedies
2014
Disability Claims Under ERISA
2014
Ethics
2014
2013
2013
Ethics
2012
Disability Law
2012
*E*verything *R*eally *I*sn't *S*o *A*wful - an Overview of the Current Landscape of ERISA Preemption & Remedies.
2012
Ethics
2011
Disability Law
2011
Ethics
2010
Ethics
2009
An Introduction to LTD Benefits For the Social Security Practitioner
2021
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English