Michael David Early

PRO

Michael David Early

5.0
Rating: 9.8

Licensed for 42 years

Wrongful termination Lawyer at Novato, CA
Practice Areas: Wrongful Termination, Employment & Labor, Litigation, Financial Markets and Services

7200 Redwood Blvd., Suite 402, Novato, CA

Virtual Consultation Available

About Michael

Biography

Excellent attorney experienced in employment, securities and commercial litigation.

Practice Areas

4

Practice Areas

Wrongful Termination 40%

42 years

40%
Employment and Labor 25%

42 years

25%
Litigation 25%

42 years

25%
Financial Markets and Services 10%

40 years

10%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Contingency

33%-40%


Payment Methods

  • Check
  • Credit Card

Awards

Top Contributor
Top Contributor
2016

Licenses

Licensed in California for 42 years

State: California

Acquired: 1983

Active

No misconduct found

Location

Iezza & Hockel, P.C.

7200 Redwood Blvd., Suite 402, Novato, CA, 94945

iezzalaw.com

Michael David Early's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

5.0 /5.0

17 Client Reviews

Filter Avvo Reviews (17) Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.

Showing 1 - 5 of 6 reviews | Employment & Labor

Posted by Randy | April 25, 2024 | Employment & Labor

5 Star Plus

I recently consulted with MIchael on an employment issue. He responded to my phone call immediately. I advised him of my situation and he took the time to interview and ask relevant questions. I then forwarded Michael paperwork for his review and comment. He replied back the next day with comment...s, options and advice that allowed me to make the informed decision I needed. I would not only used Michael in the future but would recommend that anyone looking for legal advise use Michael

Posted by anonymous | August 12, 2020 | Employment & Labor

Outstanding Attorney

I consulted with Mr. Early regarding a frivolous harassment charge from a former employee. Mr. Early took the time to listen to the details of my situation and spent a generous amount of time with me explaining the legal aspects of my case in a rather complex area of the law and was able to reassure ...me that I had a strong case and little to be concerned about ahead of my scheduled mediation date. As a result of our conversation, I entered into the mediation with a renewed sense of confidence which served me well in obtaining a successful outcome. He invited me to call back anytime should I need his services. Not only is Mr. Early an accomplished, highly skilled and distinguished Attorney, he is also a man of great compassion and integrity who truly cares about his clients.

Posted by John | September 11, 2018 | Employment & Labor

Smart, Objective, In-Depth Counsel

Michael evaluated my employment matter at great length, clearly explaining the various options and probabilities given case law. His advice was excellent and I feel more confident going forward. I'd highly recommend him as someone to discuss your wrongful termination situation with.

Posted by anonymous | April 29, 2016 | Hired Attorney | Employment & Labor

A top-notch lawyer lawyer you can ever ask for but so down to earth that won't intimidate you

Chances are you probably will not have a chance to look for an employment lawyer, but if you do, Mr. Michael Early is the best in SF Bay Area. He helped me through a legal battle with my ex-employer and got a compensation that I had nothing if I was on my own. He carefully inspected my side of story... and analyzed pro and con before we decide to go forward yet he was practical and realistic. If you were wrongfully terminated, talk to Michael, he maybe able to seek some justice for you, satisfaction and peace of mind guaranteed.

Posted by RC | April 21, 2015 | Employment & Labor

Superb Lawyer

Micheal Early is a superb lawyer! From the very beginning, I felt confident in selecting Micheal to represent me due to his ample experience in employment law. I greatly appreciated that throughout the duration of my case he kept me updated with any details or developments that would take place. The... results that Micheal achieved surpassed my expectations. I received a sense of justice and closure, which made me very fulfilled. As a content client, I truly recommend Micheal Early to anyone who is seeking employment legal assistance. I can ensure you that based on his experience and dedication to his work Micheal Early will be the best lawyer to make your desired outcome happen.

See All Client Reviews

Michael David Early's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Michael
Aryeh Leichter headshot
Aryeh Leichter

Employment and labor lawyer | Jul 01

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Steven Joseph Alves headshot
Steven Alves

Wrongful termination lawyer | Oct 15

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. His answers and other contributions to the Avvo community show his superior knowledge and expertise in employment law. Mr. Early is very well respected in the industry and his good reputation is well-earned."

Kevin Durrell Reese headshot
Kevin Reese

Employment and labor lawyer | Jun 19

Relationship: Co-worker

"I endorse this lawyer."

Joseph E Maloney headshot
Joseph Maloney

Employment and labor lawyer | May 06

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. His avvo responses show he is real-world experienced and wise."

Michael Charles Doland headshot
Michael Doland

Employment and labor lawyer | Mar 12

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I was shocked by the quality and utility of my colleagues singular answer on Avvo. Worth the price of a recommendation. Any client obtaining the services of my colleague should find themselves very well represent."

View All Endorsements

No Endorsement Data Available Yet
This attorney hasn't created any attorney endorsements recently on Avvo.

Experience

Rating:  9.8 (Superb)

Honors

2023

America's Top 100 Bet-The-Company Litigators, America's Top 100 Attorneys

2020

Top-Rated Lawyer 2020, Avvo

2020

America's Most Honored Lawyers-Top 5%, The American Registry

2019

Top 50 Settlements in California, TopVerdict

2019

Top-Rated Lawyer, Avvo

2019

America's Most Honored Professionals-Top 10%, The American Registry

2019

Top 10 Labor & Employment Settlements in California, TopVerdict

2018

Top-Rated Lawyer, Avvo

2018

America's Most Honored Professionals, The American Registry

2017

Top-Rated Lawyer, Avvo

2016

Top Contributor, Avvo

2011

"Go to" law firm, American Lawyer

2006

Northern California Super Lawyer, San Francisco Magazine

2005

Northern California Super Lawyer, San Francisco Magazine

2005

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

1983

cum laude, UC Hastings

Work Experience

2024 - Present

Of Counsel, Iezza & Hockel, P.C.

2007 - 2024

Of Counsel, Klein, Hockel Iezza & Patel, PC

1986 - 2007

Shareholder, Steefel, Levitt & Weiss

1983 - 1986

Associate, Sedgwick Detert Moran & Arnold

Associations

1983 - Present

Bar Association of San Francisco

1980 - Present

Stanford Alumni Association

1982 - 1983

Hastings Law Journal

Articles Editor

Sample of Legal Cases

John Doe v. Specialty Contractor Group

$1.2 million settlement

DelValle v. Menzies Aviation, Inc., et al. (2019)

$5.375 Million PAGA class settlement

Hofmann v. Board of Trustees of California State University (2017)

$450,000 wrongful termination settlement

Jane Doe v. Adoption Center (2016)

$400,000 defamation settlement

John Doe v. Doe Airline (2015)

$500,000 wrongful termination settlement

Stockton Citizens v. City of Stockton, 48 Cal.4th 481 (2010)

Plaintiff's CEQA challenge to client's project held to be untimely; Notice of Exemption commenced running of CEQA statute of limitations for purposes of challenging alleged flaws in the approval process.

Citizens to Enforce CEQA v. Rohnert Park, 131 Cal.App.4th 1594 (2005)

Plaintiff's suit to enjoin client's project dismissed

Credit Suisse v. Grunwald, 400 F.3d 1119 (9th Cir. 2005)

Case ordered to NASD (FINRA) arbitration and settled

O'Connor v. The Clorox Company, Eighth Circuit Docket No. 00-3856 (July 26, 2001)

Summary judgment granted; affirmed on appeal

Acequia, Inc. v. Prudential Insurance Co., 226 F.3d 798 (7th Cir. 2000) and 74 F.Supp.2d 792 (N.D. Ill. 1999)

Summary judgment for client granted; affirmed on appeal

Natomas Company v. Teichert Construction, Sacramento Superior Court

Jury verdict in favor of developer/client awarding all damages, costs and attorney's fees for total award in excess of $600,000

See More Legal Cases

Education

1983

University of California, Hastings College of the Law

JD - Juris Doctor

1980

Stanford Univ

BA - Bachelor of Arts

Speaking Engagements

2007

Glasser Annual Conference on Complex Litigation and Class Actions

Class Action Arbitration

2006

Covenants not to compete

Covenants not to compete in California

2005

Covenants not to compete

Covenants not to compete in California

Languages

French

Spanish

Activity

Top Contributor

Michael earned significant contribution points in 2016.

Avvo Rating

Our Rating is calculated using information the lawyer has included on their profile in addition to the information we collect from state bar associations and other organizations that license legal professionals. Attorneys who claim their profiles and provide Avvo with more information tend to have a higher rating than those who do not.

What determines Avvo Rating?
  • Experience & background Years licensed, work experience, education
  • Legal community recognition Peer endorsements, associations, awards
  • Legal thought leadership Publications, speaking engagements
  • Discipline Disciplinary information may not be comprehensive, or updated. We recommend that you always check a lawyer's disciplinary status with their respective state bar association before hiring them.
Avvo Rating Levels
10.0 - 9.0 Superb8.9 - 8.0 Excellent7.9 - 7.0 Very Good6.9 - 6.0 Good5.9 - 5.0 Average4.9 - 4.0 Concern3.9 - 3.0 Caution2.9 - 2.0 Strong Caution1.9 - 1.0 Extreme Caution