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 - 4 of 4 reviews | Character & Conduct

Posted by Dan | March 05, 2025 | Hired Attorney | Wrongful Termination

HIGHLY RECOMMEND MICHAEL EARLY

I was turned down by three other attorneys first before I was fortunate to find and have Michael Early agree to be my attorney, for a wrongful determination case. Michael was great with me at taking the time to get all the accurate information needed by asking many questions, asking me for clarifi...cation when needed, and explaining to me what I needed to know throughout this whole process. Michael was very clear on what to expect and was great on keeping me informed on all communications. In my experience, Michael was very knowledgeable in the law regarding my case, hardworking, honest, fair, comfortable to talk with, a good listener, was always easy to contact when needed and most importantly, was able to get my case settled through Mediation. I Highly Recommend Michael Early! Thank You 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 Sara | May 23, 2019 | Hired Attorney | Lawsuits & Disputes

Simply...The BEST!

Michael Early was referred to me by a colleague...who couldn't even get a meeting with Michael! He is a fantastic attorney. He has so many years of experience, for both plaintiffs and defendants that he knows the game inside and out. When i began business with Michael in early 2018 I was completely c...onfused. I had been jaded, you could say, by another attorney so i was uneasy but open. Michael did his homework on my case, he understood the processes, walked me through it all, top to bottom, left to right, front to back, i mean he was thorough. he is smart, detailed, and is honest. he told me on a few occasions what it al boiled down too, and he kept it 100% real, even when it was not in his favor. That may have been my favorite quality of Michael as my attorney, he is so detailed and honest and really doesn't let anything get past him. I knew i made the right choice hiring Michael right away - our first phone call was supposed to be an hour... 2 hours phone call. never once did i feel out of the loop, like i didnt know what was going on or confused. He is an attorney who knows his stuff and got the job done... and better than i anticipated it could be done! Bravo, Michael! I can't thank you enough. If you ever have the unfortunate circumstance of having to hire an attorney, Micheal Early comes highly recommended and will not disappoint. he makes the experience as easy as it could be.

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.

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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."

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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

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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

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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