Overall Rating
This is an aggregated review score of Avvo and Lawyers.com reviews.
This is an aggregated review score of Avvo and Lawyers.com reviews.
4.9 /5.0
39 Client Reviews
$ 450-500 per hour
About Michael
Biography
As a retired U.S. Marine Corps Officer with over 46 years of civil trial experience, the focus of my trial work has been on complex civil litigation, business litigation, employment litigation, family law, insurance and defense of professional licenses. I have tried over 40 jury trials to verdict and 30 court trials to judgment. From 2009 to 2014, I was in trial for more than 250 days alone.
As an expert witness in the areas of Attorney Ethics, Standard of Care and Fee Disputes, I have been qualified in several Superior Courts including Los Angeles County, Santa Clara County, and Kings County.
I am also available as a mediator, arbitrator, and a legal consultant.
Highly Experienced & Successful Trial Lawyer
Experience. Service. Results.
Experience. Service. Results.
Experience. Service. Results.
Experience. Service. Results.
Highly Experienced & Successful Trial Lawyer
Practice Areas
5
Practice Areas
Litigation
40%
50 years | 250 cases
Family
25%
50 years | 200 cases
Insurance
15%
50 years | 1,000 cases
Business
10%
38 years | 51 cases
Fees and Rates
Cost
Hourly Rates
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
Licenses
Licensed in California for 51 years
State: California
Acquired: 1974
No misconduct found
Location
O'Brien Watters & Davis LLP
(707) 544-2861
Fax
1550 Airport Blvd, Suite 201, Santa Rosa, CA, 95403
obrienlaw.com/our-team/michael-g-watters/Online Presence
Other places you can find Michael online.
Michael G. Watters's Reviews
Filter Avvo Reviews (27)
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Practice Areas
Lawsuits & Disputes (10)
Divorce & Separation (5)
Litigation (5)
Business (4)
Child Custody (4)
Real Estate (4)
Family (3)
Debt Collection (2)
Employment & Labor (2)
Personal Injury (2)
Alimony (1)
Arbitration (1)
Child Support (1)
Contracts & Agreements (1)
Insurance (1)
Landlord & Tenant (1)
Mediation (1)
Trusts (1)
Showing 1 - 4 of 4 reviews | Business
Posted by Janet | September 11, 2020 | Hired Attorney | Business
Mrs Janet emigh
I've known Mike for over 30 years as a business owner and have high praise for his expertise as an attorney for all of my legal needs.
Posted by Michelle | June 21, 2018 | Hired Attorney | Business
Mike is a lawyer that actually CARES about his clients!
We first met Mike Watters over twelve years ago, when we needed to hire a lawyer to represent our "personal" interests in a "corporate" lawsuit. Throughout that first experience, we worked side by side with Mike and watched him work his magic in every situation. The case settled prior to going...
Posted by Tom | March 16, 2016 | Hired Attorney | Business
Contact Mike Watters if you need a great litigator
Some years ago, I hired Mike Watters to represent me in a legal dispute involving another business. Mike and his colleagues were very clear and instructive during all aspects of the dispute. He counseled me on my alternatives, with both the pros and cons. Mike always maintained a positive, collabo...
Posted by Bruce | February 26, 2016 | Hired Attorney | Business
A review of Mike Watters
This review is a long time in coming. Mike Watters represented me in an arbitration of a dispute between the buyer & seller of a business I was involved in. His knowledge of my case and the law, as well as the preparation he and his team provided me was excellent. Mike’s handling of the depositio...
Michael G. Watters's Lawyer Endorsements
"The answers of Mr. Watters 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."
"Mr. Watters is a highly experienced and effective litigator who has a proven track record. I strongly endorse him."
"I endorse Michael. He is a highly skilled attorney that is well respected in the legal community."
"I highly endorse this lawyer."
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Experience
Honors
2023
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2022
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2021
AV Preeminent (1989 - 2021), Martindale-Hubbell®
2021
Gold Client Champion, Martindale-Hubbell®
2021
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2020
Super Lawyer (2007 - 2020), Super Lawyers
2020
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2019
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2019
Top Contributor, Avvo
2018
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2018
Client's Choice, Avvo
2017
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2016
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2015
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2014
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2014
Pro Bono Service Award, Sonoma County Bar Association
2013
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2012
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2011
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2010
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2009
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2008
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2007
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
Work Experience
1998 - Present
Managing Partner, O'Brien Watters & Davis, LLP
1990 - 2000
Law & Mediation Center Mediator, American Arbitration Association
1990 - 1992
Professor, Empire College Of Law
1982 - 2005
Founding Partner, O'Brien Watters & Davis, LLP
1980 - 1982
Partner, Spridgen, Barrett, Achor, Luckhardt, Anderson & James
1978 - 2000
Commercial Arbitration Panelist, American Arbitration Association
1975 - 1979
Associate, Spridgen, Barrett, Achor, Luckhardt, Anderson & James
1969 - 1971
1st Lieutenant, USMC
Associations
State Bar of California
Member
Sonoma County Bar Association
Member
Marin County Bar Association
Member
Napa County Bar Association
Member
American Bar Association
Member
Defense Research Institute
Member
United Way of Sonoma-Mendocino-Lake
Board of Directors
1993 - 1993
United Way of Sonoma-Mendocino-LakeChairman
1990 - 1990
United Way of Sonoma-Mendocino-LakeCampaign Chairman
Sample of Legal Cases
Bonfigli v. Strachan and Smith
Initial jury trial loss followed by successful appeal followed by successful jury retrial
IRMO Whitney
Win, upheld on appeal
Education
1974
University of California, Hastings College of the Law
JD - Juris Doctor
1968
Haas School of Business, University of California Berkeley
MBA - Master of Business Administration
1967
University of California - Berkeley
BS - Bachelor of Science
Speaking Engagements
2020
When Legal Documents are Destroyed
Documents
2016
How to Prepare to Take a Key Deposition
Depositions
2015
Deposition Objections
Deposition Objections
2014
The Top 20 Deposition Mistakes
Depositions
2011
Expert Witness Depositions: How to Take the Deposition of an Expert, Any Expert
Expert Witness Depositions
2011
Deposition Basics
Depositions
2006
Litigation Skills for Legal Staff in California
Litigation Skills fro Legal Staff
2001
Evidence? In Family Law?
Evidence
1997
Highlights Regarding Depositions
Depositions
1995
Master Deposition Demonstration
Depositions
1992
Experts
Expert Witnesses
Publications
2018
Sonoma County Bar Association
Defending Depositions (Deposition Objections)
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Answers
Q&A
What kind of area of law(yer) would I need to pursue a judgment award and possible lawsuit to get money owed from an unpaid debt
16 May 2021
Q&A
How to obtain right of way?
16 May 2021
Q&A
Can you avoid an evidentiary trial in a contested move away case with joint custody?
16 May 2021