Michelle Trigger

Michelle Trigger

3.4
Rating: 5.1

Licensed for 13 years

Criminal defense Lawyer at Roseville, CA
Practice Areas: Criminal Defense, Family, Expungement ... +2 more

2007 Opportunity Drive,, Suite 12, Roseville, CA

About Michelle

Biography

Practice Areas

5

Practice Areas

Criminal Defense 50%

Trigger Law handles most misdemeanor and felony crimes, including DUI, Domestic Violence, Firearm Possession, Drug Possession and Sales, Burglary, Robbery, Theft, Assault/Battery, Resisting Arrest, Child Abuse/Endangerment, and many others.

14 years

50%
Family 20%

(Limited availability for new clients) Trigger Law handles divorce, child custody, visitation, child support, spousal support/alimony, grandparent rights, and guardianship.

14 years

20%
Domestic Violence 10%

Whether you need to file a Domestic Violence Restraining Order or need assistance in defending against one, we can help. We also offer services for Civil Harassment and Workplace Restraining Orders.

14 years

10%
Expungement 10%

Past case haunting you? We handle expungements for both misdemeanor and felony crimes, as well as early probation termination, firearms rights restoration, and reductions from misdemeanors to felonies and formal probation to informal probation.

14 years

10%
Speeding and Traffic Ticket 10%

Even a traffic ticket can have major implications on your life, especially if you are a commercial driver or hope to obtain your commercial license. We can help you with speeding, red ticket, stop sign, carpool lane, and other traffic infractions.

14 years

10%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Free Consultation

$0 first 15 minutes


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check
  • Credit Card

Looking for an attorney? Avvo can help.

search module image

Search our directory

Quickly connect with top attorneys through our legal directory to get help with your legal issue.

chat module image

Avvo's live chat agents can help coordinate a consultation with a local attorney.

Chat with a live agent who can match you with the right attorney for your legal needs.

Chat with

Licenses

Licensed in California for 13 years

State: California

Acquired: 2012

Active

Lawyer disciplined by state licensing authority in 2024

Location

Trigger Law Office

2007 Opportunity Drive,, Suite 12, Roseville, CA, 95678

Ad

Transform legal challenges into solutions.

Connect now to review your situation.

The Avvo Rating explained

display-bg

The Avvo Rating explained

Michelle Trigger's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

3.4 /5.0

10 Client Reviews

5 star (6)
4 star (0)
3 star (0)
2 star (0)
1 star (4)

Posted by Nikki | September 29, 2025 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Do NOT recommend this lawyer!

Not sure why or how my previous review was deleted….. I 100% do NOT recommend this attorney; she destroyed my custody case against my ex who assaulted me. I highly recommend you check on the State Bar website (link below) and also do some research in the Placer and Sacramento Courts to see othe...r complaints/cases against this attorney. Ms. Trigger has also evaded service of my lawsuit against her for many months to where the Sheriffs can no longer waste their time at useless attempts. Reach out if you need help filing a complaint against her. https://discipline.calbar.ca.gov/portal/DocumentViewer/DownloadDocumentFile/Download?d=Etp4MbsbjLrut4-vZzdWQg2&c=SFH-d-LH1TxRTjaIyOLDgQ2&l=8LfIVvaSeDHZzJ7o0F5wqw2&cn=ZhAshRAvXNLfxSZ-jaKcCw2&fileName=SBC-23-O-30408%20-%20Notice%20of%20Disciplinary%20Charges&docTypeId=268&isVersionId=False

Michelle Trigger

Replied last September 30, 2025

One reason I am so effective and caring when it comes to my representation is because I have been through hardship. I understand on a personal level what it means to be going through the most difficult time of your life. My fiancé (and office assistant) passed away in 2021. It was unexpected. My best friend passed away a short time later. I spoke at both of their funerals. I did not have the support I needed. I did my best, but it was far from my best. Sadly the client who writes this review is someone who came out of the woodwork and used it to her advantage. Her custody case was never ruined. She actually had full custody as a result of my work. She blamed typographical errors at one point when the court awarded the father some semblance of custody. She wanted the father completely and utterly alienated and would accept nothing less. She would illegally record, file false police reports, and become enraged if I did not answer immediately. She alleges that multiple law enforcement agencies, the judge, myself, and the child's father have all conspired to make sure she only has primary custody and not sole custody. I did not have the effort to respond to her complaint. I stipulated to everything and paid everything. She claims I have avoided service but I have literally begged her to meet with me and provide me her supposed paperwork and allow me to provide her paperwork as well, but she declines each time. The Sheriff's Office does not execute service because they are tired of her like everyone else. She capitalized on my grief and blamed me for the court awarding the father some custody. It's been well over 5 years and I can assure you her child's father having some custody has absolutely nothing to do with me or what I did or did not do. She has stalked my office, home, and gym. She contacts my clients, she frequently leaves false reviews, she sends me threatening social media messages, the list goes on. My heart breaks for her. Given what I endured, I have learned to extend an immense amount of compassion and understanding. I wish nothing but the best for her. I just hope she finds peace so that her focal point can be her children--not me. Please feel free to give me a call or shoot me an email for recent and detailed case results. I'm sure you will know within moments I am not only effective, but I care. If your child's mother is like "Nikki" and just won't stop harassing you after 5 years, I'm probably the lawyer for you.

Posted by Edward | April 5, 2025 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Had to sue this lawyer

Lawyer that has been disciplined by the State Bar previously. Still being incredibly negligent on cases. Never provided me with evidence from the opposing side so I could help build a case against it. She never provided me with a way to get evidence to her that I had. I'm currently suing her for the ...exact same problems she's been sanctioned for in the past. Beware.

Posted by kareem | May 27, 2023 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Beware of this attorney

Beware of this Lawyer , I ran into her at the Center for fathers and family , Which is a program to help fathers with fatherhood , Michelle was there giving lower priced family lawyer services . I thought everything was great until my first cvourt date , I was late , just as my childs mother had been... or not arrived b4 but her lawyer stepped in for her , Michelle did not even bother to show up to court she claimed to have had a rep there in her place but he did not step up on my behalf or even bother to give me a call and he would have found out I was twenty minutes away , But the case was called which lead to me losing my rights . I take my part for bieng late but this is the start , this women openly admitted to me that she within a six month time frame did not have time to look over my case . I lost my case on a technicality , Basically I hired her For Trial , when I missed that court date , I lost my rights and only had six months to file an appeal , I didint know that which is why I had hired her as a lwayer to know the things i dont know . But instead of filling a apeal I was going back and forth to court and mediation for over a year and a half just to be told in court that the apeal time had ended over a year ago . so we had been going back and fourth to court and mediation 3 or 4 times over a year and a half just to get told that I had lost all rights when I did not appeal almost a year prior , I should mention that I was in trial for a case that a judge had already made a ruling on in a prior case but she never looked at my prior cases to evenn know that , and thats her own words "i didint hve time" . Not to mention one of the reasons we where back and fourth to court and mediation so many times within that year and a half period is because Michelle Trigger emailed service to my child's mom instead of mailing it or in person which the judge stated in open court , so he gave us another court date which sent us back into mediation and then back to court by the time i got back into court the six month apeal time had passed . time passed and I wrote reviews about Michelle , first she threatened to sue me then she said it was a misunderstanding and said she would take my cae for free , even though I had already paid her , this turned out to be a strategic move to get to to remove my reviews as she never did anything or submitted anything into court on my behalf , which was critical because at the time my daughters mom was incarcerated which gave nme the perfect opportunity toi get custody . In the hands of my childs mom one child , my son has been killed and she now has 6 CPS cases with my daughter , and continues to do drugs . I thought as a woman and as A family lawyer this would be Michelles biggest concern , getting a child out of harms way and also undoing her wrong in bieng negligent in my first case , but she never submitted one document in over six months , I begged and pleaded with this women to just respond and she ignored me for months . AGAIN BUYER BEWARE

Michelle Trigger

Replied last September 30, 2025

I teach at the Center for Fathers and Families. I do this pro bono. Most of the gentlemen who participate are wonderful. They are engaged, dedicated, and grateful. I do not offer "lower priced services" in my classes and most certainly do not teach to gain clients. I volunteer and if someone needs assistance beyond my class, on a case-by-case basis I'm willing to assist. I do generally in such circumstances provide a steep discount because I am committed to helping my class participants. I believed this client had made progress. I truly did. Despite multiple restraining orders and criminal cases, I believed he was reformed and agreed to assist him at his hearing. He failed to appear. He says he was "late." He was not late--he just didn't show. I had taken off my whole day to assist him. He became enraged that I would not do his appeal for free. Even after explaining that an appeal is not the appropriate vehicle, he remained angry. He engaged in multiple threats. He even sent his boyfriend to threaten me at my office. I wish him the best.

Posted by Roo | January 29, 2021 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

I love Trigger law

I simply love Michelle Trigger she will get the job done professionally in or out of court, she knows what she's doing and I would strongly recommend her to anyone who needs the job done she helped me with my custody case and I won that case and now I have my daughter in my care safe and sound and I... am very happy with the end result thanks to Michelle trigger for all her hard work

Posted by Amber | November 24, 2019 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Michelle is an outstanding Attorney

Michelle is great at what she does. I highly recommend hiring her as your Attorney. A friend recommended me contacting Michelle for a second opinion about my case. When the Public Defender given to me almost had me convinced pleading guilty would be a good decision since it was an older case. Well I ...was looking at a DUI , Driving on suspension, position an multiple other counts. Number one I WASN’T driving an yes I did have drugs on me Bt. Since then I can say I’m 3 yrs sober a Leader in Celebrate Recovery an I work at a pharmacy. My life has changed completely I wasn’t guilty. For the things I was guilty of I was no longer that person. Once I contacted Mrs Trigger she told me from the gate Never plead guilty to a crime never committed 5 years ago or anytime. Long story short we went in with confidence an a plan. With Michelle’s knowledge of the law an skills ALL counts against me have been dropped. Hiring Michelle was the best decision I could have made. She’s an amazing person an again great at what she does . Definitely worth hiring She will fight by your side until the end. Thank you Trigger law!!

See All Client Reviews

Michelle Trigger's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Michelle
Sasha Faryar Ganji headshot
Sasha Ganji

Family lawyer | Jun 12

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"Ms. Trigger is very professional and a pleasure to work with. She is knowledgeable and presses for her clients' best interests. Highly recommended!"

Patrick Ryan Blood headshot
Patrick Blood

General practice lawyer | Jan 25

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"As a practicing attorney myself, I commend Mrs. Trigger's unwavering dedication to her clients and her zealous representation that everyone should receive. Mrs. Trigger is one of those attorneys that I suspect the other side never would want to go against: her eloquence and attention to detail are unparalleled and she is an awesome advocate for her clients. I would have zero hesitation to referring clients to Michelle."

Leslie Renae Ramos headshot
Leslie Ramos

Family lawyer | Apr 17

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. She is very knowledgeable and experienced, and she cares."

Matthew Bradley Rosenthal headshot
Matthew Rosenthal

Family lawyer | Jan 22

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"I have found Michelle to be a knowledgeable and zealous advocate for her clients. She knows the ins and outs of family law. She would be an excellent choice for prospective clients looking for an attorney."

Shelby Nicole Alberts headshot
Shelby Alberts

Criminal defense lawyer | Dec 12

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

John Joseph Casey III headshot
John Casey

Unknown lawyer | May 12

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I have had the opportunity to both supervise Michelle's work as well as work along side Michelle. She is a bright enthusiastic attorney who works tirelessly to make sure her client's get the best results possible."

Brett Daniel Yorke headshot
Brett Yorke

Criminal defense lawyer | Dec 02

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Michelle is tenacious, dedicated, and obtains great results for her clients."

Hendrick Stevens Crowell II headshot
Hendrick Crowell

Criminal defense lawyer | Oct 10

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I endorse this lawyer."

View All Endorsements
Kenton D. Trigger headshot
Kenton Trigger

Workers compensation lawyer

Sasha Faryar Ganji headshot
Sasha Ganji

Divorce and separation lawyer

Christina Elizabeth Cortino headshot
Christina Cortino

Environmental and natural resources lawyer

Brett Daniel Yorke headshot
Brett Yorke

Litigation lawyer

Hendrick Stevens Crowell II headshot
Hendrick Crowell

Criminal defense lawyer

Experience

Rating:  5.1 (Average)

Professional misconduct

This lawyer was disciplined by a state licensing authority in 2024.

Discipline, Probation; no Actual Suspension issued in CA, 2024

updated on 05/21/2024

This sanction means the attorney had a suspension placed on hold (and ultimately removed) by complying with certain requirements.

Work Experience

2013 - Present

Owner, Trigger Law Office

2012 - 2013

Attorney, Law Offices of John J. Casey

2011 - 2012

Certified Legal Intern, Sacramento County Conflict Criminal Defenders

2010 - 2011

Certified Legal Intern, Sacramento County District Attorney's Office

Education

2012

McGeorge School of Law, University of the Pacific

Juris Doctor

2009

California State University, Chico

Bachelor of Arts

Speaking Engagements

2013

Class Lecture

Overview of Family Law

Languages

English

Activity

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
    This lawyer was disciplined by a state licensing authority in 2024
    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