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Michelle Ida Will
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About Michelle
Biography
After becoming one of the youngest graduates of Brooklyn Law School and the managing editor of her law school journal, Michelle Will began her legal career in civil law, conducting corporate mergers and acquisitions, and corporate restructuring under Chapter 11.
Ms. Will then turned her focus to criminal law and became a Deputy District Attorney for the County of San Bernardino. In this role, she prosecuted dozens of criminal trials, and successfully argued many different types of evidentiary hearings such as motions to dismiss, motions to suppress, felony preliminary hearings, etc… In addition, Michelle was effective in settling thousands of cases in their pre-trial stages. Michelle's caseload as a prosecutor covered a broad spectrum from misdemeanors to more serious felony matters. On a daily basis, Michelle's duties brought her in contact with other prosecutors and defense attorneys, judges, local police agencies, the Highway Patrol, investigators, criminalists, and many others involved in the criminal justice system. She earned a reputation as a fair, but tough trial prosecutor, with a high success rate in criminal jury trials to verdict.
Once she left the District Attorney's office, Ms. Will began using the winning skills she developed as a prosecutor towards developing a thriving criminal defense practice alongside her husband, Court Will. Ms. Will has been dedicated to understanding her clients' needs, defending and fighting for their rights for over 16 years now. She successfully defends against all types of misdemeanor and felony cases running the gamut from her focus on Domestic Violence accusations and Assaults to DUI's, Drug Cases and Simple Thefts to more serious crimes such as Aggravated Assaults, Weapons Related charges, Sex Crimes, Murder, and much more. Michelle Will is a top advocate for her clients.
Working Tirelessly To Ensure Our Clients Receive The Best Possible Outcome.
Practice Areas
3
Practice Areas
Criminal Defense
50%
8 years
Domestic Violence
25%
Sex Crime
25%
Fees and Rates
Cost
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
Licenses
Licensed in Washington for 11 years
State: Washington
Acquired: 2014
No misconduct found
Licensed in District of Columbia for 12 years
State: District of Columbia
Acquired: 2014
No misconduct found
Licensed in California for 24 years
State: California
Acquired: 2001
No misconduct found
Location
Gallery
Online Presence
Other places you can find Michelle online.
Michelle Ida Will's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
15 Client Reviews
Filter Avvo Reviews (15)
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Practice Areas
Showing 11 - 15 of 15 reviews
Posted by anonymous | July 22, 2015 | Criminal Defense
wholehearted recommendation
I hired Michelle in March 2015 for a felony charge against my son. By June she had gotten the charges dismissed. I found Michelle to be very responsive, speaking with me regarding my concerns and returning phone calls immediately. I am an attorney licensed for 35 years in 2 jurisdictions and was v...
Posted by Sarah | April 14, 2015 | Criminal Defense
Michelle really cares about her clients and fights for them!
Michelle is the best attorney I have ever met! I had another run-in with the law about 10 years ago and didn’t have a good experience with the lawyer I hired. Michelle is different. She really cared about me and my case and spent a lot of time talking through everything and letting me know what wa...
Posted by anonymous | January 29, 2015 | Criminal Defense
Will & Will gave my son a second chance at life
Mr. & Mrs. Will did an outstanding job for my son. I am a police officer so I am posting this anonymously for that reason. My son made an incredibly bad choice one night and found himself facing three felony battery charges (along with a few of his friends). The Will’s were referred to me by anoth...
Posted by Kate | August 19, 2014
Valuable and Knowledgeable
I endorse this lawyer. Mrs. Will is a valuable asset to the legal community. I have known her for some time and can attest to her legal knowledge and skills. She was there for me and my family during a very hard time and I have recommended her to others.
Posted by anonymous | December 24, 2024 | Criminal Defense
Manipulative
Michelle, was nice and knowledgeable on the phone. However she used some scared techniques. People shouldn’t be scared into paying $10-15k. Desperate people do desperate things and I’m not saying this firm won’t do their best for you. People call attorneys (especially this type of firm) not becau...
Michelle Ida Will's Lawyer Endorsements
"As an attorney that has done contract work for Michelle’s firm, I am consistently impressed with their level of communication, consistently happy clients, and focus on outstanding outcomes."
"I endorse this lawyer. Michelle is an excellent attorney with years of experience in criminal law. She is extremely competent and a zealous advocate for her clients. Anyone would be in very good hands with Michelle."
"I endorse this lawyer. I have worked with Michelle Will on both sides of the criminal table. What impresses me most is her determination, persistency and her compassion for her clients. She is extremely effective and gets great results. I would recommendation for any criminal case."
"She is professional and hard working. She cares about her clients. I endorse this lawyer."
"I first met Michelle when she was a District Attorney; I thought she was tough but reasonable. Now that she is a Defense Attorney her clients benefit from her experience as a District Attorney- she knows the system backwards and forwards ... and throwing out that you are a former DA never hurts in negotiations! I have seen her work and she gets great results for her clients. I would enthusiastically recommend her."
"I endorse this lawyer for anyone in need of top notch DUI or general criminal defense services."
"I endorse this lawyer. Michelle has a diverse background to her practice focus of criminal defense law. Her practical and life experiences will be beneficial to the clients she serves."
"I endorse Michelle Will without hesitation. I knew her as a Deputy District Attorney and saw her successfully transition into a tough, effective private defense lawyer. She gets excellent results for her clients! Michelle is a skilled litigator and zealous advocate. She works tirelessly for her clients which is why I recommend her if you need a great lawyer on your side."
"Michelle Will is a criminal defendant's dream come true. As a former prosecutor, she knows exactly how to counter the government's accusations. She's fearless, tenacious and eloquent. I highly recommend her as an advocate for those accused of crimes."
"I fully endorse this lawyer. I have know Michelle since she was prosecuting crimes in the District Attorney's Office in Southern California. I was estatic when she switched over to the defense side and she and her husband, Court, have been doing an incredible job defending the accused for years now."
"Michelle Will is a fantastic attorney. She has a passion for the law and works arduously to get great results for her clients. She is a seasoned trial attorney and skilled negotiator. I highly endorse Michelle!"
"I endorse this lawyer. I have known Michelle for many years and can confidently say that she is a zealous advocate for her client's rights. As a former prosecutor, Michelle knows the ins and outs of the legal system and does a excellent job at ensuring her clients get the best possible outcome in their cases. If you are thinking of hiring a criminal defense attorney, you will be in good hands with Michelle."
"I've known Michelle since she was a prosecutor in San Bernardino County, and later as a private defense lawyer. She's very smart, savvy, and she gets great results for her clients. I would endorse her for any kind of case, from DUI to murder."
Katherine Walsh
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William Bruzzo
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Experience
Honors
2022
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2020
Top 100 Trial Lawyers, National Trial Lawyers
2015
Top 100 Trial Lawyers, National Trial Lawyers
2015
Top 40 Under 40, National Trial Lawyers
2010
Super Lawyers Nomination, Thomson Reuters
2009
Top 40 Under 40 CEO, OC Metro Magazine
Work Experience
2014 - Present
Owner/Managing Partner, WILL & WILL, PLLC
2005 - 2013
Owner/Managing Partner, WILL & WILL, LLP
2002 - 2005
Deputy District Attorney, San Bernardino Couty D.A. Office
2000 - 2002
Associate, Levene Neale Bender Rankin & Brill
Associations
American Bar Association
Member
Orange County Bar Association
Member
National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
Member
Washington State Bar Association
Member
Sample of Legal Cases
People v. Julio
Classes to earn dismissal of all felony charges, mid-trial
People v. Marshall
No state prison time
People v. Martinez
Reduced to misdemeanor. Sentence suspended pending completion of counseling and other domestic violence terms.
Education
2000
Brooklyn Law School
JD - Juris Doctor
1997
State University of New York, Binghamton
BS - Bachelor of Science
N/A
New York University
Speaking Engagements
2010
Talk radio
Women in criminal law
2008
Talk Radio
Cross-over Cases: Criminal & Civil Law
2007
Talk Radio
Steps to defending a DUI
Publications
2009
OC Metro
Top 40 Under 40 - CEO Centerfold
Languages
English