Introduction
Michelle was admitted to the California Bar in June, 1979. She is a full time mediator following a 30-year litigation career, handling business, insurance, personal injury, and all aspects of employment including ADA employment/access cases, FMLA/CFRA, ERISA, prevailing wage, labor code issues, PAGA, wage and hour class actions, and more. She received an "AV" rating and "Premier" status from Martindale-Hubbell Directory of Lawyers. Michelle is a member of ABOTA, a fellow of the College of Labor and Employment Lawyers, and a Distinguished Fellow of the International Academy of Mediators (IAM). She is a past President of the Orange County Bar Association (OCBA), past Chair of the California Employment Lawyers Association (CELA), and past Chair and lawyer representative (two terms) of the Central District Delegation to the Ninth Circuit Judicial Conference. She is a frequent author and speaker on employment, litigation and ADR issues. Michelle has also received many honors including “Top Gun Trial Lawyer of the Year”, Orange County Trial Lawyers, in both Employment and Business Litigation. She has also been recognized as one of The Daily Journal "Top 100 Most Influential Lawyers in California", "Top Female Litigators", “Top Labor and Employment Lawyers”, as well as one of “California’s Top 50 Neutrals”. She has been named as one of California’s “Super Lawyers,” 2004-2019, and was inducted into the Western State University College of Law Hall of Fame.
Specialties
Hobbies & Interests
Ms. Reinglass enjoys running, hiking, weightlifting, skiing, theater, reading, traveling and watching movies in her spare time.
Website
http://www.reinglassadr.com
Testimonials
Michelle was great at making my client at ease which helped open the door to understanding the downside of our case. She was
also tenacious in getting a settlement and when her mediator’s proposal failed she dived into the problem and saved the settlement.
- Attorney on an Employment Wrongful Termination Dispute
I really appreciate your hard work on this case. Speculation: I think your expertise and excellent reputation in the trial lawyer community was a driving force in the other room to get them to compromise. Personal Knowledge: Your compassion for the humans involved and analysis of the legal issues made a difference in getting to a compromised resolution. Thanks again. Great work!
- Attorney on an Employment Wage & Hour Dispute
I loved Michelle's down to earth personality and her ability to present facts/scenarios that are
negative to the client in a way that is matter of fact, but not condescending, so the client does not
feel attacked. It is one of the reasons I keep coming back to work with her.
- Attorney, Los Angeles County, CA
I have been practicing law for 34 years. I have been through numerous mediations during that time, with almost all of them involving employment cases. The biggest issues for my clients are they (1) want to be heard and (2) they need to be believed. When a mediator comes into the room and does not create an atmosphere where both of those things happen, it means the mediation is going to be really tough. I feel you did an excellent job of showing empathy and belief in my client’s story, and that was good. In the end, I think the failure of the mediation at your office was due to the fact it was early on and the defense was convinced we had no case. That had nothing to do with you. I appreciate the follow up you gave us, and again, it was mostly too early because the defense needed to be told the plaintiff had sufficient evidence to go to trial. Once they lost the SJ motion, the settlement happened quickly. I appreciate all your efforts and I would definitely use you again. Thanks for your hard work in this case.
- Attorney on an Employment/Discrimination Dispute
Michelle Reinglass did an amazing job mediating our recent employment case. Even though this was not a huge, high-dollar case - she was attentive, detailed, and helped work through every point to ensure that the matter settled for a result that both sides were comfortable with. Our client was appreciative of Ms. Reinglass's hard work and the important role that she played in helping her resolve her case.
- Attorney on an Employment Wrongful Termination/Discrimination Dispute
My clients and I thought she did an absolutely terrific job. She came highly recommended and I know why.
- Attorney on an Employment Disability Discrimination Dispute
Your persistence and patience was extraordinary, particularly in the face of some difficult personalities (me included). I've already sung your praises in that regard to some of my colleagues here, and I will be glad to keep you in mind for future cases. Thanks again!
- Attorney on an Employment Wrongful Termination Dispute
Your mediation services in this case were invaluable. One of the primary factors that I believe made you so effective with this case is that you thoroughly familiarized yourself with the facts and law related to this litigation. Your attention to detail challenged both parties to explore the strengths and weaknesses of our respective cases. You prepared myself and my client to take a sober, honest look at the situation. You consistently exemplify qualities that are the most important in any mediation, with this mediation being no different. You exhibited integrity, genuine interest in a fair resolution based upon the actual situation, and an ability to earn the trust of my client during the mediation and the following months. You are a very valuable gift the both the plaintiff's and the defense bar as a mediator, and you facilitated my client finding a practical and emotional resolution to this litigation. Thank you.
- Attorney on an Employment Sexual Harassment Dispute
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