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.
Practice Areas
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
"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
"It was a pleasure working with you. You were very knowledgeable in employment laws and had a unique and effective approach. You did not give up and were persistent until you got the case settled. you gained our client's trust quickly and established a positive rapport with her. We look forward to working with you again."
- Attorney on an Employment Wrongful Termination Dispute
"You clearly had not only read the position statements, but had absorbed them. It certainly served you well in dealing with our client and having them understand finding the fault lines of a case is often a murky business. I particularly appreciated the patience and empathy shown with the regional executives who attented the mediation with me. "
- Attorney on a Whistleblower Matter
"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 thought Michelle did a great job on this case. The settlement in this case was fair. I thought she did a great job establishing trust and rapport with my client, which,
of course, is very important. I think the most important things in any case are knowing the relevant facts and law, and clearly and simply articulating to the parties the
strengths and weaknesses of their case; that's what I try to do in communicating with my client before a mediation, and she does that very well."
- Attorney on an Employment Sexual Harassment Dispute
"Michelle always builds great rapport with the clients and takes the time to fully hear them."
- Attorney on a Personal Injury Sexual Assault Dispute
"Determined creative ways to bring the parties closer together, ultimately ending in a settlement."
- Attorney on an Employment Discrimination Matter
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