Jonathan Michaels

Practice areas

Personal Injury – Products: Plaintiff, Class Action/Mass Torts: Plaintiff

Focus areas

Motor Vehicle Defects

Jonathan Michaels has built an outstanding legal career since 1995, establishing a renowned law firm through his tenacity and expertise. He has become a nationally recognized attorney for high-stakes litigation against some of the world’s largest corporations.

Within the automotive industry, Michaels has crafted a distinctive practice by handling lawsuits against nearly every major global automaker, including GM, Audi, Maserati, Mitsubishi, FCA, Kia, Nissan, Honda, AM General, Isuzu, Toyota, Hyundai, Harley-Davidson, Ford, Acura, Tesla, Volvo, Volkswagen, Aston Martin, Land Rover, Mercedes, and Porsche. His impact on vehicle product liability law is unparalleled, marked by his bestselling book, “Automotive 101: The Car Industry Exposed,” and landmark automotive class action cases that led to significant outcomes, including congressional hearings, Department of Justice investigations, billion-dollar settlements, and massive vehicle recalls.

Michaels’ accomplishments have garnered widespread media attention, with features in The New York Times, Reuters, Fortune, USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, as well as appearances on CBS Evening News and ABC Evening News.

Additionally, Michaels has excelled in structuring complex business transactions. Notably, he played a pivotal role in taking Saleen Automotive public in 2013, and he has structured international distribution agreements, supply-chain contracts, and automotive dealer networks. He has also been involved in organizing race teams that have participated in prestigious events like the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the Indianapolis 500.

His professional achievements have earned him the esteemed “Super Lawyers” award every year since 2012, a recognition bestowed upon no more than 5 percent of lawyers in the state. Michaels has also authored over 100 articles for the distinguished Los Angeles Daily Journal, setting a historic record dating back to 1880. In 2015, he earned a Pulitzer Prize in Journalism nomination for his impactful work on the GM ignition switch recall.

Beyond his legal career, Michaels maintains close ties with the academic world, frequently speaking at law schools and business schools on effective litigation strategies. In 2012, he was honored with the “Attorney of the Year” title by his law school alma mater.

This exceptional trajectory stems from Michaels’ strong academic foundation. He graduated from the USC Marshall School of Business in 1992 and subsequently completed his legal education at Whittier Law School, where he graduated in the top 4 percent of his class. During law school, he served as the Notes and Comments Editor of Law Review, participated in national Moot Court Honors Board competitions, and published a winning Law Review article now housed in the U.S. Library of Congress.

Jonathan Michaels is an esteemed member of the California, Colorado, and Michigan state bars and remains actively engaged in the Southern California community. He takes pride in being a dedicated father to his two sons, Jake and Dean.