Michael J. Terhar

Practice Areas: Aviation & Aerospace, Products Liability, Civil Litigation

Michael J. Terhar, Esq., serves as a partner at Cunningham Swaim, LLP, located in Pasadena, California. His legal practice primarily revolves around the intricate domain of civil litigation, focusing on personal injury and wrongful death defense. Mr. Terhar possesses considerable expertise in diverse areas, including aviation accidents, premises liability, product liability, wrongful death cases, and general liability matters, including discrimination cases.

Having obtained his California law license in 1979, Mr. Terhar is authorized to practice law in all California state courts. Additionally, he holds licenses to practice in various U.S. District Courts, including the Northern, Central, Southern, and Eastern Districts of California, as well as the Western District of Washington. Furthermore, he boasts admission to the Supreme Court of the United States.

Throughout his illustrious career, Mr. Terhar has played a pivotal role in numerous high-profile cases, providing legal representation to a diverse clientele, encompassing individuals, aircraft manufacturers, airlines, airports, aviation-related enterprises, and prominent companies within the entertainment industry. His unwavering commitment to excellence and ethical conduct has earned him the prestigious AV Preeminent peer-review rating, the highest accolade bestowed by Martindale-Hubbell, in recognition of his exceptional legal skills and ethical standards.

Beyond his professional commitments, Mr. Terhar actively engages with legal and professional communities. He is a valued member of esteemed organizations such as the Association of Southern California Defense Counsel, the State Bar of California, the American Bar Association, and the Defense Research Institute. Notably, he holds the distinction of being a founding fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America.

Furthermore, Mr. Terhar has been recognized for his outstanding contributions to the community, receiving community service awards from both the YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles and the North Valley YMCA. He has dedicated his time and expertise as a volunteer settlement officer and arbitrator for the Los Angeles Superior Court since 1994. His academic background includes a bachelor’s degree from the University of Washington and a juris doctor (J.D.) degree from Loyola Law School, Los Angeles.

Please note that AV®, AV Preeminent®, Martindale-Hubbell Distinguished, and Martindale-Hubbell Notable are certification marks employed under license in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards, and policies. The Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Rating™ process relies on the anonymous opinions of legal professionals and members of the judiciary, assessing both legal ability and general ethical standards.