Michael Douglass is an experienced trial attorney with a diverse civil litigation practice in California and Arizona state and federal courts. Michael focuses on the defense of corporate and municipal clients in complex, high-exposure general liability claims, as well as in professional, employment and municipal liability matters. He has tried cases to verdict in California and Arizona and also has successfully argued before the California Court of Appeal, most recently in a malicious prosecution case that resulted in a reported decision [Paiva v. Nichols, (2008) 168 Cal.App.4th 1007].
Responsiveness and cost-efficiency are hallmarks of Michael’s practice. He is accessible to clients at all times and is a member of several Wilson Elser emergency response teams that provide 24/7 on-site assistance with catastrophic events. Michael also is a proponent and frequent user of mediation and informal settlement negotiations with opposing counsel as a means to reduce clients’ litigation costs.
Prior to joining the firm in 2005, Michael was in-house managing attorney for the San Francisco, CA, and San Jose, CA, staff counsel offices of Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company. He participates in various diversity initiatives at the firm and in the business community, most recently serving on the planning committee for Defense Research Institute’s annual diversity conference.
