Shirley Watkins & Elizabeth Hernandez to Speak at Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles

Michels & Watkins Senior Litigator Shirley Watkins will speak at the upcoming seminar, “Jury Selection for Any Court Venue” presented by the Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles (CAALA) on Wednesday April 24 at the CAALA Conference Center from 6:00 – 8:45 p.m. Elizabeth Hernandez, associate with Michels & Watkins, will moderate the session. 

Michels & Watkins Recognized as U.S. News - Best Lawyers® "Best Law Firms"

Law Offices of Michels & Watkins has been ranked as one of the "Best Law Firms" in the 2013 edition of U.S. News - Best Lawyers^® in the Tier 1 metropolitan rankings for Los Angeles Medical Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs and Tier 1 national rankings for Medical Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs.

U.S. News - Best Lawyers "Best Law Firms" rankings are based on a rigorous evaluation process that includes collection of client and lawyer evaluations, peer reviews from leading attorneys in their field and additional information provided by law firms.

Michels & Watkins Attorneys Named to The Best Lawyers in America® 2013 List

Michels & Watkins Principal Philip Michels and Attorney Shirley Watkins were selected by their peers for inclusion in the 2013 edition of The Best Lawyers in America (Copyright 2012 by Woodward/White, Inc., of Aiken, SC). Mr. Michels was recognized in the fields of Medical Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs, Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants and Professional Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs. Ms. Watkins was recognized in the field of Medical Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs.

Best Lawyers is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey in which more than 36,000 leading attorneys cast almost 4.4 million votes on the legal abilities of other lawyers in their practice areas, and because lawyers are not required or allowed to pay a fee to be listed, inclusion in Best Lawyers is considered a singular honor. Corporate Counsel magazine has called Best Lawyers "the most respected referral list of attorneys in practice."

Philip Michels, Shirley Watkins, Steve Stevens and Elizabeth Hernandez to Speak at CAALA's 30th Anni

Principal Philip Michels and Attorneys Shirley K. Watkins, Steve B. Stevens and Elizabeth A. Hernandez will speak on panels at the upcoming 30^th Anniversary Las Vegas Convention of the Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles (CAALA), held on September 6-9, 2012.

Ms. Watkins will present a talk titled, "Streamlining Your Practice Using Case Management Software" on moderator Jeffrey Rudman's Technology panel during the 3:00 PM - 6:15 PM afternoon sessions on Thursday, September 6^th.

Ms. Hernandez will present a talk on the "Pre-Litigation Client Preparation" session discussing how to handle your client's expectations on September 6^th from 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM.

Mr. Stevens will serve on the "Liens" panel discussing Medi-Cal, hospital and government liens: strategy and resolution on September 7^th from 1:45 PM - 5:00 PM.

On Saturday, September 8^th, Mr. Michels will share a presentation on "Effective Strategies for Deposing Doctors & Other Medical Professionals" on moderator Ronnivashti Whitehead's Effective Proof of Medical Damages panel, taking place during the morning sessions from 9:00 AM - 12:15 PM.

CAALA is the nation's largest trial lawyer convention.

2011 CAALA President Philip Michels to Welcome in 2012 President at 63rd Annual Installation & A

2011 Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles (CAALA) President Philip Michels will pass on his title at CAALA's 63rd Annual Installation & Awards Dinner being held at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills, California, on January 21, 2012 from 5:30 - 11:00 pm. After a successful year as president, Mr. Michels will turn over control to the 2012 CAALA president, Michael Alder. Notable accomplishments spearheaded by Mr. Michels during his tenure include an increase in new membership by nearly 50 percent, the introduction of the new lawyers' program, a record-breaking turnout at the annual Las Vegas convention, and a significant increase in CAALA revenue.

CAALA is the nation's largest local association of plaintiffs' attorneys.

Philip Michels Speaks at Consumer Attorneys of California 50th Annual Convention

Philip Michels, Principal of Michels & Watkins, led a panel at the Consumer Attorneys of California (CAOC) 50^th Annual Convention, held on Saturday, November 12, 2011 at the Palace Hotel in San Francisco, California. The panel, "Electronic Medical Records - Do You Have The Whole Story?" discussed the use of electronic medical records in litigation, including discovery, input errors and special issues.

CAOC is an organization of more than 3,000 attorneys who represent plaintiffs and consumers seeking responsibility from wrongdoers.

Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles (CAALA) President Philip Michels Hosts Town Hall Meeti

CAALA President Philip Michels hosted the annual Town Hall Meeting at the Las Vegas Convention on September 9, 2011 from 12:30pm -1:30pm. The keynote speaker was Carolyn Kuhl, Presiding Judge of the Civil Division of the Los Angeles Superior Court. Other speakers included: Gary Paul, President of the American Association of Justice and John Montevideo, President of Consumer Attorneys of California. The 2011 Town Hall Meeting discussed state and national legislative issues, budget cutbacks and the impact on the civil justice system.

CAALA is the nation's largest local association of plaintiffs' attorneys.

Shirley Watkins Speaks at Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles (CAALA) 29th Annual Conventi

Shirley Watkins participated on a panel at the CAALA 29^th Annual Convention held in Las Vegas on September 8-11, 2011. On the panel titled "Depositions," Ms. Watkins explained how to prepare depositions with a focus on deposing Persons Most Knowledgeable (PMK), appointed by Corporations and Government agencies to testify on their behalf, and Custodians of Records, individuals who oversee all requests for medical records maintained by the Health Care Agency.

CAALA is the nation's largest local association of plaintiffs' attorneys.

Steven Stevens Speaks at Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles (CAALA) 29th Annual Conventio

Steven Stevens participated on a panel at the CAALA 29^th Annual Convention held in Las Vegas on September 8-11, 2011. On the panel titled "Liens," Mr. Stevens explored the pertinent aspects of Medi-Cal liens, medical bills that are paid from funds recovered for an injury, and Ahlborn, a holding which prohibits reimbursement for Medicaid costs intended to cover medical expenses such as pain and suffering and wage loss.

CAALA is the nation's largest local association of plaintiffs' attorneys.

Philip Michels, 2011 President of the Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles (CAALA) and the

From left to right: Philip Michels, Helene Bizar, Dr. Bradford S. Davis, M.D. and Shirley Watkins.

Philip Michels, Shirley Watkins and Steven Stevens Speak at Consumer Attorneys Association of Los An

Philip Michels, Shirley Watkins and Steven Stevens participated on panels at the Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles (CAALA) 28^th Annual Convention held in Las Vegas. On the panel titled "Malpractice Cases," Mr. Michels, who is also president-elect of CAALA, discussed the development and resolution of medical malpractice cases. On the "Discovery" panel, Ms. Watkins explained how to prepare and defend plaintiff depositions. In the "Specialty Credits" session, Mr. Stevens discussed Medi-Cal and other government liens.

CAALA is the nation's largest local association of plaintiffs' attorneys.