Jonathan Michaels

MLG Attorneys at Law

I was born and raised in Pasadena, California. I graduated from USC business school in 1992 and from Whittier Law School, summa cum laude, in 1995. I joined a mid-size business litigation firm headquartered in Orange County in 1995 and became a partner in 2001. When I joined the firm, I started developing a practice area in the automotive space. I had grown up around cars and recognized that the automotive space was underserved by professionals who understood the industry. In 2006, as an adjunct to the law practice, I opened a high-end collector car dealership in Orange County. For the first 20 years, most of my legal focus was representing car dealers against automotive manufacturers in large franchise disputes. However, in the mid-2010s, I narrowed my focus to representing consumers who had suffered catastrophic injuries from an automotive defect. I have now litigated cases against nearly every major automotive manufacturer in the world, 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.

Jonathan Michaels

Litigating the Autopilot Case

In virtually every vehicle crash case that now comes across your desk, a new question has arisen: who was driving the car? It is no longer sufficient to consider only whether the crash was caused by your client or the other driver. AI technologies and autopilot systems have introduced an entirely new way of looking at vehicle collisions, and with this new comes new theories of liability and new, well-funded parties who can satisfy claims.

In this talk, we will explore when a vehicle manufacturer may be responsible for causing the crash, and how to identify the potential liability. We will also discuss how to litigate the autopilot case, with particular focus on preparing the complaint, conducting discovery, and retaining experts.

With this lecture, you will learn when a claim may exist against a car company, and how to litigate the claim. You will also see how bringing in a vehicle manufacturer as a defendant can change the entire financial landscape of recovery. As technology advances and autopilot systems become commonplace, having a firm understanding of how these systems work can prove vitally important in achieving full justice for your client.

Jonathan Michaels

Cross Examination of the Defense Expert

In a hotly contested liability case, success or failure can come down to the strength of the defense experts. These experts can be skilled, polished, and believable – and if not controlled, your biggest problem in the case.

In this interactive session, you will learn how to take on the defense expert with effective techniques that will expose their bias and undermine their credibility. Using a real-life case file, you will practice cross-examining a seasoned defense expert in a supportive educational environment, where constructive feedback will be provided. You will learn from your own experiences, as well as from watching others perform the same tasks.

Some of the techniques you will learn include:

Calling the defense expert in your case in chief
Using deposition video clips
Negative space
Demeanor and physicality
Using the Elmo and roadmaps
Trapping questions

Prior to the event, participants will be required to attend a Zoom meeting, where the case file will be shared, and relationships will be formed. The goal of the program is to give you a roadmap for success in taking on one of the most challenging parts of a trial.