Michelle A. Reinglass
Top rated Alternative Dispute Resolution attorney in Aliso Viejo, California
ADR Office of Michelle A. Reinglass and Judicate West
Practice Areas: Alternative Dispute Resolution; view more
Licensed in California since: 1979
Education: Western State University College of Law
Selected to Super Lawyers: 2004 - 2025 Call today:
949-243-7606
ADR Office of Michelle A. Reinglass and Judicate West
120 Vantis DriveSuite 300
Aliso Viejo, CA 92656 Visit website
Details
The founding attorney at the ADR Office of Michelle A. Reinglass in Aliso Viejo, California, Michelle A. Reinglass serves clients in Orange County, Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego and throughout Southern California. She serves exclusively as a mediator and arbitrator, focusing her practice on employment law.
With 40-plus years of experience, Ms. Reinglass has handled all kinds of employment law cases, including discrimination, harassment, retaliation, termination, wage and hour, and business and injury matters using alternative dispute resolution (ADR). She is widely recognized for her work in this field and lectures regularly across various platforms. In addition, she has authored and co-authored many articles on ADR methods in several journals and magazines, including The Advocate, CAALA Advocate magazine and the Los Angeles Daily Journal, to name a few.
Ms. Reinglass is a graduate of the University of California, Irvine, receiving her Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics in 1975. She later obtained her Juris Doctor from the Western State College of Law in 1978. She was licensed to practice in California in 1979 and is admitted to practice before the U.S. District Courts for the Central and Southern Districts of California, as well as the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit.
Professionally affiliated with prominent legal organizations, Ms. Reinglass is a member of:
- The State Bar of California
- The Los Angeles County Bar Association
- The Consumer Attorneys of Los Angeles
- The International Academy of Mediators (Distinguished Fellow)
- The Southern California Mediation Association
- The College of Labor & Employment Lawyers
- The American Board of Trial Advocates, Orange County Chapter
- The Advisory Committee for the Federal Court Civil Justice Reform Act
Ms. Reinglass has been recognized and honored for her work in the legal field, including being named Lawyer of the Year by Best Lawyers on numerous occasions for mediation, arbitration and employment law. She is rated “Superb” on Avvo, and she has also been listed in The Best Lawyers in America since 2001. Additionally, she has received the Top Gun award for employment and business litigation from the Orange County Trial Lawyers Association. She has also received an AV Preeminent* peer-review rating through Martindale-Hubbell.
*AV®, AV Preeminent®, Martindale-Hubbell Distinguished and Martindale-Hubbell Notable are certification marks used under license in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies. Martindale-Hubbell® is the facilitator of a peer-review rating process. Ratings reflect the anonymous opinions of members of the bar and the judiciary. Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Ratings™ fall into two categories – legal ability and general ethical standards.
Practice areas
Alternative Dispute ResolutionFocus areas
Mediation
- 100% Alternative Dispute Resolution
First Admitted: 1979, California
Professional Webpage: https://www.reinglassadr.com/bio
Honors/Awards:
- Listed in The Best Lawyers in America©, 2001-2023
- Inducted into the Western State University College of Law Hall of Fame, 1993
- Recognized as one of the “Top 10 Women in Orange County Who Make a Difference” by Orange County Metropolitan Magazine, 1994
- Named “Boss of the Year” by Newport/Santa Ana Legal Secretaries Association, 1994
- Orange County Trial Lawyers Association, Business Trial Lawyer of Year, 1995
- Orange County Women Lawyers Association, Lawyer of Year, 1996
- Anti-Defamation League’s Jurisprudence Award, 1997
- Named by The Daily Journal as one of the "Top 100 Most Influential Lawyers in California," 2001
- Orange County Trial Lawyers Association, Employment Trial Lawyer of the Year, 2004
- American Association of University Women "Women of Achievement Award," 2005
- Inducted as a Distinguished Fellow in The College of Labor and Employment Lawyers, 2006
- Named by the Daily Journal as one the "Top Female Litigators," 2002-2005, 2009
- Named as one of the Top 100 Southern California Super Lawyers, 2007-2010
- Named by the Daily Journal as one of the “Top Labor & Employment Lawyers”, 2009-2010
- Named as one of the Top 50 Women Southern California Super Lawyers, 2005-2013
- Named as one of the Top 50 Orange County Super Lawyers, 2005-2013
- Named by the Daily Journal as one of California’s Top 50 Neutrals, 2012, 2013
- Inducted as a Distinguished Fellow of the International Academy of Mediators, 2013
- Honored by WISEPlace Women’s Shelter with the Lukens Legacy Award, 2017
- Named the Best Lawyers® 2012, 2016, and 2018 Employment Law - Individuals “Lawyer of the Year” in Orange County
- Named the Best Lawyers® 2020 Mediation “Lawyer of the Year” in Orange County
- Named the Best Lawyers® 2019 and 2021 Arbitration “Lawyer of the Year” in Orange County
- Named as WISEPlace Women’s Shelter Volunteer of the Year, Inspiring Individual, 2021
- “AV” rated by Martindale-Hubbell Directory of Lawyers, including being awarded “Premier” status
- WWL Thought Leader – USA – Commercial Mediation 2023
- Selected to the Southern California Super Lawyers list, 2004-2023
- Named a Tier 1 firm in Orange County for Employment Law – Individuals by U.S. News – Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms”, 2010-2023
Scholarly Lectures/Writings:
- Women’s History Month Film Festival, Film Presentation of Hidden Figures, a film about three women at NASA who instrumental in the launch of astronaut John Glenn into orbit. Panelist, March 29, 2023; Women’s History Month Film Festival, Film Presentation of She Said, a film based on the New York Times Investigation exposing the silence around the subject of sexual assault in Hollywood. Speaker, March 22, 2023; International Academy of Mediators (IAM), Webinar, on “Discover Your Life in Balance”: Speaker, June 29, 2022; Judicate West: Complimentary MCLE Webinar: Who Has The Burden? A discussion of the California Supreme Court's decision in Lawson v. PPG Architectural Finishes, Inc., Panelist, March 30, 2022; Women Lawyers of Long Beach (WLLB), “Everything You Need to Know About Mediation: A Presentation Involving Mediator’s, Defendant’s and Plaintiff’s Points of View Regarding All Aspects of the Mediation Process”: Speaker, March 21, 2022; Women’s History Month Film Festival, Film Presentation of RGB, a documentary film focusing on the life and career of Ruth Bader Ginsburg: Panelist, March 2, 2022; Center Club of Orange County’s Power Player Speaker Series on “Life Balance, Stress & Overwhelm Reduction”: Speaker, May 2021; American Association of University Women (AAUW), San Clemente/Capistrano Bay Branch, January Meeting: Speaker, January 23, 2021; California Employment Lawyers Association (CELA), Webinar Series, Practicing Law in a Pandemic: Speaker, May 29, 2020; Orange County Bar Association (OCBA), Labor and Employment Law Section: Speaker, November 11, 2019; International Academy of Mediators (IAM), Fall Conference, Scottsdale, AZ: Speaker/Facilitator: Nov. 7, 2019; Orange County Bar Association (OCBA), Seminar: Common Sense Rules of Mediation: Speaker, August 2019; Orange County Bar Association (OCBA), Labor & Employment Law Section, Speaker, July 2019 American Association of University Women (AAUW), Annual Legal Advocacy Fund Luncheon: Speaker, January 19, 2019 United State District Court (USDC), Advanced Mediation Training: Speaker, September 26, 2018; California Ambulatory Surgery Association (CASA), Annual Conference: Speaker, September 5, 2018 Orange County Bar Association (OCBA), Banking & Lending Section: Speaker, June 2018 Orange County Bar Association (OCBA), Alternative Dispute Resolution Section: Speaker, April 2018; International Academy of Mediators (IAM), Fall Conference, Austin, TX: Speaker/Facilitator: Nov. 2, 2017; Celtic Bar Association of Orange County (CBA), Travel Seminar in Reykjavik, Iceland: Speaker, September 2017; Daily Journal Law Forum: Speaker, July 2017; Orange County Bar Association (OCBA), Labor and Employment Law Section Symposium: Speaker, June 2017; Orange County Bar Association (OCBA), ADR Section Meeting: Panelist, November 2016 Celtic Bar Association of Orange County (CBA),Travel Seminar in Ashford, Ireland: Speaker, October 2016; Italian American Lawyers of Orange County (IALOC), Annual Travel Seminar in Verona, Italy: Speaker, June 2016; International Academy of Mediators (IAM), Spring Conference in Queenstown, New Zealand: Speaker, March 2016; Orange County Bar Association (OCBA), ADR Section Meeting: Speaker, November 2015; Orange County Bar Association (OCBA), Labor & Employment Section Meeting: Speaker, May 2015; Orange County Bar Association (OCBA), ADR Recent Developments Seminar: Mediator, May 7, 2014; Women’s Philanthropy Fund Breakfast: Ambassador, April 29, 2014; San Diego County Bar Association (SDCBA) - Labor & Employment Law Section: Speaker, April 28, 2014; Association of Business Trial Lawyers (ABTL), Lunch Program: Speaker, January 21, 2014; United States District Court (USDC), ADR Recent Developments Seminar: Mediator, November 11, 2013; Orange County Bar Association (OCBA), Labor & Employment and Alternative Dispute Resolution Joint Section Meeting: Moderator, November 11, 2013; Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles (CAALA): Speaker, August 29 - September 1, 2013; Orange County Bar Association (OCBA), ADR recent Development Seminar: Speaker, May 1, 2013; Orange County Bar Association (OCBA), Real Estate Section January Meeting: Speaker, January 22, 2013; The Labor and Employment Law Section of the State Bar of California: Moderator, 30th Annual Meeting, November 2, 2012; Orange County Bar Association (OCBA), Labor & Employment Law Section Annual Seminar: Moderator, May 19, 2012; Orange County Bar Association (OCBA), Labor & Employment Law Section Meeting: Speaker, March 12, 2012; A Celebration Martin Luther King, Jr’s Legacy: Speaker, Jan. 18, 2012; Orange County Bar Association (OCBA), Labor & Employment Law Section Meeting: Speaker, Nov. 14, 2011; Consumer Attorneys of California (CAOC), 50th Annual Convention: Speaker, Nov. 11, 2011; Southern California Mediation Association (SCMA) 23rd Annual Fall Conference: Co-Panelist, Nov. 5, 2011; Consumer Attorneys of California (CAOC), Women's Caucus, 2008; Consumer Attorneys of California (CAOC), Gender Bias, 2008; Orange County Bar Association (OCBA), Solo, Small Practices, 2008; Southern California Mediation Association (SCMA), Cross-Cultural Mediations, 2008; League of Women's Voters, Independence of Judiciary, 2008; Western State University College of Law: Commencement Speaker, May 2007; Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles (CAALA), "Hot Topics in Employment", 2007; Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles (CAALA), Arbitrations, 2007; Consumer Attorneys of California (CAOC), Trials, 2006; Continuing Education of the Bar (CEB), "Sexual Harassment Prevailing & Dealing With”, 2006; Los Angeles County Bar Association (LACBA), Labor & Employment Law Symposium: "Objection! Recurring Evidentiary Issues in Employment Litigation"; 2006; Ventura County Trial Lawyers Case Updates, 2005-2006; Continuing Education of the Bar (CEB), Mediation & Arbitration Practice, 2005; Orange County Bar Association (OCBA), Mediations & Arbitrations, 2005; American Bar Association (ABA), Employment Discrimination, 2004; Rutter Group, Civil Procedure Before Trial, 1998-2007; Rutter Group/ CJA Litigation Program, "Employment Law," 1996-2001; Rutter Group/CJA Tort Litigation Program, "Wrongful Termination, Employment Discrimination," January 1995; Chairman and Delegate, Central District Delegation to 9th Circuit. Judicial Conference, 1993-1995, 2002-2004; Surviving Attorneys Fees Disputes, 1993-1994; Lecturer, Law and Motion Seminar, California State Bar Convention, 1990-1991; Orange County Bar Association (OCBA), Action Guide on Establishing Good Client Relations, California Continuing Education of the Bar: Advisor, 1990; College of Trial and Advocacy, 1989-1991; 1989-1992, 1995; Oral Advocacy Workshops, 1988, 1990 and Evidence for Business Lawyers, 1990; Bridging the Gap, Law and Motion: Presenter and Speaker, 1987-1993
- Rutter Group/CJA, Wrongful Termination and Employment Discrimination Program Update, January, Published 1995;Rutter Group, California Practice Guide, Employment Litigation, Chapter on Sexual Harassment, Published 2001;The Rutter Group, California Practice Guide - Employment Litigation, Chapter 10, “Harassment”, Published 2006;ABA, Litigating the Workplace Harassment Case, Chapter on The Intake Process, Investigation, Preparation, and Filing of a Harassment Claim, Published 2010; Contributing Author with Rachel Goldstein, Esq.: American Bar Association (ABA) book, Litigating the Gender Harassment and Retaliation Case, Chapter 3,“ Investigating, Preparing, and Responding to the Administrative Charge and Court Complaint: Plaintiff’s Perspective”, Published 2019, (update of the 2010 ABA book).
- "Sexual Harassment - The Evolution & The Revolution," Women in the Workplace, Nov. 1993;"You're Served, What to do When Served with Subpoena", O.C. Psychological Association, July 1994;CAOC, Attorneys Fees, 1999; OCBA Labor and Employment Section, "Arbitration after Circuit City and Armendariz," 2001; CAOC, Arbitrations, 2001;CAALA, "To Arbitrate or Litigate, 2001"; The Advocate Magazine, "Depositions and Discovery Quicksand," 2002; Bi-monthly column on employment law, trial advocacy, and related topics for the Los Angeles Daily Journal, 2001-2006; ABTL, "Removal & Remand: Real or Sham Defendants?," January 2006; CAALA, "Navigating Arbitration in Employment Cases," 2007; LACBA, Senior Lawyer Guide article "Mandatory Retirement: Greener Pastures?";"Navigating Arbitration in Employment Cases", CAALA Advocate Magazine, 2007;"Mediation Confidentiality", CAALA, 2007;"Presenting Your Client at Trial in an Employment Case", CAOC Forum Magazine, 2008;Co-authored with Andrew Albert, Esq.: “Mediating Your Employment Case - Sooner or Later?”, CAALA Advocate Magazine, 2010;"What the NFL Teaches Us About Mediation", CAALA Advocate Magazine, 2011;"A Lesson About Settlements", Los Angeles Daily Journal, 2011.
Verdicts/Settlements (Case Results):
- Nelson v. Carlson City Dana Point, 17 Cal. App. 4th 732 (1993); Corin v. Pomona College, 45 Cal. App. 4th 1716 (1996); James Haluck, Michael Litton v. Ricoh Electronics, Inc., et al, 151 Cal. App. 4th 994 (2007); David A. Vazquez, Jose R. Armas, and Samuel Moreno v. Cargill, Inc., 509 F. Supp. 2d 903, (2007)
Bar/Professional Activity:
- State Bar of California; Orange County Bar Association (President, 1993; Treasurer, 1991; Secretary 1990; Member, Board of Directors, 1984-1989; Chairman, Business Litigation Section, 1989); Los Angeles County Bar Association; Consumer Attorneys of Los Angles; Orange County Trial Lawyers Association (Member 1987-Present, Board of Directors, 1987-1989); Volunteers in Parole (Chair, Advisory Committee, 1990-1991); ABOTA, O.C. Chapter, 1997; International Academy of Mediators (Distinguished Fellow); Southern California Mediation Association; California Employment Lawyers Association (“CELA”), Board Member, 1998-2009, Chair 2005-07; College of Labor & Employment Lawyers (a Fellow); American Board of Trial Advocates, Orange County Chapter (1997-Present); Federal Bar Association, Orange County Chapter (member for over 20 years); Association of Business Trial Lawyers, Orange County Chapter (Member over 20 years, former Board Member); Judicial Council’s Committee on Access and Fairness; Federal Court Civil Justice Reform Act Advisory Committee; Federal Court Magistrate Judge Evaluation Committee, Committee Member and Chair; California Association of Large Local Bar (CALB), Past President and Chair of Bench Bar Coalition; 9th Circuit Judicial Conference, C.D. Cal., Past Lawyer Representative (2 terms) and Chair (1994-1995)
Educational Background:
- University of California, Irvine
- Western State University College of Law
Office location for Michelle A. Reinglass
120 Vantis Drive
Suite 300
Aliso Viejo, CA 92656
Phone: 949-243-7606
Selections
22 Years Super Lawyers
- Super Lawyers: 2004 - 2025
Top Lists
Top 50: Orange County Super Lawyers: 2005 - 2013- Top 50: 2013 Orange County Super Lawyers
- Top 50: 2012 Orange County Super Lawyers
- Top 50: 2011 Orange County Super Lawyers
- Top 50: 2010 Orange County Super Lawyers
- Top 50: 2009 Orange County Super Lawyers
- Top 50: 2008 Orange County Super Lawyers
- Top 50: 2007 Orange County Super Lawyers
- Top 50: 2006 Orange County Super Lawyers
- Top 50: 2005 Orange County Super Lawyers
- Top 50: 2013 Women Southern California Super Lawyers
- Top 50: 2012 Women Southern California Super Lawyers
- Top 50: 2011 Women Southern California Super Lawyers
- Top 50: 2010 Women Southern California Super Lawyers
- Top 50: 2009 Women Southern California Super Lawyers
- Top 50: 2008 Women Southern California Super Lawyers
- Top 50: 2007 Women Southern California Super Lawyers
- Top 50: 2006 Women Southern California Super Lawyers
- Top 50: 2005 Women Southern California Super Lawyers
