Michael Padilla is widely recognized as one of Southern California’s top civil trial attorneys and the founder of Padilla Law Group, LLP. A graduate of the University of San Diego School of Law (1975), Michael began his legal career at the respected San Diego firm Higgs, Fletcher & Mack, specializing in civil litigation. By 1984, he transitioned to plaintiff’s personal injury law, becoming a partner at Thorsnes, Bartolotta, McGuire & Padilla, where he practiced until co-founding Padilla Law Group with Scott O’Mara in 1999.
Throughout his career, Michael has served as a board member and advisor to numerous professional, civic, and charitable organizations, including the President’s Council at California State University San Marcos, the 22nd Agricultural District (which oversees the Del Mar Fairgrounds), and the American Red Cross.
Michael has tried and won numerous high-stakes cases involving automobile accidents, construction site injuries, product liability, mass torts, railroad and aviation accidents, and other catastrophic injury and wrongful death matters.
Michael’s excellence in the courtroom has earned him the Outstanding Trial Lawyer Award from his peers in 1996, 2010, and in the present day. He is also prominently published in Brown v. MCI, a landmark Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals decision holding that certain billing practices outside FCC tariffs violated the Communications Act and were subject to federal class action litigation.
Michael lives in Rancho Santa Fe with his wife, Kelly, and their blended family of six children—including his son, Jeff, a fellow personal injury attorney. Outside of law, he enjoys golf, skiing, and fishing.
