Michael Gonzalez is one of California’s preeminent lawyers. He graduated from California State University Northridge in 1981. He attended Southwestern University School of Law in 1984, and was a member of its Fulbright and Jaworski Trial Advocacy team. He also received Dean’s List Honors. Since beginning practice in 1984, Mr. Gonzalez has specialized in the area of Civil Defense. He is a Martindale Hubble rated “AV” Lawyer signifying both the highest level of legal ability and the profession’s highest ethical standards.
Mr. Gonzalez has been elected as a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers. This organization is made up of practitioners from throughout all of North America. Membership is exclusive and is by invitation only and limited to one percent of each states practicing attorneys. He has served on the National Committee for Alternative Dispute Resolution.
In 1994, Mr. Gonzalez was elected to the American Board of Trial Advocates, a nationwide organization of Trial Lawyers from both the plaintiff and defense bar. ABOTA membership is limited to those lawyers who have tried at least 20 cases to verdict. In 2003, Michael was elevated to the rank of Advocate, signifying at least 50 superior court jury verdicts.
Mr. Gonzalez is also a member of the California Medical Legal Committee. This invitation only organization is made up of the top Medical Malpractice Defense Lawyers in the State of California and it is dedicated to the continued education and development of defense malpractice lawyers. Since 2007, Mr. Gonzalez was recognized annually as a “SUPER LAWYER” by Los Angeles Magazine.
Mr. Gonzalez is a frequent lecturer for both the legal and medical profession. He tried the first case in the nation which considered extended liability for physician and physician groups as part of the Managed Care relationship and the first case brought by the California Managed Health Care against a Physician concerning billing and regulatory issues.
Mr. Gonzalez was selected as the Coordinating Counsel for all California physicians in the Multi-District Baycol Litigation.
Mr. Gonzalez has not limited his practice to any area of law. Among his over 100 Superior Court and Federal Court jury trials are verdicts in Medical Malpractice, General Liability, Workplace and Construction Liability, Premise Liability, Automobile cases as well as defense of Medical Board actions. He is licensed in California, The Central District of California and the 9thCircuit Court of Appeals.
Mr. Gonzalez’ trial ability leads directly to superior resolution of cases. The demonstrated willingness and skill to try cases puts Mr. Gonzalez in a position to use the likelihood of trial, and a verdict to negotiate the best result possible.
Andrea Vazquez is rated by her peers in Martindale-Hubbell with an AV Preeminent rating, which signifies the highest level of legal ability and ethical standards. She graduated from UCLA in 1994. Ms. Vazquez attended Southwestern University School of Law and graduated in 1997 and she was a member of the Moot Court Honors Program. Her legal practice has primarily focused on the defense of complex medical malpractice litigation. Regardless of the client being defended, Ms. Vazquez provides professional, personal, and highly competent representation. Her medical negligence practice has included defending hospitals, medical groups, clinics, home health agencies, physicians, and other health care providers in all areas of the medical field. She has also successfully defended Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly (R.C.F.E.), Skilled Nursing Facilities, Assisted Living Facilities, Transitional Care Units, Home Health Agencies, and Physicians in complex intentional tort litigation, including elder and dependent adult abuse.
Ms. Vazquez has successfully defended numerous professionals against claims of elder abuse, intentional torts, negligence, fraud, and other related allegations. She has an incredible history of obtaining an early resolution of cases for her clients via voluntary dismissals and successful motions for summary judgment. She is an exceptional advocate with an aggressive approach. Other areas of experience include employment law, general liability, personal injury matters, including premises liability and motor vehicle accidents involving ambulances. In addition to civil litigation, Ms. Vazquez has also successfully defended physicians and nurses during investigations and after the filing of accusations by the Medical Board and Nursing Board.
Christy is an experienced litigator with more than ten years of experience. She has substantial experience in both litigation and appellate matters. She has successfully defended all professionals (including attorneys, physicians, and accountants) against claims of professional negligence. Prior to joining Law Offices of Michael D. Gonzalez, Ms. Gargalis worked for a litigation firm handling legal malpractice actions. Ms. Gargalis received her undergraduate degree from Boston University with a double major in Economics and International Relations. Ms. Gargalis received her law degree from the University of San Diego School of Law. She is admitted in California State Courts and U.S. District Court for Central and Southern Districts. Ms. Gargalis is a member of the State Bar of California Defense Counsel and the Los Angeles County Bar Association.
Brian Washburn earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Arkansas. He received his law degree from Pepperdine University. Mr. Washburn served as a Judicial Extern for the Honorable Mark T. Fryauf of the 3rd Circuit Court and worked as a Congressional Intern for the United States Senator, John Boozman
Mr. Washburn is admitted in the U.S. District Court (Central District of California) and the State Bar of California. Mr. Washburn is a member of the Los Angeles County Bar Association and the Beverly Hills Bar Association.
