Michelle has been a full-time neutral since 2010 after retiring as a trial lawyer for thirty years specializing in employment, civil rights, and business litigation. As a well-known successful statewide attorney, she was passionate about trying cases and earned a reputation for respectful advocacy among her colleagues and opposing counsel. The decades of achievements and awards by many bar groups and publications are a testament to her professionalism, dedication, and standing in the community.
Her journey towards serving as a mediator and arbitrator neutral started in 2001, as lawyers sought her out to mediate their cases in addition to serving on court panels. Since then, Michelle has resolved thousands of cases with a strong emphasis on every type of employment dispute, PAGA, class action, and labor code violation in addition to business, injury, and a myriad of cases involving high emotions. Lawyers have frequently commented on her thorough pre-mediation preparation, calm and, demeanor, and easygoing approach while also addressing tough issues and personalities in a non-confrontational manner. She is also known for not giving up and going the extra distance whether it’s the day of the mediation or following up for months to achieve a resolution.
Below is a sampling of the various matters Michelle A. Reinglass, Esq. handled as a practicing attorney or neutral.
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Ms. Reinglass enjoys running, hiking, weightlifting, skiing, theater, reading, traveling and watching movies in her spare time.
"Michelle listened very well and pointed out strengths and weaknesses in our case which helped to either validate our offer or cause us to increase it."
- Attorney on an Employment Wrongful Termination matter
"This was the second difficult case that we brought to you this year, and again we want to thank you for your continued efforts to get this matter resolved. I know you worked late on a Friday at the mediation, and then managed phone calls the following Friday night to get the matter resolved. We felt like you went above and beyond in that case, working on the matter after the mediation session. With the other case, you went so far beyond the mediation that we will never be able to thank you enough. Knowing the structure of your mediation week, I cannot imagine how you found the time to continue on the case. But we are grateful for your tenacity to stick with us and get this extremely difficult case resolved. "
- Attorney on an Employment Wrongful Termination/Discrimination Dispute
"I have been practicing law for 34 years. I have been through numerous mediations during that time, with almost all of them involving employment cases. The biggest issues for my clients are they (1) want to be heard and (2) they need to be believed. When a mediator comes into the room and does not create an atmosphere where both of those things happen, it means the mediation is going to be really tough. I feel you did an excellent job of showing empathy and belief in my client’s story, and that was good. In the end, I think the failure of the mediation at your office was due to the fact it was early on and the defense was convinced we had no case. That had nothing to do with you. I appreciate the follow up you gave us, and again, it was mostly too early because the defense needed to be told the plaintiff had sufficient evidence to go to trial. Once they lost the SJ motion, the settlement happened quickly. I appreciate all your efforts and I would definitely use you again. Thanks for your hard work in this case. "
- Attorney on an Employment/Discrimination Dispute
"Thank you, Michelle. We appreciate your persistence on the case. You made a mediator’s proposal for exactly the right number. Overall, my client and I were pleased with your services and I have recommended you to my colleagues at the firm. "
- Employment Attorney with Four Decades of Experience
"You clearly had not only read the position statements, but had absorbed them. It certainly served you well in dealing with our client and having them understand finding the fault lines of a case is often a murky business. I particularly appreciated the patience and empathy shown with the regional executives who attented the mediation with me. "
- Attorney on a Whistleblower Matter
"Your persistence and patience was extraordinary, particularly in the face of some difficult personalities (me included). I've already sung your praises in that regard to some of my colleagues here, and I will be glad to keep you in mind for future cases. Thanks again!"
- Attorney on an Employment Wrongful Termination Dispute
"I really appreciate [her] ability to come across as nonconfrontational when calling out the parties on tough issues."
- Attorney on an Employment Sexual Harassment Matter
"It was a pleasure working with Michelle. I was very pleased with the way she handled my client.
Most times the mediators are very accusatory towards the defendants, which makes them angry
and defensive, however Michelle treated my client with respect and care."
- Attorney, Long Beach, CA
1925 Century Park East
Suite 1700
Los Angeles, CA 90067
Phone: 310.442.2100
Fax :
601 S. Figueroa
Ste 3400
Los Angeles, CA 90017
Phone: 213.223.1113
Fax : 213.223.1114
980 9th Street
Suite 2200
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: 916.394.8490
Fax : 916.394.8495
402 W. Broadway
Ste 2400
San Diego, CA 92101
Phone: 619.814.1966
Fax : 619.814.1967
1851 East First Street
Ste 1600
Santa Ana, CA 92705
Phone: 714.834.1340
Fax : 714.834.1344
2023.6.1.2rp
