Title: Owner
Company: The Michael Schwartz Firm
Location: Los Angeles, California, United States
Michael D. Schwartz, owner at The Michael Schwartz Firm, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Lawyers for dedication, achievements and leadership in Law.
Mr. Schwartz has established a remarkable career in law, currently serving as the owner of The Michael Schwartz Firm since 2021. In this capacity, he has demonstrated expertise in trial advocacy, trial strategy, litigation and criminal defense. Over the course of his legal career, Mr. Schwartz has won some of the highest-profile cases in California and litigated approximately 200 jury trials, an achievement that far exceeds the average for practicing attorneys. His experience has also included hundreds of motion hearings and dozens of arbitration hearings, underscoring his comprehensive command of courtroom procedure and legal strategy.
Before founding his own firm, Mr. Schwartz was a partner at Rains Lucia Stern PC from 2013 to 2021. During this period, he refined his litigation skills and contributed to the firm’s reputation for excellence in criminal defense and trial work. Between 2012 and 2013, Mr. Schwartz served as an of counsel at Lackie Dammeyer McGill Ethir APC, where he provided strategic legal guidance and handled complex cases.
From 2001 to 2012, Mr. Schwartz was an attorney and then partner with Silver, Hadden & Silver, where he continued to build his reputation as a formidable litigator. His early legal career began in public service as a deputy public defender for Ventura and Riverside Counties, starting in 1993, representing clients in a wide range of criminal matters and developing the empathetic approach that would become a hallmark of his practice.
A prolific writer as well as an attorney, Mr. Schwartz recently published a novel, “Sacreds,” a multi-cultural tale delving into issues of religious freedom, faith, tolerance and acceptance, and self-esteem, inspired by a court case he litigated nearly 30 years ago. He also published, “Trial and the Art of Sailing: A Guidebook for New (and Not So New) Attorneys to Navigate Trial Advocacy, and Life” in 2023 and “Another Time, Another Place….: A Collection of Poems” in 2025. His trial advocacy “guidebook” is not only an entertaining read but has been particularly impactful among new attorneys and law students.
In addition to practicing law and writing, Mr. Schwartz served as an adjunct professor at Whittier Law School from 2016 to 2018, where he shared his knowledge of trial advocacy and, specifically voir dire, with law students aspiring to become attorneys. His legal journey was preceded by internships with Washington, D.C., Superior Court judges The Honorable Michael Rankin and The Honorable Zinora Mitchell-Rankin, as well as a legal defense clinic during his third year of law school. These experiences provided him with valuable insights into judicial processes and courtroom dynamics.
Before entering the legal profession, Mr. Schwartz worked in the communications and broadcast industry. He spent two years with ABC/Capital Cities, holding various roles, including freelance cameraman for CNN, assistant director at USA Network, production manager at Hofstra Television, and production assistant and copywriter at Cablevision News and USA Network. These positions allowed Mr. Schwartz to develop strong communication skills and a deep understanding of media operations.
Mr. Schwartz’s undergraduate studies culminated in a bachelor’s degree in radio and television broadcasting technology from Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York, in 1987. He later acquired a Doctor of Jurisprudence from The National Law Center at the George Washington University in Washington, D.C., graduating in 1993. Mr. Schwartz was admitted to practice by the California Bar Association and the U.S. District Court for the Northern, Central and Southern Federal Districts of California.
Active in his professional community, Mr. Schwartz is a member of several professional organizations, including the State Bar of California, the Beverly Hills Bar Association, the Los Angeles County Bar Association, and the North Orange County Bar Association. Outside of his professional pursuits, he volunteers by teaching recruits for a neighborhood armed security detail three to four times each year, where he covers the legal aspects of use of force and self-defense in protecting others. He also contributes to higher education Jewish schools and provides training for private security professionals.
Mr. Schwartz has been recognized for his professional achievements by Los Angeles Magazine and has been featured in Southern California Super Lawyers by Thomson Reuters every year since 2016. He is also a recipient of the Lawyers of Distinction Award.
Mr. Schwartz attributes much of his success to his ability to connect with individuals from diverse backgrounds, a skill developed long before becoming an attorney, and to the supportive environment provided by his parents during childhood. The decision to pursue law was influenced by both personal reflection and encouragement from mentors during his time at Hofstra University. After working in broadcast communications for companies such as USA Network, CNN, Cablevision News and ABC Television, and becoming disillusioned with the industry, Mr. Schwartz sought advice from a former professor who suggested law school as a path that would leverage his communication skills while opening new opportunities.
Looking ahead, Mr. Schwartz hopes to see his upcoming novel adapted into a film. He also envisions one or two of his cases being brought to the big screen due to their rich multicultural themes.
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