Rains Lucia Stern St. Phalle & Silver

California's premier full-service law firm with an emphasis on the representation of peace officers in disciplinary, criminal, labor, workers' compensation, personal injury and other civil matters.

  • About Us
  • Practice Areas
    • Labor Representation
    • Civil Litigation
    • Personal Injury
      • Example of Case Results
    • Workers’ Compensation
    • Maritime Law
    • Estate Planning
    • DOE Security Clearance Hearings
    • Peace Officers
    • Firefighters
    • EMS Agency Investigations
    • Criminal Defense
    • CalPERS Appeals
  • Our Team
  • Classes
  • Media
    • Bulletins
    • RLS in the News
  • Resources
    • Links
    • Resources
    • Newsletters
  • Clients
  • Career Opportunities
  • Contact Us
  • Disclaimer
Senior Associate
Michael A. Morguess
Statewide
P: 415.341.9341
F: 925.609.1690
MMorguess@RLSLawyers.com
Senior Associate
Michael A. Morguess
Statewide
P: 415.341.9341
F: 925.609.1690
MMorguess@RLSLawyers.com
Senior Associate Michael A. Morguess is a writs and appeals attorney in the Rains Lucia Stern St. Phalle & Silver, PC (“RLS”) Labor Litigation Group.

Over the past two decades, Michael has earned an excellent reputation among his peers and the bench, distinguishing himself as a strong legal advocate in public sector labor and employment litigation matters on behalf of labor organizations and individual employees. His practice covers a wide range of public employment issues, including First Amendment and other constitutional rights, collective bargaining, disciplinary matters, and the Public Safety Officers Procedural Bill of Rights Act. As a former research attorney in the Los Angeles Superior Court Writs Department, Michael has developed sought-after expertise in handling petitions for writ of ordinary and administrative mandate. He is frequently contacted by other attorneys to consult on administrative mandate matters and receives the high honor of word-of-mouth client referrals from around the state.

Since 2008, Michael has been certified by the California State Bar as an Appellate Specialist. He has litigated well over one-hundred appeals and has argued more than 75 times to the California Supreme Court, Court of Appeals and Ninth Circuit, and has briefed matters to the United States Supreme Court.

Some of Michael’s published appellate cases include Dahlia v. Rodriguez 735F.3d 1060 (9th Cir. 2013) (en banc) Ellins v. City of Sierra Madre 710 F. 3d 1049 (9th Cir. 2013), Claremont POA v. Claremont (2006) 39 Cal. 4th 623; Bonome v. City of Riverside (2017) 10 Cal. App. 5th 14; Ellins v. City of Sierra Madre (2016) 244 Cal. App. 4th 445; Hughes v. County of San Bernardino (2016) 244 Cal. App. 4th 542; Dept. of Corr. & Rehab. v. St. Pers. Bd. (McCauley) (2015) 238 Cal. App. 4th 710; Sabey v. City of Pomona (2013) 215 Cal. App. 4th 489; Rialto Pol. Benefit Assn v. City of Rialto (2007) 155 Cal. App. 4th 1295; Alhambra POA v. Alhambra (2003) 113 Cal. App. 4th 1413; Upland POA v. Upland (2003) 111 Cal. App. 4th 1294; and Otto v. Los Angeles Unif. Sch. Dist. (2001) 89 Cal. App. 4th 98.

He has also served as an assistant city attorney to several Southern California cities, and as a research attorney for Judge David P. Yaffe in the Writs and Receivers Department of Los Angeles Superior Court.

Michael is admitted to practice in California, Oregon and Washington, as well as the United States Supreme Court, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the United States District Court (Northern, Eastern, Central, and Southern District Courts of California). Michael serves as the current Chair of the Character and Fitness Board of the Washington State Bar Association for its 2021-2022 term.

Michael grew up in New York. He graduated cum laude with a Juris Doctor degree from Western State University College of Law in Fullerton, California.

Disclaimer: Any results set forth herein are based upon the facts of that particular case and do not represent a promise or guarantee.
 

Education

• J.D., Western State University College of Law

Bulletins & Publications:
US Supreme Court Delivers Landmark 2nd Amendment Ruling
Court of Appeal Affirms Constitutionality of Warning on Citizen Complaint Forms
RLS Congratulates New Accomplishments and Welcomes New Attorneys into the Family
Court of Appeal Affirms Judgment Reinstating San Bernardino Deputy
Court Once Again Navigates California’s Pitchess Statutes
Due Process and the Right to an Impartial Decision-Maker
Dealing with Adverse Credibility Findings
Superior Court Orders Reinstatement of San Bernardino Deputy
Court Clarifies Meaning of Retroactive Reinstatement
Court oF Appeal Orders Calexico Officer Reinstated
News & Press:

Nothing Found. Please Check Back Later.

Upcoming Classes & Speaking Engagements:
8th Annual Representing Cops in the 21st Century Symposium

Past Classes:

Nothing Found. Please Check Back Later.

Consultation Form

Offices across California to serve you.
Contact us now to schedule a consultation.
Contact form not loading? Click here!
Rains Lucia Stern St. Phalle & Silver, PC publishes this website as a service to our clients and other friends for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be used as a substitute for specific legal advice or opinions, and the transmission of information through this website is not intended to create an attorney-client relationship between sender and receiver. Internet subscribers and online readers should not act upon this information without seeking professional counsel.

© 2023 Rains Lucia Stern St. Phalle & Silver, PC. All Rights Reserved. | Disclaimer

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Do not sell my personal information.
Cookie settingsACCEPTREJECT
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT
  • Contact Us

  • News Alerts

Official logo for Rains Lucia Stern St. Phalle & Silver
Rains Lucia Stern St. Phalle & Silver Logo
  • About Us
  • Practice Areas
    ▼
    • Labor Representation
    • Civil Litigation
    • Personal Injury
      ▼
      • Example of Case Results
    • Workers’ Compensation
    • Maritime Law
    • Estate Planning
    • DOE Security Clearance Hearings
    • Peace Officers
    • Firefighters
    • EMS Agency Investigations
    • Criminal Defense
    • CalPERS Appeals
  • Our Team
  • Classes
  • Media
    ▼
    • Bulletins
    • RLS in the News
  • Resources
    ▼
    • Links
    • Resources
    • Newsletters
  • Clients
  • Career Opportunities
  • Contact Us
  • Disclaimer
Hotline phone numbers. Northern California: 925-609-1699. Southern California: 310-393-1486.