Michael J. Markowitz

After several years cutting his teeth as a prosecutor, attorney Michael J. Markowitz joined Bill Gagen in private practice in 1985, forming the cornerstone of one of the region's most formidable defense teams. With his unique mix of diplomacy and doggedness, Mr. Markowitz has amassed an excellent track record of success in and out of the courtroom.

Certified by the State Bar as a legal specialist since 1992, Mr. Markowitz has tried dozens of cases and handled a wide range of complex legal matters, including DUIs, assault, drug-related issues, corporate fraud, and other serious allegations. His approach is to jump into a case early, investigate and mitigate, utilizing top investigators and experts to counter one-sided reports and level the playing field. His method has earned him the loyalty of his clients and the respect of his peers. Mr. Markowitz was selected for inclusion in California Super Lawyers in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2010, a designation reserved for just five percent of the attorneys in the state.

Friendly and forthright, Mr. Markowitz is liked and trusted by juries, judges, and fellow lawyers. Yet when it comes to protecting his clients' rights, he won't hesitate to take the unpopular position, even when it means challenging law enforcement agencies and government attorneys. He will find and expose errors, misconduct, and procedural mistakes. Through an active motions practice, he has great success in suppressing evidence, leveraging his negotiating position, and having counts and cases dismissed. He does not tolerate unfair tactics by opposing parties. In 2009, he moved to recuse an entire office as biased against his client and fought for sanctions against the opposing counsel for misconduct in the case. While recognizing that settling a case may often be in a client’s best interest, he has the insight and experience to know when it’s time to take the fight to trial or seek justice on appeal.