Michael J. Grobaty

Michael J. Grobaty has been a trial attorney in Orange County for over twenty-five years. He is a graduate of Loyola Marymount University, receiving a Bachelors of Arts degree in 1983. In 1986, Mr. Grobaty began practicing law after receiving his Juris Doctorate degree from Loyola Law School of Los Angeles. While at Loyola Law School, he was selected to the Loyola Entertainment Law Journal and published an article analyzing issues related to the interplay between cable television and the First Amendment.

Mr. Grobaty’s civil practice focuses on the litigation and trial of labor and employment cases, probate-related matters, professional liability actions, and complex business disputes. He has achieved a variety of successful, high profile verdicts on behalf of his clients who range from individuals and small businesses, to large, multinational corporations. His many defense verdicts in legal malpractice actions have led many of the area’s finest attorneys to seek Mr. Grobaty’s representation when they are personally faced with serious legal issues. For seven straight years (2005-2011), Law and Politics and Los Angeles Magazine have named Mr. Grobaty a California “Superlawyer,” an honor bestowed upon only the top 5% of all attorneys in California. He has also been named one of the Top Attorneys in Orange County by Orange Coast Magazine.

In addition to his outstanding legal accomplishments, Mr. Grobaty is extremely active in the Orange County and Los Angeles County communities. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Women’s Shelter of Long Beach, was a former member of the Board of Directors of the Irvine Valley College Foundation, is a member of the Orange County Trial Lawyers Association, and a member of the Knights of Columbus.

The following is a sample of some of Mr. Grobaty’s verdicts, settlements, and career highlights:

On behalf of Defendants:

• Obtained a defense verdict for a top Orange County family law attorney in a legal malpractice action alleging numerous claims of negligence, fraud, and breach of fiduciary duty arising from the representation of a client in her dissolution action.
• Obtained a defense verdict in favor of a prominent Orange County estate planning attorney arising from the alleged negligent drafting of a will and trust where the former client alleged lost millions of dollars in lost profits and royalties involving the ownership of geothermal rights.
• Obtained a defense verdict for an Orange County family law and probate attorney, who was alleged to have breached her fiduciary duty to a client for whom she agreed to serve as trustee of a family trust.
• Obtained a defense verdict in favor of a renowned Orange County personal injury attorney arising from his alleged failure to adequately litigate a catastrophic injury case which had resulted in a settlement the former client believed was inadequate.
• Obtained a defense verdict in favor of a Los Angeles attorney accused of defamation and malpractice by his former client.
• Obtained a defense verdict for a Los Angeles family law attorney accused of doing inadequate discovery and investigation into the spouse’s assets allegedly causing the client the loss of millions of dollars.
• Obtained a defense verdict on behalf of a disbarred attorney arising from his alleged negligent representation of a trust estate. Because the attorney had been disbarred, it was decided not to call the attorney as a witness in his own case and a defense verdict was till obtained.
• Obtained a defense verdict, after a 30 day jury trial, on behalf of a captive insurance company arising from a multinational reinsurance company’s allegations that the captive engaged in fraudulent claims practices.
• Obtained a defense verdict in favor of a homeowner who was sued for a dangerous condition in his home after a visitor suffered a catastrophic injury at the house.
• Obtained a defense verdict on behalf of a trustee who was sued for breach of fiduciary duty and malicious prosecution, arising from a highly emotional and litigious family dispute.
• Obtained a defense verdict on behalf of a real estate agent and broker who allegedly misadvised a client in connection with making a credit bid at a foreclosure auction.
• Obtained a defense verdict on behalf of a real estate agent and broker in connection with their representation of the plaintiff in connection with the sale of their Laundromat business.

On Behalf of Plaintiffs:

• Obtained a seven figure verdict against a Los Angeles attorney who negligently represented his former client in connection with the sale of his successful furniture manufacturing company.
• Obtained a large verdict against an Orange County employment attorney for negligence and fraud, arising from his giving misleading settlement advice to the client in connection with trying to convince her to settle a case.
• Obtained a seven figure verdict in favor of a female police officer who experienced discrimination and retaliation after expressing her interest in trying to become the department’s first female sergeant.
• Obtained a seven figure verdict in favor of a female police officer who had been discriminated and retaliated against as a result of her complaints about department
• Obtained a multi-million dollar settlement, after three days of trial, on behalf of a public benefit non-profit corporation against its former officers and directors arising from their alleged improper self-dealing and diversion of non-profit corporate funds.
• Obtained a large verdict against a prestigious Orange County hospital on behalf of a client who was molested by a male nurse at another hospital. The plaintiff proved the hospital was negligent in failing to tell a subsequent employer of the known dangerous propensities of its former employee.
• Obtained a large verdict against a Fortune 500 company for a female employee who was sexually harassed and retaliated against when she reported the harassment.
• Represents the mother of a man shot and killed by a Deputy United States Marshal. Her son was killed in an alley by the federal agent after he tried to protect the agent’s wife from imminent physical harm by the agent himself. The case has been the subject of several front page stories in the Los Angeles Times, and has been featured on local and national television newscasts.

Contact Information

Direct Line: (949) 502-7759

Facsimile: 949) 502-7762

Email: mgrobaty@grobatypitet.com