Hon. Michael R. Wilner (Ret.)

Hon. Michael R. Wilner (Ret.) served as a United States Magistrate Judge for over 13 years in the Central District of California. During his 30-year career in federal public service, Judge Wilner also worked as a trial attorney, appellate lawyer and investigator. In these roles, he developed a deep understanding of all aspects of federal litigation practice.

While on the bench, Judge Wilner was an in-demand resource for lawyers, litigants and other federal judges. Parties regularly sought him out; he conducted the most jury and bench trials by consent in the Central District for several years. He was also a go-to settlement judge for complex business, tort and intellectual property cases in federal district court in Los Angeles. He brings a high level of imagination, energy, creativity, compassion and preparation to all of his cases. 

Judge Wilner is available for mediations, arbitrations and neutral evaluations, and can serve as a discovery referee or special master.

ADR Experience and Qualifications

• As a United States Magistrate Judge for 13 years, handled hundreds of settlement conferences, discovery motions and civil trials
• Member of the federal court’s Patent Program; accepted assignments to handle discovery disputes and conduct settlement conferences in complex patent, copyright, and trademark and trade dress lawsuits
• Former white collar criminal prosecutor and appellate attorney in the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Los Angeles

Representative Matters

• Appointed as a special master in federal court case involving compensation for former corporate executive.
• Mediated and resolved dispute between professional sports team and former club president involving deferred compensation and fraud allegations.
• Arbitrated claims between patent broker and patent holder-inventor regarding sale of intellectual property portfolio.
• Mediated and settled anticipated mass arbitration claims against a financial services provider involving federal lending regulations.
• Mediated and settled wage-and-hour litigation involving health care provider and affiliated hospital.
• Mediated and resolved employee workplace retaliation case against local non-profit community agency.
• Mediated and resolved gender discrimination lawsuit involving executive at sports fashion company.
• Mediated and resolved multi-party insurance and injury litigation regarding rental truck involved in traffic accident.
• Mediated and settled a legal malpractice dispute arising from the prosecution of patent claims, including alleged failures to properly advise on the scope of patent protection and available options.
• Appointed as a special master in federal court case involving evaluation of attorneys’ fee request in qui tam action
• Appointed as a special master in federal court case to handle discovery and substantive motion practice in insurance coverage litigation.
• Selected as Arbitrator in multiple employment, insurance, commercial and consumer arbitration cases.
• Mediated and resolved patent infringement and trade dress litigation involving consumer product design.
• Mediated and settled multi-million dollar claim regarding financial suitability of investments for retired screenwriter.
• Mediated and settled wage-and-hour class and PAGA actions against security firm.
• Mediated and settled litigation involving personal financial terms for an entertainment company executive.
• Mediated and resolved a commercial transportation dispute involving long-term leasing of chassis and shipping containers.
• Mediated and settled interlocking lawsuits alleging sexual misconduct, defamation, and assault claims
• Mediated and negotiated resolution of putative TCPA class action against health insurance company.

Previous Judicial Experience

• As a trial and settlement judge, handled employment litigation, including executive compensation and discrimination claims
• As a settlement judge for multiple complex environmental lawsuits under the Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act, CERCLA and other federal and state statutes
• As a judge, handled trials and mediations involving civil rights and constitutional issues under Section 1983, including use-of-force, wrongful arrest and detention, and police misconduct allegations.
• As a judge, managed patent, copyright and trademark/trade dress litigation in federal court
• As a judge, handled numerous class actions under state and federal law, including wage-and-hour disputes, consumer warranty cases and privacy/data protection statutes
• As a judge, handled numerous cases involving artists, performers, photographers and athletes in film, television and sports disputes
• As a judge, regularly handled qui tam/False Claim Act and asset forfeiture litigation
• As a judge, gained extensive experience in insurance litigation regarding scope of commercial coverage, homeowner claims and subrogation/reinsurance disputes
• As a judge, handled medical and legal malpractice matters
• Advocated in numerous civil and criminal financial lawsuits, securities class actions, fraud cases and other related white collar areas