Casey, Timothy A.

Michael Case's more than thirty years of real estate, business and litigation expertise has earned him a reputation as one of the best business and real estate lawyers in the Tri-County region. A former state bar leader, county bar president and law school adjunct professor, Michael has tried over 100 jury and court trials to successful conclusion and has been elected as a member of the prestigious American Board of Trial Advocates. He has earned the prestigious AV-rating, has been regularly named a Southern California "Super Lawyer" by Los Angeles Magazine, and is featured yearly in the Pacific Coast Business Times' distinctive publication, Who's Who in Professional Services.

Michael graduated from California State University, Fresno with a bachelor's degree in political science. While at Fresno State, he served as the school's student body president. Michael then traveled to the Bay Area, where he earned his law degree from the University of California, Hastings.

Before founding Ferguson Case Orr Paterson LLP in 1982, Michael served as a deputy district attorney in Fresno County. Michael also spent four years as a judge advocate in the United States Air Force –two years in prosecuting and two years as one of ten lawyers worldwide charged with criminal defense of Air Force personnel in general courts-martial.

Michael previously served as a member of the Board of Governors of the California State Bar and in 1996 was its vice president. In 1997, he was appointed by the Chief Justice to the California Judicial Council's Task Force on Complex Civil Litigation, which was formed to recommend new ways of managing complex litigation in trial courts. The task force completed its work in 1999 and saw its recommendations adopted. Michael was also named to a California State Bar Attorney's Civility Task Force, which led to the adoption of a statewide Civility Code for California lawyers.

In 2000, Michael was the Democratic candidate for election to Congress, 23rd Congressional District.

In 2001, Michael completed his term as one of four lawyers serving on the 21-member California Judicial Council. The Council, chaired by the Chief Justice of California, is constitutionally charged with oversight of the State's trial and appellate courts, including funding, policy and adoption of court rules.

In his free time, Michael enjoys traveling the world with his wife, Maribeth.

Noteworthy Matters:

• Contract/Lease Dispute: Defense verdict in arbitration dispute between client lessor of an automobile dealership and its former tenant. The client was awarded $920,000 plus attorney's fees.
• Unfair Competition: Complete defense verdict and recovery for clients, who left world's largest hybrid vegetable seed company to start their own company. Clients were sued for damages alleged to be in the millions by a major Los Angeles law firm. Clients cross-complained for slander, breach of contract, and unfair business practices. Jury found in favor of clients on all of the multiple special verdicts, both on complaint and cross-complaint. Attorney fees were recovered.
• Corporate Control: Defense verdict for clients in Delaware Chancery Court and in Santa Barbara County Superior Court, restoring company investors and officers to control of large California based oil company. A major Los Angeles law firm represented the adverse parties.
• Construction Dispute: Defense verdict by jury for client Portland Cement Association. Plaintiff claimed material defects in 1000-foot sea wall with demand for complete replacement.
• Real Property: Defense verdict following one-month court trial and appeal for nationally known title company alleged to have conducted wrongful foreclosure. Plaintiff's demand was in excess of $10 million.
• Professional Negligence. Defense verdict in 2011 for a mortgage banker and real estate broker in a three week jury trial in Los Angeles brought by an investor seeking several million dollars of alleged losses.