Michael R. Rhames Practice Areas

• Medical Malpractice
• Personal Injury
• Products Liability
• Premises Liability
• Business Litigation

Mr. Rhames was born and raised in California. Michael currently resides in Pacific Palisades with his lovely wife, whom he has been married to for 38 years. Together they have four grown children.

Michael graduated from Loyola University of Los Angeles with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1971, majoring in Political Science. Immediately after graduating he began his law studies at Southwestern University School of Law in Los Angeles from which he was awarded his Juris Doctorate Degree in 1974. While attending Southwestern University, Mr. Rhames worked for California Casualty Insurance Company where much of his knowledge of insurance and insurance law was obtained. In his last year at Southwestern University Mr. Rhames was hired as a law clerk at the successful downtown Los Angeles law firm of Gilbert, Kelly, Crowley and Jennett specializing in insurance defense work defending clients involved in all forms of personal injury and casualty litigation. Upon graduating Mr. Rhames was immediately hired as an associate attorney by the Gilbert, Kelly law firm and thus began his professional career. Mr. Rhames progressed quickly, being offered a junior partnership within five years, and  made full partner two years later in 1982.

For the next 13 years, Mr. Rhames continued to specialize in personal injury and casualty litigation, during which time he was engaged in numerous "high value" Superior Court jury trials and binding UM/UIM arbitrations. In addition to his duties as a lead trial attorney for the firm, Mr. Rhames was regularly requested by various insurance companies to participate in meetings with management personnel, providing carriers with advice and legal direction concerning such issues as "bad faith", insurance coverage, lawsuit evaluation and claims management practices . Due to his extensive experience, Mr. Rhames frequently appears as a guest lecturer at continuing legal education seminars for other attorneys.

In January 1995, wishing to further his opportunities, Mr. Rhames decided to relinquish his partnership at the Gilbert, Kelly law firm and joined as a partner with Eric F. Yuhl and Christopher P. Yuhl in forming the partnership of Yuhl Rhames & Yuhl in Santa Monica, California, where practice as a claimant’s representative grew as Mr. Rhames continued to specialize in the field of major personal injury cases and "high value" business litigation matters.

In March of 2008, Michael again sought an opportunity to grow by establishing his own law firm, Law Offices of Michael R. Rhames, PC. Mr. Rhames continues to represent severely injured claimants and major business clients who suffer substantial losses. His major field of representation continues to be in the areas of personal injury, medical malpractice, product and premises liability and business litigation.

Curriculum Vitae of Michael R. Rhames Educational Background: Loyola University, Los Angeles Bachelor of Arts degree (1971) Southwestern University School of Law Los Angeles Juris Doctorate degree (1974) Professional Experience: California Casualty Insurance Company Gilbert, Kelly, Crowley and Jennett - Partner Yuhl Rhames & Yuhl - Partner Yuhl Rhames Atkinson - Partner Michael R. Rhames & Associates, PC - Founding Partner

Practice Areas

• Personal Injury
• Products Liability
• Premises Liability
• Business Litigation

Mr. Holbrook graduated from the University of California, Irvine, in 2000 after receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science. Mr. Holbrook attended Loyola Law School in Los Angeles, where he received his Juris Doctor degree in 2003. Mr. Holbrook clerked for the American Bar Association and Legal Air Foundation before being accepted as a law clerk with Mr. Rhames’ firm in 2002. Clerking with Mr. Rhames provided Mr. Holbrook with substantial “real world” legal experience working directly with Mr. Rhames on every aspect of civil litigation.

In 2003, Mr. Holbrook joined the civil defense litigation firm of Nishimura & Saunders, LP as an associate attorney, representing the County of Los Angeles and other public entities. During his tenure as a civil defense trial attorney, Mr. Holbrook was responsible for handling many large-value personal injury matters from beginning to end. He also interfaced and advised management of major insurance companies and public entities regarding claims and litigation strategy, tactics and value.

Mr. Holbrook is member of the American Bar Association, the Los Angeles County Bar Association, and the ACLU. Mr. Holbrook has been admitted to practice law before all California State Courts and the United States District Court, Central District of California.

Mr. Holbrook focuses primarily on criminal law, including both litigation and counseling.

Practice Areas

• Personal Injury
• Products Liability
• Premises Liability
• Business Litigation

Mr. Stea graduated from the University of Arizona in 2007 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics.  After working in the Finance industry for several years, he attended California Western School of Law in San Diego. While attending California Western, Daniel received Academic Achievement Awards in Advanced Legal Writing and FDA Law. He was able to gain practical experience in law school during his clinical summer internship at Stutz, Artiano, Shinoff & Holtz APC , where he worked on a team specializing in the defense of School Districts.  In 2012, Mr. Stea earned his Juris Doctor degree from California Western, graduating in two years with a Cum Laude distinction.

After passing the February 2013 California Bar Exam, Daniel moved to Los Angeles where he began working at Law Offices of Michael R. Rhames, PC.