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

• 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 trial and settlement judge, handled employment litigation, including executive compensation and discrimination claims
• Advocated in numerous civil and criminal financial lawsuits, securities class actions, fraud cases and other related white collar areas
• 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
• Settlement judge for complex environmental lawsuits under the Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act, CERCLA and other federal and state statutes
• 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

Honors, Memberships, and Professional Activities

• Led local and national training sessions for new federal judges on substantive legal and technology issues
• Frequent speaker at bar presentations on federal litigation and intellectual property issues
• Guest lecturer and moot court judge at UCLA School of Law, USC Gould School of Law, Loyola Law School, Southwestern Law School and UC Irvine School of Law
• Board Member, Federal Bar Association of Los Angeles, Board Member
• Member, Executive Committee, Litigation Section, Los Angeles County Bar Association
• Board Member, Judge Paul R. Michel Intellectual Property American Inn of Court
• Member, Los Angeles Intellectual Property Law Association
• Member, White Collar Crime Committee, American Bar Association
• Member, Tom Bradley – Arleigh Woods American Inn of Court

Background and Education

• U.S. Magistrate Judge, U.S. District Court, Central District of California, 2011–2024
• Assistant U.S. Attorney, Deputy Chief, Major Frauds Section, Central District of California, 2000–2011
• Attorney and Senior Counsel, Division of Enforcement, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Los Angeles, 1995–2000
• Litigation Associate, Proskauer Rose Goetz & Mendelsohn, Los Angeles, 1991–1995
• J.D., with Honors, University of Pennsylvania Law School, 1991
• A.B., with Honors, English (modified with Psychology), Dartmouth College, 1988