In 2002, Michelle Volk began her career at an insurance defense law firm representing hospitals, doctors, and nursing homes in medical malpractice and elder abuse cases in Riverside, San Bernardino and Los Angeles counties. While there, Ms. Volk represented the firm for marketing purposes and attended numerous seminars, conferences and other events related to the medical-legal and insurance defense industries.
In late 2003, Ms. Volk joined The McMillan Law Firm, as an associate and assisted with the prosecution and defense of all kinds of civil disputes, including business litigation, breach of contract, fraud, and unfair competition. While at this firm, Ms. Volk co-chaired two jury trials involving breach of oral contract and fraud, both of which resulted in a verdict in our clients’ favor. One of those cases, Mancinelli v. Rusty’s Unique Designs, et al., resulted in a verdict in excess of one million dollars including attorney’s fees, and was featured on the front page of Jury Verdicts magazine.
From late 2004 through mid 2011, Ms. Volk was an associate of JW Howard/Attorneys, helping to manage the firm’s litigation case load, representing both plaintiffs and defendants in state and federal court. At that time, Ms. Volk handled numerous cases and matters, mostly business disputes alleging breach of contract, negligence and fraud.
From approximately 2011 and 2016, Ms. Volk was again an associate at The McMillan Law Firm. During that time, she assisted with various civil litigation cases, most of which involved employment matters. She also assisted in supervising and training numerous legal assistants and new associates over the years. She also helped prepare cases for trial in both state and federal court, including adversary matters litigated in the Bankruptcy Court. She also assisted with state and federal cases filed outside of California.
While employed by The McMillan Law Firm, she served as the Assistant Dean of The McMillan Academy of Law and taught Torts for one quarter in 2012. As the Assistant Dean, she was responsible for maintaining compliance with the various rules promulgated by California State Bar and the Bureau of Private Post Secondary Education, including submission of annual reports and preparing for audits.
For approximately one and a half years, Ms. Volk worked for a small contracting business in El Cajon, assisting with its compliance with various OSHA safety standards and preparing materials for training in requisite subjects for their trade. In addition, she assisted with obtaining permits from various municipalities before work could be performed. In addition, she assisted with drafting contracts and policies and procedures for the business.
In late 2017, Ms. Volk rejoined JW Howard/Attorneys, assisting with various business and employment disputes.
Prior to attending law school, Ms. Volk earned a Bachelor’s Degree from University of California, San Diego in 1997 and received honors from the Department of Urban Studies and Planning. While in college and prior to enrolling in law school, Ms. Volk worked as an aide to a partner at Gray Cary Ware & Freidenrich, currently known as DLA Piper. In 2001, Ms. Volk received a law degree from California Western and received the Alec Cory Award for Outstanding Pro Bono Service.
From 2006 to 2012, Ms. Volk served as a Member of the California Western Alumni Association Board of Directors. During that time, she chaired and co-chaired various committees for the Board and assisted with the Board’s annual charity auction that raised thousands of dollars for local non-profits.
Charitable Boards:
California Western School of Law, Alumni Association, Board Member – San Diego
Jackie Blue’s Rescue Angels, Inc., (Animal Rescue) Board Member – San Diego