Judge Michael Wilson

Judge Michael Wilson was appointed to the Los Angeles Superior Court by Governor Gavin Newsom on July 28, 2023, and serves on the civil bench. His pre-bench career spanned private practice across three firms: Kralik & Jacobs LLP (2006–2009), Epps Yong & Coulson LLP (2009–2013), and his own firm, Curat Lex Inc., where he served as Owner and Managing Attorney from 2013 until his appointment. This trajectory reflects over 17 years of civil litigation experience before taking the bench, with a significant period as a solo/small firm practitioner managing his own caseload and client relationships. The one documented ruling available — ordering a former In-N-Out employee to arbitrate a hair discrimination suit in January 2026 — demonstrates a willingness to enforce arbitration agreements in employment disputes. Public coverage describes him as bringing 'scholarship and empathy' to the civil bench, language that suggests an intellectually engaged approach to legal analysis. Attorneys should note that a Commission on Judicial Performance (CJP) record exists for Judge Wilson, which is a material fact warranting independent research before any appearance. Given the limited ruling data available, attorneys should approach preparation conservatively, relying on the documented arbitration ruling and his private practice background as the primary behavioral signals. The data set does not support broad generalizations about his ruling patterns across case types.

The single documented ruling — compelling arbitration in an employment discrimination matter — indicates that Judge Wilson enforces arbitration clauses when properly presented. Attorneys defending employers or seeking to compel arbitration in civil employment disputes should ensure their arbitration agreements are well-documented and procedurally sound before appearing before him. Plaintiffs' counsel in employment matters should be prepared to distinguish their arbitration agreements on substantive grounds rather than assuming the court will find procedural defects without strong evidentiary support. Judge Wilson's background as a solo and small-firm practitioner for the majority of his career means he has direct experience managing cases with limited resources and navigating practical litigation constraints. Attorneys should present arguments that are precise and well-organized, as a practitioner-turned-judge with that background tends to value clarity and efficiency in briefing and oral argument. Overly complex or padded submissions are unlikely to serve counsel well. The existence of a CJP record is a concrete fact that attorneys must independently investigate prior to any appearance. Depending on the nature of that record, it may inform how counsel approaches procedural objections, recusal motions, or other sensitive matters. Do not appear before this judge without first reviewing the publicly available CJP record.

• critical

  Research the CJP Record Independently

  A CJP record exists for Judge Wilson. Before any appearance, obtain and review the full publicly available CJP record to understand its nature and assess any implications for your matter.

• critical

  Prepare Airtight Arbitration Agreement Documentation

  If arbitration is at issue in your case — either compelling or opposing — the documented January 2026 ruling makes this a high-stakes preparation area. Ensure all procedural and substantive elements of the arbitration agreement are thoroughly briefed.

• important

  Craft Scholarly, Well-Cited Legal Arguments

  Given the characterization of Judge Wilson as bringing 'scholarship' to the bench, briefs and oral arguments should be grounded in precise legal authority with thorough citation. Superficial or conclusory arguments are a risk.

• important

  Anticipate a Practitioner-Oriented Bench

  Judge Wilson's 17-year career as a civil litigator and solo practitioner means he has direct experience with the practical realities of litigation. Frame arguments with attention to procedural posture and practical consequences, not just abstract legal theory.

• Nice

  Monitor for Additional Rulings as Docket Develops

  Given the very limited ruling history currently available, attorneys should actively monitor Trellis and court dockets for new rulings from Judge Wilson to build a more complete picture of his decision-making patterns before appearing.

• ›Present arguments with intellectual rigor and precise legal citation — public characterizations of this judge emphasize scholarship as a value he brings to the bench.
• ›Be prepared to address arbitration clauses directly and substantively if they are present in your case; the documented ruling shows this judge engages with arbitration enforcement on the merits.
• ›Given his background managing his own firm, demonstrate respect for the court's time by being organized and efficient in both written submissions and oral argument.
• ›Do not appear without having independently reviewed the CJP record — understanding any prior disciplinary context is essential professional preparation for this courtroom.