Attorney Michael Athari is a former Deputy District Attorney who now dedicates his practice to defending individuals facing criminal charges and protecting parents in juvenile dependency proceedings. Licensed to practice law in California since 2017, Michael brings valuable experience from both sides of the courtroom to every case he handles. His background as a prosecutor, criminal defense attorney, and advocate for parents in dependency proceedings gives him a well-rounded understanding of how the government investigates, charges, and litigates cases.
As a former prosecutor, Michael understands how criminal cases are investigated, evaluated, charged, negotiated, and presented at trial. Today, he uses that insider perspective to anticipate prosecutorial strategies, identify weaknesses in the government's evidence, and build strategic and effective defenses for his clients.
Michael has successfully represented individuals facing everything from misdemeanor offenses to serious felony charges throughout California. His background as both a prosecutor and defense attorney allows him to evaluate cases from every angle and develop defense strategies based on how the prosecution is likely to approach the evidence.
He understands that being accused of a crime can affect a client's freedom, career, family, and future. Michael approaches every case with careful preparation, direct communication, and a commitment to protecting his clients' constitutional rights. Whether negotiating with prosecutors or presenting a case in court, his goal is to place every client in the strongest possible position and pursue the best available outcome.
Michael also brings significant experience representing parents in juvenile dependency proceedings. While serving as a defense attorney with the Orange County Children's Advocates Unit, he represented parents facing the possible removal of their children, restrictions on custody, and other challenges to their parental rights.
In these cases, Michael worked to protect the parent-child relationship, challenge allegations made by child protective agencies, and help clients navigate one of the most difficult and emotionally charged areas of the legal system. He understands how quickly these cases can affect a family's future and provides strategic, compassionate advocacy every step of the way.
Michael has also handled restraining order matters from both sides, including petitioning for and defending against restraining orders. His combination of criminal defense, juvenile dependency, and restraining order experience allows him to recognize how allegations in one court proceeding may affect another and develop a coordinated legal strategy focused on protecting his clients' rights, families, and futures.
Michael's commitment to serving his community began while attending the University of California, Irvine. He went on to earn his Juris Doctor from Trinity Law School, where his interest in criminal law developed while serving as a law clerk with the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office, gaining valuable firsthand exposure to California's criminal justice system.
Before joining My Rights Law, Michael served as a Senior Associate Attorney at the Matian Law Firm, where he represented clients facing a wide range of criminal charges. Today, he combines his experience as a former Deputy District Attorney, criminal defense lawyer, trial attorney and juvenile dependency advocate to provide strategic, results-driven representation tailored to each client's unique circumstances. Whether negotiating with prosecutors or litigating in court, his focus remains the same: protecting his clients' rights and pursuing the best possible outcome.
Trinity Law School - Orange County, CA
UCI - University of California, Irvine
English and Spanish
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