Michael D. Padilla, Esq. 

Mr. Padilla is one of Southern California’s top Civil Trial Attorneys. He is one of the founding partner’s of O’MARA & PADILLA.

He is a graduate of the University of San Diego School of Law in 1975. He initially practiced law with the San Diego firm of Higgs, Fletcher & Mack, specializing in Civil Litigation. From 1984 until the foundation of his practice with Scott O’Mara in 1999, he was a Plaintiff’s personal injury specialist and a partner with Thorsnes, Bartolotta, McGuire & Padilla.

He has served as a board member and advisor to many professional, civil and charitable organizations, including the President’s Counsel at Cal State University – San Marcos, the 22nd Agricultural District which oversees the Del Mar Fair Grounds and the American Red Cross.

Mr. Padilla as been trial counsel in numerous significant tort cases involving automobiles, construction accidents, product liability, mass tort, railroad and aviation actions resulting in wrongful death and/or major personal injuries.

One of his more remarkable accomplishments was a Jury Verdict exceeding $63 million for a two year old who suffered brain injury and life long neurologic deficit as a consequence of his doctor’s failure to order a CT Scan following facial trauma. The last pre-trial offer to settle was $200,000.

In another case total damages of $3.7 million were found by a jury for a carpenter injured in a propane gas explosion. The highest pre-trial offer was $250,000.

In the field of consumer protection and unfair business practices, he was published in the case of Brown v. MCI. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals held that billing collections outside of the FCC Tariff were a violation of the Communications Act and subject to class action litigation in the United States District Court.

He makes his home in the Southern California community of Rancho Santa Fe. Has three grown children, one of whom is his son Jeff, who practices law with him. His interests outside of the practice of law include golf, skiing, and fishing.