C.D. Michel

C.D. Michel
Senior Partner, Michel & Associates, P.C.
National Authority on Firearms Law & Constitutional Advocacy

C.D. Michel is the Senior Partner at Michel & Associates, P.C., where he leads one of the most prominent litigation and regulatory compliance practices focused on firearms law, civil rights, and constitutional defense. As a recognized thought leader and one of the nation’s foremost authorities on the Second Amendment, Mr. Michel has been instrumental in shaping the legal landscape surrounding gun rights for over two decades.

Mr. Michel has successfully led over 50 jury trials and argued before numerous appellate courts, advocating for the protection of individual rights guaranteed by the Constitution. His strategic litigation has challenged some of the most restrictive firearm’s regulations, helping to set legal precedents that defend civil liberties on both state and federal levels.

Mr. Michel has represented high-profile clients including the National Rifle Association (NRA), California Rifle & Pistol Association (CRPA), the Second Amendment Foundation, and the Second Amendment Law Center providing legal representation in landmark cases that garner national attention. His legal expertise is frequently sought after by major media outlets, where he serves as a commentator and expert on issues related to firearms law and civil rights.

A published author, Mr. Michel wrote California Gun Laws: A Guide to State and Federal Firearm Regulations, a leading resource for navigating the complex legal environment of firearms ownership and usage. He has also served as an adjunct professor of law at Chapman University, further cementing his role as a mentor to the next generation of legal professionals.

Mr. Michel’s career began as a judicial clerk for U.S. District Court Judge William J. Rea and later as a prosecutor. He also practiced environmental and civil litigation at the prestigious law firm of O’Melveny & Myers, where he represented high-profile clients and participated in historic investigations such as the Christopher Commission’s review of the Los Angeles Police Department.

Known for his relentless defense of civil rights and strategic approach to litigation, C.D. Michel continues to be a driving force in advocating for the protection of constitutional rights across the United States.

Mr. Michel has been profiled in recognition of his work in numerous newspaper, magazine, radio, TV and social media platforms. To view his entire media inventory, CLICK HERE.

Admissions

United States Supreme Court (1996)
United States Court of Appeals: D.C Circuit (2014), Fourth Circuit (2014), Ninth Circuit (1991)
United States District Court: Southern District of California (2009), Northern District of California (2004), Central District of California (1999), Eastern District of California (1989)
California State Bar Association (1989)
Texas State Bar Association (2011)
District of Columbia State Bar Association (2013)

Memberships

American Mensa
Elected to the Central Committee of the Republican Party of Los Angeles County (July 2008-July 2010)
Environmental Law Section, California State Bar
Los Angeles County Bar Association
LACBA Environmental, Civil Rights, Law Practice Management and Civil Litigation sections
Long Beach Bar Association
Orange County Bar Association
Association of Environmental Professionals
Los Angeles County Lincoln Clubs
Professional Service Reserve Deputy, Orange County Sheriff-Coroner Dept.
Peace Officer’s Association of Los Angeles County
California Trial Lawyers Association
California Attorneys for Criminal Justice
National Institute of Criminal Defense Attorneys
National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
Association of Federal Defense Attorneys
California Public Defenders Association
American Inns of Court
Phi Delta Phi Legal Fraternity, Aggeler Inn
International Foundation for Crime Prevention
National Rifle Association, Life Benefactor Member
NRA Business Alliance
California Rifle & Pistol Association, Life Member
Citizen’s Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms, Life Member
Law Enforcement Alliance of America, Life Member
NORML Legal Committee
The Federalist Society

Teaching

Firearms Law, Adjunct Professor, Chapman University Fowler School of Law, Orange, California
Law Practice Management and Technology, Adjunct Professor, Chapman University Fowler School of Law, Orange, California
Judge, Trial Advocacy Competition, Loyola Law School

Honors & Awards

California Lawyer, Chuck Michel, Honored with NRA Defender of Justice Award
NRA’s Defender of Justice Award, NRA-ILA (2013)
Top Rated Lawyer for Energy, Environmental and Natural Resources (2013)
Southern California Super Lawyer (2009-2010, 2012-2013)
Unanimous Commendation Resolution by NRA Board of Directors for Work on the Heller case in Supreme Court (2008)
Gun Rights Defender of the Year, Citizen’s Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms (2005)
National Leadership Award, National Republican Congressional Committee (2005)
Legion of Honor, National Rifle Association (1996, 2004)
Most Valued Board Member, California Rifle and Pistol Association (1997)
James Madison Award, Journalistic Excellence, Second Amendment Foundation (1997)
Poetry Achievement Award, Writer’s Digest Magazine
Pro Bono Services, Public Counsel Public Interest Law Office
Wiley W. Manuel Award for Pro Bono Services, State Bar of California (1992, 1993)
Meritorious Service Award, United States District Court, Central District of California (1990)
Dean’s Service Award, Loyola Law School (1989)
Byrne Trial Advocacy Competition Winner (1989)
Student Bar Association Vice President Service Award, Loyola Law School (1989)
Who’s Who Among American Law Students (1988)
United States Supreme Court and West Publishing, National Bicentennial of the Constitution Essay Competition, Ninth Circuit Regional Winner (1987)

Books

California Gun Laws: A Guide to State and Federal Firearm Regulations.
The first in depth and comprehensive treatment of California and federal firearm laws for California gun owners.

Articles

Daily Journal Article of Chuck Michel, Daily Journal (September 2024)
Daily Journal Article of C. D. “Chuck” Michel (September 2022)
Daily Journal Article Stand & Litigate (February 2016)
California’s Triggerman, Daily Journal (February, 2015)
The Historicity of the Second Amendment Right to Arms, Law Review, May 2013.
Empty Thinking, America’s 1st Freedom, Jan. 2011, at 32.
California Gun-Ban Groups Shred Your Gun Rights, America’s 1st Freedom, Feb. 2010, at 34.
Local Gun Bans in California a Futile Exercise Don B. Kates & C.D. Michel, 41 U.S.F. L. Rev. 333 (2007).
In Your House? Guns in the Home Save Lives, Family Magazine, Jun. 2002.
A Class of Accidental Criminals, LA Daily Journal, Mar. 1998.
Ready On the Firing Line, LA Daily Journal, Sep. 1997.
Arms Defender Not Just Hired Gun

Editorials

Marijuana Use and Firearms Possession – 2024 Update (October 2024)
City’s Gun Control Idea Misses Target, America’s First Freedom, Nov. 2010, at 64.
Why Pass an Ineffective Law on Guns?, America’s First Freedom, Oct. 2007, at 64.
City Gun Ordinance is Worse than a Waste of Effort, Sacramento Bee, Aug. 24, 2007.
Why Pass an Ineffective Law on Guns?, Ventura County Star, Aug. 10, 2007.
A Do-Nothing Symbolic Law That Sends A Soap Box Message, Press Telegram, Nov. 11, 2003, at A2.
Sloppy Gun Laws Confuse Owners, Law Enforcement, L. A. Times, July 23, 2001, at Bll.
Should Gun Owners Have a Waiting Period Before Purchasing a Gun?, Sheila J. Kuehl & C.D. Michel, Beverly Hills Wkly., Aug. 24-30, 2000.
Weapons Act That Includes Law-Abiding Gun Owners Is Irrational, L. A. Daily J., Mar. 18, 1998.
Saturday Night Special, Santa Barbara News-Press, Feb. 22, 1998, at G1.
Facts Don’t Back Anti-Gun Crew, L. A. Times, Oct. 13, 1997.
Prohibition Misfires, C.D. Michel & Steven Silver, L.A. Daily J., May 29, 1997, at 6.
Handgun Ban Would Erode Our Right To Self-Defense, Daily Breeze, Jan. 8, 1997.
Reject Anti-Gun Law, Search for an Effective Alternative, Pasadena Star-News, Dec. 9, 1996, at A4.
A Ban that Will Backfire: West Hollywood’s Symbolic Stance Will Cost Real Tax Dollars, L. A. Daily J., April 2, 1996, at 6.
The Real Victims Are the Gun Owners of L.A., L.A. Times, Nov. 27, 1995, at B5.

Presentations

Guns In America, the NRA Position, Law Enforcement Labor Summit (February 26, 2014)
Santa Barbara County Bar Association 2014 Bench and Bar Conference (February 25, 2014)
A Debate Of Constitutional Proportions, Santa Barbara County Bar Association 2014 Bench and Bar Conference  (January 25, 2014)
Voice Of Freedom, USS Hornet Museum (July 7, 2013)
Second Amendment & Gun Restriction Laws, ALADS Unit Representatives Training Seminar, Cerritos, CA (November 15, 2013)
Partners Of CRPA Fundraising Banquet (November 23, 2013)
NRA Firearms Law & The Second Amendment Symposium, Denver, CO (October 12, 2013)
Regulating Firearms, Gun Violence/Gun Control, Loyola Law School, Los Angeles, CA (May 31, 2013)
Guns, the Constitution and the Courts, Bar Association of San Francisco, CA (May 9, 2013)
Second Amendment Rights, George Allen Luncheon, Commerce, CA (March 29, 2013).
Second Amendment Rights and Litigation Updates, Fred Hall, Long Beach, CA (March 7–10, 2013)
Second Amendment Rights and Litigation Updates, Palos Verdes Republican Women Luncheon, Palos Verdes, CA (January 24, 2013)
History of and Current Developments in Second Amendment Jurisprudence, Intermountain Republican Women Federated Meeting, Ramona, CA (September 24, 2012)
Current Issues and Developments in Second Amendment Jurisprudence, Oath Keepers Meeting, Fountain Valley, CA (September 11, 2012)
Are We Losing Our Second Amendment Rights?, California Federation of Republican Women, Conference on the Bill of Rights, Pomona, CA (February 1, 2012)
Second Amendment Litigation Survey and Update, Firearms Law & Second Amendment Symposium, University of San Diego, San Diego, CA (October 15, 2011)
California Gun Laws Update, AcuSport 2011 Business Conference, Dallas, TX (January 26, 2011)
Recent Developments in Second Amendment Jurisprudence,: Firearms Law & Second Amendment Symposium, John Marshall Law School, Chicago, IL (November 13, 2010)
Second Amendment Litigation, Temple City Sportsmen’s Club, Temple City, CA (November 4, 2010)
Second Amendment Evolution: Heller v. DC and McDonald v. Chicago–Protecting the Fundamental Individual Right to Keep and Bear Arms Against Infringement by Federal, State and Local Government, South Bay Foot printers Association Meeting, San Fernando Valley Chapter, Pasadena, CA (January 26, 2010)
Update on California Litigation and Legislative Developments, Gun Rights Policy Conference, St. Louis, MO (2009)
Second Amendment Initiations, NRA Members Council, Mission Viejo, CA (September 1, 2009)
Second Amendment Jurisprudence, Presentation with Stephen Halbrook, Phoenix, AZ (May 15, 2009)
Update on California Litigation and Legislative Developments, Gun Rights Policy Conference, Phoenix, AZ (2008)
Second Amendment Litigation Update, Safari Club International, Orange County Chapter, Anaheim, CA (November 20, 2008)
Second Amendment Litigation Update, NRA Member’s Council, San Diego, CA (November 1, 2008)
Second Amendment Litigation Update, NRA Member’s Council, Montebello Chapter, Pomona, CA (October 26, 2008)
Second Amendment Litigation Update, NRA Member’s Council, South Orange County Chapter, San Juan Capistrano, CA (October 25, 2008)
Second Amendment Litigation Update, NRA Member’s Council, Simi/Conejo Chapter, Simi Valley, CA (September 6, 2008)
NRA California Legal Initiatives, NRA Member’s Councils Regional Conference, Anaheim, CA (July 26, 2008)
NRA California Legal Initiatives, NRA Member’s Councils, Beach Cities Chapter, Irvine, CA (July 17, 2008)
NRA California Legal Initiatives, NRA Foundation Dinner, San Bernardino, CA (May 31, 2008)
Second Amendment Litigation Update, NRA Foundation Dinner (May 10, 2008)
Second Amendment Litigation Update, NRA Member’s Council, Los Padres Chapter, Oxnard, CA (May 10, 2008)
Second Amendment Litigation Update, NRA Foundation Dinner, San Diego, CA (April 19, 2008)
Second Amendment Litigation Update, NRA Member’s Council, San Gabriel Valley Chapter, San Gabriel, CA (March 29, 2008)
Gun Control in California, NRA Member’s Council, West Valley Chapter, Rancho Cucamonga, CA (March 7, 2008)
Heller v. DC/Litigation Update, NRA Member’s Council, Redondo Beach, CA (March 6, 2008)
Update on California Litigation and Legislative Developments, Gun Rights Policy Conference, Cincinnati, OH (2007)
Update on California Litigation and Legislative Developments, Gun Rights Policy Conference, Charlotte, NC (2006)
Update on California Litigation and Legislative Developments, Gun Rights Policy Conference, Los Angeles, CA (2005)
Firearms Law in California, Continuing Legal Education Seminar, Lorman Education Services, Los Angeles, CA (October 18, 2005)
Update on California Litigation and Legislative Developments, Gun Rights Policy Conference, Washington, D.C. (2004)
Update on California Litigation and Legislative Developments, Gun Rights Policy Conference, Houston, TX (2003)
Update on California Litigation and Legislative Developments, Gun Rights Policy Conference, Phoenix, AZ (2002)
Update on California Litigation and Legislative Developments, Gun Rights Policy Conference, Cincinnati, OH (2001)
Update on California Litigation and Legislative Developments, Gun Rights Policy Conference, Washington, D.C. (2000)
Update on California Litigation and Legislative Developments, Gun Rights Policy Conference, St. Louis, MO (1999)
Update on California Litigation and Legislative Developments, Gun Rights Policy Conference, Seattle, WA (1998)
Update on California Litigation and Legislative Developments, Gun Rights Policy Conference, Denver, CO (1997)
Academics For The Second Amendment: Scholarship Conference on the Bill of Right’s Second Amendment, Bellevue, WA (January 18, 1997)
Update on California Litigation and Legislative Developments, Gun Rights Policy Conference, Washington, D.C. (1996)

Degrees

Juris Doctorate, Loyola Law School (1989)
Oxford University, Magdalen College, SDSU Institute on International and Comparative Law (1988)
Bachelor of Arts, Rutgers University, School of Environmental and Biological Sciences (1980)

Certifications

Range Safety Officer, National Rifle Association
Professional Service Reserve Course, Orange County Sheriff-Coroner
Range Development and Operations Course, National Rifle Association
Defensive Handgun Course, Front Sight Firearms Training Institute
Trial Advocacy Training, National Institute for Trial Advocacy
Discovery and Depositions Training, National Institute for Trial Advocacy
Scott Moot Court, Loyola Law School
Criminology, Criminal Investigation and Identification, Western College of Criminology

Social Media

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