Michael Purcell has over two decades of experience litigating a variety of employment and business litigation matters, including as lead counsel in jury trials of wrongful termination matters ranging from age discrimination, whistleblower retaliation, and misclassification. Mr. Purcell was also lead counsel for a federal wage and hour class action involving claims related to overtime pay and meal breaks.
Mr. Purcell has argued before the Ninth Circuit and California Courts of Appeal several times in cases ranging from employment contract disputes, federal civil rights claims, and interpretation of horse racing regulations. In addition, Mr. Purcell acted as lead counsel in an embezzlement matter that resulted in a parallel criminal prosecution in which the defendant pled guilty to criminal embezzlement in San Mateo County based on the evidence discovered during the civil litigation. He has also acted as lead counsel in a variety of administrative hearings and arbitrations. In addition to employment matters, Mr. Purcell has acted as lead counsel in complex corporate litigation matters ranging from disputes about business acquisition agreements, ownership disputes of private companies, franchise agreements and construction contract disputes.
Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Purcell was a Deputy Attorney General for the California Office of the Attorney General where he handled employment disputes for state agencies and a wide variety of administrative hearings, including representing the California Horse Racing Board in enforcement actions against licensees. As a Deputy Attorney General, Mr. Purcell acted as lead counsel in high profile whistleblower retaliation and FEHA harassment claims, including in jury trials. Before working for the Attorney General’s Office, he was the lead litigator for Valla & Associates where he represented corporate clients and their subsidiaries in a wide variety of business and employment matters.
Mr. Purcell received his undergraduate degree from the University of Notre Dame and his law degree from the Ohio State University College of Law. He is admitted to practice in California state and federal courts and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.
Prior Work Experience
California Department of Justice – Office of Attorney General (2018-2025)
Deputy Attorney General V
Primarily responsible for representing state agencies in employment litigation and administrative mandate matters. Represented agencies in civil litigation, including jury trials, and administrative trials. Argued appellate matters in the California Courts of Appeal and Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals
Law Offices of Michael Purcell (2017-2018)
Lead Counsel in jury trial of wage and hour class action case and a trademark litigation matter.
Valla & Associates (2010-2017)
Litigation Counsel
Represented business clients in a wide variety of litigation and arbitration matters, including wage and hour class action, wrongful termination, franchise disputes, commercial contract litigation, fraudulent transfer bankruptcy claims, and embezzlement claims. Acted as lead counsel in multiple jury trials. Represented clients and argued in the California Courts of Appeal and Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.
Education
- Ohio State University Michael E. Moritz College of Law, J.D., 2002
- University of Notre Dame, B.A., 1999
Court Admissions
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of California
- U.S. District Court, Central District of California
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of California