Michael S. Fields

Michael S. Fields

Michael Fields has lectured and written on arbitration law and procedures for over 25 years. He retired from the active practice of law after a 47-year career as a plaintiff’s personal injury trial attorney. He remains a licensed member of the California State Bar. Mr. Fields was the 2003 CAALA president, and he was the 2015 recipient of CAALA’s Ted Horn Memorial Award for his many contributions to the profession.He can be contacted at msflb@aol.com.

Articles written by this author:

Health care plan lien claim negotiation — Section 3040

Simplification of Civil Code section 3040: A “five Cs” negotiation guide

Michael S. Fields

Avoiding arbitration costs and arbitrator fees

Must the consumer pay for required arbitration? A guide to the Code of Civil Procedure section 1284.3, subd. (b)(1)

Michael S. Fields

Lien guide for the trial attorney (Part 1 of 2)

A compendium on Attorney liens for contingent fees – includes application of new ethics rules effective November 1

Michael S. Fields

Lien guide for the trial attorney (Part 2 of 2)

Attorney liens for fees and advanced case costs – the final part of a two-part article

Michael S. Fields

Medicare Advantage lien claims: The other Medicare lien

Medicare Advantage lien claims: The other Medicare lien

A Medicare Advantage lien claim is as powerful as a lien claim by Medicare

Michael S. Fields

Liens galore

An updated summary of lien claims for plaintiffs’ attorneys

Michael S. Fields

Ethical standards for neutral and party-appointed arbitrators

Ethical standards for neutral and party-appointed arbitrators

Most PI arbitrations are conducted before a single neutral arbitrator, whereas predispute arbitration agreements require a panel of three neutral arbitrators; the ethical standards are different

Michael S. Fields

When does the mediation process begin and end?

When does the mediation process begin and end?

A look at the beginning and endpoints of mediation confidentiality

Michael S. Fields

Discovery referee appointments

Discovery referee appointments

A guide for the trial attorney highlighting three different types of referee appointment

Michael S. Fields

Private judging with a stipulated “temporary judge”

Private judging with a stipulated “temporary judge”

An ADR alternative

Michael S. Fields

When conduct or impoverishment waives the right to compel arbitration

When conduct or impoverishment waives the right to compel arbitration

The law and selected case examples of conduct that waive the right to compel arbitration

Michael S. Fields

Personal injury late-claim applications

Three steps to know before suing a government entity

Michael S. Fields

Federal Arbitration Act basics: A quick look at the federal act that dominates many arbitrations

An explanation of the act’s 16 sections with relevant cases

Michael S. Fields

Enforceable, written mediation-settlement agreements

Enforceable, written mediation-settlement agreements

An exception to mediation confidentiality

Michael S. Fields

Never agree to a full-day mediation session!

Mediator fees can be substantially reduced when negotiations are confined to a four-hour morning session

Michael S. Fields