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

2016 November

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

2017 April

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

2018 October

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

2018 November

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

2019 November

Liens galore

An updated summary of lien claims for plaintiffs’ attorneys

Michael S. Fields

2020 September

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

2020 November

When does the mediation process begin and end?

A look at the beginning and endpoints of mediation confidentiality

Michael S. Fields

2021 September

Discovery referee appointments

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

Michael S. Fields

2021 September

Private judging with a stipulated “temporary judge”

An ADR alternative

Michael S. Fields

2022 September