Michael R. Capizzi

Of Counsel

Mr. Capizzi defends public agencies against tort and civil rights claims in state and federal court and in select cases defends public officers in criminal matters. He also represents public agency management in employee discipline proceedings.

As the former District Attorney of Orange County (1990 to 1999), Mr. Capizzi administered an office of 1200 employees, including 250 attorneys. Prior to election to that office, he was in top management with the District Attorney's office for over 19 years in addition to trying numerous high profile corruption and fraud cases. At the conclusion of his second full term as District Attorney he chose to forego seeking a third term to pursue the primary nomination for California Attorney General.

In 1994 Mr. Capizzi appointed to serve on the three member Operations Management Council, which was charged with overseeing the day to day operations of the County of Orange in the months immediately following its bankruptcy filing.

A graduate of the University of Michigan School of Law, Mr. Capizzi has successfully argued cases on three occasions before the United States Supreme Court. He has successfully handled dozens of cases before the California State Supreme and Appellate Courts. He has conducted hundreds of jury trials and served as a Special Assistant United States Attorney for the Central District of California overseeing the investigation and personally prosecuting in Federal court twelve individuals for political corruption violations arising in Los Angeles County.

Mr. Capizzi served as legal advisor for the Law Enforcement Intelligence Unit (LEIU), an international association of law enforcement agencies with an organized crime intelligence function. Holding an "AV" rating in Martindale-Hubbell, Mr. Capizzi is also a fellow of the prestigious American College of Trial Lawyers. He is a past president of the Orange County Bar Association and the California District Attorney's Association and is a past Vice-president of the National District Attorney's Association.

Mr. Capizzi has extensive teaching experience in the criminal justice programs at Santa Ana College and California State University, Fullerton. In addition, Mr. Capizzi served as a planning commissioner in the City of Fountain Valley for ten years. He is a recipient of the California District Attorney’s annual Outstanding California Prosecutor Award. His accomplishments in legal circles have earned him recognition as a biographee in Marquis’ Who’s Who in America and Who’s Who in American Law.

Education

Univ. of Michigan School of Law , J.D. (May 1964)
Eastern Michigan Univ., B.S.B.A (July 1961)

Admissions

All courts of State of California
U. S. Supreme Court
U.S. Court of Appeals, 9th Circuit
U.S. District Courts for Southern, Central, Northern and Eastern
Districts of California
U. S. Court of Claims

Practice Areas

Civil Litigation
Employment Law
Criminal Law

Professional Affiliations

State Bar of California
State Bar of California Orange County Bar
National District Attorney's Assoc. (1979–1999)
Calif. District Attorney's Assoc. (1974–1999)

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