Personal Injury-Wrongful Death, Medical Malpractice and Aviation Accident Attorney
Robert R. Michael is a highly respected personal and nationally recognized trial attorney based in Maryland, with more than five decades of experience advocating for individuals and families affected by catastrophic personal injury, medical negligence, aviation crashes and wrongful death. A graduate of The George Washington University School of Law (J.D., 1971), he has built a national reputation for excellence in complex litigation.
Mr. Michael is among a select group of elite personal injury trial lawyers in the United States. He is a member of the Inner Circle of Advocates (limited to the top 100 plaintiff trial lawyers nationwide), the International Academy of Trial Lawyers (limited to 500 lawyers in the United States), the American College of Trial Lawyers (limited to less than 1% of active trial lawyers), and the American Board of Trial Advocates (an invitation only group). Each of these organizations conduct independent investigations interviewing Judges and fellow attorneys to evaluate candidates for membership. These organizations are devoted to recognizing exceptional skill, integrity, and courtroom success.
He has been consistently recognized by his peers for decades, including continuous inclusion in Best Lawyers in America since 1986 and designation as “Lawyer of the Year” for Personal Injury Litigation in the Washington, D.C. area. He has also been simultaneously named among the “Top 10” Super Lawyers in both Maryland and Washington, D.C.—a distinction achieved by only a select few attorneys.
Leadership & Professional Contributions
Mr. Michael has held numerous leadership roles within the legal community, including:
- Past President, Maryland Trial Lawyers Association
- Past President, Montgomery County Bar Association
- Past President, Montgomery County Bar Foundation
- Founding Attorney President, Montgomery County Chapter of the American Inns of Court
He has also served on the Maryland Court of Appeals Standing Committee on Rules of Practice and Procedure and has contributed extensively to the development of Maryland law through precedent-setting cases.
Honors & Awards
- Trial Lawyer of the Year – Trial Lawyers Association of Metropolitan Washington, D.C.
- Trial Lawyer of the Year – Maryland Association of Justice formerly Maryland Trial Lawyers Association.
- Trial Lawyer of the Year Best Lawyers in America (two times)
- Top 100 National Trial Lawyer’s Association Personal Injury Attorney of the Year
- American Institute of Trial Lawyers Litigator of the Year
- American Trial Lawyers Association Top 100 Trial Lawyers Attorney of the Year
- Martin Dale Hubbel Preeminent Attorney Award
- Montgomery County Bar Association Century of Service Award
- Maryland State Bar Association Pro Bono Service Award
- Washingtonian Magazine Trial Lawyers Hall of Fame
- Consistently ranked among top medical malpractice lawyers by regional publications
Publications & Teaching
A prolific author and lecturer, Mr. Michael has contributed to leading legal publications and treatises, including Maryland Tort Damages for which he was the Editor for over ten years, Maryland Automobile Accident Deskbook, and Product Liability Law in Maryland. He also served for over 20 years as a guest lecturer at Maryland Judicial College, educating judges on medical malpractice law. He has written multiple articles published in the Maryland Association for Justice including articles on handling Maryland Wrongful Death cases, Federal Tort Claim Act cases and Maryland Rules of Civil Procedure.
He has given over a hundred invited lectures to bar associations, lawyer and civic groups on matters pertaining to the practice of personal injury law.
Notable Experience
Mr. Michael has handled numerous high-impact and precedent-setting cases, including litigation involving constitutional challenges, insurance bad faith, complex wrongful death matters which include medical malpractice and aviation accident cases. His work has helped shape legal standards in Maryland and beyond.
He is also deeply committed to public service. Through the Trial Lawyers Care Program, he represented—pro bono—a severely injured survivor of the Pentagon attack on September 11, securing one of the largest awards from the Victims Compensation Fund. He has also represented many people on a pro bono basis referred by Bar Association or other organizations serving underprivileged people.
Education
- The George Washington University School of Law - JD - 1971
Practice Areas
- Medical Malpractice
- Catastrophic Personal Injury
- Premise Liability
- Wrongful Death
- Aviation Crash Litigation
Community Service
Representative Verdicts and Settlements
- Aviation Crash Cases: $15 Million dollar record verdict in helicopter crash case. $6 Million dollar settlement in helicopter crash case.
- Medical Malpractice Cases: Federal Tort Claim Act verdicts against the United States in Maryland Federal Court of $15 Million, $8 Million and $4 Million representing 3 of the top 4 verdicts in Maryland in FTCA cases.
Client Reviews
I hired Shadoan, Michael & Wells for a medical malpractice case that was very consequential for me. They did an exceptional job managing and litigating my case. Their diligent preparation for every phase of my lawsuit was evident and resulted in a successful...
From the time we met Mr. Wells, Mr. Michael, and Mr. Hall, through trial and settlement, Shadoan, Michael & Wells, LLP. fought for my family and me. Beyond their legal representation, they became like family to us and remained a team we could truly depend on.
My family’s journey with Shadoan, Michael & Wells originally began as a medical malpractice case for our father. Tragically, while the case was progressing, he passed away, and we suddenly found ourselves navigating a wrongful death lawsuit. Through this...