Joseph J. Appel

Mr. Appel specializes in resolving serious injuries cases. He graduated from St. Mary’s College of California, Moraga, California in 1976 with a Bachelor of Arts in English. He also played basketball for the Gaels for four years. He then graduated from University of California, Hastings College of the Law, in 1979. Mr. Appel was admitted to the California and Federal Bars in the same year. He is a member of the Contra Costa and Alameda County Bar Associations, Consumer Attorneys of California, and the American Trial Lawyers Association.

Mr. Appel has received an "AV" rating from Martindale-Hubbell, which is the authoritative resource for information on the legal profession. The "AV" rating is based upon evaluations by other lawyers for legal abilities and ethical standards.

Mr. Appel was born in 1953. His avocations include basketball coaching for 18 years at the grammar and high school levels. His community-based service work is devoted to Christ the King Catholic Church Social Justice Committee, with special emphasis on advocacy for the mentally ill. Mr. Appel is one of the founders of the Christ the King family support group for families afflicted with severe mental illness.

Michael J. Appel

For over 30 years, Mr. Appel has exclusively devoted his practice to handling serious personal injury and wrongful death cases. He has represented clients throughout California, both in State and Federal courts.

Mr. Appel has received an "AV" rating from Martindale-Hubbell, which is the authoritative resource for information on the legal profession. The "AV" rating is based upon evaluations by other lawyers for legal abilities and ethical standards.

Mr. Appel attended St. Mary’s College of California, Moraga, California, where he majored in English. He was an editor of the literary magazine, "The Phoenix." He also played rugby for the Gaels, and was a member of the team that went on the first annual rugby tour of the East Coast. Mr. Appel received his Bachelor of Arts degree in English in 1970, and, at the same time, he also received the Alumni Medal for English.

In 1973, Mr. Appel received his Juris Doctorate from Golden Gate University School of Law, San Francisco, California. He was admitted to the United States Supreme Court, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, the Federal District Courts for the Northern, Eastern, Central and Southern Districts of California, the United States Court of Federal Claims, and the California Supreme Court.

Mr. Appel is also a part-time teacher at De La Salle High School in Concord, California. He teaches American Studies: The Law and AP Government & Politics. Mr. Appel has also coached soccer for almost 20 years, both at the club and high school level. He has taken teams to state, regional and national tournaments. He has also been the coach of numerous soccer teams that have traveled to Europe to play as the USA representative in the FISEC games, which is an organization that is recognized by the International Olympic Committee.