Michael J. Markowitz - Danville, CA
Attorney at Gagen, McCoy, McMahon, Koss, Markowitz & Fanucci
Litigation Lawyers in Danville, CA
630 San Ramon Valley Boulevard Suite 200 Danville, CA 94526
- 1 Super Lawyers®
-
44
Years
Experience
Danville Litigation Lawyer
Updated: 03/09/2026
Areas of Practice
- Litigation
- Juvenile Law
- Juvenile Defense
Litigation: 100%
Attorney Information
Overview
After several years cutting his teeth as a prosecutor, attorney Michael J. Markowitz joined Bill Gagen in private practice in 1985, forming the cornerstone of one of the region's most formidable defense teams. With his unique mix of diplomacy and doggedness, Mr. Markowitz has amassed an excellent track record of success in and out of the courtroom.
Certified by the State Bar as a legal specialist since 1992, Mr. Markowitz has tried dozens of cases and handled a wide range of complex legal matters, including DUIs, assault, drug-related issues, corporate fraud, and other serious allegations. His approach is to jump into a case early, investigate and mitigate, utilizing top investigators and experts to counter one-sided reports and level the playing field. His method has earned him the loyalty of his clients and the respect of his peers. Mr. Markowitz was selected for inclusion in California Super Lawyers in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2010, a designation reserved for just five percent of the attorneys in the state.
Friendly and forthright, Mr. Markowitz is liked and trusted by juries, judges, and fellow lawyers. Yet when it comes to protecting his clients' rights, he won't hesitate to take the unpopular position, even when it means challenging law enforcement agencies and government attorneys. He will find and expose errors, misconduct, and procedural mistakes. Through an active motions practice, he has great success in suppressing evidence, leveraging his negotiating position, and having counts and cases dismissed. He does not tolerate unfair tactics by opposing parties. In 2009, he moved to recuse an entire office as biased against his client and fought for sanctions against the opposing counsel for misconduct in the case. While recognizing that settling a case may often be in a client’s best interest, he has the insight and experience to know when it’s time to take the fight to trial or seek justice on appeal.
Awards and Honors
Honors
- Received AV Preeminent Rating From Martindale-Hubbell
- Selected as 2013 Northern California Super Lawyers
- Selected as 2010 Northern California Super Lawyers
- Selected as 2009 Northern California Super Lawyers
- Selected as 2008 Northern California Super Lawyers
- Selected as 2007 Northern California Super Lawyers
- Selected as 2006 Northern California Super Lawyers
- Selected as 2005 Northern California Super Lawyers
- Selected for inclusion in California Super Lawyers in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010
Other Sources of Feedback About Michael J. Markowitz
Included on the 2018 Northern California Super Lawyers list
Past Lists
- 2017 Northern California Super Lawyers list
- 2015 Northern California Super Lawyers list
- 2014 Northern California Super Lawyers list
- 2013 Northern California Super Lawyers list
- 2010 Northern California Super Lawyers list
- 2009 Northern California Super Lawyers list
- 2008 Northern California Super Lawyers list
- 2007 Northern California Super Lawyers list
- 2006 Northern California Super Lawyers list
- 2005 Northern California Super Lawyers list
Education
-
Legal Education
-
Golden Gate University School of Law,
San Francisco,
California, 1982
J.D., Doctor of Jurisprudence
-
Golden Gate University School of Law,
San Francisco,
California, 1982
-
Non Legal Education
-
State University of New York,
Brockport,
New York, 1973
B.A., Bachelor of Arts
Major: American History
-
State University of New York,
Brockport,
New York, 1973
Current Employment Position(s)
-
Retired
Past Positions
- Janet Reno
- Florida’s Attorney General, Paralegal
- Contra Costa County District Attorney, Deputy District attorney, 1982 - 1985
Pro Bono Activities
- Member , Board of Directors, The Kennedy-King Memorial College Scholarship Fund, Ltd., 2011 - Present
Bar Admissions
- California, 1982
- U.S. District Court Eastern District of California
- U.S. District Court Northern District of California
Other Affiliations
- Alameda - Contra Costa Trial Lawyers Association (Member)
- Association of Trial Lawyers of America (Member)
- California Trial Lawyers Association (Member)
- American Bar Association (Member)
- Alameda-Contra Costa Trial Lawyers Association, 1991 - 1992 (Recording Secretary)
- Judge Pro Tempore in the Juvenile Division of the Contra Costa Superior Court
- Arbitrator and Mediator, Contra Costa County Superior Court
- Contra Costa County Bar Association (Board President, 2000)
- Alameda-Contra Costa Trial Lawyers Association (Board President, 1993)
- Contra Costa County Conference of Delegates
- Contra Costa County Judicial Evaluation Committee, 2000 - 2004
- Contra Costa Bench-Bar Committee
- California Public Defenders Association
- Robert G. McGrath American Inn of Court
Photo
Contact
630 San Ramon Valley Boulevard
Suite 200
Danville, CA 94526
Phone: 925-605-0357
Fax: (925) 838-5985
Email: Send a message
Website: https://www.gagenmccoy.com
Hours: Monday-Friday: 8:00am - 5:30pm, Saturday-Sunday: Closed
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