Michelle represents owners, general contractors, lenders, and subcontractors in all manner of construction-related disputes. Her experience includes contract negotiation, claim preparation and evaluation, and prosecution and defense of contractor claims from pre-litigation through trial. She represents clients before state courts, federal courts, and arbitration tribunals, and has resolved numerous complicated construction disputes at mediation. Michelle’s practice has particular emphasis on private commercial and mass residential construction projects.

Michelle is a top rated litigation attorney in San Francisco, and has been named a "Northern California Super Lawyer" by San Francisco magazine from 2015 through 2019.

Bar Admissions

• California

Education
J.D., cum laude, University of California, Hastings College of the Law (2009)
B.A., University of California, Davis (2004)

Professional Associations

• The Bar Association of San Francisco's Justice & Diversity Center, Board of Directors
• Bar Association of San Francisco

Professional Activities and Experience
Accolades

• Top Rated Business Litigation Attorney, SuperLawyers (2014-2019)

• San Francisco Imposes Quarantine on Travelers and Commuters from Outside the Bay Area with Two Exceptions for Construction Workers

  By Michelle Akerman |January 2021

• Bay Area Counties Issue New Orders Permitting Construction to Resume with Conditions

  By Michelle Akerman |May 2020

• New Orders from 6 Bay Area Counties Require Face Coverings to be Worn During Work in Most Circumstances

  By Michelle Akerman |April 2020

Additional Articles"San Francisco Imposes Quarantine on Travelers and Commuters from Outside the Bay Area with Two Exceptions for Construction Workers," co-author, Construction Alert (January 2021)
"Business Realities in the Age of COVID-19," co-author, Seniors Housing Business (June 2020)
"Bay Area Counties Issue New Orders Permitting Construction to Resume with Conditions," co-author, Construction Law Alert (May 2020)
"New Orders from 6 Bay Area Counties Require Face Coverings to be Worn During Work in Most Circumstances," co-author, Government + Construction Law Alert (April 2020)
"Bay Area Counties Further Restrict Construction, Extend Shelter-in-Place Orders Until May 3, 2020," co-author, Construction Law Alert (April 2020)
"Governor Newsom’s 'Stay at Home' Order Allows Construction to Continue, but Many Cities and Counties are Banning Most Construction," co-author, Construction + Government Law Alert (March 2020)
"Important Shelter-in-Place Exceptions for Some Construction Activities," co-author, Construction Law Alert (March 2020)
Note, Brown v. United States, the Paquete Habana, and the Executive, 60 HASTINGS L.J. 149 (2008)

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