Michael Hall III

Michael Hall III is a trial lawyer who believes in the simple premise that the practice of law should be used to help others and to do what’s right.

Michael has received statewide recognition as a result of having secured some of the most significant and precedent-setting damages recoveries in the state of Minnesota. His $10.5 million dollar verdict, obtained in March 2011 and reported in the Minneapolis StarTribune and the St. Cloud Times, is the largest jury verdict ever recorded in Stearns County Minnesota (Minnesota’s Seventh Judicial District - St. Cloud, MN). Further, Michael’s $798,000.00 verdict, obtained in August 2012, has been recognized as one of the largest whiplash injury verdicts in Minnesota state history. The landmark verdict, obtained in August 2012 in Minnesota's 10th Judicial District, set a high-water mark for future damages in such cases. A short list including other recent results is set forth below:

In addition to the high-dollar cases set forth above, Michael has also made an impact in legal cases involving the protection of fundamental human rights. In November 2011, Mr. Hall served as lead trial counsel in a Hennepin County case involving the privacy rights two young women. Both young women had their privacy violated via highly offensive conduct committed by their employer. At issue in the case was whether or not young women such as Mr. Hall’s clients could expect to have their privacy rights respected, and whether an employer who blatantly violated those rights would be held accountable. The verdict, which was reported in the local news media, was decidedly in favor of Mr. Hall's two clients, and included a punitive damages finding against the violator. The verdict reaffirmed the importance the right to privacy in our community.

Michael is among a very small group of trial lawyers who have secured punitive damages in multiple jury trial verdicts. In general, punitive damages are intended to punish and deter behavior that knowingly or recklessly endangers the public. Punitive damages verdicts are extremely rare. According to recent figures from the Bureau of Justice Statistics punitive damages were awarded in less than 2.9% of all civil trials nationally.

In 2013 Michael was named one of the top 100 litigation lawyers in the state of Minnesota. This is a distinction conferred by the American Society of Legal Advocates. Selection to the top 100 is based on measures of demonstrated legal achievement. Michael has been recognized by his peers for excellence in practice and is rated a Rising Star by Superlawyers.com. This distinction is reserved for less than 2.5% of all lawyers in the state.

Because of Michael's consistent and high quality work, his clients have given him Martindale.com’s and Lawyers.com’s preeminent 5.0 out of 5 client rating. The preeminent client rating is based on measures of responsiveness, quality of service, and value. It is the highest possible client rating for a personal injury lawyer. In 2013 Michael was presented with the Martindale-Hubbell Client Distinction Award. This honor is reserved for less than 1% of the more than 900,000 lawyers listed in the Martindale-Hubbell directory.

As a result of his litigation experience, Michael has served as a continuing legal education instructor, advising his legal peers on topics relevant to the practice of personal injury law.

Michael serves on the civil jury instruction review committee. The committee is tasked with reviewing current jury instructions for necessary revisions, and with developing new instructions and verdict forms.

In 2013 Michael was appointed to chair the Legislative Committee for the Minnesota Association for Justice. The Legislative Committee works to preserve and protect the basic legal rights of everyday Minnesotans. As a result of his work in the personal injury field, Michael has repeatedly been called to testify before the Minnesota House of Representatives' Committee on Civil Law, and the Senate Committee on the Judiciary. In 2011 Michael was part of a legislative team that helped beat back a dangerous bill which would have stripped ordinary Minnesotan’s of the right to rely upon long-standing ski-safety laws established by decades of jurisprudence.

Michael serves on the Board of Governors for the Minnesota Association for Justice. He is also a member of the John E. Simonett Chapter of the American Inns of Court, the Minnesota State Bar Association, and the Stearns/Benton Bar Association.

Michael was born and raised in St. Cloud, Minnesota. He holds an undergraduate degree in economics from the University of Chicago (B.S., 1995), and a juris doctor degree from the University of San Diego School of Law (J.D., 1998). From 1998 to 2006 Michael litigated personal injury and business litigation cases in Southern California. During his years of practice in California, Michael gained experience litigating cases from both sides of the aisle, giving him a unique and valuable perspective on tort liability litigation. Michael developed a solid understanding of the Spanish language, which he continues to utilize in his current practice. In 2006, Michael returned to Minnesota to join Hall Law, P.A. Michael is admitted to practice law in Minnesota, California, Federal District Court for the District of Minnesota and the Southern District of California, and the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals.