About Michael
Michael Berger is one of California’s preeminent appellate lawyers and is a partner in Manatt Real Estate and the appellate practice. One of the top land use and condemnation lawyers in the United States, his appellate cases have involved planning, zoning, eminent domain, various kinds of business litigation, landslides, contract, due process, equal protection, defective construction, nuisance, insurance and environmental law.Michael has argued four cases before the United States Supreme Court, as well as cases before appellate courts throughout California, numerous federal courts of appeal and other state supreme courts. He is also the frequent author of amicus curiae briefs in various appellate courts, particularly the U.S. Supreme Court, pressing client interests in important pending cases.
Michael Berger is one of California’s preeminent appellate lawyers and is a partner in Manatt Real Estate and the appellate practice. One of the top land use and condemnation lawyers in the United States, his appellate cases have involved planning, zoning, eminent domain, various kinds of business litigation, landslides, contract, due process, equal protection, defective construction, nuisance, insurance and environmental law.
Michael has argued four cases before the United States Supreme Court, as well as cases before appellate courts throughout California, numerous federal courts of appeal and other state supreme courts. He is also the frequent author of amicus curiae briefs in various appellate courts, particularly the U.S. Supreme Court, pressing client interests in important pending cases.
Practice Areas
Professional Affiliations
Awards & Recognition
- Lawyer of the Year: Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law, Los Angeles (2025)
- Lawyer of the Year: Litigation - Land Use and Zoning, Los Angeles (2025)
- Lawyer of the Year: Appellate Practice, Los Angeles (2022)
- Lawyer of the Year: Litigation - Land Use and Zoning, Los Angeles (2021)
- Lawyer of the Year: Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law, Los Angeles (2020)
- Lawyer of the Year: Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law, Los Angeles (2016)
- Lawyer of the Year: Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law, Los Angeles (2012)
- Recognized: Appellate Practice
- Recognized: Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law
- Recognized: Litigation - Land Use and Zoning
- Recognized: Litigation - Real Estate
- Special Focus: Eminent Domain
- Special Focus: Land Use
- Special Focus: Supreme Court
- Recipient of Brigham-Kanner Prize from William & Mary Property Rights Project, for 45 years of practice and scholarship aimed at upholding the rights of property owners
- Recipient of Crystal Eagle Award from Owners’ Counsel of America for 40 years of protecting and advancing the rights of private property owners in the courts
- Recipient, Distinguished Alumni Award, Washington University School of Law, 2008
- Named as one of the Top-Ranked Attorneys, Chambers USA, 2016
- Named by Los Angeles Magazine and Law & Politics Magazine as one of Southern California’s Super Lawyers 2004-2008, the Best Attorneys in Southern California, and one of the "top 100" in that survey
- Named as one of the "Lawdragon 3000 Leading Lawyers in America," 2006
- Named by California Lawyer as one of California’s "Lawyers of the Year," 1998
- Named by Los Angeles Business Journal as one of 100 most prominent business attorneys, 1995
- Recipient of Harrison Tweed Award for Special Merit in Continuing Legal Education, for career contributions to post-admission legal education, American Law Institute – American Bar Association, 1989