Michelle Friis is a highly experienced legal assistant and paralegal at Rashtian Law, with an impressive 24-year tenure in the legal industry confidently assisting attorneys in all aspects of civil litigation. Her responsibilities encompass preparing pleadings, correspondence, court filings, service documents, conducting legal research, and managing calendars. Currently she primarily focuses on personal injury cases related to food delivery claims and private personal injury matters.
Michelle's extensive experience allows her to navigate her job with ease. She possesses an unwavering confidence and a remarkable ability to juggle multiple tasks simultaneously. Her keen attention to detail and seasoned expertise enables her to identify any issues or mistakes in court documents or processes, helping ensure that she is supporting her team efficiently.
Throughout her career, Michelle has worked at various law firms, gaining valuable insights and expertise. She began her legal journey as a legal clerk at Newmeyer and Dillion in 1999, where she received training from a senior paralegal. In 2000, she enrolled in and completed the paralegal program at UCI. Even before obtaining her paralegal certificate, she was hired by a firm specializing in construction defect law, showcasing her exceptional abilities and knowledge.
Michelle's professional paralegal experience extends to diverse areas of law, including legal malpractice, sexual abuse cases, business litigation, trial preparation, complex class actions, and probate and trust litigation. She also worked at an employment and labor firm and for the City of Newport Beach. To further enhance her qualifications, Michelle pursued additional certifications, becoming a certified paralegal through NALA in 2021. She also obtained two advanced paralegal certifications, specializing in California discovery, also awarded by NALA. Michelle is an active member of the OC Paralegal Association, engaging in professional networking and development.
Outside of her professional endeavors, Michelle is a talented flute player. She has a B.A. from the U.C. Irvine Fine Arts program. Her musical talents extend to performing with chamber music groups for weddings, events, and art openings. Cooking and experimenting with new recipes bring her joy, as does hiking in her leisure time. Michelle plans to join the Laguna Beach Concert Band to further nurture her passion for music and contribute to the local arts community.