Micaela P. Banach
Results Driven.
Experienced in all aspects of case handling, Micaela P. Banach has amassed an impressive track record over the course of her career – skillfully representing both plaintiffs and defendants in practice areas that include matters of real estate, employment, products liability, professional liability and business disputes, such as contract issues and fraud. Results driven, she has secured successful results for numerous clients – most notably obtaining a multi-million dollar judgment in a fraud and securities action.
Prior to becoming one of the founding partners of Noonan Lance Boyer & Banach, she was a partner at the highly regarded law firm of Kirby Noonan Lance & Hoge. Her achievements include several successful jury and bench trials; a defense arbitration award in favor of a client sued for more than $12 million; successfully writing and arguing an appeal before the 4th District Court of Appeals; and many negotiated settlements.
For seven years, Banach served on the board of directors for the San Diego County Bar Foundation, the charitable arm of the San Diego County Bar Association. She served as president in 2017, leading the nonprofit as it supported underprivileged communities in the region by providing them with access to legal services.
Banach also enjoys traveling, sports and spending time at the beach with her husband and two sons.
Office
NoonanLance
701 Island Avenue, Suite 400
San Diego, CA 92101
Contact Info
Email: mbanach@noonanlance.com
Phone: 619-780-0880
Fax: 619-780-0877
Education
- University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law, J.D., (with great distinction), 2003
- Washington State University, B.A., (cum laude) 2000
Admissions
- State of California
- U.S. District Court, Southern California
- U.S. District Court, Central California
- U.S. District Court, Northern California
- U.S. District Court, Colorado
Industry & Community Involvement
- State Bar of California
- San Diego County Bar Association
- San Diego County Bar Foundation (President: 2017, Board Member: 2013-2019)
- Barrister, American Inns of Court – Louis M. Welsh Chapter
- Member, The Lawyers Club of San Diego
- Speaker, “Adapting Deposition Strategies in a Changed World,” San Diego Defense Lawyers and Consumer Attorneys of San Diego, Sept. 2020
Awards & Recognition
- AV® Peer Review rating, Martindale-Hubbell International Law Directory: Since 2013
- “Rising Star,” Super Lawyers: 2015-2018
- Top 25 Southern California Women Super Lawyers – San Diego Edition: 2023
- Business (Commercial) Litigation, Best Lawyers: 2023, 2024
- Real Estate Litigation, Best Lawyers: 2023, 2024
- Business Litigation, Super Lawyers – San Diego Edition: 2020, 2022-2024
- “Top Lawyers,” San Diego Magazine: 2014-2018
- “Women of Influence in Law,” San Diego Business Journal: 2021
- “Top 40 under 40 Business Professionals,” The San Diego Daily Transcript: 2016, 2017
- “San Diego’s Top Attorneys,” San Diego Metro Magazine: 2018
- Media appearances:
- Trial Call 10 Podcast
- Sexual Harassment in the Workplace? CW6 San Diego
- Who is Liable for Sexual Harassment Claims Against the Mayor? CW6 San Diego
- Third Filner Accuser Comes Forward, CW6 San Diego
- Zero Tolerance, San Diego Business Journal
- Women’s Roles in the Workplace are Moving Up, San Diego Daily Transcript
Litigation Practice Areas & Notable Cases
General Business Disputes
From pre-trial motions and summary judgments to trials and appeals, Banach is well-versed in a variety of business disputes. For example she obtained summary judgment for a public entity client dismissing the claims of more than 350 individuals. Banach co-chaired a bench trial in a complex matter, where the judge awarded more than $4 million on behalf of the firm’s 31 plaintiffs. In that case, she successfully proved claims of fraud, constructive fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, negligence, financial elder abuse, violations of Business and Professions Code § 17200 and violations of California securities laws. Settlements and a stipulated judgment from other defendants were also secured for several million dollars prior to trial.
Real Estate
Banach has worked with construction developers and contractors to navigate through real estate litigation. In one case, she successfully co-chaired a bench trial on behalf of a commercial real estate developer. As a result, the developer was able to move forward on a new project.
Employment
Through discrimination, wrongful termination, sexual harassment and more, Banach supports her employment law clients to determine their goals and the best potential outcome. For example, she obtained a complete defense arbitration award in favor of a client, a national restaurant chain, sued for more than $12 million on claims of discrimination and wrongful termination.
Professional Liability
Specializing in legal malpractice defense, Banach works to help clients achieve their litigation goals. She has represented several prominent local law firms in professional negligence cases.
Personal Injury
When catastrophic personal injuries occur, Banach focuses on a thoughtful approach that can lead to the best resolution possible. She co-chaired a jury trial in a personal injury lawsuit on behalf of a large retailer, and the jury returned a complete defense verdict in the retailer’s favor. Banach also co-chaired a personal injury jury action on behalf of a trucking company, in which the court dismissed the plaintiff’s claims before the case was sent to the jury, resulting in complete success for her client.
Additional Practice Areas
Banach has experience in a wide variety of practice areas, which also includes products liability and antitrust matters. She co-chaired a five-week jury trial in a complex products liability case.
