professional bio
Michael D. Peabody received his Juris Doctorate and Certificate in Alternative Dispute Resolution from Pepperdine University School of Law and was admitted to practice law in 2002. He has practiced in the fields of workers’ compensation and employment law, including workplace discrimination and wrongful termination.
Mr. Peabody is an aggressive litigator and problem solver who enjoys the challenges of litigating a variety of cases, including complex and high exposure cases. He has a history of take nothing awards at both at the trial level and on appeal.
Mr. Peabody began his legal career with Bradford & Barthel as a paralegal in 2001 and returned to the firm in 2008 following employment as a defense attorney for Glazer and Blinder and three years as the legislative liaison for the Pacific Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists where he advocated on behalf of First Amendment protections for employees and institutions. He also gained legal experience representing plaintiffs in workplace accommodation and workplace discrimination cases in state courts and federal administrative proceedings.
Mr. Peabody, who earned his Bachelor of Arts at La Sierra University in Riverside, California (1998) in English (Emphasis in Writing), is a published writer and speaker who also appears on radio programs and podcasts to discuss workers’ compensation issues, current events, and Constitutional law topics. Mr. Peabody has presented seminars on Workers’ Compensation for insurance companies, third-party administrators, and employers, and has participated in a panel discussion at the California Workers’ Compensation Forum (CAWC) meetings. He has also presented the LawLine.com MCLE video training on California Workers’ Compensation Defense in 2011. He is also a frequent contributor to Insurance Thought Leadership and has been interviewed by Work Comp Central. Mr. Peabody has returned to his alma mater to participate as a panelist at Pepperdine University School of Law academic conferences. In 2019, he was admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court and has written amicus briefs in employment law cases.
His wife, Danielle, is a high school mathematics teacher, and they and their two children spend their time enjoying all that Southern California has to offer.
Education & Memberships
2001 Pepperdine University (California)
Juris Doctorate
1998 La Sierra University
Bachelor of Arts (English – Focus on Writing)
2002 State Bar of California
2002 California State Courts
U.S. District Court, Central District of California
American Constitution Society
AUTHORED Blog Articles & Webinars
Understanding Subpoena Acknowledgments in Work Comp Cases
In California workers’ compensation trials, witnesses play a major role in providing the testimony needed to clarify the facts of the case. One
The Inside Scoop: How a Workers’ Compensation Bill Becomes Law in California
Have you ever wondered how a workers’ compensation bill transforms from a mere idea into the law of the land in California? The
Pro Tips on Keeping Litigation Emails Clear
In the age of remote hearings and electronic communications, it has become common for parties to informally communicate with each other via email.
Explainer: What is the California Consumer Protection Act (CCPA)?
Most people have a general idea that the websites they read online are watching them back, but the question of “how much” seems
WCAB Explains that SIBTF PD Should Be Added, Not Combined
The Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board recently issued an en banc decision in June 2020 clarifying that prior and subsequent injuries should be “added”
California’s Workers’ Compensation Alternative Dispute Resolution System Offers Key Advantages
When the California Legislature first established a workers’ compensation system in 1913, it was designed to mandate insurance to rapidly provide desperately needed
Case Law Update
Attorney Michael Peabody will review the latest workers’ compensation court decisions and discuss how they may affect the way claims are handled.
ADR ADVANTAGE
Are you using the ADR ADVANTAGE? Alternative dispute resolution, a “carve out” of the statutory workers’ comp system, delivers w/c benefits to unionized
Post-Termination Defense – Use It or Lose It
One of the most effective defense weapons is the Post-Termination defense . Generally speaking, when a claim is not filed
California Bill Would Make Employers Liable for Employment Practices of Subcontractors
The California legislature is considering a bill that could rewrite the relationship between employers and temporary staffing agencies. Assembly Bill 1897 (Hernandez, D-48)
Supreme Court Note: Hobby Lobby and Conestoga Wood Companies Insurance Thought Leadership
On Tuesday, March 25, the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments in two highly anticipated cases involving the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and
Strike While the Panel is Hot – The Timeline for PQME Strikes Under SB 863
How many days do parties have to strike a doctor’s name after the day a QME panel is assigned by the Administrative Director? The
SB 863 Cheat Sheet
SB 863 has had a very significant impact on the way that cases are being handled. Here is a quick breakdown of
U.S. Supreme Court Narrows Scope of Employers’ Liability in Title VII Harassment and Retaliation Claims
On Monday, June 24, 2013, the U.S. Supreme Court issued two 5-4 decisions making it more difficult for a plaintiff to prove an
The MPN battle continues: Life after Valdez
by Timothy W. Rose with special thanks to Michael D. Peabody, Esq. In an attempt to bring some finality to the issues presented in
Headache Highway (aka Uncle Sam and CMS)
When a workers’ compensation settlement claim includes provision for “future medical care,” the Federal government does not want to be held responsible for
Five Things Employers Should Do When an Employee Files a Workers’ Compensation Claim
When an employee gets hurt at work, or at least claims that they did, it can be a very stressful time for employers.
