Michael R. Watts

Michael R. Watts is an accomplished litigator who focuses his practice on training and advising clients regarding workplace violence and safety issues. Mr. Watts also leads and assists employers with sensitive investigations into racial discrimination, sexual harassment, and other allegations.

With years of experience in both the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General Corps and the U.S. Secret Service, Mr. Watts brings a unique perspective and expert guidance to all matters involving workplace safety and security, including violence in the workplace, active shooter training, active shooter response, and the use of force.

Mr. Watts has developed and conducted training courses in workplace safety for more than 15 years. During these courses, he puts a legal lens on active shooter training and presents both the employment law, as well as the employee relations points of view.

Mr. Watts is also a Lt. Col. in the Judge Advocate General’s Corps, where he serves as the deputy commander of a legal unit and formerly served as the chief prosecutor for the second largest unit in the United States Army Reserve.

During his years as a Special Agent with the U.S. Secret Service, Mr. Watts participated in numerous bank fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering investigations, and developed significant expertise in asset forfeiture and money laundering investigations. As a protective agent, he participated in protective operations for the President, the Vice President, presidential candidates, and foreign dignitaries.

While an active duty supervisory attorney in the U.S. Army, Mr. Watts oversaw all legal operations for a large unit at the 101st Airborne Division.

Mr. Watts began his legal career as a Judge Advocate in the U.S. Army where he investigated and prosecuted violent and white collar crimes, including a high-profile attempted murder case. He also taught hundreds of classes on the law of armed conflict, rules of engagement, and the use of force.

While attending law school, Mr. Watts received the Constitutional Law Award and participated in the Public Defender’s Externship and the Mediation Clinic.

• In 2022, assisted in securing successful outcomes for construction and transportation clients at arbitrations involving the interpretation of collective bargaining agreements.

• In 2022, facilitated extremely favorable settlement terms for a large health care company in proceedings before the National Labor Relations Board.

• Recently represented a government agency in a 37-year wrongful imprisonment case, negotiating a settlement for a fraction of the amount demanded where plaintiffs were seeking between $1-2 million per year of incarceration when other government agencies settled for millions, even before they were sued.

• Obtained summary judgment in publicized case where plaintiff sought $27 million in damages for unlawful search and seizure allegations.
• Assisted numerous military personnel with various issues, including successfully defending personnel during security clearance revocation proceedings and appearing before the Defense Office of Hearings and Appeals (DOHA).
• Facilitated extremely favorable settlement terms for a large health care company in proceedings before the National Labor Relations Board.
• Protected clients from baseless claims of racial discrimination by conducting thorough investigations, resulting in favorable release agreements.

Practice Areas

Community & Professional

Long Beach Police Department Community Advisory Committee – Office of Constitutional Policing

Certifications and Trainings

Mr. Watts has completed a variety of courses and received certifications focusing on security and investigative issues, including courses specifically regarding workplace violence and active shooter prevention, investigation, and mitigation. Some examples include:

Certifications
Active Shooter Response Instructor, California Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Commission Certified, Northern California Regional Public Safety Training Authority, December 2021
U.S. Secret Service Special Agent, Special Agent Training Course, 2010
U.S. Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, Criminal Investigator Training Program, 2010

Training
Preventing Violence in the Workplace, Department of Defense, 2021
Workplace Violence Prevention for Nurses, National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health/Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2021
Force Encounters Analysis: Human Performance in Critical Incidents, California POST Certified, California Training Institute, 2018
Active Shooter – What You Can Do, Federal Emergency Management Institute, 2016