Michael Slater

Michael Slater is a litigation attorney at Pointer & Buelna – Lawyers for the People, where he focuses his practice on holding government actors accountable for constitutional violations, including First Amendment retaliation and Fourth Amendment excessive force. He brings over eight years of litigation experience to his work — and a rare perspective shaped by work on all sides of the courtroom: as a defense attorney, a plaintiff’s advocate, and a judicial extern.

Michael earned his J.D. from UC Hastings College of the Law in 2017, graduating in the top third of his class. While in law school, he served as a judicial extern to the Honorable Kandis A. Westmore of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, where he gained firsthand insight into the judicial process and the mechanics of federal litigation. He also served on UC Hastings Moot Court Board, received recognition for brief-writing and oral advocacy at the prestigious Nationals Moot Court Competition, and held leadership roles in OUTlaw and other student organizations.

After law school, Michael worked at the Oakland City Attorney’s office before spending several years as a litigation associate at two respected defense firms in Oakland, during which time he litigated personal injury claims and defended public entities in complex federal civil rights cases. During this time, Michael also advised government clients on risk management and legislation.

Fighting for disadvantaged individuals and communities has always been central to Michael’s identity—both personally and professionally. He is drawn to the kind of work that gives a voice to people who may not otherwise be heard, and he brings that sense of mission to every case he handles. To further this goal, in 2022, Michael launched his own plaintiff-side practice, during which time he prosecuted constitutional claims against government actors. In 2024, he joined Pointer & Buelna – Lawyers for the People for the unique opportunity to continue this important work alongside extraordinary colleagues and exceptional clients.

Michael’s full-spectrum litigation experience—from pre-suit through trial and post-trial motions and appeals—allows him to offer clients a strategic and steady hand at every phase of a case. He combines legal skill with deep institutional insight, having seen litigation from the perspectives of the plaintiff, the defense, and the bench. Michael is admitted to practice law in all California state courts and in all four federal district courts in California.

Outside of the courtroom, Michael enjoys traveling, backpacking, golfing, reading, and live music. He is also a dedicated sports fan.