Michelle L. Warden

Michelle Warden concentrates the bulk of her law practice on representing medical professionals and their employers in defense of professional malpractice claims. Michelle has defended health care providers in a variety of areas including, without limitation: cardiovascular disease, myocardial infarction, sepsis, vascular treatment, psychiatric treatment, ophthalmic treatment, dental treatment, surgery, family medicine, shoulder dystocia, venipuncture, nursing, pressure ulcers, and radiological issues. She also represents health care facilities such as hospitals, doctors’ offices, dental offices, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, urgent care centers and retail clinics, and laboratories.

In addition to her health care practice, Michelle takes great pride in representing law enforcement officers, private entities, and municipalities in the successful defense of Section 1983 claims involving allegations of excessive force or wrongful denial of medical care, including allegations of negligent medical care in the jail or prison setting, or while in police custody. Michelle also has experience with Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), and drafting and reviewing policies and procedures for law enforcement agencies. Michelle brings a unique perspective to this area of law having previously served as a Fairfax County Police Officer for six years prior to Law School.

Michelle is a 1999 graduate of State University of New York College at Buffalo and a 2008 graduate of T.C. Williams School of Law (Cum Laude). While attending Law School, she served on University of Richmond Law Review and participated in the Disability Law Clinic. Following Law School, Michelle worked as a Judicial Law Clerk for the Honorable (Ret.) Charles J. Maxfield in the Fairfax County Circuit Court.

Michelle handles cases throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia, and is admitted to practice in state and federal courts including Virginia General District and Circuit Courts, Supreme Court of Virginia, United States District Court for the Eastern and Western Districts of Virginia, United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, and United States Bankruptcy Court. She has been recognized by Super Lawyers as a Rising Star in Healthcare since 2012, by Virginia Business magazine as a member of the Legal Elite in the categories of Young Lawyers and Health Law, and  by Richmond magazine as one of the Top Attorneys: Outstanding Young Lawyers in Virginia. Michelle is a published author in Virginia Lawyer and the Journal of Local Government Law. She has also lectured to health care providers regarding various medical malpractice issues, and has lectured to law enforcement officers, private agencies, and attorneys regarding policing issues, the use of body-worn cameras by law enforcement, and FERPA.