Michael A. Velthoen was born and raised in Ventura County.  He graduated from Stanford University in 1990 with a degree in International Relations.  Mike then headed to Georgetown University in Washington, where he received a master’s degree from the School of Foreign Service and a law degree in 1995.  Mike graduated with honors from the School of Foreign Service and magna cum laude and Order of the Coif from the law school.  While at Georgetown, Mike served as a Notes and Comments editor for the Georgetown Law Journal and as an intern for the Honorable Harry T. Edwards, Chief Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.  

After school, Mike returned to California.  He spent a year serving as a law clerk for the Honorable William D. Keller, a judge on the United States District Court for the Central District of California.  Mike then joined the litigation department in the San Francisco office of Latham & Watkins, an international law firm.  While at Latham, Mike focused on commercial litigation, with a particular emphasis on employment, unfair competition, and intellectual property.  In 1999, Mike moved to the San Francisco firm of Farella, Braun & Martel, where he helped obtain a complete defense jury verdict on behalf of a major aeronautical manufacturer against claims of defamation, fraud, negligence, and unfair competition.  Mike also helped resolve a complicated copyright/partnership claim on behalf of the developer of a popular computer software program.  

In 2001, Mike and his wife Patty moved back to Ventura.  He joined Ferguson Case Orr Paterson in March 2001 and was elevated to partner in January 2004.  At Ferguson, Mike has worked on all aspects of commercial litigation, with a particular emphasis on trade secret, intellectual property, partnership dissolution, real estate and employment.  Among other things, Mike helped the firm obtain a complete defense jury verdict after a five-week trial on behalf of several clients against allegations of trade secret misappropriation and breach of contract.  He also successfully resolved another trade secrets claim brought against several clients by their former employer.  Mike also recently obtained a substantial arbitration award on behalf of a client in a dispute concerning the physical and environmental condition of a large retail/industrial property after the defendant had vacated the premises.   

Mike is also actively involved in the local bar association.  He is a past member of the Board of Directors for the Ventura County Bar Association and a past member of the steering committee for its business litigation committee.  Mike is also a member of the editorial board for Citations magazine, the local bar association journal.  He is also a board member of the World Affairs Council of America – Central California Coast.  

In his spare time, Mike likes to spend time with his wife and two children, Elizabeth and Mark.  He also enjoys sailing, hiking, reading, and basketball when he can find the time.