Michelle Hiepler, a founding partner of the firm, served as co-counsel in the landmark case Fox v. HealthNet, obtaining an $89.3 million dollar jury verdict, $77 million of which was for punitive damages, on behalf of her late sister-in-law.  In connection with this record-setting verdict, Michelle was featured on the cover of California Lawyer and USA Today.

Prior to forming Hiepler & Hiepler, Michelle served as Associate General Counsel of Pepperdine University and as an associate attorney at Adams, Duque & Hazeltine.  Michelle’s trial work also includes the representation of a major German automobile manufacturer in products liability matters.

Michelle is licensed to practice law in California and Colorado.  She received her Juris Doctorate from Pepperdine University School of Law, where she served on the Pepperdine Law Review via top ten percent class placement and on the Law Review editorial board.  She graduated cum laude and was the recipient of American Jurisprudence awards for academic excellence.  Her publications include California Supreme Court Survey, published in the Pepperdine Law Review.  

Michelle obtained her undergraduate degree from the University of Colorado, where she majored in journalism and graduated with honors. 

Michelle currently serves on Pepperdine University’s Board of Regents, the governing board of Pepperdine University and all of its schools and programs.  She is also a founding member and on the Board of Directors of Oaks Christian School in Westlake Village.   

Michelle is married to Mark Hiepler, and they have three children: Sarah, Ryan and Paul.