Michele Rico

Michele Christine Rico is a Managing Attorney at Gill Law Group, PC, where she practices out of the firm's Irvine and San Jose offices. Michele believes that every client deserves an attorney who is passionate about their work and attentive to the unique needs of the people they serve. With more than 30 years of experience in family law and a commitment to finding creative solutions to complex legal problems, she brings a level of dedication and skill to every case that her clients can feel from the very first conversation.

Before focusing her practice on family law, Michele built a diverse professional foundation that spanned careers in teaching, finance, special education, coaching, and business ownership. She began her legal career as a law clerk and steadily advanced through roles as a paralegal, associate attorney, and managing attorney before going on to establish and lead her own successful practice for decades. Throughout that time, she represented clients across a wide range of legal matters, including family law, business litigation, probate litigation, personal injury, and administrative hearings before medical boards and the Small Business Administration, even successfully authoring an appellate brief arising from an SBA § 8(a) denial. Michele was drawn to the law by her natural drive, competitive spirit, and passion for standing up for people who don’t understand the intricacies of the law. That same energy now fuels everything she does at Gill Law Group, PC.

Michele was born in Munich, Germany, to a highly decorated military father and a German mother; her upbringing gave her a global perspective and an appreciation for discipline, resilience, and the importance of family. She is passionate about soccer (or Fußball) and is proud to have raised two scholar-athlete sons who went on to compete at the NCAA level in soccer, as well as a third son whose creative talents shine through his art and photography. Away from the office, her dedication to others extends beyond her clients. Michele is particularly passionate about child advocacy organizations that work to protect vulnerable young people from abuse, neglect, homelessness, and the risks of suicide.

When she is not working, Michele enjoys running, skiing, traveling, attending concerts and soccer matches, as well as spending time with the family and friends who mean the most to her. Those who know her will tell you that she brings that same warmth, enthusiasm, and care to everything she does, inside the courtroom and out.

Education & Experience

• J.D., Western State College of Law, 1996
  • Top 21% of Graduation Class
  • Director's Scholarship and LSAT Scholarship recipient
• A.A., Fullerton College, 1992
  • Presidential Honor Lists recipient
  • Reynolds Memorial Scholarship recipient

Bar Admissions

• Passed the California State Bar on the first attempt
• Licensed to practice in all Courts of the State of California, including the Supreme Court of California
• Admitted to the United States District Court for the Central District of California