Michael J. Buley

Michael John Buley is an experienced trial attorney at Kimura London & White LLP, representing businesses and individuals in complex commercial litigation. His practice includes business ownership disputes, real estate and construction matters, breach of contract, fraud, negligence, business torts, and other high-stakes civil disputes. With more than three decades of litigation experience, Mr. Buley has tried more than 35 cases in state and federal courts, administrative proceedings, and arbitrations.

 

Throughout his career, Mr. Buley has handled matters involving real estate title and specific performance, civil fraud and conspiracy, business torts, construction defects, unfair business practices, business entity dissolutions and derivative actions, professional negligence, probate disputes, and elder abuse claims. His courtroom experience spans jurisdictions throughout Southern California, and he has also litigated federal matters and cases outside California. Most recently, he secured a complete trial victory for a general contractor following a seven-week bench trial involving breach of contract and construction defect claims, resulting in a 100% recovery for his client.

 

Mr. Buley's practice also includes significant appellate experience. While attending Western State College of Law, he was selected for a judicial externship with the California Court of Appeal, Fourth Appellate District, Division Three, where he worked in the chambers of then-Presiding Justice David G. Sills and assisted with the preparation of appellate opinions. He has since handled numerous appeals on behalf of clients, with his appellate work contributing to published opinions in both state and federal courts.

 

Mr. Buley graduated with honors from California State University, Long Beach after beginning his undergraduate studies on academic scholarship at the University of Texas at Austin. He earned his Juris Doctor with honors from Western State College of Law in 1992, where he served on the Law Review and received American Jurisprudence Awards in Contracts, Torts, and Legal Writing. He is admitted to practice in California, all United States District Courts in California, and the United States Court of Federal Claims in Washington, D.C.

 

 

Mr. Buley's commitment to service extends beyond his legal practice. He previously volunteered with Volunteers in Parole, where he was named Attorney Volunteer of the Year and served on the organization's advisory board. He has also been recognized by the Orange County Bar Association as an "Attorney Who Makes a Difference." His community involvement has included coaching youth basketball, serving on the St. John the Baptist Finance Advisory Council, and volunteering with his family to serve meals to individuals experiencing homelessness in Santa Ana.

 

In 2024, Mr. Buley was elected to the Costa Mesa City Council, furthering his longstanding involvement in the local community.

Outside of his legal and civic work, Mr. Buley enjoys spending time with his family, reading, watching baseball, playing basketball, golfing, and skiing. Earlier in his career, he also explored sports representation. One of his first clients, Brazilian soccer player Pretinha, scored the first goal in the history of the Women's United Soccer Association. Mr. Buley also met his wife in Bogotá, Colombia, while traveling there on business in 1999.