PARTNER
Mr. Ball has been practicing litigation since 1984. Prior to that, he completed his undergraduate degree cum laude at the University of Miami in three years, in programs of honors and privileged studies. After subsequently graduating with honors from the University of Illinois College of Law, he joined McCormick Barstow handling all types of civil litigation, and currently is a Partner in the firm’s Litigation Practice Group.
Mr. Ball has tried numerous jury trials in state court in Fresno, Clovis, Madera, Merced, Visalia, Hanford, Bakersfield, Los Angeles, and Modesto, California, as well as Las Vegas, Nevada. His trial experience has included the following areas: medical malpractice, wrongful death, wrongful termination, breach of contract, industrial accidents, products liability, general negligence, insurance agent/broker liability, auto accidents, and slip-and-fall accidents. He has also represented hospitals in privileging matters and professionals in administrative matters with hospitals, the Medical Board of California, the Osteopathic Medical Board of California, the State of California Board of Chiropractic Examiners, the California Board of Registered Nursing, the California Department of Consumer Affairs, and the State of California Department of Insurance. He has served as a Judge Pro Tempore for the Fresno County Superior, Municipal, and Small Claims Courts.
Mr. Ball is admitted to practice in California and Illinois.
Juris Doctor, 1984 cum laude
University of Illinois, College of Law
Bachelor of Arts, 1981 cum laude
University of Miami
Concentrating in Litigation, primarily Professional Liability Defense, including Medical Malpractice, Physician Administrative Defense, Medical Products Liability and General Negligence as well as Elder Abuse, Civil Practice, Nursing Home Litigation, Torts and Premises Liability.
Mr. Ball is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers (ACTL), a Fellow in the International Academy of Trial Attorneys (IATL), and is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA), having served as President of the San Joaquin Valley Chapter (2009-2010) and on the Board of Directors of CAL-ABOTA, 2009-2011. He is also a member of the California Medical-Legal Committee, the Board of Directors of the California Society for Healthcare Risk Management (2004-2010, 2008-2009 President, 2011-2023), the California Academy of Attorneys for Health Care Professionals, the Northern California Association of Defense Counsel, and the Professional Liability Defense Federation. He is also a Senior Fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America. Mr. Ball has served on the Board of Directors of the Fresno County Young Lawyers Association and is an active member of the Fresno County Bar Association. Currently, he is a member of the Defense Research Institute and the Litigation, Trial Practice and Health Care Sections of the American Bar Association.
Mr. Ball is AV® Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated with Martindale-Hubbell. He is a Life Fellow of the American Bar Foundation and a Senior Fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America. Mr. Ball has been selected for the list of America’s Top 100 Civil Defense Litigators® for 2018-2022. Mr. Ball has been selected on ten occasions as one of the Top 100 Northern California Super Lawyers (2012, 2014, 2016-2017, 2019-2024), and has been on the Northern California Super Lawyers list every year since 2009 for his primary area of practice in Personal Injury Defense: Medical Malpractice. Mr. Ball received the 2020 Civility Award from the San Joaquin Valley Chapter of the American Board of Trial Lawyers (ABOTA) for continually exemplifying civility, professionalism and integrity in the practice of law while always vigorously, courageously and expertly advocating his clients’ causes. In 2015, Mr. Ball was included in America’s Most Honored Professionals Top 1% list and was invited to lifetime charter membership by Best Attorneys of America. He was also recognized by Fresno Magazine as one of the “Top Attorneys as Chosen by Their Peers.”
Mr. Ball served on the WASC (Western Association of Schools & Colleges) Accreditation Steering Committee for San Joaquin Memorial High School. He has performed pro bono work for the Fresno County Volunteer Legal Services Program. He served on the Board of Directors of Catholic Charities for the Diocese of Fresno, 2003-2006, and is a member of the Catholic Professional and Business Club in Fresno. Mr. Ball served on the Business Advisory Committee for KVPT Valley Public Television, 2000-2004. He has also coached many local baseball and soccer teams.
Jandro v. Han, 2019, Fresno Superior Court No. 17CECG01813
Doe v. Lopez, 2017, Fresno Superior Court No. 14CECG03646MWS
Caruso v. Pham, 2013, Fresno Superior Court No. 12CECG01086
Anwar v. State of California, CDCR, 2012, Madera Superior Court No. MCV034056
Gehrke v. CMP, 2011, Fresno Superior Court No. 09CECG03794
DRF Stankovic v. Meagher, 2010, Los Angeles (Glendale) Superior Court No. EC 044877
Jimmeye v. Eustermann, 2010, Kings Superior Court No. 07C 0266
Yocum v. Shantharam, 2009, Fresno Superior Court No. 08CECG02228
Vildosola v. Saavedra, 2006, Fresno Superior Court No. 03 CE CG 02573
Crisp v. CVGH, 2004, Kings County Superior Court No. 03 C 0273
Hood v. Billys, 2003, Tulare Superior Court No. 01-197451
Mousey v. Zuniga, 2003, Fresno Superior Court No. 654977-8
Salazar v. Buxton, 2002, Kern Superior Court No. 243223
Flowers v. CalFarm, 2002, Tulare County Superior Court No. 00-0190410
Wilder v. Tran, 2002, Kern County Superior Court No. 241600
Howard v. Shariatmadari, 2002, Kern Superior Court No. 243566
Bucio v. Brown, 2001, Fresno Superior Court No. 651122-4
Parksion v. Madera Hospital, 2001, Madera Superior Court No. CV07738
Cappelletty v. Wild Waters, 2001, Fresno Superior Court Limited C00000298-0
“Twenty Years of Medical/Legal Advice: The Best of Mike Ball’s CMP Presentations,” Community Medical Providers Medical Group, 2024 Annual Provider Meeting, Napa, CA, August 2024.
“Improving Health Care and Avoiding Malpractice – Lessons Learned from Quotes and Anecdotes: Ted Lasso Edition,” Fresno Madera Medical Society, 2023 General Society Meeting, Fresno, CA, September 2023.
“Improving Primary Care Delivery and Avoiding Malpractice – Redux: Lessons Learned from Ted Lasso Quotes and Anecdotes,” Community Medical Providers Medical Group, 2023 Annual Provider Meeting, Napa, CA, August 2023.
“Anesthesia Jeopardy!”, Community Regional Anesthesia Medical Group, 2019 Annual Meeting, Paso Robles, CA, September 2019.
“Using Practice Risk INSIGHT Assessments & Culture of Patient Safety Surveys to Impact the Practice of Good Medicine,” Community Medical Providers Medical Group, 2019 Annual Provider Meeting, Seascape, CA, August 2019.
“Mock Interview: What is the Medical Board of California Looking For?”, Community Medical Providers Medical Group, 2018 Annual Provider Meeting, Seascape, CA, August 2018.
“Primary Care: Dealing with the Business, Burnout and Bureaucracy – and Still Living the Dream,” Community Medical Providers Medical Group, 2017 Annual Provider Meeting, Seascape, CA, August 2017.
“A Guide to Medical Board Enforcement Actions for Hospitalists,” Community Hospitalist Medical Group, 2017 CME Retreat, Seascape, CA, July 2017.
“Understanding the Medical Board of California,” Community Regional Anesthesia Medical Group, 2017 Annual Meeting, Aptos, CA, March 2017.
“The Top 10 Risk Management Questions from Physicians,” Sante Health Foundation and Community Medical Centers, 12th Annual Winter CME Symposium, Scottsdale, AZ, February 2017.
“The Top 10 Risk Management Questions from Physicians,” Community Medical Providers Medical Group, 2016 Annual Provider Meeting, Seascape, CA, August 2016.
“Medical Board Enforcement Actions: What Every Physician Should Know,” UCSF Fresno, Special Lecture Series, Fresno, CA, March 2016.
“Preventing Injury and Avoiding Claims: ‘It’s Not Complicated’ – 13 Simple Lessons for Healthcare Providers and Risk Managers,” California Society for Healthcare Risk Management, 2016 Annual Conference, Napa, CA, March 2016.
“Medical Board Enforcement Actions: What Every Medical Provider Should Know,” Community Medical Providers Medical Group, 2015 Annual Provider Meeting, Seascape, CA, August 2015.
“Hospitalists — Reducing Liability Risks and Improving Patient Satisfaction,” Community Hospitalist Medical Group, 2015 Retreat, Seascape, CA, June 2015.
“How to Improve Patient Care and Avoid Malpractice: Lessons Learned from Quotes and Anecdotes,” Community Anesthesia Providers, 2015 Annual Meeting, Yosemite, CA, April 2015.
“13 Simple Lessons for Pediatric Health Care Providers,” ChildNet Medical Associates, Children’s Hospital of Central California, Madera, CA, October 2014.
“Preventing Injury and Avoiding Claims: ‘It’s Not Complicated’,” Community Medical Providers Medical Group, 2014 Annual Provider Meeting, Seascape, CA, August 2014.
“’With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility’ – Electronic Medical Records and Social Media Malpractice Risks,” Community Medical Providers Medical Group, 2013 Annual Provider Meeting, Seascape, CA, August 2013.
“Improving Patient Care Delivery and Avoiding Malpractice: Lessons Learned from Quotes and Anecdotes,” Sante Community Physicians, Provider Meeting, Fresno, CA, October 2012.
“Improving Primary Care Delivery and Avoiding Malpractice: Lessons Learned from Quotes and Anecdotes,” Community Medical Providers Medical Group, 2012 Annual Provider Meeting, Seascape, CA, August 2012.
“Medical Malpractice Litigation: ‘Been There, Done That’ — Sympathy and Sound Advice,” Community Medical Providers Medical Group, 2011 Annual Provider Meeting, Santa Cruz, CA, August 2011.
“Mock Deposition: Litigation Survival Training for Health Care Providers,” Community Medical Providers Medical Group, 2010 Annual Provider Meeting, Carmel, CA, August 2010.
“You Bet Your License! — Complying With the Medical Board of California,” Community Medical Providers Medical Group, 2009 Annual Provider Meeting, Seascape, CA, August 2009.
“Understanding How to Prepare for and to Give a Deposition,” ChildNet Medical Associates, Children’s Hospital of Central California, Madera, CA, September 2008.
“Are You Smarter Than An Administrator? — Risk Management Edition,” Community Medical Providers Medical Group, 2008 Annual Provider Meeting, Carmel, August 2008.
“Risk Management Jeopardy, Part II,” Community Medical Providers Medical Group, 2007 Annual Provider Meeting, Seascape, CA, August 2007.
“Mock Deposition: Survival Training for Physicians,” ChildNet Medical Associates, Children’s Hospital of Central California, Madera, CA, September 2006.
“Risk Management Jeopardy,” Community Medical Providers Group, 2006 Annual Provider Meeting, Carmel, CA, August 2006.
“Risk Management Challenges: What Would You Do? What Should You Do?,” Community Medical Providers Medical Group, 2005 Annual Provider Meeting, Seascape, CA, August 2005.
“End of Life Care for Pediatrics,” ChildNet Medical Associates’ Pain Management & Palliative Care Symposium, Children’s Hospital of Central California, Madera, CA, July 2005.
“Protection of Privacy vs. Need for Disclosure,” Adventist Health/Hanford Community Medical Center, CA, July 2005.
“Managing Your Risk, Part II – The Medical Board of California,” Community Medical Providers Medical Group, 2004 Annual Provider Meeting, Monterey, CA, August 2004.
“Understanding and Managing Your Risk,” Community Medical Providers Medical Group, 2003 Annual Provider Meeting, Carmel, CA, September 2003.
“Avoiding Medical Malpractice,” Central California Women’s Healthcare, February 2003.
“Malpractice Litigation – What You Can Do to Minimize Your Exposure,” Kaiser Permanente Medical Center-Fresno, 2000 Medical Staff Annual Meeting, November 2000.
“Introduction to Risk — We Have All Been There,” California Society for Healthcare Risk Management, 2008 Annual Conference, Walnut Creek, CA, March 2008.
“Analyzing Medical Records,” National Business Institute, Inc., August 2003.
“Nursing Home Malpractice in California: Successful Case Management From Investigation to Trial,” National Business Institute, Inc., October 2002.
“Legal Liability and Risk Management for Health Insurance Agents and Brokers,” Avante Health, October 2002.
“Medical Malpractice in California,” National Business Institute, Inc., January 2002.
“Legal and Ethical Concepts in Nursing,” Central Valley School of Nursing, Fresno, CA, April 2021.
“Medical Board Licensing Actions: Dramatic Rise and Wide Impact”, California Society for Healthcare Risk Management, 2020 Annual Conference, Napa, CA, March 2020.
“Patient Confidentiality: Minimizing the Risks,” Valley Physicians Assurance Annual Shareholder Meeting, NORCAL Mutual, Fresno, CA, September 2019.
“Learning from Lawsuits: Minimizing Risk in the OB-GYN Setting,” Valley Physicians Assurance Annual Shareholder Meeting, NORCAL Mutual, Fresno, CA, July 2018.
“Surviving Litigation: A Primer to the Medical Malpractice Defense Process,” Sante Health System, The Doctors Company, Fresno, CA, October 2017.
“Interview Skills,” San Joaquin College of Law, Clovis, CA, October 2015.
“Why Doctors Get Sued: Malpractice Claims Trends,” Episode 2, The Doctors Company, January 2015.
“Why Doctors Get Sued: Malpractice Claims Trends,” Episode 1, The Doctors Company, January 2015.
“What Doctors Need to Know About Being Sued,” Episode 2, The Doctors Company, February 2014 (watch here).
“Masters in Trial: What Would the Masters Do? Pre-Trial Litigation,” San Joaquin Valley Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA), Fresno, CA, October 2013.
“Documentation in Pediatrics: Protecting Patients, Protecting You,” ChildNet Medical Associates/CHCC, Madera, CA, October 2012.
“Medical Malpractice Defense Issues,” 2012 California Society for Healthcare Risk Management Annual Conference, Hyatt Regency, Monterey, California, March 2012.
“The Perils of Diagnosis,” 2011 The Doctors Company Patient Safety Seminar, Children’s Hospital of Central California, Madera, California, April 2011.
“Handoffs: A Critical Communication Process,” 2010 The Doctors Company Patient Safety Seminar, Children’s Hospital of Central California, Madera, California, October 2010.
Civil Litigation Panel Discussion, ABA Law Student Division 2010 Ninth Circuit Spring Meeting, Chapman University School of Law, Orange, California, February 2010.
“Masters in Trial: From Opening Statements to Jury Deliberations in a Sexual Harassment Case,” San Joaquin Valley Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA), September 2005.
“Issues in Risk Management,” County of Fresno Department of Behavioral Health and Department of Children and Family Services, July 2005.
“Managing & Improving Healthcare Delivery,” Sante Community Physicians, 2003 Annual Meeting, September 2003.
“Do Not Resuscitate Symposium,” Fresno County Office of Education, June 2000.
“Trial Attorney Gets Chance to See How the Jury Side Lives,” San Francisco Daily Journal, April 19, 2006.
