Michala D. Black
Associate | Richmond »
Michala D. Black
Associate | Richmond »
Michala joined Harman Claytor in March 2025 and focuses her practice on medical malpractice defense, professional liability, and complex civil litigation. Michala has experience in medical malpractice defense, consumer finance litigation, and in government and regulatory-related matters in the state and federal courts of Virginia and Pennsylvania. Before entering private practice, Michala served as a Philadelphia Assistant District Attorney where she gained experience working as a trial attorney advocating in court proceedings, negotiating offers, and collaborating with court officials.
Professional Honors & Activities
- Defense Research Institute
- Virginia Association of Defense Attorneys
- Virginia State Bar
- Young Lawyers Conference – Significant Service Award Recipient (2024)
- The National Black Lawyers Top 40 Under 40
- Barristers Association of Philadelphia
Representative Experience
- Defense verdict for an emergency medicine physician and practice group following five-day jury trial wherein plaintiff alleged that negligent performance of a shoulder reduction on an 80-year old patient resulted in a revision surgery and radial palsy. (Portsmouth Circuit Court)
- Successfully defended and obtained favorable settlements for financial institutions in individual lawsuits brought by consumers under various consumer protection statutes, including the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), The Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA), and state unfair practices acts.
- Represented a major electricity utility in numerous certification applications before a state public utility commission.
Education
- University of Virginia, B.A. (2016)
- Dean’s List
- Undergraduate Black Law Students Association,
Executive Board
- Vanderbilt Law School, J.D. (2019)
- Dean’s Scholarship
- Branstetter Litigation and Dispute Resolution Summer Fellow
- Mock Trial Travel Team
- Moot Court (Fall 2017)
- Black Law Students Association, Community Service
Co-Chair
- Temple University Beasley School of Law, LL.M. in Trial Advocacy (2022)
Bar & Court Admissions
- Virginia State Bar
- Pennsylvania State Bar
- United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia
- United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia
- United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
- United States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania