Dr. Michelle L. Vorwerk
Mission Viejo, CA 92691
Office: 949-892-9800
For more than 20 years, Dr. Vorwerk, Board-Certified Forensic Psychologist (ABPP), has conducted over a thousand evaluations and testified in hundreds of cases. She conducts psycho-legal assessments, neuropsychological testing and issues thorough informed reports, case review and effective testimony that define the practice.
In addition to her work with private attorneys, Dr. Vorwerk is an invited evaluator and expert witness in civil and criminal matters. She has been retained by Offices of the Public Defender and District Attorneys of Orange County, San Diego, Ventura, & San Bernardino, California Department of State Hospitals, and Superior Courts as Court Expert Panelist in San Bernardino and Riverside Counties.
Dr. Vorwerk is among fewer than 1% of licensed Psychologists who have obtained Board-Certification in Forensic Psychology, reflecting the rigorous training and examination process required by the American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP). This credential signifies the highest levels of expertise and practice in the area of Forensic Psychology.
Dr. Vorwerk and her colleagues are available to conduct assessments in even the most complex cases, or straightforward damages evaluations, reports, and testimony in civil and criminal matters, for plaintiff and defense.
Licensed psychologists Lauren Vickerman Buchanan, PsyD and Jessica L. Roos, PsyD work closely with Dr. Vorwerk on cases spanning Civil Commitment, Comptency to Stand Trial (CTST,) Corrections, LPS Assessments, Franklin Psychological Evaluations, Mitigation, Criminal and Civil matters.
- Competency
- Correctional Healthcare
- Emotional Trauma
- Forensic Psychology
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
- Psychology
- Sanity/Competency to Stand Trial
- Sexual Harassment/Discrimination
- Testamentary Capacity
- Undue Influence
- Q: Please list your professional accreditations, degrees, licenses, and certificates granted:
- A: Licensed Psychologist, California (#21119)
Board-Certified Forensic Psychologist, American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP)
Doctorate: PsyD in Clinical Psychology (2005)
Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology (2002) - Q: Please list your affiliations or memberships in any professional and/or industry organizations:
- A: Fellow of the American Academy of Forensic Psychology
Specialist Forensic Psychology, American Board of Professional Psychology
Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers (ATSA)
Forensic Mental Health Association of California
American Psychological Association - Q: Please list any teaching or speaking experience you have had, including subject matter:
- A: Violence Risk Scale – Sex Offense Version, Orange County Public Defender (2022)
Murphy Conservatorships, Orange County Health Care Agency (2022)
LPS Conservatorships, Orange County Health Care Agency (2018)
Forensic Evaluations & Mental Illness, Orange County Public Defender (2018)
Child Molesters, Myths Dispelled, International Conference on Violence, Abuse & Trauma (2009) - Q: Have any of your accreditations ever been investigated, suspended or removed? (if yes, explain)
- A: No
- Q: On how many occasions have you been retained as an expert?
- A: Over 500
- Q: For what area(s) of expertise have you been retained as an expert?
- A: Psycholegal Evaluations
Mental Status
Competency
Damages, Adults and Youth
Stoll Evaluations (Pre-adjudicated defendants with sex offense charges)
Sexually Violent Predator Evaluations
Mentally Disordered Offender Evaluations & Extension Hearings
Psychosexual Evaluations
Competency to Stand Trial Evaluations (PC 1368)
Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity Evaluations (PC 1026) & Restoration to Sanity (PC 1026.2)
Franklin/Youthful Evaluations
Juvenile Transfer Evaluations - Q: In what percentage of your cases were you retained by the plaintiff?
- A: Please call for more information
- Q: In what percentage of your cases were you retained by the defendant?
- A: Please call for more information
- Q: On how many occasions have you had your deposition taken?
- A: More than 10.
- Q: When was the last time you had your deposition taken?
- A: Call for more information.
- Q: On how many occasions have you been qualified by a court to give expert testimony?
- A: More than 500.
- Q: On how many occasions have you testified as an expert in court or before an arbitrator?
- A: More than 500. Call for informatoin.
- Q: For how many years have you worked with the legal industry as an expert?
- A: 17+ years
- Q: What services do you offer? (E.g.: consulting, testing, reports, site inspections etc.)
- A: Clinical interview with the plaintiff or defendant.
Collateral interviews with mental health providers, family, friends.
Review of legal records.
Review of medical records.
Risk assessments and threat assessments.
Psychological testing and self-report inventories.
Written report including diagnosis and analysis of findings.
Consultation with the legal team.
Expert testimony at deposition and trial, extensive experience. - Q: What is your hourly rate to consult with an attorney?
- A: $500/hour, Michelle L. Vorwerk, PsyD ABPP
Call for rates for associates Jessica Roos, PsyD and Lauren E. Vickerman, PsyD - Q: What is your hourly rate to review documents?
- A: $500/hour
$700/hour: Urgent Cases - Q: What is your hourly rate to provide deposition testimony?
- A: $600/hour
- Q: What is your hourly rate to provide testimony at trial?
- A: $600/hour
- Q: Please list any fees other than those stated above (E.g.: travel expenses, copy fees, etc.)
- A: $150/hour (travel)
$700/hour, Rush/Urgent Cases (report needed within 3 weeks)
Cancellation Fees, call for more information.
Available Upon Request. Extensive.