Michael LaFever

Michael joined the firm in 1979. While studying at California State University Northridge, he worked full-time, learning firsthand and helping to develop the Gavin de Becker & Associates philosophies and practices. For 15 years, he was the firm’s liaison with the L.A.P.D., L.A.S.D., U.S. Department of State, U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Secret Service, various European law enforcement agencies, and many others.

In 1981, when President Reagan appointed Gavin de Becker to a post in Washington D.C., Michael was placed in a senior management position.

Michael has been a key part of Mr. de Becker’s educational speeches to such organizations as the National Victim Center, L.A.P.D. Threat Management Conferences, N.Y.P.D. Internal Affairs Bureau, U.S. Supreme Court, the U.S. Capitol Police, and the New York State Attorney General. In 1994, Michael was the only civilian attendee at the Central Intelligence Agency’s Threat Management Conference. He was the principal coordinator of the Department of Justice Presidential Advisory Board Hearings held in Los Angeles. Michael also works closely with Mr. de Becker in the preparation and presentation of expert witness testimony, and is himself a court-qualified expert witness.

A graduate of the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Academy, Michael served as a Deputy Sheriff in Malibu and as a police officer in Santa Monica. This six years of law enforcement work early in his career, dealing with more than 400 arrests, provided a solid foundation of knowledge of the criminal justice system.

Along with Gavin de Becker & Associates, Michael provided principal funding for the establishment of Los Angeles County’s Domestic Violence Hotline, and provided the entire funding for the Hotline for eleven years.