Michaelle DiGrazia Rafferty ("Michaelle") is a shareholder attorney in the law firm of Maupin, Cox & LeGoy, practicing in the areas of complex and high net worth planning, including estate planning, taxation, real property, charitable and business planning. In addition to the planning portion of her practice, Michaelle’s practice also serves complex estate and trust administrations (including litigation and family dispute resolution), and as an expert witness in litigation proceedings related to her area of practice. Michaelle has been awarded the highest possible rating of AV® Preeminent by Martindale Hubble, and was recently honored with Best Lawyers® in America’s award of "Reno’s Best - Trust & Estate Litigation Attorney" by her peers. She is appointed to the Trust and Estate, and Trust and Estate - Litigation Sections of Best Lawyers® in America, in which her firm has also been recognized in U.S. News & World Report for the most top tier ratings of all firms in the State of Nevada.

Michaelle received her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Arizona. She served as a congressional intern in Washington, D.C. for Nevada Congressman, Barbara Vucanovich. Thereafter, she attended the University of the Pacific (McGeorge) School of Law, where she received her Juris Doctorate with the school’s highest academic honor of graduation with "Great Distinction," along various additional awards for academic and advocacy. 

Representing the legal interests of numerous public and private Foundations and charities, Michaelle has a personal interest in promoting and supporting educational and charitable entities within the community. In addition to serving as legal counsel for various entities, Michaelle has and continues to serve as a member, and often executive officer, of various non profit and charitable boards for the benefit of organizations such as The University of Nevada Reno Foundation, The Nevada Women’s Fund; Bishop Manogue Catholic High School, South Reno Babe Ruth; and Washoe Little League.

Michaelle is a fourth generation native Nevadan where she resides with her husband, Thomas E. Rafferty, CPA and her children.