J. Gary Gwilliam

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      J. Gary Gwilliam

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      Biography

      Gary Gwilliam is considered one of the best consumer trial attorneys in the state. His reputation and skill in representing seriously injured plaintiffs is well known. He has tried over 180 jury cases, of which almost 150 were plaintiff civil personal injury cases. He has handled major cases in every area of consumer law, including serious automobile and construction accidents, products liability, medical malpractice, bad faith insurance, civil rights (including police misconduct), wrongful termination and employment discrimination and harassment, and has recently concentrated more in employment law.

      A noted lecturer and motivational speaker, he has conducted seminars and workshops around California and the United States for many years. He is the author of numerous articles on California consumer law and is frequently called upon to serve as an expert witness on the standard of care for lawyers' conduct. He frequently lectures on the topics of substance abuse, stress reduction, improving the quality of life as well as topics related to his practice.

      Notable Cases

      A $6.1 million jury verdict for a 29-year-old man who suffered quadriplegic injuries when the roof of his Corvette was crushed in a roll-over accident. This was the largest single injury verdict in Contra Costa County history.A multi-million dollar settlement for 80 plaintiffs in their insurance bad faith suit against their automobile insurance company for failure to pay medical benefits covered by the plaintiffs' policies.A $5.5 million jury verdict for a 19-year-old man who suffered severe hand injuries caused by a press machine at his place of work. This was the largest hand injury verdict in the United States and the largest single injury verdict in Alameda County history.A $5 million jury verdict for the family of a man who was killed by police officers when he was threatening suicide. This was the largest police shooting misconduct verdict in Northern California history.

      Bar Admission

      California

      Other Affiliations

      Alameda-Contra Costa County Trial Lawyers Association, 1974 - 1975 (President)

      Alameda-Contra Costa County Trial Lawyers Association, 1970 - Present (Member, Board of Governors)

      American Board of Trial Advocates

      American Bar Association (Member)

      American Board of Trial Advocates, 1976 (Diplomat)

      American Association for Justice

      Consumer Attorneys of California (Formerly California Trial Lawyers Association), 1988 (President)

      Consumer Attorneys of California (Formerly California Trial Lawyers Association), 1983 - Present (Member, Board of Governors)

      Consumer Attorneys of California (Formerly California Trial Lawyers Association), 1990 - 1994 (Chairman, Long Range Planning Committee)

      Consumer Attorneys of California (Formerly California Trial Lawyers Association), 1987 (President-Elect)

      Consumer Attorneys of California (Formerly California Trial Lawyers Association), 1986 (Parliamentarian)

      Faculty Member, Hastings College of Trial Advocacy, 1981

      National Board of Trial Advocacy

      National Employment Lawyers Association

      Trial Lawyers for Public Justice Board, 2003 - 2004 (President)

      Trial Lawyers for Public Justice Board, 1996 - Present (Member, Board of Directors)

      Trial Lawyers for Public Justice Board, 1999 (Executive Committee)

      Trial Lawyers for Public Justice Board, 2000 (Secretary)

      Trial Lawyers for Public Justice Board, 2002 (Vice President)

      Trial Lawyers for Public Justice Board, 2001 (Treasurer)

      Trial Lawyers for Public Justice Board, 2002 - 2003 (President-Elect)

      California Trial Lawyers Association, 1986 (Chairman, Political Action Committee)

      American Arbitration Association (Member, Panel of Arbitrators)

      The State Bar of California (Member)

      Achievements

      • Other Sources of Feedback About J. Gary Gwilliam
      • Included on the 2023 Northern California

      Past Lists

      • 2022 Northern California Super Lawyers list
      • 2021 Northern California Super Lawyers list
      • 2020 Northern California Super Lawyers list
      • 2019 Northern California Super Lawyers list
      • 2018 Northern California Super Lawyers list
      • 2017 Northern California Super Lawyers list
      • 2016 Northern California Super Lawyers list
      • 2015 Northern California Super Lawyers list
      • 2014 Northern California Super Lawyers list
      • 2009 Northern California Super Lawyers list
      • 2008 Northern California Super Lawyers list
      • 2007 Northern California Super Lawyers list
      • 2005 Northern California Super Lawyers list
      • 2004 Northern California Super Lawyers list

      Education

      • University of California at Berkeley, Boalt Hall School of Law, Berkeley, California, 1962 LL.B.

        Honors: Phi Delta Phi, Member, Boalt Hall Moot Court Board, (1961-1962), Trial Lawyers for Public Justice, (1995-1996)

      • Pomona College, Pomona, California, USA, 1959 B.A.Major: Psychology

      Honers

      • Best Lawyers® Employment and Personal Injury Litigation Law Lawyer of the Year in Oakland, 2017
      • Trial Lawyer of the Year, Finalist, Trial Lawyers for Public Justice, 2016 - Present
      • Super Lawyers: 2004 - 2005, 2007 - Present
      • Northern California Super Lawyers, 2004-Present
      • Esteemed Lawyers of America, 2014
      • Public Justice, Champion of Justice, 2009
      • Consumer Lawyer of the Year (CLAY) for Employment, 2001 - 2002
      • California Lawyer Attorney of the Year for Employment Law, 2001
      • Trial Lawyer of the Year, Finalist, Trial Lawyers for Public Justice, 1995 - 1996
      • Consumer Attorneys of California Presidential Award, 1994
      • American Arbitration Association, Member, Panel of Arbitrators

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