Gary A. Dordick is a trial attorney in Beverly Hills specializing in plaintiff jury trials and has over 100 trials in his career. He is an Emeritus member of the CAALA Board of Governors. He won CAALA’s Trial Lawyer of the Year in 2001. He has been nominated for CAALA’s Trial Lawyer of the Year an unprecedented eleven times. He was named CAOC’s (Consumer Attorneys of California) 2009 Trial Attorney of the Year. He was announced one of the Daily Journal’s Top 100 Lawyers in California in 2017, as well as one of the Daily Journal’s Top 30 Plaintiff Lawyers in California for 2016. Mr. Dordick was named Jury Verdicts Trial Lawyer of the Year. In 2016, he was awarded the Loyola Law School Champion of Justice Award for his career achievements representing Plaintiffs. In 2015, he received the Civil Advocate Award from the ASCDC (Association of Southern California Defense Counsel). In 2003, Mr. Dordick received the University of West Los Angeles’s highest honor – The Bernard Jefferson Award.

Carl E. Douglas is the founding partner at Douglas/Hicks Law. He was named CAALA’s Trial Lawyer of the Year in 2006, and also received the Loren Miller Lawyer of The Year award in 1994 and 1999 from the John M. Langston Bar Association. Mr. Douglas is the former Managing Attorney at the Law Offices of Johnnie L. Cochran, Jr. where he represented clients in a wide array of personal injury, civil rights, and criminal law matters. Mr. Douglas represented the lead plaintiff in a product liability trial that yielded what was then the largest personal injury verdict ever awarded in United States history. His firm currently represent dozens of families across the country in wrongful death and civil rights maters whose lives have been impacted by the wrongful conduct of law enforcement officers. He is a frequent lecturer and motivational speaker at community based and legal seminars across the country and has served as a legal commentator on various radio and television programs.

Gretchen M. Nelson served a three-year term on the Board of Trustees for the State Bar of California and became that organization’s first Treasurer (2012-2013). She is an emeritus member of CAALA’s Board of Governors, a past President of the Los Angeles County Bar Association, and Chair of LACBA’s Litigation Section. Ms. Nelson graduated from Georgetown University Law School in 1983 and was admitted to the State Bar of California in January of 1984, thereafter becoming an associate at the Los Angeles offices of Morgan, Wenzel & McNicholas. In 1988 Ms. Nelson joined the firm of Corinblit and Seltzer, and when the firm disbanded ten years later she continued practicing on her own until the New York firm of Kreindler & Kreindler chose her and Stuart Fraenkel to open their new Los Angeles office. In 2015, Ms. Nelson and Mr. Fraenkel opened the firm of Nelson & Frankel LLP. Here she continues to practice in the area of complex class action litigation, while handling business tort claims.

Brian Panish is a past president of the Inner Circle of Advocates and the Los Angeles Chapter of ABOTA. He is an emeritus member of the ABA Litigation Section Board, CAALA’s Board of Governors, and the CAOC Board of Governors. He also serves on the Best Lawyers Board of Advisors. Some of his many accolades include: 1999 CAALA Trial Lawyer of the Year, 2010 Loyola Law School Champions of Justice Award, 2010 ABOTA Trial Lawyer of the Year, 2014 CAOC Consumer Attorney of the Year, 2015 CAOC Robert E. Cartwright Sr. Award, 2016 Southwestern Law School Outstanding Litigator, 2017 ASCDC Civil Advocate Award, and 2018 Irish American Bar Association Daniel O’Connell Award. Mr. Panish has obtained some of the most significant jury verdicts in US history on behalf of plaintiffs and consistently serves as Lead Counsel or Co-Lead Counsel in some of the largest personal injury cases in the country. Mr. Panish has been appointed to serve on the Plaintiffs’ Steering and Executive committees in numerous high-profile mass torts and major disaster cases.
 

Bruce Brusavich has represented thousands of individuals and businesses in a variety of areas, including personal injury, insurance bad faith, business litigation, elder abuse, professional malpractice, product liability and wrongful death. With more than 100 jury trials, clients rely on Mr. Brusavich for sound legal counsel and to protect their rights through every phase of litigation. Due to his extensive knowledge of the law and litigation, he often teaches other attorneys at Continuing Legal Education programs, testifies before the state legislature, and serves as an expert witness in legal malpractice cases. Mr. Brusavich is the Past President of the Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles and Consumer Attorneys of California, where he helped lead efforts to reform the summary judgment statute, create a two-year statute of limitations, improve the administration of justice, and maintain trial court funding, among other initiatives.
 

John F. “Jack” Denove is a Managing Trial Attorney at Jacoby & Meyers. Mr. Denove has been practicing as an attorney in California for over 40 years, and has tried more than 150 civil cases before a jury. Mr. Denove is a frequent lecturer at numerous events to both attorneys and physicians alike on topics ranging from trial practice, medical malpractice, and insurance bad faith to products liability and premises liability. He was selected by CAALA as a member of the Plaintiff Trial Academy (PTA) faculty to teach trial practice to other attorneys. He holds several awards for his work as a trial attorney. He is a past president of CAALA, ABOTA, the Italian American Lawyers Association, and the Cowboy Lawyers Association. He holds the designation of Diplomate, the highest rank of the American Board of Trial Advocates. The Los Angeles Trial Lawyers Association voted him as Trial Lawyer of the Year.
 

Christine D. Spagnoli is a partner of Greene, Broillet & Wheeler in El Segundo, specializing in representing plaintiffs in product liability, personal injury and legal malpractice actions. She is a past president of both CAALA and CAOC, as well as the Attorneys Information Exchange Group. Her many accolades and honors include: 2017 Consumer Watchdog Rage for Justice Lifetime Legal Achievement Award, 2017 AAJ Harry M. Philo Award, 2014 CAOC Robert E. Cartwright Award, 2012 CAALA Trial Lawyer of the Year, 2010 CAOC Marvin E. Lewis Award, 2005 CAALA Ted Horn Memorial Award, 2013 Loyola Law School Champions of Justice, 2001 AAJ New Lawyers Division Most Outstanding Young Trial Lawyer (F. Scott Baldwin Award), 2001 Loyola Law School Trial Lawyer of the Year Award. Christine is a member of the Board of Overseers for the Rand Institute for Civil Justice and Loyola Law School, as well as the Los Angeles Judicial Selection Advisory Committees (JSACs). She is also a frequent lecturer and an author.
 

Bruce A. Broillet is a nationally recognized trial lawyer and a member of the elite Inner Circle of Advocates. A graduate of the University of Notre Dame and the University of Texas School of Law, Broillet is a partner at Greene Broillet & Wheeler and an inductee into both the CAALA and Lawdragon Hall of Fame. His career is defined by high-profile, multi-million dollar victories, including a $3.3 billion settlement against Big Tobacco and a $55 million verdict for sports personality Erin Andrews. He famously represented the family of actor Bill Paxton and secured the largest legal malpractice verdict in California history at $45.6 million. A past president of both CAALA and CAOC, Broillet has been named one of the "Top Ten Southern California Super Lawyers" 14 times. Beyond the courtroom, he is a dedicated philanthropist, having endowed numerous scholarships at Notre Dame and the University of Texas to support the next generation of advocates.  

David Glickman was a towering figure in the Southern California legal community, often regarded as one of the deans of the personal injury bar. A Los Angeles native and UCLA School of Law alumnus, Glickman’s career spanned over six decades, during which he tried more than 300 cases to jury verdict. His expertise was so highly regarded that he lectured at nearly every law school in Southern California and published over 30 influential legal articles. A 2010 inductee into the CAALA Hall of Fame, Glickman earned the Trial Lawyer of the Year award in 1977 and received the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award from the Los Angeles Chapter of ABOTA. Beyond his trial work, he served as a special judicial settlement officer for over 200 cases and was a Diplomate of the American Board of Trial Advocates. His legacy is defined by a relentless commitment to the administration of justice and his 35-year tenure on the CAALA Board of Governors.  

Tom Stolpman is a preeminent trial attorney and a 2010 CAALA Hall of Fame inductee. A graduate of the USC Gould School of Law, where he was named Best Oral Advocate in the National Moot Court Competition, Stolpman has secured hundreds of six, seven, and eight-figure results since 1976. He is among a rare group of elite lawyers elected as Fellows of both the International Academy of Trial Lawyers and the American College of Trial Lawyers. Stolpman’s leadership is extensive, having served as President of the State Bar of California, CAALA, and the Los Angeles Chapter of ABOTA. Beyond his mastery of personal injury, maritime law, and insurance bad faith, he is a noted entrepreneur. While in law school, he helped run the world’s second-largest valet parking operator, and today he oversees the world-class Stolpman Vineyards in the Santa Ynez Valley. A recipient of the Ted Horn Award, he has been recognized as a "Super Lawyer" since the inception of the title, driven by a lifelong passion for rebuilding the lives of victims after tragedy.  

Edward I. Pollock was a titan of the California legal profession, widely regarded as a "lawyer’s lawyer" and a premier trial advocate. A co-founder of the California Trial Lawyers Association (CTLA), he served as its second president and was a visionary who helped unite the state's plaintiff bar to protect consumer rights. He was an original member of the BAJI committee, contributing significantly to the standard jury instruction book that remains a cornerstone of California litigation. Pollock’s most enduring legacy is the establishment of the California Amicus Curiae Committee, which he chaired for its first eight years. He participated in over 100 landmark cases, personally arguing transformative decisions such as Li v. Yellow Cab, which established comparative negligence, and Brown v. Merlo. Known for his "fountainhead of knowledge," he was the first recipient of the Theodore A. Horn Memorial Award and authored the California Government Tort Act. He dedicated his 50-year career to the "injured victim, the oppressed, the maimed, and the crippled," leaving an indelible mark on the pursuit of public interest.  

Lawrence Grassini is widely regarded as one of the most accomplished trial lawyers in the Western United States and was inducted into the CAALA Hall of Fame in 2008. A rare figure respected by both sides of the bar, he became only the third plaintiff’s attorney ever inducted into the Association of Southern California Defense Counsel’s Hall of Fame. He is a member of the elite Inner Circle of Advocates, representing the top 100 plaintiffs' lawyers in the nation, and a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers. Throughout his career, Grassini has been twice named Trial Lawyer of the Year by CAALA and was recognized as a "2011 Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers in America. His firm, Grassini, Wrinkle & Johnson, has been ranked by U.S. News and World Report as a Top Tier Best Law Firm for products liability. Notably, he is the only plaintiff's lawyer ever featured in Verdict magazine, a publication typically reserved for the insurance defense community, highlighting his status as a truly "Most Respected Lawyer."  

Gary M. Paul is a distinguished partner at Waters Kraus & Paul and a 2008 CAALA Hall of Fame inductee. His unique background includes a decade as a space and missile engineer before transitioning to a legal career that has spanned more than four decades. He is a graduate of Loyola Law School and holds the elite rank of Diplomate with the American Board of Trial Advocates, a distinction reserved for those who have tried at least 100 jury trials. Paul is one of the few leaders to have served as President of all three major trial organizations: the American Association for Justice (AAJ), the Consumer Attorneys of California (CAOC), and the Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles (CAALA). His career is marked by prestigious honors, including the Leonard Ring Champion of Justice Award and an unprecedented second CAALA Trial Lawyer of the Year award. A prolific author and co-author of the California Tort Practice Guide, Paul remains a preeminent voice in complex civil matters, medical malpractice, and consumer product liability.  

Elmer C. Low was a formidable Pasadena attorney and a fierce advocate for the accessibility of the legal system. A 2008 inductee into the CAALA Hall of Fame, Low is best remembered as a chief defender of the contingency fee system, which he famously described as "the poor man's ticket to the courthouse." As president of both the Los Angeles Trial Lawyers Association and the California Trial Lawyers Association in the mid-1970s, he served as a vital spokesman for plaintiffs' rights. Originally from New York City, Low practiced in Manhattan before relocating to Pasadena in 1943. He specialized in personal injury, products liability, and medical malpractice for over five decades. Beyond the courtroom, he was a prolific educator and author, writing influential manuals such as How to Prepare and Try a Negligence Case and California Personal Injury Proof. A recipient of the Pasadena Bar Association’s Donald P. Wright Award, Low’s legacy is defined by his commitment to ensuring that financial status never barred a citizen from seeking justice.  

Ian “Buddy” Herzog is a legendary trial attorney and a 2006 inductee into the CAALA Hall of Fame. A graduate of the USC School of Law, Herzog began his career in 1968 under Ned Good, specializing in aviation, products liability, and insurance bad faith. In 1982, at just 38 years old, he became the youngest attorney at the time to be named CAALA Trial Lawyer of the Year. Herzog’s leadership spans decades, having served as President of both CAALA (1983) and the California Trial Lawyers Association (1991). His profound impact on appellate law led CAALA to create the Ian Herzog Appellate Lawyer of the Year Award in 2000, naming him its inaugural recipient. A licensed commercial pilot since 1961, he is recognized globally as a premier aviation accident specialist, litigating landmark cases against the FAA and major airlines. His dedication to the craft is further evidenced by his longtime chairmanship of the Amicus Curiae Committee, shaping California law through influential "friend of the court" briefs.  

Stanley K. Jacobs is a senior partner at Jacobs & Jacobs Lawyers LLP and a legendary figure in the Southern California legal landscape. A 2006 inductee into the CAALA Hall of Fame, Jacobs has dedicated over five decades to representing plaintiffs in catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases. He is one of the original trial lawyers to hold the rank of Diplomate in the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA), the highest distinction in the organization. With an extraordinary record of over 145 jury trials to verdict, Jacobs has secured numerous landmark seven and eight-figure results, including a $21.6 million product liability judgment and a $20 million settlement against governmental entities. His practice is highly selective, focusing on complex litigation involving quadriplegia, brain injuries, and insurance bad faith. A past president of CAALA (1972), he also founded The Advocate journal and has authored over 100 articles on trial practice. Recognized as a "Super Lawyer" annually since 2004, Jacobs remains a pre-eminent advocate known for his mastery of jury dynamics and courtroom persuasion.  

William M. Shernoff is a legendary consumer advocate and the founding partner of Shernoff Bidart Echeverria LLP. Widely recognized as the “pioneer” of insurance bad faith law, he fundamentally changed the legal landscape in 1979 by persuading the California Supreme Court in Egan v. Mutual of Omaha to allow policyholders to sue insurance companies for punitive damages. Throughout his decades-long career, Shernoff has been a relentless voice for the insured, authored the definitive textbook "Insurance Bad Faith Litigation," and has been featured on major platforms like "60 Minutes" and the Wall Street Journal. Chambers USA describes him as the “dean of insurance bad faith,” noting he is "as good as it gets" in the field. Today, he continues to fight high-stakes battles, including lawsuits against health carriers for illegal claim denials and representing seniors in cases of financial elder abuse by insurance companies.  

Daniel Fogel was a highly respected trial lawyer and a foundational figure in the Southern California legal community. Often described as a "lawyer's lawyer," he set professional standards for a generation of practitioners and served as the personal attorney and trusted adviser to Mayor Tom Bradley. Fogel famously represented the mayor during the 1989 inquiry into his financial ties, successfully negotiating a settlement with the city attorney. A Chicago native and University of Chicago alumnus, Fogel co-founded the firm now known as Fogel, Feldman, Ostrov, Ringler & Klevens. His influence extended across numerous prestigious panels, including the Manville Personal Injury Settlement Trust and the Community Redevelopment Agency. He was a past president of the Los Angeles Trial Lawyers Association and played a pivotal role in judicial evaluation. Fogel is survived by his wife, Gladys, and two sons, including Judge Jeremy Fogel. His legacy remains defined by what Chief Judge Manuel Real called his status as a "trial lawyer par excellence."  

Ned Good was born in Chicago, but went to college in Los Angeles, graduating from the University of Southern California where he earned his BS and LLB. He was admitted to the California Bar in 1952, beginning a career as an active trial lawyer that spans five decades. Mr. Good earned international recognition as a specialist and pioneer in the Aviation Accident practice area. He and his firm handled numerous major aviation cases, setting records for the largest settlements and verdicts in many cases and establishing one of the most important principles of liability law in aviation cases in California. Mr. Good was one of the few highly qualified and high time active aviation lawyer pilots in the United States. He was a frequent lecturer, teaching aviation subjects to trial lawyers, law schools and pilot associations. Active in both the Los Angeles Trial Lawyers Association (now CAALA) and the California Trial Lawyers Association (now CAOC), Mr. Good served as president of both organizations.
 

As a preeminent leader in the Southern California legal community, Browne Greene’s accomplishments have set new standards in the practice of plaintiffs’ law and furthered the cause of consumers nationwide. He grew up in Washington, D.C. and graduated from George Washington University (BA and LLB). In his career he has won more million and multiple million dollar jury verdicts than any other attorney in the history of California. For more than 20 years he has been the recipient of numerous awards and honors from local, state and national legal and consumer advocacy organizations, recognizing his legal prowess and unequalled record representing and standing up for the rights of injured clients. Mr. Greene was a pioneer in the area of arbitration and a force behind the first arbitration plan implemented by the Courts. He is a past president and active member of both Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles and Consumer Attorneys of California.
 

Steinberg earned his undergraduate degree and LLB from UCLA. After serving in the US Army, he briefly practiced as a solo attorney before joining Rose, Klein and Marias, his “home” for more than 44 years. He began trying civil jury cases in the late 1950s. Mr. Steinberg tried scores of cases and achieved many significant verdicts in construction accident and defective machine cases, frequently establishing new law in those areas. For more than 25 years, his practice became one of near-total immersion in asbestos exposure litigation. He successfully handled the first asbestos jury trial in Southern California. Mr. Steinberg represented asbestos-diseased plaintiffs not only locally, but also nationally through his leadership on a number of creditors’ committees, corporate boards, and as Select Counsel for the Beneficiaries of the Manville Trust.
 

Raoul Magaña graduated from the University of California’s Boalt Hall of Law in 1935. In 1946, he founded a practice protecting the legal rights of injured railroad workers at a time when most were not fairly compensated for their losses. He and his firm, Magaña, Cathcart & McCarthy, represented thousands of clients, securing substantial awards that caused corporations to consider the safety and protection of consumers in the design and manufacture of their products. Throughout his illustrious career, Mr. Magaña was considered by his peers to be one of the greatest and most eloquent trial lawyers to ever grace a courtroom. In 1969, he became President of the prestigious International Academy of Trial Lawyers.
 

In 1972, Charlie O’Reilly graduated as the top student in his class from the Evening Division of Loyola Law School. He was involved since that time in landmark cases that were among the most important civil cases of the past three decades. These were precedent-setting cases against entities such as the Church of Scientology, the Ford Explorer, the California Highway Patrol and local police departments. Mr. O’Reilly’s most famous case involved an epic 22-year battle with the Church of Scientology that received worldwide attention and included two appeals to the U.S. Supreme Court and successful defenses of numerous countersuits. O’Reilly was twice recognized as the Los Angeles Trial Lawyers Association’s Trial Lawyer of the Year, one of only two CAALA members to receive the honor twice.
 

As one of the first MD/JD’s to practice in the Los Angeles area, Sam Shore was an innovator of Medical Malpractice when it was a new specialty in law. He graduated from Hahnemann Medical College in Pennsylvania and was a highly regarded surgical specialist in Los Angeles for 15 years when he entered the University of Southern California, earning his law degree before he was forty. Mr. Shore taught Law & Medicine at numerous universities, and post-graduate courses at both of his professional alma maters. He was perhaps the only person who testified as an expert at State and Federal Courts on both medical and legal malpractice issues. He was in the “ice-breaking” group of specialists in Professional Negligence to achieve National Board Certification on behalf of the American Bar Association.