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William D. Shapiro

William D. Shapiro Law, Inc.

893 East Brier Drive, San Bernardino, CA 92408
(909) 890‐1000
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William Shapiro Office

Avvo Client Choice Award 2019
American Board of Trial Advocates Diplomate
Best Lawyer of the year 2017
Best lawyers of the year 2021
Top Gun Trial Lawyer of the Year 2022
Consumer Attorneys of California Finalist
CLAY Award

 

Certified Specialist in Civil Trial Advocacy (State Bar of CA); Diplomat, American Board of Trial Advocates, 2026 National President; Fellow in the International Academy of Trial Lawyers; American College of Trial Lawyers and International Society of Barristers; Board Certified, National Board of Trial Advocacy; 2025 “California Lawyer of the Year” Award (CLAY) Daily Journal; 2025 Top 100 Lawyers in California, Daily Journal; 2025, 2022, 2016 & 2013 “Top Gun Trial Lawyer of the Year,” Orange County Trial Lawyer Assoc.; 2022 “Trial Lawyer of the Year,” Consumer Attorneys of California, Finalist; 2022 “Trial Lawyer of the Year,” Consumer Attorneys of Los Angeles, Top 5 Finalist; 2016 “Lawyer of the Year” & Jennifer Brooks Award, Western San Bernardino County Bar Assoc.; 2015 “Trial Lawyer of the Year, ” CAL-ABOTA; 2014 “Trial Lawyer of the Year,” Consumer Attorneys of California IE; 2017 & 2021, “Lawyer of the Year,” Personal Injury IE, Best Lawyers in America (U.S. News & World Report); 2004-Current, Best Lawyers in America; 2004-Current Best Firms in America, Tier 1, (U.S. News & World Report); 2007-Current, SuperLawyers, Top 100 SOCAL; 2024 Marvin Lewis Award, Consumer Attorneys of California; 2025 & 2024 “Top Plaintiff Lawyers” named by Daily Journal; 2025, 2022, “Top Verdicts/Settlements” from Daily Journal; 2012, John B. Surr Award, San Bernardino County Bar Assoc.; 2025, “William D. Shapiro, Lifetime Achievement Award” San Bernardino County Bar Assoc.; 2025 “Lifetime Achievement Award,” Western San Bernardino County Bar Assoc; 2023 honorary “William D. Shapiro Advocacy Award” Western State College of Law ; 2018 “Lifetime Achievement Award,” Western State College of Law; 1985- Current, Martindale Hubbell AV Preeminent; Top 100; 2006-Current AVVO 10.0 “Superb”; “Top One Percent” California; Past President: American Board of Trial Advocates IE (2008), San Bernardino County Bar Assoc (2008); Consumer Attorneys of the Inland Empire (1986-1988); Joseph B. Campbell American INNS of Court (1994); 1980 – Current, Executive Board of Legal Aid Society of San Bernadino; 2012 “Access to Justice Award” & 1999 “Matthew Kearney Award,” Legal Aid Society of San Bernardino; 2018 “Lifetime Achievement Award,” Western State College of Law; 2012 “Hall of Fame” Western State College of Law; 1980-1985/2012-Current, Adjunct Professor of Torts, Ethics and Trial Practice, Western State College of Law.

  • “2024 Marvin E. Lewis Award” Consumer Attorney of California.
  • “2025, 2022, 2016 & 2013 "Top Gun Trial Lawyer of the Year” Orange County Trial Lawyers Association’s.
  • “2022 Trial Lawyer of the Year Finalist” Consumer Attorneys of California
  • “Lifetime Achievement Award,” 2018 Western State College of Law
  • “Lawyer of the Year” “Best Lawyers in America” US News & World Report, IE.
  • “Lawyer of the Year” 2017, Inland Empire,
  • “Best Lawyers in America,” U.S. News & World Report
  • “Top Gun, Trial Lawyer of the Year” 2016, Orange County Trial Lawyers Association
  • “Trial Lawyer of the Year” 2016, Western San Bernardino County Bar Association
  • “Trial Lawyer of the Year,” 2015, CAL ABOTA (American Board of Trial Advocates)
  • “Trial Lawyer of the Year,” 2014, Consumer Attorneys of the Inland Empire
  • “Trial Lawyer of the Year 2013 & 2014 nomination, CAL ABOTA (American Board of Trial Advocates)
  • “2012, John B. Surr Award,”
  • 2013, presented by the San Bernardino County Bar Association:
  • “Awarded to the Member of the Legal Community who has Best Exemplified the High Standards of the Profession and the Administration of Justice.”
  • “Top Gun, Trial Lawyer of the Year,” 2013, Orange County Trial Lawyers Association
  • “Trial Lawyer of the Year, 2013, 2014 nomination, CAL ABOTA (American Board of Trial Advocates)
  • “Trial Lawyer of the Year,” 2013 nomination, Consumer Attorneys of Los Angeles
  • “2012 "Access to Justice Award" & 1999 "Matthew Kearney Award,” Legal Aid Society of San Bernardino
  • “For exceptional service in providing access to the courts for those in need.”
  • “Hall of Fame,” Western State University College of Law. Inducted 2011
  • “Trial Lawyer of the Year,” nomination 2011 & 2012, Consumer Attorneys of CA, IE
  • “President’s Award,” (2011 & 2012) Consumer Attorneys of CA, IE
  • “President’s Award,” (2011) American Board of Trial Advocates, IE
  • “Consumer Attorney of the Year” 2010 nomination, Consumer Attorneys of California
  • “Matthew Kearney Award,” (1999) presented by SBCBA & Legal Aid Society, Awarded to the Member of the Community who has best Exemplified the High Purposes of the Legal Aid Society
  • “Kleps Award” (1996 & 2002) presented by Presiding Justice Manual Ramirez of the 4th DCA, For improvement in the administration of the courts.
  • 2014 “Trial Lawyer of the Year,” Consumer Attorneys of California IE
  • 2025 "William D. Shapiro, Lifetime Achievement Award," San Bernardino County Bar Assoc.
  • 2025 "Lifetime Achievement Award," Western San Bernardino County Bar Assoc.
  • 2016 "Lawyer of the Year" & Jennifer Brooks Award, Western San Bernardino County Bar Assoc.
  • 2015 "Trial Lawyer of the Year," CAL-ABOTA
  • 2017 & 2021 "Lawyer of the Year," Personal Injury IE, Best Lawyers in America (U.S. News & World Report)
  • 2025 "California Lawyer of the Year" Award (CLAY), Daily Journal
  • 2012 "Hall of Fame," Western State College of Law
  • 2023 Honorary "William D. Shapiro Advocacy Award," Western State College of Law
  • “Americas “Top 100” Attorneys” National Lawyers of America
  • “Best Lawyers in America,” U.S. News & World Report
  • “Top One Percent in the Nation” National Association of Distinguished Counsel
  • “SuperLawyer.” Los Angeles Times Magazine
  • “Best Lawyers in Orange County,” Orange County Register, Metro
  • “Best Lawyers in Inland Empire,” Inland Empire Magazine
  • “One of Southern California’s Top Rated Lawyers” ALM Publications
  • “2025 Top 100 Lawyers in California,” Daily Journal
  • “Southern California’s Top Rated Lawyers,” American Law Magazine, published in LA Times
  • “Top 500” in the Nation,” RCRSD, Lawdragon
  • “Best Firms in America,” Tier 1; U.S. News & World Report
  • “Top 20 Leaders,” RCRSD, Newsweek Magazine
  • “Top Ranked Law Firm” RCRSD Martindale‐Hubbell, Fortune Magazine
  • “Most Elite Trial Lawyers in America,” RCRSD, National Law Journal
  • “Top 50 list for Orange County” Los Angeles Times
  • A‐V, Preeminent, “One of the Pre‐eminent lawyers in America,” Martindale‐Hubbell Recognition for expertise in Bad Faith, Personal Injury & Product Liability Trials, Consumer Attorneys of California (formerly CTLA)
  • California Judicial College.
  • 1985- Current, Top 100 Martindale Hubbell AV Preeminent
  • 2006-Current AVVO 10.0 "Superb" "Top One Percent" California
  • 2007-Current, SuperLawyers, Top 100 SOCAL
  • 2025 & 2024 "Top Plaintiff Lawyers" named by Daily Journal
  • 2025, 2022, "Top Verdicts/Settlements" from Daily Journal;
  • 2004-Current, Best Lawyers in America
  • 2004-Current Best Firms in America, Tier 1, (U.S. News & World Report)
  • American College of Trial Lawyers, Fellow
  • International Academy of Trial Lawyers, Fellow Board of Directors; International Relations and Site Committees
  • International Society of Barristers, Fellow
  • American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA), Diplomat National Secretary, (2016- 2017) Past President San Bernardino/Riverside Chapter; National Representative, 2010‐Current; National Committees: Civility, Professionalism and Ethics, Awards (Chair), Trial College, Chapter Relations; ABOTA Foundation, Legacy Fellow; Trustee, 2009‐2013; Co‐chair 2010 Leadership Conference, New Orleans, LA
  • National Board of Trial Advocacy, Board Certified, Civil Trial Advocacy
  • State Bar of California, Certified Legal Specialty: Civil Trial Advocacy
  • American Bar Association, Faculty: ABA TIPs Trial Academy, Reno, NV. Committees: Trial, Torts and Insurance Section
  • Consumer Attorneys of California, State Board of Governors (2009‐Current)
  • Consumer Attorneys of Inland Empire Past President (1982‐1984) Executive Board (2009‐2017)
  • Consumer Attorneys of Los Angeles
  • American Association for Justice
  • San Bernardino County Bar Association Past President (2008), Fee Dispute Arbitrator, Medical Legal Committee
  • American Inns of Court, Joseph B. Campbell Chapter Past President, 1996 “Master”
  • Riverside County Bar Association
  • Orange County Bar Association
  • Federal Bar Association
  • Orange County Trial Lawyers Association
  • Western Trial Lawyers Association
  • Million and Multi‐Million Dollar Verdict Forum
  • United States Supreme Court Historical Society
  • Consumer Attorneys of the Inland Empire (1986-1988)
  • Joseph B. Campbell American INNS of Court (1994)
  • 980 – Current, Executive Board of Legal Aid Society of San Bernardino
  • American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA): National Secretary 2016 – 2017; National Board of Directors, 2009 ‐ 2017; National Awards Committee Chair, 2014‐Current; San Bernardino/Riverside Chapter, President, 2008; Executive Board 2004 – Current; ABOTA Foundation, Trustee, 2011 – 2014
  • John Lewis King Scholarship Board of Directors, 2012‐Current
  • International Academy of Trial Lawyers Board of Directors, 2011‐Current
  • Consumer Attorneys of California Board of Governors, 2009‐Current
  • Joseph B. Campbell, INN of Court, “Master,” President, 1996 Consumer Attorneys of California, Inland Chapter President, 1984‐1986; Executive Board, 2009‐Current
  • Legal Aid Society of San Bernardino Executive Board of Directors, 1980 ‐Present
  • Western State University College of Law, Deans Counsel, 2012‐Current
  • University of Laverne Law School Board of Visitors; 2014- 2017
  • Western State University, College of Law President, Student Bar Association, 1977‐78.
  • “2026 National President” Diplomat, American Board of Trial Advocates.
  • Fellow in the International Academy of Trial Lawyers;
  • American College of Trial Lawyers and International Society of Barristers;
  • Board Certified, National Board of Trial Advocacy;
  • Past President: American Board of Trial Advocates IE (2008), San Bernardino County Bar Assoc (2008)
  • Professor, Adjunct Faculty, Western State University, College of Law, “Civil Trial Practice” (2013‐Current) Torts, Product Liability, Ethics & Professionalism, (1981‐1985)
  • Faculty, ABA TIPs Trial Academy, Reno, Nevada, (2016 – Current)
  • Faculty, ABOTA Trial College, Harvard Law School, Cambridge, MS (2012‐2016)
  • “Civility Matters,” ABOTA presentations on Civility, (2008‐Current)
  • “Masters Panel” Consumer Attorneys of CA, Conferences, (2004‐Current)
  • “Masters in Trial,” American Board of Trial Advocates. (2002‐Current)
  • “Trial of the Masters, a Trial Demonstration,” La Verne School of Law, (2011)
  • Evidence, Trial Practice; Lecturer, Laverne School of Law, (2011‐Present)
  • Evidence, Trial Practice; Lecturer, California Southern School of Law (2002‐2003)
  • Civil Trial Conference; Riverside County Bar Association, UCLA, Lake Arrowhead, CA (1985‐1992)
  • Dangers of 3 wheel ATC design, Testimony: Consumer Product Safety Commission (1985)
  • Seminars and Programs, SBCBA, RCBA, INN of Court
  • Various Trial Lawyer Assoc., Ins. Co & other seminars and programs.
  • 1980-1985/2012-Current, Adjunct Professor of Torts, Ethics and Trial Practice, Western State College of Law.
  • November, 2018 Mentoring young lawyers, Consumer Attorneys of California San Francisco, CA
  • May, 2018 Graduation Ceremony, speaker Western State College of Law Anaheim, CA
  • May, 2018 “Stages of the case.” American INN’s of Court San Bernardino, CA
  • April, 2018 “Lawyers Be Ware, Wire & other Fraud” Consumer Attorneys of California Palm Springs, CA
  • November, 2017 “Controlling Costs in Litigation” Consumer Attorneys of California, Convention San Francisco, CA
  • September, 2017 “Compelling Opening Statements” Consumer Attorneys of California Riverside, CA
  • September, 2017 “Closing Arguments, getting in the last word” Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles Las Vegas, NV.
  • June, 2017 Cross Examination, “Set up and Deliver.” Consumer Attorneys of California Lake Tahoe, NV
  • May, 2017 Award Presentation, Western State College of Law Anaheim, CA
  • April, 2017 Mock Justice, Moot Court Western State College of Law Irvine, CA
  • April, 2017 “Voir Dire” Trial Academy Riverside County Bar Association Riverside, CA
  • March, 2017 The Trial Lawyer, “From Executive Director to Lead Grip” Keynote Speaker, Consumer Attorneys of California Palm Springs, CA
  • February, 2017 “Putting the How in Howell” Association of Southern California Defense Counsel Los Angeles, CA
  • October, 2016 Trial Lawyer of the Year presentation Orange County Trial Lawyers Association Newport Beach, CA
  • September, 2016 “Using the Courtroom to your Benefit” Orange County Trial Lawyers Association Tustin, CA
  • July, 2016 ABOTA Trial College, Faculty (2012-Current); Harvard Law School Cambridge, MS
  • May, 2016 “Why there must be Humanity in the Practice of Law” Consumer Attorneys of California, Inland Empire Palm Desert, CA
  • April, 2016 “Direct Examination” Masters in Trial presentation, ABOTA Minnesota Chapter Minneapolis, Minnesota.
  • April, 2016 “The Rights of Victims of Terrorism” San Bernardino County Bar Association San Bernardino, CA
  • April, 2016 TIPS/ABA/ABOTA Trial Academy, Faculty National Judicial College Reno, NV
  • February, 2016 “Discovery” Trial Academy Riverside County Bar Association
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  • State Bar of California, 1979
  • District Court Central District of California United States Federal, 1979
  • Bankruptcy Court Central District of California, 1979
  • Tax Court United States Federal, 1982
  • 9th Circuit Court of Appeals United States Federal, 1986
  • United States Supreme Court, 1986
  • 6th Circuit Court of Appeals United States Federal, 2013
  • Member of the Washington D. C. Bar Association
  • Certified Specialist in Civil Trial Advocacy (State Bar of CA)
  • Lobo vs Tamco (2014) 230 Cal App 438
  • Lobo v Tamco (2010) 182 Cal.App.4th 297
  • Thompson v Mercury Casualty Co, (2000) 84 Cal App 4th 90
  • Jimenez v Protective Life (1992) 8 Cal App 4th 528
  • Horvatin v Allstate 848 F2nd 1012 (9th Cir 1988)
  • Horvatin v Allstate 631 F Supp. 1271 (C.D. Cal 1986)
  • Western State University College of Law Fullerton, California Juris Doctor, 1978 Phi Alpha Delta Legal Fraternity, Charter Member
  • California State University Fullerton, California State Teaching Credential, K‐12, 1975
  • California State University Fullerton, California Bachelor of Science, Physical Education, 1974
  • Chaffey College Alta Loma, California; Associate of Arts, General Education 1972