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William D. Shapiro

Partner
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Orange County Office:
Phone: 949-720-1288
Fax: 949-720-1292

620 Newport Center Drive
7th Floor
Newport Beach, California 92660

Inland Empire Office:
Phone: 909-890-1000
Fax: 909-890-1001

893 East Brier Dr.
San Bernardino, California 92408

In 2011, having over 3 decades of trial experience, William D. Shapiro joined the firm as a partner of the newly named, Robinson Calcagnie Robinson Shapiro Davis, Inc.. In 2009, he was inducted as a Fellow in the prestigious International Academy of Trial Lawyers, as well as being an Advocate in the esteemed American Board of Trial Advocates (A.B.O.T.A). Rated A-V for over 20 years, Martindale Hubbel has listed him as "One of the Premier Lawyers in America." Having handled hundreds of State and Federal actions involving serious personal injury and wrongful death, William Shapiro is recognized by the State Bar of CA as a "Specialist in Civil Trial Advocacy." Mr. Shapiro has been profiled a "SuperLawyer" in Los Angeles Magazine and is listed "One of the Top Attorneys in the IE," by Inland Empire Magazine and in 2011 he was inducted into the Western State University, College of Law "Hall of Fame".

Mr. Shapiro is Past President and active member of the San Bernardino / Riverside Chapter of ABOTA; Past President and active member of the San Bernardino County Bar Association; Past President and active member of the Consumer Attorneys of California, Inland Chapter; and Past President and active member of the Joseph B. Campbell INN of Court. He is Certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy, and is currently is a National Representative of A.B.O.T.A, National. He currently serves on the Executive Boards of the Consumer Attorneys of California both Statewide and the Inland Chapter, as well as the San Bernardino Legal Aid Society. In 2010, Mr. Shapiro was nominated "Consumer Attorney of the Year," by the Consumer Attorneys of California, and he is also an active member of the American Association for Justice, the Western and Orange County Trial Lawyers Association, the Riverside County Bar Association and Federal Bar Association. For his extensive pro bono efforts, in 1999, the San Bernardino County Bar Association presented him with the coveted Matthew Kearney Award "for outstanding contribution to the community through 20 years of dedicated service to Legal Aid." Presiding Justice Manual Ramirez of California's 4th District Court of Appeal, Division Two, presented Mr. Shapiro the Ralph N. Kleps Award "For Improvement In The Administration Of The Courts." A strong supporter of the "ABOTA Foundation," Mr. Shapiro is a Legacy Fellow.

Mr. Shapiro received his Bachelor of Science and Teaching Credentials from California State University at Fullerton and received his Juris Doctor from Western State University, College of Law. His entire 32 year legal career has been dedicated to working on behalf of injured victims of negligent conduct, defective products, dangerous premises and medical malpractice. He has handled cases throughout California, as well as in Nevada and Hawaii.

In addition to his membership in the California Bar, Mr. Shapiro is also admitted to Federal Courts including, the Central District Court, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and the United States Supreme Court. Mr. Shapiro has obtained numerous 7 and 8 figure verdicts and settlements on behalf of his clients, most recently a wrongful death/personal injury verdict in excess of $26,500,000 including $6,000,000 in punitive damages.

Mr. Shapiro has contributed to the development of California law having several published appellate Opinions, most recently expanding the 'going and coming rule' in Lobo vs. Tamco (2010) 182 Cal.App.4th 297. A former Assistant Professor of Law of Torts, Product Liability and Legal Ethics, Mr. Shapiro was honored to join those featured in many "Masters in Trial" demonstrations of ABOTA,"Trials by the Masters" presentations by the University of La Verne Law School, and "Master's Roundtables," hosted by CAOC and INN's of Court. Mr. Shapiro has been a speaker and presenter at countless conferences and seminars both nationally and internationally speaking on trial work and related topics. Mr. Shapiro is married to Sue having 3 sons, Matthew, Brian and Kevin.

In addition to the excellent academic credentials, Mr. Shapiro remains on the cutting edge of trial practice by being active in ongoing Continuing Education of Bar programs, as well as attending conferences and seminars. Mr. Shapiro is admitted to the State, Federal, Appellate, and United States Supreme Courts. In addition he is an active member in the Federal, California, San Bernardino and Riverside County Bar Associations.

The philosophy of Law Firm of Robinson Calcagnie Robinson Shapiro Davis, Inc. is centered around quality, an aggressive and strong work ethic, as well as taking a firm, but fair stance. This philosophy is shared by our legal assistants, clerks, secretaries and support staff. Due to his dedication, lawyering quality and high ethical standards, William D. Shapiro has earned an "A-V" rating from Martindale-Hubble, the highest possible rating from the only national rating entity, who also includes him in their publication "Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers in America."

We are proud to serve those who have been victimized by the negligence of motorists, negligent health practitioners and others, defective products, dangerous conditions on properties and roadways, as well as those who are being wrongly denied coverage and benefits by their own personal life, health, or auto insurance carriers.

JUDICIAL SERVICE:

I Judge Pro-Tem/Mediator (Hearings, Trial Settlement Conferences) 2006

Administrative Hearing Officer; County of San Bernardino 1991 - Present

  1. 4th District Court of Appeal, San Bernardino, California 1988 - Present
  2. San Bernardino & Riverside County Superior Courts 1987 - Present
  3. San Bernardino & Riverside County Municipal Courts

II Arbitrator/Mediator Appointments: 1995 - Present

  1. Panel member of, "Settlement Now" 1985 - 1993
  2. Panel member of, "Judicate-West" Click Here 1983 - Present
  3. Panel member of the, "American Arbitration Association" 1983
  4. Private Appointment as Arbitrator/Mediator

Bar Admissions:

U.S. Supreme Court, 1986
U.S. Court of Appeals 9th Circuit, 1986
U.S. Tax Court, 1982
California, 1979
U.S. District Court Central District of California, 1979
U.S. Bankruptcy Court Central District of California, 1979

Education:

J.D., Western State University College of Law, Fullerton, California, 1978
Honors: Phi Alpha Delta Legal Fraternity, Charter Member, 1977

California State University, Fullerton, California, 1975
California State Teaching Credential K-12

B.S., California State University, Fullerton, California, 1974

A.A., Chaffey College, Alta Loma, California, 1972

Representative Cases:

Lobo v. Tamco, 182 Cal.App.4th 297 (2010)
Thompson vs. Mercury Casualty, 84 Cal App 4th 90 (2000)
Jimenez vs. Protective Life Ins. Co., 8 Cal App 4th 528 (1992)
Horvatin vs. Allstate Life Ins. Co., 848 F.2d 1012 (C.A.9 (Cal.) (C.A.9 Cal. 1988)
Horvatin vs. Allstate Life Ins. Co., 631 F.Supp. 1271 (C.D.Cal. 1986)
Harris vs. Trojan Fireworks Co., 155 Cal App 3d 830 (1984)
Harris vs. Trojan Fireworks Co., 120 Cal App 3d 157, 174 Cal Rptr. 452 (1981)

Honors and Awards:

"The President's Award" American Board of Trial Advocates, Inland Chapter, 2011

Consumer Attorneys of California Board of Governors, 2010

"Consumer Attorney of the Year" nomination Consumer Attorneys of California, 2010

Inducted into the, International Academy of Trial Lawyers, 2009

Named by publishers of Inland Empire Magazine as one of the Top Attorneys in the Inland Empire, 2006 - Present

Named by the publishers of "Law & Politics" in the "Los Angeles Magazine" as one of Southern California's "Super Lawyers", 2006 - Present

Ralph N. Kleps Award, 2001

Who's Who in the United States, 2000

Matt Kearney Award, 1999

Certificate of Recognition, Presented by California State Senator Joe Baca., 1999

Ralph N. Kleps Award, 1998

Bar Register Of Pre-Eminent Lawyers In America, 1995 - Present

American Board Of Trial Advocates (ABOTA), 1994 - Present, Rank of Advocate

National Board Of Trial Advocacy (NBTA), 1991 - Present

Consumer Attorneys of California, (CAOC), 1978 - Present, (Board of Governors 2010-2011)

A-V Rating, Presented by the Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory, 1990 - Present

Classes/Seminars Taught:

October, 2011Masters in Trial; A Trial Notebook
American Board of Trial Advocates
“Direct and Cross Examination of Expert Witnesses”
Riverside, CA
August, 2011"Opening Statements"
Trial Practice presentation
University of LaVerne Law School
Ontario, CA
June, 2011"Bridging the Gap"
A welcome to new lawyers
San Bernardino County Public Defenders
San Bernardino, CA
May, 2011Presentation of "Trial Judge of the Year" Honorable Douglas E. Weathers
Consumer Attorneys of the Inland Empire Palm Springs, CA
May, 2011"Presenting Damages in a Wrongful Death case"
Consumer Attorneys of California
Palm Springs, CA
April, 2011"Civility"
Joseph B. Campbell INN's of Court
San Bernardino, CA
April, 2011"Civility in Litigation"
American INN's of Court
Joseph B. Campbell INN,
San Bernardino, CA
April, 2011Masters in Trial panel
Consumer Attorneys of CA
"Arguing damages for the death of a minor"
Palm Springs, CA
March, 2011Trial Judge for Litigators; Trial Practice
Statewide competition
University of LaVerne Law School
Ontario, CA
March, 2011"The intake of a Personal Injury case"
University of LaVerne Law School
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
March, 2011"Admitting documentary evidence"
Trial Practice presentation
University of LaVerne Law School
Ontario, CA

Professional Associations and Memberships:

International Academy of Trial Lawyers, 2009 - Present Fellow

San Bernardino County Bar Association, 2005 - 2006 Board Member

Orange County Trial Lawyers Association, 2005

Western Trial Lawyers Association, 2003

International Bar Association, 2003

Million Dollar Advocates Forum, 2001

Legal Aid Society of San Bernardino County, 1999 - Present Board Member

Ninth Circuit Court Historical Society, 1997

Federal Bar Association - Inland Chapter, 1997 Charter Member

Settlement Now, 1995 - Present Arbitrator/Mediator/Panel Member

CalABOTA 1994 - Present Executive Board 2006 - 2009

American Board of Trial Advocates, 1994 - Present Past President San Bernardino/Riverside Chapter

American Inns of Court, The Honorable Joseph B. Campbell, Chapter, 1994 - Present (Charter Member, Chapter President 1995 - 1996, Master)

California Supreme Court Historical Society, 1993 - Present

National Board of Trial Advocates, 1991 - Present

United States Supreme Court Historical Society, 1986 - Present

Consumer Attorneys of California, Inland Chapter, 1979 - Present Past President

San Bernardino County Bar Association Medical/Legal Committee

Judicate-West, 1985 - Present Arbitrator/Mediator/Panel Member

American Arbitration Association, 1983 - Present Arbitrator/Mediator/Panel Member

Legal Aid Society of San Bernardino County, 1982

American Bar Association, 1979 - Present Insurance Coverage Litigation Committee

American Bar Association, 1979 - Present International Tort and Insurance Law and Practice Committee

American Bar Association, 1979 - Present Products, General Liability and Consumer Law Committee

California Bar Association, Insurance Litigation Section, 1979 - Present Member

American Association for Justice (AAJ), Torts & Insurance Section, 1979 - Present Member

Consumer Attorneys of California, 1978 - Present Member, Board of Governors

San Bernardino County Bar Association, 1979 - Present President 2008 - 2009

San Bernardino County Bar Association Trial Delay Reduction Committee

San Bernardino County Bar Association Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee

San Bernardino County Bar Association Judicial Appointment Committee