Stefano Formica is an experienced Trial Attorney who has recovered over
$100,000,000 on behalf of his clients. Stefano is a member of the American Board
of Trial Advocates (ABOTA). ABOTA is one of the nation’s most effective
organizations in championing the ethics, professionalism and principles of the
legal profession. Members in this distinguished invitation-only group have tried a
minimum of 10 civil jury trials to conclusion and must maintain the highest level of
ethical standards and civility, while also successfully advocating on behalf of their
clients. Only 7,600 lawyers and judges are involved in ABOTA chapters in all 50
states, and Stefano is one of the youngest members to be admitted into the
prestigious organization.
Stefano has been selected as one of the National Top 40 Under 40 Trial Lawyers,
and is a member of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum and Million Dollar
Advocates Forum. Entry into these organizations requires having obtained results
of greater than seven-figures. He has also been selected regularly as a “Rising
Star” by Super Lawyers, a selection limited to the top 2.5% of attorneys in the
nation. He is a member of the American Association for Justice, and is licensed in
California, Nevada and the District of Columbia.
Stefano proudly maintains an over 90% success rate in disputed liability jury trials.
Stefano’s practice is 100% litigation and he only takes on wrongful death and
catastrophic/serious injury cases.
Stefano has several multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements including the
largest trip and fall verdict in California for the year of 2017. In 2019, he
successfully settled a $2 million case involving a pedestrian v. commercial vehicle
accident against one of the nation’s largest shipping companies. He also obtained
a seven figure settlement against a transportation company involving a passenger
on an airport shuttle bus. He was also lead counsel on a wrongful death accident
that settled prior to litigation being filed involving a motorcyclist that was run-over
by a commercial semi-tractor trailer.
Stefano obtained a nearly $5million dollar settlement on behalf of 6 injured day
laborers who were injured and ejected from their van by a negligent commercial
truck driver. In 2017, Stefano obtained the largest trip and fall verdict in the state of
California against Westfield, in the case of Barnett v. Westfield Group.In that case,
his 83 year old client tripped and fell on a dangerous condition on one of the Culver
City Mall’s parking ramps while walking into the shopping center. Westfield denied
liability throughout trial and blamed his client for not paying attention. The jury
returned a verdict in the liability phase of the trial in less than 48 hours and
subsequently awarded Mrs. Barnett $3,100,000.
Stefano is a graduate of University of California Los Angeles, magna cum laude,
with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science. He earned his Juris Doctorate
degree from the George Washington University Law School, where he served as a
member of the Mock Trial Board.
After graduating from law school, Stefano worked as an associate in a prestigious
insurance defense firm and later became a partner at one of the nation’s largest
litigation firms. He has successfully represented clients involving automobile
accidents, traumatic brain injuries, wrongful death, and catastrophic injuries.
Stefano has been successful in trying cases with very difficult facts- a skill he has
honed throughout his nearly 15 years of practice. He attributes his success to
preparation and understanding each client’s case through their eyes, and truly
immersing himself in their situation. Only then can a jury be given “all of the facts”-
both positive and negative. He believes in giving the jury as much information as
possible and letting them decide what is fair and just. In his free time, Stefano
enjoys hiking, yoga, and surfing. Stefano is a Los Angeles native and speaks
Spanish and Italian fluently. He is also an avid Laker and UCLA fan.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
