Most lawyers take on a case - a few take on a cause. Over the past 30 years, Mary Alexander has earned a national reputation for her work protecting consumer rights, winning the respect of clients and colleagues alike. A past president of both the Association of Trial Lawyers of America and the Consumer Attorneys of California, Mary's career - both in and out of the courtroom - has focused on one thing: ensuring that those who have been harmed by the negligent, preventable actions of others get their day in court - and get the answers, and justice, they deserve.
In the process, Mary has built a notable record of success, both before juries and at the negotiation table. Some of the highlights include:
A $45 million verdict for a San Mateo victim, who had her neck broken, was paralyzed for life, and became a quadriplegic when her car was struck by a driver speeding through a red lightA $13.3 million verdict for a severely injured client in Hall v. Yosemite Park and Curry Company, in which faulty bicycle brakes triggered a crash resulting in quadriplegiaA $5.5 million settlement for a long haul trucker was run over by another trucker while outside of the cab of his rig safely locking and inspecting his load.A $4 million settlement in a San Francisco Municipal Railway accident, Landsverk v. CCSFA $4 million settlement in a pedestrian accident, Ruszak v. State Farm
But it's not just the results that have made Mary one of California's most sought-after trial attorneys. It's also a unique combination of capabilities and compassion that few lawyers can bring to their cases - or their clients. A scientist before she studied law, Mary leverages her technical background in every matter she takes on, and is well known for her ability to explain complicated theories to juries - and for using high-tech courtroom exhibits that help make difficult points easy to comprehend. She's taken on cases other lawyers won't, or can't - such as child sex abuse cases - and assisted clients from all walks of life. Because someone who has been harmed is someone who should be helped.
Along the way, Mary, a graduate of Santa Clara University Law School, has been recognized repeatedly by her peers, and the press, for her work. Her awards and honors include:
Named one of the San Francisco Bay Area's "Top 10 Trial Attorneys" by the San Francisco ChronicleNamed a Northern California Super Lawyer in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 & 2010Recognized as one of the Top 30 Women Litigators in 2002 and Top 50 Women Litigators in 2003 and 2004 by the California Daily JournalRepeatedly named one of the "100 Most Influential Attorneys in California" by the California Daily JournalPast editor-in-chief of Forum, a publication of the Consumer Attorneys of CaliforniaAmerican Board of Trial Advocates, 1997
Personal Injury - Plaintiff
California, 1982U.S. District Court District of Arizona, 1986U.S. Court of Appeals 9th Circuit, 1982
Past Editor-in-Chief of Forum, Consumer Attorneys of California Publication
Hall v. Yosemite ParkLandsverk v. CCSFRuszak v. State Farm
ABA Pursuit of Justice Award, 2003 ABOTA Foundation Life Fellow, 2002 AAJ Distinguished Service Award, 2007 AAJ Women's Trial Lawyer Caucus Special Recognition Award, 2006 AAJ Minority Caucus Trailblazer Award, 2002 AAJ Women's Caucus Marie Lambert Award, 1996 AAJ New Lawyer's Division of AAJ Joe Tonahill Award, 1995 Outstanding State Delegate Award, 1993Outstanding State Delegate Award, 1996 AAJ Wiedemann Wysocki Award, 1993 AAJ Wiedemann Wysocki Award, 2000 AAJ Wiedemann Wysocki Award, 2002 AAJ Wiedemann Wysocki Award, 2004 Edward T. Pollack Award, Consumer Attorneys of California, 2004 Marvin E. Lewis Award, Consumer Attorneys of California, 1998 Outstanding Achievement Award, Consumer Attorneys of California, 1997 Trench Soldier Award, Consumer Attorneys of California, 1994 - 1996 Trench Soldier Award, Consumer Attorneys of California, 1996 President's Award, Consumer Attorneys of California, 1991, 1994, 1995, 2002, 2004, 2005 President Public Justice Award, 1996 2003 Special Achievement Award, Santa Clara University School of Law Named by San Francisco Chronicle One of the Top Ten Trial Lawyers in the San Francisco Bay Area, 1990 Martindale-Hubbell AV Rating, 1986 Lawdragon Top 500 Leading Plaintiff Lawyers in America, 2007 Northern California Superlawyers, 2005 - 2010US Action Leadership Award, 2003 Daily Journal Top 50 Women Litigators, 2003 Middlesex County Bar Association Minuteman Award - Special Guest of Honor, 2002 Maryland. Trial Lawyers Association Award of Appreciation, 2002 Daily Journal Top 30 Women Litigators, 2002 Trial Lawyer of the Year Award Themis Capital Corporation, 2001 Top 100 Most Influential Lawyers in California - Daily Journal, 2001 - 2003 Wyoming Trial Lawyers Association Award of Appreciation, 1999 Democratic Caucus of California State Assembly Award of Appreciation, 1996 Named one of the San Francisco Bay Area's "Top 10 Trial Attorneys" by the San Francisco Chronicle Named a Northern California Super Lawyer, 2006 - 2010 Top 50 Women Litigators, by the California Daily Journal, 2004 Repeatedly Named One of the "100 Most Influential Attorneys in California" by the California Daily Journal Trial Lawyer Hall of Fame for the State Bar of California: Litigation Section
Professional Associations and Memberships
American Bar Association, Member, 1982 - Present American Board of Trial Advocates, Member, 1997 - Present American Board of Trial Advocates, Member, National Board, 2005 - 2006 College of Master Advocates and Barristers, Member College of Master Advocates and Barristers, Senior Counsel Bar Association of San Francisco, Member, 1984 - Present Bar Association of San Francisco, Board Member, 2004 - 2007 American Association for Justice, President, 2003 American Association for Justice, President Elect, 2002 American Association for Justice, Vice President, 2001 American Association for Justice, Secretary, 2000 American Association for Justice, Treasurer, 1999 American Association for Justice, Parliamentarian, 1998 American Association for Justice, Chair, State Delegates, 1996 - 1997 American Association for Justice, Chair, Council of Presidents, 1996 - 1997 American Association for Justice, Chair, Membership Committee, 1994 - 1995 American Association for Justice, Chair, PAC Task Force, 1995 - 1996 American Association for Justice, Secretary, AAJ Endowment, 2007 American Association for Justice, Secretary, AAJ Endowment, 2008 American Association for Justice, Member, Board of AAJ Endowment, 1998 - Present Roscoe Pound Institute, President, 2005 AAJ Leaders' Forum, Member, 2002 - Present Consumer Attorneys of California, President, 1996 Consumer Attorneys of California, President-Elect, 1995 Consumer Attorneys of California, Vice President, 1994Consumer Attorneys of California, Parliamentarian, 1993 Consumer Attorneys of California, Member, Board of Governors, 1988 - 1992 California Women Lawyers, Member, 1982 - Present National Center for State Courts, Attorney Board Member, 2004 - Present San Francisco Trial Lawyers Association, Board Member, 1984 - 1999Public Justice, Member, 1982 - Present Public Justice, Member, Board of Governors, 1995 - 1999 Western Trial Lawyers Association, Member, Board of Governors, 1995 - Present Washington State Trial Lawyers Association, Member, 1997 - 1999 Consumers Attorneys Association of Los Angeles, Member San Mateo County Trial Lawyers Association, Member Santa Clara University School of Law, Member, Board of Visitors National Crimes Victims Association, President
