William Shapiro has handled catastrophic injury/wrongful death actions for over 4 decades obtaining numerous seven and eight-figure verdicts and settlements. Honors include: 2022, 2016 and 2013 “Top Gun” Trial Lawyer of the Year, Orange County Trial Lawyers Association (OCTLA); 2022 Trial Lawyer of the Year Top 5 Finalist; Consumer Attorneys of California (CAOC); 2022 Trial Lawyer of the Year Top 5 Finalist, Consumer Attorneys of Los Angeles (CAALA) ; 2016 Lawyer of the Year, Western San Bernardino County Bar Association (WSBCBA); 2025 Charles Althouse Lifetime Achievement award (WSBCBA); 2015 Trial Lawyer of the Year, CAL-ABOTA; 2014 Trial Lawyer of the Year, Consumer Attorneys of the Inland Empire; 2021 & 2017 Best Lawyers, Lawyer of the Year, Personal Injury; 2018 Lifetime Achievement Award Western State College of Law, 2016 ; 2011 Hall of Fame, Western State College of Law; Fellow, American College of Trial Lawyers; Fellow, International Academy of Trial Lawyers; Fellow, International Society of Barristers; Diplomat, American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA); Board Certified Trial Advocacy Specialist, National Board of Trial Advocacy; Specialist in Trial Advocacy, State Bar of California; 2016 National Secretary, ABOTA, Trustee, ABOTA Foundation; 2021 Arthur Kelly Civility Award, ABOTA, “Tier 1, Best Law Firms” Best Lawyers in America and U.S. News; AV Preeminent, Martindale-Hubbell, “10″ AVVO; “Top 100,” SuperLawyers; Past President, San Bernardino/Riverside ABOTA; Past President, San Bernardino County Bar Association; Past President, Consumer Attorneys of Inland Empire; Past President, Joseph. B. Campbell American Inn of Court; 2012- Current, Adjunct professor, Civil Trial Practice Western State College of Law.
Awards
- “2024 Marvin E. Lewis Award”
- Consumer Attorney of California.
- “2022 Personal Injury 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)
- “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
- “Access to Justice Award,”
- 2012 presented by San Bernardino Legal Aid Society
- “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.
Recognition
- “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
- “Top 100 Trial Lawyers,”
- America’s Top 100
- “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.
Memberships
- 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
Leadership
- 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.
Bar Admissions
- 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
Education
- 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
