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); 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
“2022 Personal Injury Top Gun, Trial Lawyer of the Year”
Orange County Trial Lawyers Association’s.
“2022 Trial Lawyer of the Year Finalist”
Consumer Attorney 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.
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
REPORTED CASES
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)
PUBLICATIONS
2018
The Gavel – Effective Cross-Examination
2017
The Gavel – Balancing Defense Medical Examinations
2016
Riverside Lawyer – Opposing Counsel San Diego Attorney Orange County Attorney
2014
Orange County Attorney
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
