Shahrad Milanfar is a trial attorney and mediator who has focused his career on serious personal injury, automotive, asbestos and other types of product liability, transportation / trucking, and habitability cases. Since the beginning of his career, Shahrad has worked on catastrophic injury cases such as traumatic brain injury (TBI), serious orthopedic injuries, including quadriplegia and paraplegia.

Shahrad gained his trial and courtroom experience while working with the district attorney's office and as a civil trial attorney. He has handled cases from inception to verdict as the primary trial attorney. Over the past 20+ years, Shahrad has managed serious personal injury and product liability cases involving cars, tires, motorcycles, trucks, big rigs, buses, ATVs, household and industrial products. He also has extensive experience as the primary trial attorney in these types of cases.

He has been at the forefront for the use of technology and iPads in trial presentations and tried numerous cases to verdict with significant results. He developed one of the first comprehensive courses on how to effectively use an iPad in trial. Utilizing his research and understanding of human decision making and technology, Shahrad has effectively told his clients' stories in a compelling and human way which distinguishes his approach from other attorneys.

Shahrad has designed strategies to minimize risk and maximize the chances for his clients' success through comprehensive planning and preparation. Shahrad has significant experience advising clients on crisis management and emergency response to catastrophic events.

Shahrad is also an experienced mediator who has effectively mediated over 100 cases involving personal injury, product liability, family, guardianship, property, business and community disputes. His trial and mediation experience make Shahrad a very effective advocate who can see the case from many angles. This provides him with a significant advantage against his opponents because it allows for a much more effective approach in presenting his clients' cases.

As an adjunct professor at Golden Gate University School of Law, Shahrad taught trial skills and coached the Golden Gate trials teams between 2001-2014. Shahrad has taught mediation skills to attorneys, mediators, human resources, psychologists and other professionals. He has taught in training programs for Rosenberg Mediation, Center for Human Development, and the University of San Francisco School of Law. He is also an instructor with National Institute of Trial Advocacy (NITA) teaching in NITA's trial and deposition training programs.

In an article Shahrad Milanfar wrote for legal newspaper The Recorder, he discusses the influence and legacy of his mentor, Professor Bernard “Bernie” Segal of Golden Gate University School of Law.

Practice Areas
Personal Injury
Product Liability
Trucking/Transportation
Habitability
Spinal Injuries
Traumatic Brain Injury
Animal Attack/Dog Bite
Nursing Home Litigation
Vaping Injuries

Education
Golden Gate University School of Law, San Francisco, California
J.D. - 1998
University of California, Santa Cruz, California
B.A. - 1994

Bar Admission
California, 1999
U.S. District Court Northern District of California, 2000
U.S. District Court Eastern District of California, 2011
U.S. District Court Central District of California, 2012
U.S. District Court Southern District of California, 2003
U.S. Court of Appeals 9th Circuit, 1999

Honors
Outstanding Alumni Volunteer Award, Golden Gate University School of Law, 2013
Criminal Litigation Award, Golden Gate University School of Law, 1998
Medal for Excellence in Advocacy American College of Trial Lawyers, 1998

Speaking Engagements
iPad for Attorneys and Trial Lawyers, San Francisco Bar Association MCLE Event, 2019
Mediation training, Rosenberg Mediation Annual Training, 2019
Trial Training, National Institute for Trial Advocacy – Western Regional Trial Training Program, 2019
Future of Litigation, National Institute for Trial Advocacy Executive Director’s Roundtable, 2018
How to Change the Conversation During Mediation , Rosenberg Mediation Training, 2018 & 2015
Trial Training, University of San Francisco Intensive Trial Advocacy Program, 2016
Habitability In California, Perrin Conferences, 2016
Trial Training, National Institute for Trial Advocacy Trial Training Program, 2016
Technology for Every Mediator, Mediation Society MCLE Lunch, 2015
How to Deal with Anger in Mediation, CHD – Annual Mediation Training, 2015
Utilizing Technology in Your Mediation and Law Practice, Alameda County Bar Association MCLE Series, 2015
How to Change the Conversation During Mediation, Rosenberg Mediation Training, 2015
iPad for Attorneys and Trial Lawyers, 2014
Career Panel for Law Students, Golden Gate University School of Law Orientation, 2014
How to Utilize Technology in Your Litigation and Mediation Practice, Contra Costa County Bar Association ADR Luncheon, 2014
Mediation Training, Center for Human Development Annual Mediation Training, 2014
Presenting Damages in the Post Howell Era, San Francisco Trial Lawyer’s Association – Presenting Damages in the Post Howell Era, 2013
How to Use Your Trial Skills to Prepare for Mediation, National Institute for Trial Advocacy, 2013
iPad for Attorneys & Trial Lawyers, 2013
iPad for Attorneys & Trial Lawyers, Golden Gate University School of Law, 2013
How to Effectively Prepare for Mediation, Golden Gate Univ. School of Law – Beat The Clock MCLE Event, 2013
How to Deal with Anger in Mediation, CHD Annual Mediation Training Program, 2013
Mediator/Judge – Representation in Mediation Competition, American Bar Association – Representation in Mediation Competition, 2013
Trial Skills, National Institute for Trial Advocacy – Western Trial Training, 2012
Trial Skills, Golden Gate University Trial Training Course, 2012
Mediation Training, Center for Human Development Annual Mediation Training, 2012
Deposition Skills, National Institute for Trial Advocacy – Western Deposition Training Program, 2011
Mediation Strategy, Golden Gate University School of Law – Pre Trial Civ Lit Course, 2011
What I learned from Bernard L. Segal, Gala in Honor of Bernard L. Segal, 2011
Dealing With Anger in Mediation, CHD Mediation Training Program, 2011
Trial Skills, National Institute for Trial Advocacy – Western Trial Training Program, 2010
Deposition Skills, National Institute for Trial Advocacy – Western Deposition Training Program, 2010
Dealing With Anger in Mediation, CHD – Mediation Training Program, 2010
Trial Skills, National Institute for Trial Advocacy – Western Trial Training Program, 2009
Deposition Skills, National Institute for Trial Advocacy – Western Deposition Training Program, 2009
Effective Approach to Preparing for Mediation, In House Event, 2009
Preparing for Mediation, Golden Gate University School of Law – Pre Trial Civ Lit Course, 2009
Conflict Resolution, CHD-St. Mary’s College RA Conflict Resolution Training, 2009
Dealing With Anger in Mediation, CHD – Mediation Training, 2009
Trial Skills, National Institute for Trial Advocacy – Western Trial Training Program, 2008
Deposition Skills, National Institute for Trial Advocacy – Western Deposition Training Program, 2007

Current Employment Position
Trial Attorney