Craig McClellan is one of the few attorneys who can say that he has made a difference in this country's safety standards, resulting in many lives being saved and many injuries avoided. A pioneer in modern product liability litigation, Craig’s trials and settlements are credited by the Department of Justice with helping ban three wheel All Terrain Vehicles from the U.S. market. One of his cases is cited as bringing about the installation of 3-point shoulder harnesses in automobile rear seats. Another case generated laws barring secrecy agreements.
The persevering and tenacious litigation Craig has pursued has landed his cases on 60 Minutes, 20-20, the McNeil-Lehrer Report, CBS Evening News, and countless other programs because of their ground breaking precedent. Not surprising for someone who has always been a leader – as a Captain in the United States Marine Corps, as Editor-in-Chief of his schools’ Law Review, and as the first and only San Diego attorney selected for admission into the Inner Circle of Advocates, the prestigious invitation-only group that limits its membership to 100 of the top plaintiffs’ attorneys in the country. Moreover, with over 130 verdicts and settlements in excess of one million dollars each, he leads all San Diego lawyers in the number of large recoveries.
Craig used to race cars, and still participates in driving events. Because of his racing background, he has had an interest in high speed, exotic car crashes. One of his first multi-million dollar verdicts was against Porsche, when the jury found the death of a passenger in its 930 Turbo Porsche was because the vehicle was “too dangerous for the average driver.” That case made international headlines, as did another case against Porsche last year for defects in the $450,000 Porsche Carrera GT, which led to the death of two at the California Speedway.
The San Diego based McClellan Law Firm practices around the country and has had cases arising from as far away as Argentina. From exploding gas tanks to massive landslides, not only does the firm take on the biggest industry and governmental entities, but it does so with the latest litigation techniques and technology. Craig tried the first paperless trial in the country in Indiana in 2003.
As one would expect, he is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, a Master of the American Inns of Court, a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates, and past President of its San Diego Chapter. He is a former Board member of the Consumer Attorneys of California, the Consumer Attorneys of San Diego (where he also served as an Officer,) and the San Diego Chapter of the American Business Trial Lawyers.
Languages spoken
Spanish, English
The McClellan Law Firm
1144 State Street
San Diego, CA, 92101
State | Status | Acquired | Updated |
---|---|---|---|
CA | Active | 1976 | 02/07/2022 |
Legal answers | 0 |
Legal guides | 3 |
Award name | Grantor | Date Granted |
---|---|---|
The Best Lawyers in America | Best Lawyers | 2020 |
Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyer | Lawdragon | 2019 |
Top 50 San Diego Super Lawyers | Super Lawyers | 2019 |
Number One Attorney in San Diego | Super Lawyers | 2019 |
Top 10 Premises Liability Settlements | TopVerdict.com | 2018 |
Top 50 Attorney | San Diego Super Lawyers Magazine | 2016 |
Tier 1 Law Firm, Product Liability | U.S. News & World Report | 2016 |
Best Lawyers in Southern California | Los Angeles Times | 2016 |
Tier 1 Law Firm - Personal Injury | U.S. News & World Report | 2016 |
Lawyer of the Year, Personal Injury, San Diego | Best Lawyers in America | 2014 |
Lawyer of the Year, Personal Injury, San Diego | Best Lawyers in America | 2014 |
Lawyer of the Year - Product Liability, San Diego | Best Lawyers in America | 2014 |
Best Lawyers in San Diego | San Diego Metro Magazine | 2013 |
Top 25 Attorneys in San Diego for 2013 | SDMetro Magazine | 2013 |
Best Lawyers in California | San Francisco Chronicle | 2012 |
Top Attorneys "Transcript 10" | San Diego Transcript | 2012 |
Daniel T. Broderick Award | San Diego County Bar Association | 2012 |
Invited member | Inner Circle of Advocates | 2005 |
Outstanding Trial Lawyer Award | Consumer Attorneys of San Diego | 1999 |
Outstanding Trial Lawyer Award | Consumer Attorneys of San Diego | 1983 |
Outstanding Trial Lawyer Award | Consumer Attorneys of San Diego | 1981 |
Title | Company name | Duration |
---|---|---|
President | The McClellan Law Firm | 1986 - Present |
Partner | Luce Forward Hamilton & Scripps | 1976 - 1986 |
Director | Oil Policy Subcommittee Cost of Living Council | 1972 - 1973 |
Captain | United States Marine Corps | 1969 - 1972 |
Association name | Position name | Duration |
---|---|---|
California Western School of Law | Board of Directors | 2017 - Present |
Master, American Inns of Court, Enright Chapter, President 2018-2020 | Board Member | 2016 - Present |
Inner Circle of Advocates | Member | 2005 - Present |
American College of Trial Lawyers | Fellow | 2000 - Present |
Association of Trial Lawyers of America | Member | 1977 - Present |
State Bar of California | Member | 1976 - Present |
American Board of Trial Advocates | President | 2010 - 2011 |
Association of Business Trial Lawyers | Board of Directors | 2005 - 2006 |
Consumer Attorneys of California | Board of Directors | 1985 - 1987 |
Consumer Attorneys of San Diego | Board of Directors | 1983 - 1990 |
Publication name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
Million Dollar Arguments | Garrison v. Porsche | 1983 |
California Western Law Review | Physicians' Liability: The Sale and Insertion of A Dalkon Shield | 1975 |
San Diego Trial Bar News | The Honda ATC and Other Dangerous All-Terrain Vehicles | N/A |
School name | Degree | Graduated |
---|---|---|
California Western School of Law | JD - Juris Doctor | 1976 |
University of Oregon | BS - Bachelor of Science | 1969 |
Conference name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
Federal Bar Association | How To Give An Effective Opening Statement | 2015 |
College of Trial Advocacy | Closing Argument | 2014 |
Masters of Trial | Cross Examinination | 2013 |
Damages: Go Big or Go Home | From Voire Dire To Closing-Educating the Jury To Award The True Value Of The Case | 2013 |
College of Trial Advocacy | Opening Statement | 2013 |
American Inns of Court | Attorney Conduct--Speech and Body Language | 2013 |
American Inns of Court | Think Strategically | 2013 |
College of Trial Advocacy | Closing Argument | 2012 |
American Inns of Court | Client, Firm and Courtroom Dynamics | 2012 |
Masters of Trial | Closing Argument | 2011 |
College of Trial Advocacy | Closing Argument | 2011 |
College of Trial Advocacy | Closing Argument | 2010 |
College of Trial Advocacy | Closing Argument | 2009 |
American Inns of Court | Getting the Right Jury Every Time | 2009 |
Personal Injury Cases from a Plaintiff's Perspective | Crashworthiness | 2008 |
General Meeting | Electronics for Lawyers | 2008 |
Dinner Meeting | Ten Defense Lawyer Blunders Plaintiff Lawyers Love to See | 2008 |
Annual Conference in Chicago | A Crash Course in Crashworthiness | 2008 |
American Inns of Court | When The Judge Disagrees: Damage Control and Preparing for Appellate Review | 2008 |
American Inns of Court | Expert Witness Examination for Dummies | 2007 |
American Inns of Court | Pre-Flight Checklist: Preparing for Trial | 2006 |
American Inns of Court | Juror Misconduct: How You Find It, Define It, and Prove It | 2005 |
ABTL Masters of The Art | Jury Selection, Opening Statements, Direct and Cross Examination | 2005 |
College of Trial Advocacy | Closing Argument | 2004 |
CAOC Annual Convention | Using Exhibits In Closing Arguments | 2004 |
Masters of Trial | Closing Argument | 2003 |
College of Trial Advocacy | Closing Arguments | 2003 |
American Inns of Court | Bill Gates and Other Deposition Disasters | 2003 |
General Membership Meeting | A Crash Course on Crashworthiness | 2000 |
Annual Meeting | Jury Reform and Strategies | 2000 |
American Inns of Court | The Bear Necessities: Keping Your Case Interesting To Goldilocks and Other Jurors With Short Attention Spans | 2000 |
Seminar | How To Present A Business Case Effectively | 1999 |
Masters In Trial | Closing Argument | 1999 |
American Law, Brazilian Clients | A Crash Course in Crashworthiness | 1999 |
American Inns of Court | Legal Malpractice and Malicious Prosecution | 1999 |
Professionalism in Practice | Trials In Trying Times | 1998 |
American Inns of Court | Mediations for The Trial Bar | 1998 |
Trial By Masters--The Ultimate Skills Seminar | Opening Statements: The Critical First Impression | 1997 |
Product Defect Litigation | Automotive Litigation: Emerging Safety Issues | 1997 |
15th Annual Conference on Products Liability | Trial Demonstration | 1997 |
Seminar | Crunchtime | 1996 |
American Inns of Court | Master Mania | 1995 |
American Inns of Court | Cross-Examination | 1995 |
American Inns of Court | Demonstrative Evidence: See Me, Feel Me, Touch Me | 1994 |
American Inns of Court | The Lawyer As Target: Tips To Avoid Civil and Criminal Liability | 1994 |
Seminar | Anatomy of a Civil Trial | 1993 |
Seminar | Evidence: Use the Rules to Seize the Day | 1993 |
National Conference on Product Liability Law | Trial of a Product Liability Case | 1993 |
Emerging Issues in Motor Vehicle Product Liability Litigation | Closing Argument in Passive Restraint/Airbag Case | 1993 |
Annual Automobile Seminar | Trying An Automobile Liability Case | 1993 |
All Star Product Liability Seminar | Product Liability | 1993 |
Seminar | Trial of a Sexual Harassment Case | 1992 |
Annual Meeting | Emerging Issues in Automobile Product Liability Litigation | 1992 |
Seminar | Trying the Automobile Injury Case in California | 1991 |
Masters of Trial | Trying a Lawsuit | 1991 |
Seminar | Top Damage Arguments | 1990 |
Masters in Trial | Trial Techniques | N/A |
Dinner Program | Trying A Case To The Two Minute Mind | N/A |
Annual Program | Using Analogies in Closing Argument | N/A |
Annual Convention | Opening Statements | N/A |
Annual Convention | Trial Techniques | N/A |
Case name | Outcome |
---|---|
Ringdahl vs. Garcia | Verdict $15.8 million, the largest net wrongful death verdict in San Diego history. |
Jane Doe v. Western Trucking LLC, City of San Diego, et al | $7,500,000.00 settlement |
Rudl v. Porsche | $4,500,000.00 settlement |
Henline v. Honda | $8,027,154.00 verdict |
Miller v. Ford | $6,000,000.00 settlement |
Posted by anonymous
October 7, 2020
Jonathan Kaplan, Business Attorney on Feb 5, 2015
Relationship: Worked together on matter
I had the pleasure of working with Craig on a complex business litigation matter. He is a very effective lawyer. When it really matters, Craig is the one you want on your team!
Michael Waddington, Personal injury Attorney on May 23, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse Craig. He is a highly skilled attorney that is well respected in the legal community.
Jonathan Kaplan, Business Attorney on Feb 5, 2015
Relationship: Worked together on matter
I had the pleasure of working with Craig on a complex business litigation matter. He is a very effective lawyer. When it really matters, Craig is the one you want on your team!
Michael Waddington, Personal injury Attorney on May 23, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse Craig. He is a highly skilled attorney that is well respected in the legal community.
William Hughes, Litigation Attorney on Jul 15, 2010
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter
I endorse this lawyer's work. Craig is a premier products liability attorney.
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