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William Michael Berman
About William
Biography
William M. Berman, Esq., is the founding and managing partner of the San Diego-based civil litigation firm, Berman & Riedel, LLP. Possessing the highest possible Martindale-Hubbell AV rating, Mr. Berman has broad litigation experience in handling complex civil litigation matters on behalf of injured consumers involving claims of serious automobile accidents, trucking accidents, aviation accidents, catastrophic construction and work site injuries, products liability matters, and medical malpractice actions. In addition to his personal injury practice, Mr. Berman was instrumental in establishing the firm's renowned nursing home and elder abuse litigation department, and has obtained several of the highest settlements against skilled nursing facilities and residential care facilities for in the State of California. Mr. Berman's firm has been credited as one of the leading elder abuse/neglect practices throughout the state, and his work in the area of elder abuse and neglect litigation continues to garner substantial media attention and the notice of the state legislature, which has helped to bring the issue of proper elder care to the forefront of the public's mind.
His firm, Berman & Riedel, LLP, is a prominent law firm which represents the victims of serious personal injury and wrongful death cases throughout the State of California. Our team of renowned attorneys and professional staff vigorously advocates on behalf of those who are injured or affected by the negligent/harmful acts of others, and we pride ourselves on working tirelessly to obtain exceptional settlements and verdicts on behalf of our clients. As a plaintiffs’ personal injury firm, we do not represent business, industry or insurance companies in the defense of personal injury or wrongful death matters.
Dedicated to providing the highest quality legal representation, Berman & Riedel, LLP consistently obtains results on behalf of our clients which exceed expectation. We take pride in producing an outstanding resolution for each legal case we take on, and indeed many of our settlements and verdicts have been lauded in the news as unparalleled. The extraordinary success of our firm enables us to be very selective in the clients and cases we choose to represent and thus, if we accept your case, you can be confident that we believe in your case and will do everything in our power to aggressively pursue your legal interests in an effort to recover the maximum compensation to which you are entitled under the law.
William M. Berman and the attorneys and legal professionals of Berman & Riedel, LLP, are committed to the highest professional and ethical standards in the practice of law. Our firm’s ability to navigate the civil legal system and understand the more complex intricacies of serious personal injury and wrongful death cases is unsurpassed. In fact, the majority of cases which come to Berman & Riedel, LLP are referred to us by our clients and/or attorneys who are impressed with the exceptional results we have obtained on behalf of our clients.
When you put your trust and case into the hands of the highly effective team of attorneys and legal professionals at Berman & Riedel, LLP, you can rest assured that you will be treated with dignity and respect, and that you have the highest-quality legal representation on your side. Our firm has the skill, dedication and resources necessary to obtain the best possible outcome for your legal matter, and we will work tirelessly to obtain the maximum compensation possible for your particular case.
Practice Areas
3
Practice Areas
Fees and Rates
Cost
Contingency
33%-40%
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in California for 28 years
State: California
Acquired: 1997
No misconduct found
Location
Berman & Riedel LLP
12264 El Camino Real Suite 300, San Diego, CA, 92130
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William Michael Berman's Reviews
Showing 1 - 5 of 7 client reviews from Avvo
Posted by anonymous | May 26, 2009
Did an outstanding work for my daughter
Bill worked on a Personal Injury case involving my young daughter. I was referred to Bill from a great friend of mine, I called Bill and he agreed to take my case. It was unreal how he and his office kept me informed. The outcome and settlement was more even better than expected. My daughter now ...
Posted by anonymous | January 28, 2009
Client Review
Bill and his staff are dedicated and professional. I would definitely use this firm again if needed. Not only did Bill get excellent results for me and my family, I gained a friend in the process.
Posted by anonymous | January 27, 2009
Successful Case
William Berman was successful in obtaining a judgment sufficient to send a very strong message to the nursing home that was responsible for the death of my father. His firm had the clout and the experience to deal with the nursing home insurance company negotiators. I am satisfied with the judgent ...
Posted by anonymous | January 25, 2009
Excellent Representation for Our Case
Bill and his team were untiring in their work on our case. He always kept us informed of the progress of the case and was always available to answer any questions we had. He not only knows the applicable law, but also how to treat his clients and how to put pressure on the opposition. We were very ...
Posted by anonymous | January 24, 2009
Simply the best
Over the 9 years I have had the pleasure of knowing Bill Berman I have referred him to my closest friends and casual acquaintnces alike. They all thank me from the bottom of their hearts. He has assisted my family personally in matters with a professionalism and level of care and candor second to no...
William Michael Berman's Lawyer Endorsements
"I endorse this lawyer. I had the pleasure of working with Mr. Berman on a matter. I was very impressed with his level of professionalism and compassion. Mr. Berman seems to be the type of attorney that will go above and beyond for his clients and I look forward to working with him in the future."
Artin Gharibian
Nursing home abuse and neglect lawyer | Nov 25
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"Mr. Berman is an expert in the area of nursing home abuse and neglect and a very talented lawyer. I endorse him."
"I endorse William. He is a highly skilled attorney that is well respected in the legal community."
"William Berman is an experienced attorney whose participation and comments in Avvo show his commitment to serving clients as well as his level of experience. He is an excellent attorney that I recommend wholeheartedly."
"I endorse this lawyer. The attorney works very hard for the clients and keeps up with the law by attending legal seminars to assist them in this regard. I endorse this attorney."
"Mr. Berman did a stellar job for my own parents who I was unable to represent myself. I strongly endorse this lawyer."
Thomas Rutledge
Nursing home abuse and neglect lawyer | Mar 11
Relationship: Worked together on matter
"I endorse this lawyer.William zealously represents clients in nursing home abuse matters."
"Bill is a great resource for the elderly who are suffering from being abused in nursing home."
"I strongly endorse this attorney. Having worked for Bill Berman for years I personally saw his dedication and commitment to successfully resolving cases. He knows exactly what need to be done to maximize the value of cases, and he will do what it takes to get the best possible result. He is someone that any client would want fighting for their interests, and I would be happy to recommend him."
Gregory Cartwright
Nursing home abuse and neglect lawyer | Jun 29
Relationship: Worked together on matter
"Bill outstanding reputation in the legal community is well deserved. He is an incredibly diligent, hard-working and fearless attorney whose clients are well served by his first-rate commitment to them. i cannot endorse him strongly enough."
Alex Scheingross
Nursing home abuse and neglect lawyer | Feb 24
Relationship: Worked together on matter
"I endorse this lawyer's work. I recently worked on an Elder Abuse Case with Bill. He is just a ball of energy. He presses hard (within ethical guidelines) and knows this area of law extremely well. We achieved a result without trial that I frankly did not believe possible, due primarily to Bill's work. I would unquestionably be willing to work with him again on any elder abuse case"
D. Michael Phillips
Nursing home abuse and neglect lawyer | Feb 15
Relationship: Worked together on matter
"I endorse this lawyer's work. I do not practice personal injury law and had an elder abuse case come from a prior client. Bill jumped in to help in the "11th hour" to help the client out and never looked back! He fought tirelessly and got a great result on a VERY difficult case. I was impressed with his skill in negotiating a settlement in a case with difficult proof problems. I was especially thankful that he was always available by phone to answer questions and make the client feel that he had a true warrior on his side!"
"Bill is a man of integrity and an exemplary attorney. He is thoroughly professional and an uncompromising advocate (except when it is in your best interest to compromise). I have known Bill Berman for 9 years. I have referred friends and clients alike to Bill and all have thanked me for doing so."
Sterling Stires
Nursing home abuse and neglect lawyer | Jan 26
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"Mr. Berman represented one of my clients in a nursing home negligence case, and I would certainly recommend him to others, including my own clients and/or family. Plus, he is a very nice guy."
"William Berman is one of the few, extremely rare attorneys who possesses the innate ability to strongly advocate his clients' interests while also representing himself, and his firm, in a professional manner. He is a great attorney, yet an even better person."
Richard Stewart
Elder law lawyer
Gregory Cartwright
Employment and labor lawyer
D. Michael Phillips
DUI and DWI lawyer
Sterling Stires
Admiralty and maritime lawyer
Experience
Honors
2013
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2012
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2012
Outstanding Trial Lawyer Award, Consumer Attorneys of San Diego
2011
Top San Diego Attorney Recognition, SuperLawyers
2011
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2010
Top 10 Personal Injury Attorney, San Diego Dail Transcript
2009
San Diego's Top 10 Personal Injury Attorneys, The Daily Transcript
2000
Outstanding Advocate Award,
N/A
Lawyers to Watch in 2000,
Work Experience
1997 - Present
Firm Founding and Managing Partner, Berman & Riedel, LLP since 1997
Associations
1999 - Present
American Trial Lawyers AssociationMember
1998 - Present
Consumer Attorneys of San DiegoMember
1998 - Present
San Diego County Bar AssociationMember
1998 - Present
Consumer Attorneys of CaliforniaMember
Sample of Legal Cases
Maria Tirado, et al vs. DOE Nursing Home, et al.
$1,500,000.00+ Total Settlement
Kamura vs. Face
Trial Verdict for $1,547,445.25
Wilschke vs. Doe Nursing Home Defendants
$1,700,000.00
Baxter vs. J& V Investments, Group, et al.
$6,842,857.10 Overall Settlement from Defendants
Schlichter vs. Oxnard Convelescent Facility
$2,200,000.00 on behalf of surviving daughter
Doe v. Stockton, et al.
$15,000,000.00+ Judgment with settlement reached with several defendants
Education
1997
California Western School Of Law
JD - Juris Doctor
1993
Arizona State University
BS - Bachelor of Science
Speaking Engagements
2013
SDPA Monthly MCLE
Understanding the Legal Aspects of Elder Abuse/Neglect Litigation in California
2013
Dementia Care Conference: Caring for Loved Ones with Dementia
The Legal Implications of Caring for a Loved One with Dementia
2012
Elder Law Section MCLE
New Legal Implication in Nursing Home Litigation
2009
Speaker: Understanding California's Elder Abuse Act
Abuse/Neglect Problems Affecting our Elderly Population
2009
Speaker: 2009 CANHR State Conference
Understanding Managing Agents of SNFs
2009
News Feature: Vista Jury Awards $1,850,000 in Damages
Trial Result Featured by the Media
2008
Speaker: San Diego Bar Association Roundtable
Litigating Nursing Home Claims
2008
Speaker: CANHR Roundtable
How to Litigate RCFE/Elder Abuse Claims
2008
New Article: Elder Abuse Claim Settles for $1,700,000
Story Featuring Settlement of Elder Abuse/SNF Case
2007
Speaker: 2007 State Elder Abuse Conference
Undertsnading EADACPA
2006
Speaker: CANHR Roundtable
Understanding MICRA under the EADACPA
2006
News Feature: Channel 6 News Palm Springs
The Epidemic of Nursing Home Abuse
2005
Speaker: Elder Law & Advocacy
Understanding Nursing Home Litigation
2003
NBC Channel 4
News Feature: Profile on Nursing Home Abuse
Publications
2011
San Diego Attorney Journal
Attorney of the Month
2002
San Diego Union Tribune
Facility Settles Neglect Lawsuit: Doctors Found Ants in 92-Year-Old's Face
2000
Jan/Feb
Lawyers to Watch in 2000
1999
Los Angeles Daily Journal
Senior Assistance
1999
Los Angeles Daily Journal
Old is New
1999
1999
Thousand Oaks Star
Family Gets $2 Million in Elder Abuse Case
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Guides
Legal Answers
Q&A
My mother was severely injured in a nursing home, leading to her death. Can they be sued and what type of lawyer should I hire?
06 Oct 2014
Q&A
Can the family suit for wrongful death, although the person who passed injury happen 2yrs prior to death?
30 May 2009