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William David Shapiro
also known as William D. Shapiro Law Inc.
About William
Biography
William Shapiro has devoted 4 decades to representing the catastrophically injured and families of victims of wrongful death. Martindale-Hubbell has awarded Shapiro its highest AV-rating and has listed him for years in its Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers in America. He is a Fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers, the International Academy of Trial Lawyers, the International Society of Barristers as well as ranked " Diplomate" by the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) and was named California's "Trial Lawyer of the Year" by Cal-ABOTA, Orange Counties "Trial Lawyer of the Year" by OC Trial Lawyers Assoc and the Inland Empire "Trial Lawyer of the Year" by the IE Consumer Attorneys of CA.
The Law Offices of William D. Shapiro is listed by US News and World Reports as a Tier 1, "Best Firm in America" with Mr. Shapiro being profiled by US News and World Reports as, one of "America's Best Lawyers." Mr. Shapiro is lprofiled by the LA Times, Los Angeles Magazine a "Superlawyer," by The Orange County Registers' Metro Magazine one of the "Top Lawyers in Orange County", and by the Inland Empire Magazine one of the "Top Lawyers in the Inland Empire.".
Mr. Shapiro is past president of the San Bernardino/Riverside Chapter of the ABOTA, the San Bernardino County Bar Association, the Inland Counties Chapter of Consumer Attorneys of California and the Joseph B. Campbell Inns of Court. He is recognized by the State Bar of California and the National Board of Trial Advocacy as being a specialist in Civil Trial Advocacy. In 2010,
Mr. Shapiro was named the 2017 "Lawyer of the Year," IE by Best Lawyers in America, was named 2016 “Top Gun, Trial Lawyer of the Year," by the Orange County Trial Lawyers Assoc; 2016 "Trial Lawyer of the Year," by the Western San Bernardino Bar Assoc.; 2015, California's “Trial Lawyer of the Year,” by Cal ABOTA; the 2014 “Trial Lawyer of the Year” by the Consumer Attorneys of the Inland Empire; the 2013 “Top Gun, Trial Lawyer of the Year,” by the Orange County Trial Lawyers Association; and was nominated “Trial Lawyer of the Year,” for 2013-2014 by Cal ABOTA and the Consumer Attorneys of the Inland Empire. In 2013, Mr. Shapiro was inducted into the Western State College of Law “Hall of Fame,” and that same year was presented the “Surr Award” the highest honor an attorney can receive from the San Bernardino County Bar Association for legal excellence and professionalism. In 2010, Mr. Shapiro was nominated “Consumer Attorney of the Year, “ by the Consumer Attorneys of California and in 1999, Mr. Shapiro received the “Matthew Kearney Award,” for his dedicated 20 years of pro bono work and contribution to the community, from the Legal Aid Society/ San Bernardino County Bar Association.
Mr. Shapiro is an Adjunct Professor of Civil Trial Practice at Western State College of Law as well as having taught Torts, Product Liability and Legal Ethics.
Practice Areas
5
Practice Areas
Personal Injury
40%
48 years
Wrongful Death
25%
48 years
Defective and Dangerous Products
10%
48 years
Fees and Rates
Cost
Contingency
33%-40%
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in District of Columbia for 9 years
State: District of Columbia
Acquired: 2016
No misconduct found
Licensed in California for 47 years
State: California
Acquired: 1979
No misconduct found
Location
William D. Shapiro Law Inc.
893 East Brier Dr., San Bernardino, CA, 92408
William D Shapiro Law Inc.
1020 North Ross St., Santa Ana, CA, 92702
Robinson Calcagnie
19 Corporate Plaza, Newport Beach, CA, 92661
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William David Shapiro's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
58 Client Reviews
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Practice Areas
What Clients Mention
Showing 1 - 5 of 19 reviews | Personal Injury
Posted by Douglas | June 09, 2025 | Hired Attorney | Personal Injury
Attorney Douglas A. Scott
Our office and law firm have worked with Bill Shapiro and his exceptional staff for several years. Bill has done an outstanding job navigating complex and catastrophic injury cases, achieving remarkable results. His staff is attentive, diligent, and maintains excellent communication. Most recently...
Posted by Laura | January 28, 2024 | Hired Attorney | Personal Injury
Laura Johnson
Attorney Shapiro took the case of a man who got crushed by a tree which the company was at fault for cutting the tree wrong . David died several times on the way to the hospital. He had many years of rehabilitation Mr Shapiro made sure everything got taken care of down to the last detail of him setti...
Posted by Andrea | March 05, 2021 | Hired Attorney | Personal Injury
LUCKY WE HIRED HIM...HE IS THE BEST!
After my daughter suffered a catastrophic injury from what we believed was medical malpractice, we did not know what to do. A friend (who is a judge) told us to hire Bill Shapiro. He couldn’t have been more right. In the years that followed, Bill Shapiro and his team (including his sons Brian and Ma...
Posted by anonymous | August 05, 2020 | Hired Attorney | Personal Injury
Amazing Attorney
We cannot say enough on how pleased we are with the way Bill and his staff handled our 9 year old son’s case. From the initial interview and throughout the case Bill treated us like family, keeping us at ease during the process. Bill and his staff kept us apprised on case developments and provided ...
Posted by anonymous | June 07, 2020 | Hired Attorney | Personal Injury
Excellence!
Attorney Shapiro helped our office with the handling of a personal injury claim caused by an auto accident. Claim was being denied and we needed a strong attorney to come into the case. Bill reached a substantial settlement for the client in a timely manner.
William David Shapiro's Lawyer Endorsements
"Mr. Shapiro has realized a stellar reputation in the legal community for his years of service and advocacy. I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer. Bill is a genuine person who truly cares about helping others. He is also one of the very best personal injury attorneys in California."
"I endorse this lawyer. Mr. Shapiro is a top tier attorney, He is a pillar of the Inland Empire legal community and has a stellar reputation."
"I endorse this lawyer. Attorney Shapiro provides thoughtful, educated and experienced answers to the questions provided herein. Attorney Shapiro provides a needed service by providing voluntary and free legal assistance to the individuals herein who are in need of immediate legal answers."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse William. He is a highly skilled attorney that is well respected in the legal community."
"I endorse this lawyer."
Marcie Gardner
Defective and dangerous products lawyer | Sep 17
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I submit the highest praise for Bill. He is tenacious, dedicated to his clients and to the higher cause of bringing aid to those who need it, and an all-around fabulous attorney. He has earned his well-deserved reputation of being the best of the best."
"Bill Shapiro is a great advocate for his client. I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer. Highly rated and knowledgeable. Great responses on questions. Right on target."
Robert Goings
Defective and dangerous products lawyer | Aug 28
Relationship: Worked together on matter
"Bill Shapiro is an excellent attorney. He is known throughout the nation as one of the best trial attorneys. Juries love him. He knows how to get the results that clients deserve. If you are seriously injured, hire Attorney Bill Shapiro. I wholeheartedly endorse this lawyer."
"I have known Bill Shapiro my entire legal career. We were office mates years ago. I have watched him work, and know that he is one of the most successful personal injury attorney's in California. He has brought in enormous victories for his clients. He has treated his clients like family. He is prominent in our legal community, and gives back by service to others. I endorse Bill Shapiro."
"I have had the absolute privilege of working with Bill in a couple of matters. He is extremely talented, detailed-oriented, hardworking and knowledgeable. His work ethic cannot be matched and he is a true inspiration to watch. Further, he treats all those around him with the outmost respect and courtesy, from judges to opposing counsel. Plus, his wonderful sense of humor makes working cases with him just plain fun. I certainly endorse Bill and hope to work with him in the future."
"I highly endorse Bill, who I have known since I started practicing law 25 years ago. I have worked with Bill on cases and also referred a number of clients to him. He is truly the leading personal injury lawyer in the Inland Empire."
"I endorse this lawyer's work. Bill Shapiro is without a doubt in my opinion the best personal injury atty in the Inland Empire. I worked for him for six years and owe all of my success to him. He has settled cases and obtained verdicts on behalf of his clients in excess of 100 million. He is a past winner of the Matthew Karney Award given to Attorneys for Pro Bono sevices. His lifetime awards are numerous and he is one of, if not the most respect member in our local legal community. I am proud to endorse him ! Mike Scafiddi"
Robert Goings
Personal injury lawyer
Gary Smith
Criminal defense lawyer
Sarah Powell
General practice lawyer
David Whitney
Criminal defense lawyer
Thomas Dominick
Probate lawyer
Wilfrid Lemann
Business lawyer
Michael Scafiddi
Criminal defense lawyer
Experience
Honors
2018
Lawyer of the Year, Best Lawyers in America
2017
Lawyer of the Year, Inland Empire Magazine
2016
Trial Lawyer of The Year, Western San Bernardino County Bar Association
2016
Top Gun Trial Lawyer of the Year, Orange County Trial Lawyers Association
2015
Trial Lawyer of the Year, CalABOTA
2015
SuperLawyers, Los Angeles Magazine
2014
Trial Lawyer of the Year, CAOC IE
2013
2013 Trial Lawyer of the Year, nominee, Cal-ABOTA
2013
Firm website, For full list see orangecountylaw.com
2013
2013 Trial Lawyer of the Year, nominee, Consumer Attorneys of Inland Empire
2013
Top Gun Trial Lawyer of the Year, Orange Co Trial Lawyers Assn
2013
Surr Award, legal excellence, San Bernardino County Bar Association
2013
"Access to Justice" Award, pro bono efforts, San Bernardino County Bar Association
2012
"Best Lawyers in Inland Empire, Inland Empire Magazine
2011
Presidents Award, American Board of Trial Advocates
2010
Super Lawyers, Editors of Los Angeles Magazine
2010
Consumer Attorney of the Year, nominee, Consumer Attorneys of California
2003
Preeminent Lawyers in America, Martindale-Hubbell
1999
Kearney Award, pro bono efforts, Legal Aid Society of San Bernardino
1996
"Ralph Kleps Award" Administration of Justice, 4th District Court of Appeal
1991
A-V Rating, Martindale
N/A
Member, Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum
Work Experience
1979 - Present
President, William D. Shapiro Law Inc.
1979 - Present
Attorney Principal, William D. Shapiro
Associations
2013 - Present
American College of Trial LawyersFellow
2012 - Present
International Society of BarristersFellow
2009 - Present
International Academy of Trial LawyersFellow
2008 - Present
Western Trial Lawyers AssociationMember
2003 - Present
Riverside County Bar AssociationMember
1996 - Present
Joseph B. Campbell Chapter, Inns of CourtPast President, Member
1994 - Present
American Board of Trial AdvocatesAdvocate; Past Chapter President
1991 - Present
National Board of Trial AdvocacyBoard Certified
1986 - Present
Riverside County Bar AssociationMember
1979 - Present
San Bernardino County Bar AssociationPast President; Member
1979 - Present
Association of Trial Lawyers of AmericaMember
1979 - Present
Consumer Attorneys of Inland EmpirePast President/Member
1977 - Present
Consumer Attorneys of CaliforniaMember
American Inns of Court
Past President
2009 - 2017
Consumer Attorneys of Inland EmpireExecutive Board Member
1982 - 1984
Consumer Attorneys of Inland EmpirePast President
Sample of Legal Cases
Doe vs Trucking Company
$12,000,000.00
Hernandez vs Doe Auto Manufactuer
$6,700,000
Doe family vs Roe Trucking Company
$26,500,000.00
Doe 15YO boy vs Roe driver
$4,2 Million
Doe vs Roe Rental Company
$1,500,000
Education
1978
Western State College of Law
JD - Juris Doctor
1975
California State University at Fullerton
BS - Bachelor of Science
Speaking Engagements
2015
Masters in Trial
Closing Argument
2015
Masters in Trial
Opening Statement
2015
Masters in Trial
Closing Argument
2015
Masters in Trial
Closing Argument
2014
Masters in Trial
Voir Dire
2013
Masters in Trial
Voir Dire
2012
COAC Palm Springs Seminar
Masters in Trial
2012
CAOC Annual Convention
Trial with the Masters
2010
see website
for additional presentations
2010
Masters in Trial
Opening Statement in a Dangerous Condition Case
Publications
2012
CAOC Annual Convention
Voir Dire
2008
Bar Journal
San Bernardino County Bar
Languages
English