Mary Alexander

Most lawyers take on a case - a few take on a cause. Over the past 25 years, Mary Alexander has earned a national reputation for her work protecting consumer rights, winning the respect of clients and colleagues alike. A past president of both the Association of Trial Lawyers of America and the Consumer Attorneys of California, Mary's career - both in and out of the courtroom - has focused on one thing: ensuring that those who have been harmed by the negligent, preventable actions of others get their day in court - and get the answers, and justice, they deserve.

In the process, Mary has built a notable record of success, both before juries and at the negotiation table. Some of the highlights include:

• A $45 million verdict for a San Mateo victim,  who had her neck broken, was paralyzed for life, and became a quadriplegic when her car was struck by a driver speeding through a red light
• A $13.3 million verdict for a severely injured client in Hall v. Yosemite Park and Curry Company, in which faulty bicycle brakes triggered a crash resulting in quadriplegia
• A $5.5 million settlement for a long haul trucker was run over by another trucker while outside of the cab of his rig safely locking and inspecting his load.
• A $4 million settlement in a San Francisco Municipal Railway accident, Landsverk v. CCSF
• A $4 million settlement in a pedestrian accident, Ruszak v. State Farm

But it’s not just the results that have made Mary one of California’s most sought-after trial attorneys. It’s also a unique combination of capabilities and compassion that few lawyers can bring to their cases - or their clients. A scientist before she studied law, Mary leverages her technical background in every matter she takes on, and is well known for her ability to explain complicated theories to juries - and for using high-tech courtroom exhibits that help make difficult points easy to comprehend. She’s taken on cases other lawyers won’t, or can’t - such as child sex abuse cases - and assisted clients from all walks of life. Because someone who has been harmed is someone who should be helped.

Along the way, Mary, a graduate of Santa Clara University Law School, has been recognized repeatedly by her peers, and the press, for her work. Her awards and honors include:

• Named one of the San Francisco Bay Area's "Top 10 Trial Attorneys" by the San Francisco Chronicle
• Named a Northern California Super Lawyer in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 & 2010
• Recognized as one of the Top 30 Women Litigators in 2002 and Top 50 Women Litigators in 2003 and 2004 by the California Daily Journal
• Repeatedly named one of the "100 Most Influential Attorneys in California" by the California Daily Journal
• Past editor-in-chief of Forum, a publication of the Consumer Attorneys of California
• American Board of Trial Advocates, 1997

Areas of Practice

• Personal Injury -- Plaintiff

Bar Admissions

• California, 1982
• U.S. District Court District of Arizona, 1986
• U.S. Court of Appeals 9th Circuit, 1982

Published Works

• Past Editor-in-Chief of Forum, Consumer Attorneys of California Publication

Representative Cases

• Hall v. Yosemite Park
• Landsverk v. CCSF
• Ruszak v. State Farm

Honors and Awards

• ABA Pursuit of Justice Award, 2003
• ABOTA Foundation Life Fellow, 2002
• AAJ Distinguished Service Award, 2007
• AAJ Women's Trial Lawyer Caucus Special Recognition Award, 2006
• AAJ Minority Caucus Trailblazer Award, 2002
• AAJ Women's Caucus Marie Lambert Award, 1996
• AAJ New Lawyer's Division of AAJ Joe Tonahill Award, 1995
• Outstanding State Delegate Award, 1993
• Outstanding State Delegate Award, 1996
• AAJ Wiedemann Wysocki Award, 1993
• AAJ Wiedemann Wysocki Award, 2000
• AAJ Wiedemann Wysocki Award, 2002
• AAJ Wiedemann Wysocki Award, 2004
• Edward T. Pollack Award, Consumer Attorneys of California, 2004
• Marvin E. Lewis Award, Consumer Attorneys of California, 1998
• Outstanding Achievement Award, Consumer Attorneys of California, 1997
• Trench Soldier Award, Consumer Attorneys of California, 1994 - 1996
• Trench Soldier Award, Consumer Attorneys of California, 1996
• President's Award, Consumer Attorneys of California, 1991, 1994, 1995, 2002, 2004, 2005
• President Public Justice Award, 1996
• 2003 Special Achievement Award, Santa Clara University School of Law
• Named by San Francisco Chronicle One of the Top Ten Trial Lawyers in the San Francisco Bay Area, 1990
• Martindale-Hubbell AV Rating, 1986
• Lawdragon Top 500 Leading Plaintiff Lawyers in America, 2007
• Northern California Superlawyers, 2005 - 2010
• US Action Leadership Award, 2003
• Daily Journal Top 50 Women Litigators, 2003
• Middlesex County Bar Association Minuteman Award -- Special Guest of Honor, 2002
• Maryland. Trial Lawyers Association Award of Appreciation, 2002
• Daily Journal Top 30 Women Litigators, 2002
• Trial Lawyer of the Year Award Themis Capital Corporation, 2001
• Top 100 Most Influential Lawyers in California -- Daily Journal, 2001 - 2003
• Wyoming Trial Lawyers Association Award of Appreciation, 1999
• Democratic Caucus of California State Assembly Award of Appreciation, 1996
• Named one of the San Francisco Bay Area's "Top 10 Trial Attorneys" by the San Francisco Chronicle
• Named a Northern California Super Lawyer, 2006 - 2010
• Top 50 Women Litigators, by the California Daily Journal, 2004
• Repeatedly Named One of the "100 Most Influential Attorneys in California" by the California Daily Journal
• Trial Lawyer Hall of Fame for the State Bar of California: Litigation Section

Professional Associations and Memberships

• American Bar Association, Member, 1982 - Present
• American Board of Trial Advocates, Member, 1997 - Present
• American Board of Trial Advocates, Member, National Board, 2005 - 2006
• College of Master Advocates and Barristers, Member
• College of Master Advocates and Barristers, Senior Counsel
• Bar Association of San Francisco, Member, 1984 - Present
• Bar Association of San Francisco, Board Member, 2004 - 2007
• American Association for Justice, President, 2003
• American Association for Justice, President Elect, 2002
• American Association for Justice, Vice President, 2001
• American Association for Justice, Secretary, 2000
• American Association for Justice, Treasurer, 1999
• American Association for Justice, Parliamentarian, 1998
• American Association for Justice, Chair, State Delegates, 1996 - 1997
• American Association for Justice, Chair, Council of Presidents, 1996 - 1997
• American Association for Justice, Chair, Membership Committee, 1994 - 1995
• American Association for Justice, Chair, PAC Task Force, 1995 - 1996
• American Association for Justice, Secretary, AAJ Endowment, 2007
• American Association for Justice, Secretary, AAJ Endowment, 2008
• American Association for Justice, Member, Board of AAJ Endowment, 1998 - Present
• Roscoe Pound Institute, President, 2005
• AAJ Leaders' Forum, Member, 2002 - Present
• Consumer Attorneys of California, President, 1996
• Consumer Attorneys of California, President-Elect, 1995
• Consumer Attorneys of California, Vice President, 1994
• Consumer Attorneys of California, Parliamentarian, 1993
• Consumer Attorneys of California, Member, Board of Governors, 1988 - 1992
• California Women Lawyers, Member, 1982 - Present
• National Center for State Courts, Attorney Board Member, 2004 - Present
• San Francisco Trial Lawyers Association, Board Member, 1984 - 1999
• Public Justice, Member, 1982 - Present
• Public Justice, Member, Board of Governors, 1995 - 1999
• Western Trial Lawyers Association, Member, Board of Governors, 1995 - Present
• Washington State Trial Lawyers Association, Member, 1997 - 1999
• Consumers Attorneys Association of Los Angeles, Member
• San Mateo County Trial Lawyers Association, Member
• Santa Clara University School of Law, Member, Board of Visitors
• National Crimes Victims Association, President