Atty. J. Gary Gwilliam
Founding Partner On January 16, 2025,, Gary Gwilliam received the first ever, Legend of The Law, Lifetime Achievement Award presented by the Alameda Contra Costs Trial Lawyers Association. Gary Gwilliam is considered one of the best consumer trial attorneys in the state.
Profile Summary
About J. Gary Gwilliam at a glance
J. Gary Gwilliam is a personal injury, employment, litigation, and civil rights attorney based in Oakland, California, practicing at Gwilliam, Ivary, Chiosso, Cavalli & Brewer. They have 63+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 1963. Admitted to practice in California, The State Bar of California (1963), California, The State Bar of California (1963), California, The State Bar of California (1963), and California, The State Bar of California (1963). Educated at University of California Berkeley (J.D., 1963). Recognitions include Best Lawyers in America — Civil Rights Law (2026), Best Lawyers in America — Employment Law - Individuals (2026), and Best Lawyers in America — Litigation - Labor and Employment (2026). Serands clients in Oakland, CA and the surrounding metropolitan area.
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About
- Founding Partner On January 16, 2025,, Gary Gwilliam received the first ever, Legend of The Law, Lifetime Achievement Award presented by the Alameda Contra Costs Trial Lawyers Association
- Gary Gwilliam is considered one of the best consumer trial attorneys in the state
- His reputation and skill in representing seriously injured plaintiffs is well known
- He has tried over 180 jury cases, of which almost 150 were plaintiff civil personal injury cases
- He has handled major cases in every area of consumer law, including serious automobile and construction accidents, products liability, medical malpractice, bad faith insurance, civil rights (including police misconduct), wrongful termination and employment discrimination and harassment, and has recently concentrated more in employment law
- A noted lecturer and motivational speaker, he has conducted seminars and workshops around California and the United States for many years
- He is the author of numerous articles on California consumer law and is frequently called upon to serve as an expert witness on the standard of care for lawyers’ conduct
- He frequently lectures on the topics of substance abuse, stress reduction, improving the quality of life as well as topics related to his practice
Practice Areas Explained
J. Gary Gwilliam's Areas of Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases J. Gary Gwilliam handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.
Personal injury attorneys help accident victims recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain & suffering. Most work on contingency — no fee unless you win.
J. Gary Gwilliam is one of 264,852 personal injury attorneys indexed nationally. Browse personal injury attorneys in California →
Employment lawyers represent workers in wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, wage & hour disputes, and severance negotiations.
J. Gary Gwilliam is one of 169,120 employment attorneys indexed nationally. Browse employment attorneys in California →
Civil litigation attorneys for breach of contract, business disputes, civil rights, and class action lawsuits.
J. Gary Gwilliam is one of 454,532 litigation attorneys indexed nationally. Browse litigation attorneys in California →
Civil rights attorneys for discrimination, police misconduct, constitutional rights, and civil liberties cases.
J. Gary Gwilliam is one of 70,245 civil rights attorneys indexed nationally. Browse civil rights attorneys in California →
Jurisdictional Context
Why local counsel matters in California
Practicing law in California. Legal matters in California are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Oakland are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate California state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in California brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this andnue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in California courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.
Looking for additional California attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Oakland or all attorneys in California.
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