Atty. John Ralls

Atty. John Ralls

John Ralls is a seasoned trial attorney renowned for his expertise in construction claims, disputes, and advisory services. With a distinguished career spanning over two decades, he honed his craft at reputable national firms such as Thelen LLP and Howrey LLP, cultivating a diverse practice focused on construction and public contracts.

San Francisco San Francisco 36 yrs experience 36 year
Call (628) 222-1092 Email Book Appointment

Profile Summary

About John Ralls at a glance

John Ralls is a Partner based in San Francisco, California, practicing at Ralls Gruber & Niece. They have 36+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 1990. Their practice focuses on contracts, real estate, estate litigation, and international. Admitted to practice in California United States Court of Appeals for the Federal and Ninth Circuits United States District (1990). Educated at University of California, Boalt Hall School of Law (J.D., 1990) and University of California, Berkeley (A.B., 1987). Serands clients in San Francisco, CA and the surrounding metropolitan area.

Verified attorney profile · Updated June 2026

About

  • John Ralls is a seasoned trial attorney renowned for his expertise in construction claims, disputes, and advisory services
  • With a distinguished career spanning over two decades, he honed his craft at reputable national firms such as Thelen LLP and Howrey LLP, cultivating a diverse practice focused on construction and public contracts
  • Representing a spectrum of stakeholders including owners, design professionals, contractors, and suppliers, he adeptly navigates trials, arbitrations, mediations, and negotiations
  • Throughout his career, he has provided invaluable counsel on contract matters, disputes, and licensing issues across a myriad of projects, from commercial buildings to transportation infrastructures, universities to industrial facilities
  • Mr. Ralls boasts an impressive track record of securing multi-million-dollar awards and verdicts for his clients, with notable successes in construction defect litigation, including substantial recoveries for a prominent public university system
  • Equally adept at defense strategies, he has secured favorable outcomes including defense verdicts and summary judgments in complex construction contract disputes
  • Recognized for his legal acumen and contributions to the field, John Ralls has been consistently honored as a Northern California Super Lawyer by San Francisco Law & Politics Magazine for twelve consecutive years
  • He has also served as Chair of the California Associated General Contractors Legal Advisory Committee and earned the esteemed distinction of Fellow of the American College of Construction Lawyers in 2019
  • Beyond his legal practice, Mr. Ralls is a prolific writer and speaker on construction law topics, further establishing himself as a thought leader in the field
  • His editorial contributions include co-editing the Second Edition of Fundamentals of Construction Law and serving as Editor and Associate Editor of Construction Lawyer, the quarterly law journal of the ABA Forum on Construction Law
  • Committed to both professional excellence and personal fulfillment, John Ralls is a devoted husband and father of two, finding joy in family activities like cooking and tennis
  • His prior affiliations include partnership roles at Howrey LLP and Thelen LLP, as well as earlier experience at Pettit & Martin
  • In recognition of his contributions to the legal profession, Mr. Ralls holds esteemed memberships in organizations such as the American College of Construction Lawyers, the American Bar Foundation, and the Associated General Contractors of California
  • His dedication to legal excellence and client advocacy continues to shape the landscape of construction law

Practice Areas Explained

John Ralls's Areas of Practice

Each practice area below reflects the types of cases John Ralls handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.

Contracts

John Ralls is one of 76,762 contracts attorneys indexed nationally. Browse contracts attorneys in California →

Real Estate Law

Real estate attorneys handle home purchases, sales, commercial transactions, title disputes, and landlord-tenant matters.

John Ralls is one of 316,149 real estate attorneys indexed nationally. Browse real estate attorneys in California →

Estate & Trust Litigation

John Ralls is one of 20,023 estate litigation attorneys indexed nationally. Browse estate litigation attorneys in California →

International Law

International law attorneys for cross-border transactions, trade, foreign investment, and treaties.

John Ralls is one of 40,133 international attorneys indexed nationally. Browse international 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 San Francisco 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 San Francisco or all attorneys in California.

Frequently Asked

Common questions about John Ralls

Where is John Ralls's law office located?
John Ralls's law practice is located in San Francisco, California. The firm is Ralls Gruber & Niece. You can contact the office directly through this profile page.
What practice areas does John Ralls handle?
John Ralls focuses on contracts, real estate, estate litigation, international. Each practice area listed reflects experience handling cases of that type in California.
How long has John Ralls practiced law?
John Ralls has 36+ years of legal experience and has been licensed since 1990.
Where did John Ralls go to law school?
John Ralls earned their education at (J.D., 1990); (A.B., 1987).
How can I contact John Ralls for a consultation?
You can contact John Ralls directly through this profile page. Click "Ask the Attorney" to submit a question, or "Schedule a Consultation" to book a meeting. Most claimed-profile attorneys respond within one business day.

Education

J.D.
University of California, Boalt Hall School of Law
- 1990
A.B.
University of California, Berkeley
- 1987

Bar Admissions

California United States Court of Appeals for the Federal and Ninth Circuits United States District
Admitted: 1990

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