Atty. William Bernstein
William Bernstein has practiced law for more than three decades. Who’s Who Legal called him, “a leader in the plaintiffs’ bar in the fields of complex civil litigation, antitrust, and consumer protection law.” Notable cases Bill has litigated include price-fixing suits against pharmaceutical companies on behalf of retail pharmacies, consumer claims against the world’s largest vitamin manufacturers for crafting a global “vitamins cartel,” charges against natural gas and energy companies for manipulating the price of natural gas and electricity in California during the California energy crisis o
Antitrust & More Attorney · Serving San Francisco, CA · 51+ Years Experience
Profile Summary
About William Bernstein at a Glance
William Bernstein is an Of Counsel based in San Francisco, California, practicing at Lieff Cabraser Heimann And Bernstein Llp. They have 51+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 1975. Their practice focuses on whistleblower, securities, and consumer. Admitted to practice in California (1975), U.S. District Court, Northern District of California (1975), New York (1985), and U.S. Supreme Court (1985). Educated at University of San Francisco School of Law, San Francisco, California (J.D., 1975) and Law Review: San Francisco Law Review, 1974-1975 University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (B.A. Honors, 1975). Recognitions include AV Preeminent. Active member of Professional Associations and Memberships •Association of Business Trial Lawyers (Board of Governors, 2005 - Present) •Bar Association of San Francisco •Marin County Bar Association (Admin. of Justice Committee, 1988) •State Bar of California. Serves clients in San Francisco, CA and the surrounding metropolitan area.
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About William Bernstein
- William Bernstein has practiced law for more than three decades
- Who’s Who Legal called him, “a leader in the plaintiffs’ bar in the fields of complex civil litigation, antitrust, and consumer protection law.” Notable cases Bill has litigated include price-fixing suits against pharmaceutical companies on behalf of retail pharmacies, consumer claims against the world’s largest vitamin manufacturers for crafting a global “vitamins cartel,” charges against natural gas and energy companies for manipulating the price of natural gas and electricity in California during the California energy crisis of 2000-2001, and whistleblower claims against the Sutter hospital system for anesthesia service overcharges
- These cases, in total, resulted in over $1.3 billion in settlements for consumers and businesses
- Bill also oversaw negotiations in the landmark settlement and injunction against De Beers for monopolizing the trade of rough diamonds in the U.S. for nearly 60 years
- As featured in the 2008 Plaintiffs Hot List, The National Law Journal wrote, The plaintiffs’ firms’ pluck, and some luck, resulted in a $295 million settlement for De Beers’ customers [and] secured De Beers’ pledge to abide by federal and state antitrust laws and accept court oversight to ensure compliance
- Bill taught settlement law as an Adjunct Professor of Law at the University of San Francisco
- Bill has been repeatedly recognized as a “Super Lawyer for Northern California” by Super Lawyers magazine
- Publications & Presentations •“The Rise and Fall of Enron’s One-To-Many Trading Platform,” American Bar Association Antitrust Law Section, Annual Spring Meeting, 2005 •“Effective Use of Class Action Procedures in California Toxic Tort Litigation,” West-Northwest Journal of Environmental and Toxic Torts Law and Policy, No. 3, Spring 1996 Honors & Awards •AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell •Selected for inclusion by peers in The Best Lawyers in America in field of “Litigation - Antitrust,” 2013 - 2026 •“California Litigation Star,” Benchmark Plaintiff (ranked as one of California’s leading litigators in antitrust law) •“Recommended Lawyer - Competition: Plaintiff,” Lexology Index 2025 •“Super Lawyer for Northern California,” Super Lawyers, 2004 - 2025 •“Consumer Attorney of the Year Finalist,” Consumer Attorneys of California, 2014 •“Top Attorneys In Antitrust Law,” Super Lawyers Corporate Counsel Edition, 2010, 2012 •“Lawdragon Finalist,” Lawdragon, 2009 - 2011 •Princeton Premier Registry, Business Leaders and Professionals, 2008 - 2009 •“Top 100 Trial Lawyers in California,” American Trial Lawyers Association, 2008 •Who’s Who Legal, 2007 •Unsung Hero Award, Appleseed, 2006 In the News •August 21, 2025 36 Lieff Cabraser Lawyers Named to 2026 Best Lawyers Listings •August 21, 2025 Five Lieff Cabraser Attorneys Recognized in Lexology Index: Competition 2025 •June 30, 2025 28 Lieff Cabraser Attorneys Selected as 2025 Northern California Super Lawyers and Rising Stars •August 17, 2023 34 Lieff Cabraser Lawyers Named to 2024 Best Lawyers Listings •July 5, 2023 23 Lieff Cabraser Attorneys Selected as 2023 Northern California Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Classes/Seminars •Law of Settlements, University of San Francisco, School of Law, 2006 - Present
Practice Areas Explained
William Bernstein's Areas of Legal Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases William Bernstein handles, with a practical overview of what that area of law involves and how it may apply to your situation in San Francisco.
Whistleblower & Retaliation in San Francisco
William Bernstein is one of 3,523 whistleblower attorneys indexed nationally. Browse whistleblower attorneys in California →
Securities Law in San Francisco
William Bernstein is one of 64,075 securities attorneys indexed nationally. Browse securities attorneys in California →
Consumer Protection in San Francisco
Consumer protection attorneys for fraud, lemon law, debt harassment, and deceptive trade practices.
William Bernstein is one of 50,226 consumer attorneys indexed nationally. Browse consumer attorneys in California →
Jurisdictional Context
Why Local Counsel Matters in San Francisco
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 venue, 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.
San Francisco Courts and Legal Process
Choosing a San Francisco-based attorney means your counsel already knows the local docketing timelines, preferred filing formats, and how individual judges typically rule on procedural motions — details that only come from practicing in this jurisdiction day after day. That local familiarity can translate to better strategy, faster filings, and fewer costly surprises.
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Professional Profile
Why Clients in San Francisco Choose William Bernstein
Selecting an attorney is one of the most consequential decisions you can make when a legal matter arises. Below are the core qualities that distinguish William Bernstein's practice in the field of whistleblower, securities, and consumer.
Decade-Tested Legal Experience
William Bernstein brings 51+ years of hands-on legal practice — enough to have navigated the recurring fact patterns, procedural traps, and negotiation dynamics that shape case outcomes.
Multi-State Bar Admission
Licensed in California, U.S. District Court, Northern District of California, and New York, William Bernstein can represent clients in cases that span state lines or require counsel in multiple jurisdictions.
Broad Practice Area Coverage
Covering whistleblower, securities, and consumer, William Bernstein can address the full spectrum of a client's legal needs without requiring referrals to separate specialists for each issue.
Local Presence in San Francisco
A San Francisco-based practice means William Bernstein attends hearings in the same courthouses, knows the local clerks, and understands the unwritten scheduling norms that affect every case filed here.
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William Bernstein's Practice Areas & Specializations
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