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John E. Hill
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John E. Hill
The Law Offices of John E. Hill
8105 Edgewater Drive
Suite 100
Oakland, CA 94621
Phone: (510) 588-1000 | Fax: (510) 729-6333
http://www.hill-law-offices.com
Legal Topic
Personal Injury
Preferred New Clients
We are looking for clients who are seeking representation by attorneys who have years of experience helping those who have been injured move forward with their claims. We work to use our skills to provide a supportive environment for our clients, whether the claim is straightforward or involves the challenges that may be found in the most complex of cases.
Sub-Categories
Personal Injury
- Car/Auto Accidents
- Dangerous Property
- Wrongful Death
- Personal Injury - Defense
- Personal Injury Mediation/Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
- Medical Malpractice
- Construction Site Injuries
- Slip & Fall
- Defamation
- Invasion of Privacy
- Libel
- Slander
- Design Defects
- Manufacturing Defects
- Frauds, Scams, Hoaxes
- Pyramid Schemes
- Assault & Battery
- Child abuse
- Dog Bites & Animal Attacks
- Domestic Violence
- Police Misconduct
- Sexual Assault
- Airplanes
- Buildings
- Mass Transit - Bus, Train, Subway
- Ships & Boats
- Financial Malpractice
- Legal Malpractice
- Religious Malpractice
- Chemicals & Cosmetics
- Dangerous Drugs & Products
- Hazardous Waste
- Medical Products & Devices
- Pesticides
- Radiation & Electromagnetic Energy
- Tobacco
- Toxic Mold
Legal Topic
Employment & Labor Relations
Preferred New Clients
Clients who are willing to cooperate with the attorney in obtaining the best possible result in their case.
Sub-Categories
Employment & Labor Relations
- Workers' Compensation
- Age Discrimination
- Emotional Distress
- Employee Rights
- Employment Contracts
- Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
- Jones Act
- Occupational Safety & Health Act (OSHA)
- Sexual Harassment
- Termination
- Whistleblower
- Wrongful Termination
Bar Admissions
CA, Jan 1970
Bar Number: 45338
Specialty Certifications
Trial Advocacy Specialist
Other Court Admissions
All California State and Federal Courts; United States District Court; Northern, Eastern, Central and Southern District of California; United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit; United States Supreme Court
Association Memberships
California State Bar
Continuing Education
I obtained a certificate from the National College of Advocacy in 2001. In addition, I recently attended Association of Trial Lawyers of America (ATLA) seminars in Santa Fe, NM; Chicago, IL; and Seattle, WA.
Papers and Publications
Co-Author with Ernest Graves, Prison Conditions & Effects on the Defense of a Prison Crime Case.
Example Cases
In 1975, then only six years out of law school, I won an acquittal on five murder charges for my client in the second longest trial in California history (18 months), commonly remembered as the trial of the San Quentin Six.
In 1996 and again in 1999 (on a retrial of damages), I won a seven figure verdict for my client, Tarkington O'Conner, O'Niell, a law firm, against Fireman's Fund Insurance Company, for defamatory statements that appeared in the Wall Street Journal.
These cases highlight a theme that have been present throughout my career: victory in complex cases, founded upon a mastery of the art of advocacy.
Education
Degree:
J.D.
School:
University of Chicago
City:
Chicago
State:
IL
Year:
1969
Focus and Accomplishments:
Hinton Moot Court Competition
Degree:
A.B.
School:
University of Illinois
City:
Urbana-Champaign
State:
IL
Year:
1962
Honors:
Cum Laude
Focus and Accomplishments:
Major: Political Science
Number of Attorneys
7
State Licensed In
California
Firm Focus and History
The firm was established in 1992. The Law Offices of John Hill carries on the tradition of excellence that is the hallmark of its principal, me, and my mentor, the late Melvin M. Belli.
In cases that have garnered national attention and those that have not, I have time and again brought juries around to his point of view. Not only am I at home in the courtroom, my skills as an artful negotiator have been proven time and again.
The attorneys at The Law Offices of John Hill have a great diversity of legal practice and experience. Whether handling business litigation, personal injury actions, or claims for injured workers, the attorneys working with me have shown that they too can produce the results their clients desire and deserve.
Previous Employment Summary
Associate of Melvin Belli's law firm from 1969 to 1974.
Principal in Hill, Schwartz & Stenson from 1974 to 1992.
Activities and Awards
I studied Vendanta with Swami Atmanandendra Saraswati in Utarrkashi (1980, 1987, 1989, 1990), Holenarsipour (1995) and Mysore (1997, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2004, 2005, and 2006) for two to three weeks each visit. Additionally, I was selected as a "Super Lawyer" for Northern California in 2006 by Law and Politics and San Francisco Magazine.
What is your opinion regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues?
I am for it.
Are you willing to review documents prepared by clients?
I am willing to review documents prepared by clients.
Are you willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves?
I would not encourage clients to represent themselves, because I subscribe to the notion that the lawyer who represents himself or herself has a fool for a client.
Why did you decide to be a lawyer?
When I was a young teenager, I became fascinated with the law and began reading books about how to do cross examination, etc. Why that came to me I don't know, because no one in my family was a lawyer.
What work experience and education helps you be a better lawyer?
After graduation from law school, I spent several years doing trials with Melvin Belli, at the time, the country's most well known and accomplished tort trial lawyer. I also served as co-counsel for one of the defendants in the San Quentin Six Trial, which lasted a year and a half. The famous trial attorney, Charles Geary, represented one of the other defendants, and I learned immensely from him.
I actively attend trial practice seminars with respect to the new methods of trial practice in light of The Tort Reform Era. The extensive trial practice has been the best experience and education, and I am a Civil Trial Advocate certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy which is accredited by the State Bar of California.
Why did you decide on your primary area of practice?
Personal injury, business torts and contract suits and medical malpractice cases were what I started doing after law school with Melvin Belli, and I have continued to do that.
What do you like best about your career?
What I like best about my career is working with people, the intellectual challenge, and maximizing the result for the client.
Tell us about your law firm:
All of our staff members are highly qualified and friendly. Additionally, our staff is bi-lingual in Spanish and English.
What are your strengths and style?
I love what I do. With extensive "hands on" trial experience, I am able to evaluate matters quickly and help clients understand what they will face in the litigation process. My clients can take comfort in the fact that they have chosen to work with an attorney who will work to understand what they are going through, knows what needs to be done, and will see matters through to their rightful conclusion.
I have great respect for the law and for the law's ability to help my clients who trust in the law for help in their time of need. I put my trust in my clients, and I work to create a bond that allows them to put their trust in me. My word is my bond, and I strive for professionalism in all aspects of my work.
Personal Interests:
My personal interests include the study of Vendanta and yearly trips to India for that purpose; my family; social justice; national seminars and meetings on trial techniques, methods and theory; my dog Leeloo; season tickets to the 49ers.
Office Manager/Assistant
None
Fax
(510) 729-6333
Office Hours
Monday through Friday
9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Emergency After Hours
Yes
Foreign Languages
Spanish, Russian
Fixed-Price Services and Fees
None
Hourly Rates
$200 - $500, depending on the lawyer. Most fees are contingent on result.
Free Initial Consultation?
Yes.
Typical Retainer
None
Nolo's Licensing Check
Attorneys have passed a licensing check. Nolo has confirmed that every member attorney has a valid license and is in good standing with the applicable bar associations upon joining the directory.
Directory lawyers are required to notify Nolo immediately if they become the subject of any disciplinary action by any bar association.
