William D. Shapiro

William D. Shapiro

Address

206 W. 4th Street, 3rd Floor
Santa Ana, CA 92701

William D. Shapiro
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William D. Shapiro

Bill Shapiro interview lawyer spotlightLooking across a one-of-a-kind bar/conference room/garage, William Shapiro enjoys the moment as he thinks about the work it took him to get there. “It’s been a hell of a ride,” he says as he looks at his amazing collection of classic cars from the ‘60s.

Headed toward a career in coaching or music, fate led him to law school which turned into a phenomenal legal career that has helped countless people in the Inland Empire, Orange County and throughout California obtaining the justice they needed and deserved.

After graduating with a major in Physical Education from Cal State Fullerton with a Teaching Credential, he took a turn graduating in 1978 from Western State University College of Law in Fullerton, passing the bar that same year. Since then, he’s developed a nationwide practice in the field of catastrophic personal injury and wrongful death cases.

“Other firms grow by volume, we stay focused on a limited number of cases focused on our global preparation giving every client our full attention,” he says. Quality of representation is our mantra and our main motivator, and everyone familiar with the firm experiences how diligent and focused he can be. The hands-on approach seems to be lost in an era of billboard and bus ad lawyers crowding the freeway views, but not at William D. Shapiro Law, Inc.

       “When we go to trial, we are organized and ready”

“When we go to trial, we are organized and ready,” Mr. Shapiro states. “We not only know the details, but we also prepare our clients in our mock courtroom in the office, have our team of technical and medical experts fully prepared and have all written aspects of the case fully ready. We can’t give outcome guarantees, no lawyer can, however we absolutely confirm we’ll do everything that can be reasonably done on a case toward a great outcome. Whether we handle the case from its inception, or are brought into for a trial, we’re emotionally and financially invested.”

When he says “we” he means himself and all at the firm including his son Brian D. Shapiro Esq. who is a major part of the firm, as well as the knowledgeable and cordial staff pivotal in making it a great office. Based in San Bernardino, the firm has a regional, state, and nationwide reach. Representing people who have suffered severe injuries or lost loved ones, requires top-notch lawyers. “While the name is the same, Brian isn’t here because he’s family, it’s the work ethic, quality of lawyering and dedication that keeps people here.”

     Contributing to the Legal Community

Bill is also dedicated to giving back to his legal community having been on the Board of Legal Aid for over 40 years and teaching Trial Practice at Western State where he graduated. He believes in giving back, mentoring next generation of trial lawyers who will go on and fight the good fight even after he’s left his practice.

He continues to work side-by-side with a major personal injury firm in Newport Beach, CA still being Of Counsel at that firm. People in the IE, Orange County and throughout Southern California turn to Bill and his team when they’ve suffered serious injuries or a wrongful death in a car, truck or other vehicle.

yellow land cruiser bodyA piece of evidence from one of his first rollover trials, the cab of a Toyota Land Cruiser, hangs above the bar in his amazing garage, a constant reminder of the level of financial and mental commitment it takes to win, in that case for a quadriplegic.

“I’m nostalgic, because I learned so much from that case and helped that client get the money he needed to at least manage his life which had obviously completely changed,” Bill said. To get the result my client needed, I had to be tenacious, had to dig in my heals and had to appeal a verdict. Ultimately, my client got what he deserved and his family was able to help rebuild a life and care for his medical needs. That’s what it’s all about.”

Bar Admissions

  • State Bar of California, 1979
  • District Court Central District of California United States Federal, 1979
  • Bankruptcy Court Central District of California, 1979
  • Tax Court United States Federal, 1982
  • 9th Circuit Court of Appeals United States Federal, 1986
  • United States Supreme Court, 1986
  • 6th Circuit Court of Appeals United States Federal, 2013
  • Member of the Washington D. C. Bar Association

Education

  • J.D. – Western State University College of Law, Fullerton, California, 1978 Phi Alpha Delta
  • California State University Fullerton, California State Teaching Credential, K‐12, 1975
  • BS – California State University Fullerton, Physical Education, 1974
  • AA – Chaffey College Alta Loma, California, General Education 1972

Practice Areas

  • Catastrophic Injury
  • Wrongful Death
  • Medical Malpractice
  • Motor Vehicle Accidents
Author: Joe Marchelewski
Author: Joe Marchelewski

Joe Marchelewski is the owner of AIJ Communications, a legal PR company located in Los Angeles, California. Joe is a Past President of PRSA-LA of and is a veteran of the legal PR and marketing world, having worked for some of the largest and most prestigious law firms in the world. Joe provides the interviews and Lawyer Spotlight features for OrangeCountyLawyers.com.

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