California Personal Injury Case Law and Statutory Updates

is a partner at Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani, LLP. He is a trial and commercial litigator who represents companies, public entities, insurers, and entertainment-industry clients in consequential disputes involving substantial exposure, operational complexity, public or reputational stakes, or an approaching trial. Mr. Morris identifies what is driving the dispute, gives clients clear strategic recommendations, and takes responsibility for the critical decisions, witnesses, motions, negotiations, and trial moments that shape the outcome. He is a graduate of The Ohio State University, a former NCAA student-athlete, and a proud veteran of the Ohio Army National Guard. Mr. Morris is admitted to practice law in California, the District of Columbia, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and before the U.S. Supreme Court, Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, U.S. District Courts for the Central District of California, and U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.

is an attorney at G3PM Law Firm. His entire practice is dedicated to litigation, where he represents defendants in personal injury claims stemming from motor vehicle accidents and premises liability. Mr. Gardner graduated, magna cum laude, from the Pepperdine University School of Law. He is admitted to practice law in California.

is an attorney at Clyde & Co LLP. He focuses his practice on civil litigation, trust and estate planning, administration, and taxation as well as business planning and formation. Mr. Stoker earned his B.A. degree from Merrimack College and his J.D. degree from Suffolk University Law School. He is licensed in California and Massachusetts.

is a sole practitioner in San Gabriel, where he practices in plaintiff personal injury and wrongful death, products liability law, medical malpractice, and business civil litigation. He has published several articles and frequently lectures. Mr. West is admitted to practice in the Northern, Central and Southern U.S. District Courts in California; Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals; and Supreme Court of the United States. He has also been admitted pro hac vice in the state and U.S. District Court for Nevada, and the U.S. District Court for Minnesota. Mr. West is a member of the American and Los Angeles County bar associations, State Bar of California, Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles, Consumer Attorneys of California (past legislative district coordinator), and American Trial Lawyers Association. He earned his B.S. degree from New Hampshire College (now Southern New Hampshire University) and his J.D. degree from Southwestern University School of Law.

is a partner with Century Law Group, LLP with over 38 years of litigation experience and has tried over 300 cases, including over 50 jury trials. He specializes in all aspects of trial work with emphasis on real estate and business litigation, wildfire and personal injury litigation, and professional licensing defense. Mr. Lear serves as an arbitrator for the Los Angeles County Bar Association and has been qualified as an expert witness in state and federal courts. Most recently, Mr. Lear teamed up with Attorney Bryan Harrison and J. Paul Gignac to form dba Los Angeles Wildfire Law, an alliance of attorneys formed in direct response to the 2025 Los Angeles wildfires. Los Angeles Wildfire Law brings together experienced wildfire litigation attorneys who have been involved in the following fires: Eaton, Lahaina, Paradise, Woolsey, and Malibu. Most recently, Mr. Lear helped secure a cumulative $4 billion dollar settlement on behalf of Lahaina fire victims. He is a recognized speaker at legal seminars on professional responsibility and conduct, has published numerous articles, and has been qualified as an expert witness in state and federal courts. Mr. Lear earned his A.B. degree, cum laude from Dartmouth College and his J.D. degree from U.C.L.A. School of Law, where he was a member of the Law Review and the Moot Court Honors Program. In 2014, Mr. Lear was inducted into ABOTA, an invitation-only trial lawyer honorary society established to recognize attorneys who elevate the standards of integrity, honor, ethics, civility and courtesy in the legal profession. Through ABOTA, Mr. Lear is a faculty member of the Jack Daniels Trial School, which teaches trial skills to less-experienced attorneys. In 2021, Mr. Lear was appointed by the State Bar Board of Trustees to chair the Effectiveness Committee of the blue-ribbon Ad Hoc Commission on Discipline. Mr. Lear is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates (2014-present), Faculty Member, Jack Daniels Trial School; (2014-present), Founding Member, Association of Discipline Defense Counsel (2009-present); and former President (2019, 2020) and the California State Bar Ad Hoc Commission on the Discipline System (2021-23) Chairman of Effectiveness Subcommittee; member of Fairness Subcommittee. He is admitted to practice in all of California state courts; the United States Court of Appeal (Ninth Circuit); and United States District Courts for the Central and Northern districts of California. Member, Los Angeles County Bar Association (1994-present).