MARY E. ALEXANDER

Fax:415-433-5440
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Most lawyers take on a case – a few take on a cause. Over the past 30 years, Mary Alexander has earned a national reputation for her work protecting consumer rights, winning the respect of clients and colleagues alike. A past president of both the Association of Trial Lawyers of America and the Consumer Attorneys of California, Mary’s career – both in and out of the courtroom – has focused on one thing: ensuring that those who have been harmed by the negligent, preventable actions of others get their day in court – and get the answers, and justice, they deserve.

In the process, Mary has built a notable record of success, both before juries and at the negotiation table. Some of the highlights include:

A $45 million verdict for a San Mateo victim,  who had her neck broken, was paralyzed for life, and became a quadriplegic when her car was struck by a driver speeding through a red light
A $13.3 million verdict for a severely injured client in Hall v. Yosemite Park and Curry Company, in which faulty bicycle brakes triggered a crash resulting in quadriplegia
A $5.5 million settlement for a long haul trucker was run over by another trucker while outside of the cab of his rig safely locking and inspecting his load.
A $4 million settlement in a San Francisco Municipal Railway accident, Landsverk v. CCSF
A $4 million settlement in a pedestrian accident, Ruszak v. State Farm

But it’s not just the results that have made Mary one of California’s most sought-after trial attorneys. It’s also a unique combination of capabilities and compassion that few lawyers can bring to their cases – or their clients. A scientist before she studied law, Mary leverages her technical background in every matter she takes on, and is well known for her ability to explain complicated theories to juries – and for using high-tech courtroom exhibits that help make difficult points easy to comprehend. She’s taken on cases other lawyers won’t, or can’t – such as child sex abuse cases – and assisted clients from all walks of life. Because someone who has been harmed is someone who should be helped.

Along the way, Mary, a graduate of Santa Clara University Law School, has been recognized repeatedly by her peers, and the press, for her work. Her awards and honors include:

Named one of the San Francisco Bay Area’s “Top 10 Trial Attorneys” by the San Francisco Chronicle
Named a Northern California Super Lawyer in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 & 2010
Recognized as one of the Top 30 Women Litigators in 2002 and Top 50 Women Litigators in 2003 and 2004 by the California Daily Journal
Repeatedly named one of the “100 Most Influential Attorneys in California” by the California Daily Journal
Past editor-in-chief of Forum, a publication of the Consumer Attorneys of California
American Board of Trial Advocates, 1997

Areas of Practice

Personal Injury — Plaintiff

Bar Admissions

California, 1982
U.S. District Court District of Arizona, 1986
U.S. Court of Appeals 9th Circuit, 1982

Published Works

Past Editor-in-Chief of Forum, Consumer Attorneys of California Publication

Representative Cases

Hall v. Yosemite Park
Landsverk v. CCSF
Ruszak v. State Farm

Honors and Awards

ABA Pursuit of Justice Award, 2003
ABOTA Foundation Life Fellow, 2002
AAJ Distinguished Service Award, 2007
AAJ Women’s Trial Lawyer Caucus Special Recognition Award, 2006
AAJ Minority Caucus Trailblazer Award, 2002
AAJ Women’s Caucus Marie Lambert Award, 1996
AAJ New Lawyer’s Division of AAJ Joe Tonahill Award, 1995
Outstanding State Delegate Award, 1993
Outstanding State Delegate Award, 1996
AAJ Wiedemann Wysocki Award, 1993
AAJ Wiedemann Wysocki Award, 2000
AAJ Wiedemann Wysocki Award, 2002
AAJ Wiedemann Wysocki Award, 2004
Edward T. Pollack Award, Consumer Attorneys of California, 2004
Marvin E. Lewis Award, Consumer Attorneys of California, 1998
Outstanding Achievement Award, Consumer Attorneys of California, 1997
Trench Soldier Award, Consumer Attorneys of California, 1994 – 1996
Trench Soldier Award, Consumer Attorneys of California, 1996
President’s Award, Consumer Attorneys of California, 1991, 1994, 1995, 2002, 2004, 2005
President Public Justice Award, 1996
2003 Special Achievement Award, Santa Clara University School of Law
Named by San Francisco Chronicle One of the Top Ten Trial Lawyers in the San Francisco Bay Area, 1990
Martindale-Hubbell AV Rating, 1986
Lawdragon Top 500 Leading Plaintiff Lawyers in America, 2007
Northern California Superlawyers, 2005 – 2010
US Action Leadership Award, 2003
Daily Journal Top 50 Women Litigators, 2003
Middlesex County Bar Association Minuteman Award — Special Guest of Honor, 2002
Maryland. Trial Lawyers Association Award of Appreciation, 2002
Daily Journal Top 30 Women Litigators, 2002
Trial Lawyer of the Year Award Themis Capital Corporation, 2001
Top 100 Most Influential Lawyers in California — Daily Journal, 2001 – 2003
Wyoming Trial Lawyers Association Award of Appreciation, 1999
Democratic Caucus of California State Assembly Award of Appreciation, 1996
Named one of the San Francisco Bay Area’s “Top 10 Trial Attorneys” by the San Francisco Chronicle
Named a Northern California Super Lawyer, 2006 – 2010
Top 50 Women Litigators, by the California Daily Journal, 2004
Repeatedly Named One of the “100 Most Influential Attorneys in California” by the California Daily Journal
Trial Lawyer Hall of Fame for the State Bar of California: Litigation Section

Professional Associations and Memberships

American Bar Association, Member, 1982 – Present
American Board of Trial Advocates, Member, 1997 – Present
American Board of Trial Advocates, Member, National Board, 2005 – 2006
College of Master Advocates and Barristers, Member
College of Master Advocates and Barristers, Senior Counsel
Bar Association of San Francisco, Member, 1984 – Present
Bar Association of San Francisco, Board Member, 2004 – 2007
American Association for Justice, President, 2003
American Association for Justice, President Elect, 2002
American Association for Justice, Vice President, 2001
American Association for Justice, Secretary, 2000
American Association for Justice, Treasurer, 1999
American Association for Justice, Parliamentarian, 1998
American Association for Justice, Chair, State Delegates, 1996 – 1997
American Association for Justice, Chair, Council of Presidents, 1996 – 1997
American Association for Justice, Chair, Membership Committee, 1994 – 1995
American Association for Justice, Chair, PAC Task Force, 1995 – 1996
American Association for Justice, Secretary, AAJ Endowment, 2007
American Association for Justice, Secretary, AAJ Endowment, 2008
American Association for Justice, Member, Board of AAJ Endowment, 1998 – Present
Roscoe Pound Institute, President, 2005
AAJ Leaders’ Forum, Member, 2002 – Present
Consumer Attorneys of California, President, 1996
Consumer Attorneys of California, President-Elect, 1995
Consumer Attorneys of California, Vice President, 1994
Consumer Attorneys of California, Parliamentarian, 1993
Consumer Attorneys of California, Member, Board of Governors, 1988 – 1992
California Women Lawyers, Member, 1982 – Present
National Center for State Courts, Attorney Board Member, 2004 – Present
San Francisco Trial Lawyers Association, Board Member, 1984 – 1999
Public Justice, Member, 1982 – Present
Public Justice, Member, Board of Governors, 1995 – 1999
Western Trial Lawyers Association, Member, Board of Governors, 1995 – Present
Washington State Trial Lawyers Association, Member, 1997 – 1999
Consumers Attorneys Association of Los Angeles, Member
San Mateo County Trial Lawyers Association, Member
Santa Clara University School of Law, Member, Board of Visitors
National Crimes Victims Association, President