San Francisco Trial Lawyers Association

The San Francisco Trial Lawyers Association (SFTLA) promotes civil justice through education and trial advocacy throughout Northern California. The organization has more than 860 members including plaintiffs attorneys, defense attorneys, law students, and law office support staff.

For the past sixty years, SFTLA has served the plaintiff's bar through quality CLE seminars and networking opportunities. The SFTLA is committed to preserving access within the civil justice system for everyone. It brings attorneys together with members of the Bench and local legislators.

In addition to serving civil trial and personal injury attorneys in San Francisco, California, the SFTLA also provides opportunities to law students through internships, fellowships, and cooperation with law student chapters.

Contact Information

San Francisco Trial Lawyers Association (SFTLA)
311 California Street, Suite 620
San Francisco, CA 94104
Phone: (415) 956-6401
FAX: (415) 956-6680

Benefits of Membership in SFTLA

The benefits of membership in the San Francisco Trial Lawyers Association include:

Access to the Listserve where members and browse, search archives, and post messages;
A listing on the public membership directory;
A subscription to The Trial Lawyer, SFTLA's magazine for attorneys, judges, and others in the legal profession;
Discounts on group health plan;
Invitations to networking and social events; and
Discounted rates on SFTLA MCLE seminars.

Committees of SFTLA

Members are encouraged to take on leadership roles within the organization through the various committees of the San Francisco Trial Lawyers Association (SFTLA).

The various committees include:

Women's Caucus - highlight issues impacting female trial attorneys;
Community Involvement Committee - sponsors five to six community projects in the San Francisco area annually;
Carlene Caldwell Scholarship Committee - hosts an annual Mock Trial competition between four San Francisco Law Schools;
Diversity Committee - promote diversity within the organization and helps law students in their pursuit of justice through the Trial Advocacy Fellowship;
ADR Oversight Committee - monitors the providers of alternative dispute resolution and mandatory arbitration to ensure they are complying with applicable law and best practices;
Education Committee - develops and produces continuing legal education programs;
Experts Committee - develops programs and materials related to expert witness for the benefit of the membership of SFTLA;
Finance Committee - assists the Treasurer of the SFTLA and makes recommendations to the Board;
Magazine Committee - develops and produces the membership publication The Trial Lawyer;
Membership Committee - helps maintain and grow the SFTLA membership;
New Lawyers Division - creates programs and events for new lawyers; and
Trial Court Oversight Committee - provides trial court oversight by monitoring the operation of the area courts.

History of the SFTLA

From its beginnings in 1950 with informal meetings to its incorporation on May 3, 1983, the association has continued to grow larger. Before its incorporation, the association was a chapter of the California Trial Lawyers Association. Its offices moved in 1983 from Market Street to the Standard Oil Building.

Over the years, the SFTLA has gained a reputation as the largest and most respected organization of civil justice lawyers in the San Francisco Bay area.

Past Presidents of SFTLA

2020 President-Elect Markus Willougby
2019 President Robert Cartwright
2018 Karine Bohbot
2017 Anthony Label
2016 Chris Dolan
2015 Doris Cheng
2014 Terrence Coleman
2013 Todd Schneider
2012 Kathryn Stebner
2011 Jonathan Gertler
2010 Linda Scaparotti
2009 Stephen M. Murphy
2008 Linda Ross
2007 John Feder
2006 James Butler
2005 Eric Abramson
2004 Therese M. Lawless
2003 Scott Kalkin
2002 Donald J. Sullivan
2001 Martin Blake
2000 John D. Winer
1999 Timothy Tietjen
1998 Thomas J. Brandi
1997 Mary E. Wiss
1996 Michael A. Kelly
1995 Arnold R. Levinson
1994 William L. Veen
1993 William B. Smith
1992 Barbara A. Lawless
1991 E. Gerard Mannion
1990 John McGuinn
1989 Constatin V. Roboostoff
1988 Maja Hanks (Ramsey)
1987 Michael B. Moore
1986 Albert R. Abramson
1985 Norman Sauer
1984 Kenneth W. Rosenthal
1983 Edward J. Nevin
1982 Daniel J. Kelly
1981 Dennis B. Conklin
1980 Edwin T. Caldwell
1979 Nancy Hersh
1978 Neal R. Winchell
1977 George J. Shelby
1976 Merril E. Steinberg
1975 Michael Lewton
1974 H. Greig Fowler
1973 John Gardenal
1972 James C. Downing
1971 Paul A. Eisler
1970 Philip E. Brown
1969 Leroy W. Rice
1968 Leroy Hersh
1967 Vernon W. Humber
1966 Nathan Cohn
1965 Bergen Van Brunt
1964 Robert E. Cartwright
1963 Jack H. Werchick
1962 Arthur C. Zeif
1961 Leslie C. Gillen
1960 Irving C. Sugarman
1959 Robert D. Barbagelata
1958 Victor E. Cappa
1956 – 1957 James F. Boccardo
1955 Lou Ashe
1954 Leland Lazarus
1953 Newell J. Hooey
1952 Thomas C. Ryan
1951 J. Francis Shirley
1950 Melvin M. Belli

Personal Injury Attorneys in San Francisco, CA

Many of the top personal injury attorneys in San Francisco, CA, belong to the San Francisco Trial Lawyers Association.

The organization provides discounted rates on many of the best continuing legal education (MCLE) offered to civil trial attorneys each year. Members enjoy a free subscription to SFTLA's quarterly newsletter, The Trial Lawyer, and access to SFTLA's MCLE video library.

Perhaps most importantly, members enjoy networking opportunities with other attorneys in the San Francisco, CA, fighting similar battles in the courtroom.

Learn more about civil trial lawyer associations in Calfornia.

This article was last updated on Thursday, January 16, 2020.