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Choosing a Lawyer

Choosing a personal injury attorney from among the thousands of lawyers in California is a daunting task.

Below are some objective questions we recommend asking every lawyer you're considering to represent you. Our responses are in italics.

What is your record of verdicts and settlements for your clients?

Gillin, Jacobson, Ellis & Larsen has recovered over $500,000,000 for its clients, including over $150,000,000 in the last two years alone. If a firm has never had a verdict over $1 million, they will never be taken as seriously by the insurance companies as a firm that routinely wins million-dollar verdicts.

How many years of experience do you have?

Our attorneys have been in practice since 1972, and they have appeared in both California State and Federal Courts.

Have you been rated by Martindale-Hubbell? If so, what is your rating?

Gillin, Jacobson, Ellis & Larsen is AV-rated (highest rating), which places us in the top 5% of all law firms nationwide. We're also listed in Martindale-Hubbell’s Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers. (The Martindale-Hubbell Legal Network evaluates lawyers and law firms in the United States and Canada based upon peer review.)

What percentage of your practice is devoted to personal injury?

100% of our practice is devoted to personal injury--representing injured clients is our only priority. (Many law firms practice personal injury law only part time, as part of a general practice that might also include divorce, criminal defense, and other unrelated fields.)

Do other attorneys rely on you for expertise?

The partners at GJEL have educated hundreds of California lawyers. In addition, lawyers throughout the state refer major injury cases (that they are not able to handle) to our firm.

What is your fee structure?

We operate on contingency, which means you pay us nothing unless we win or settle your case.

What law school did you attend?

The attorneys at Gillin, Jacobson, Ellis & Larsen attended some of the nation's most prestigious institutions, including Stanford, Boalt Hall School of Law at UC-Berkeley, and the University of Chicago.

Who at your firm will be working on my case?

At Gillin, Jacobson, Ellis & Larsen, a partner will always work on your case. Helping every client is important to us, and we intentionally maintain a small caseload to ensure that each case receives individual attention.

How accessible are you to your clients?

GJEL strives to be within easy reach for all of our clients. If you call between the hours of 8 am and 6 pm on weekdays, you'll always speak to a live receptionist who will immediately direct you to the right person. Calls and emails after business hours or on the weekends are returned within an hour. (If you call or email after hours or on the weekends and your message is urgent, please indicate this and we will do our best to get back to you immediately.)

We have branch offices located throughout California to meet with clients and to take depositions. And we have a full-time messenger who will come to you if you are injured or are otherwise unable to come to one of our offices.