Insight

R. Lewis Van Blois - Oakland 2021 Lawyer of the Year

Product Liability Litigation - Plaintiffs Oakland, California

R. Lewis Van Blois
Best Lawyers

Best Lawyers

October 30, 2020 08:00 AM

Buying a vehicle is one of the largest purchases an individual will make, usually with the expectation that it is an investment in rider safety. But what about when car failure leads to more serious consequences? R. Lewis Van Blois, the 2021 “Lawyer of the Year” for Product Liability Litigation – Plaintiffs in Oakland along with his long-time partner at Van Blois Law, Thomas C. Knowles, have won many legal battles against auto manufacturers including Ford, General Motors, Chrysler, BMW, Toyota, Hyundai, and others for product failures.

“Product liability litigation for plaintiffs is extremely challenging but is also extremely rewarding,” Van Blois said. “It is David vs. Goliath, the underdog taking on mega corporations. When an uncaring corporation sells a product for profit that is unfit, unsafe, and doesn’t perform the way it is supposed to perform, it takes an experienced lawyer who is persistent and has the determination to keep going in the face of strong odds against winning.”

Van Blois finds his practice area rewarding because of the satisfaction that comes from successfully achieving a result that helps a severely injured person put their lives back together in the best way possible. But as rewarding as that feeling is, there are challenges to this type of litigation.

“Auto manufacturers and large corporate defendants vigorously defend their products, and many are not above [using] dirty tricks to overwhelm plaintiff lawyers with an army of their lawyers,” he said.

Although it may be intimidating to face a large corporation, Van Blois believes it is worth it to make the product—and the road—safer for all motorists and passengers.

“[An] example of successfully pursuing a case to achieve a benefit for the public was in Tracy, California, where a dangerous intersection—which caused three catastrophic accidents, resulting in five deaths and a severe brain injury—was made safe by an installation of traffic signals with left-turn lanes, allowing big rigs to safely drive through the intersection,” he explained.

Van Blois’s advice for those pursuing a career in plaintiff’s product liability plaintiff law is to continue to educate yourself.

“Successful lawyers share information with each other to learn what is successful and what is unsuccessful,” he said. “Successful product liability lawyers use all the informational resources [available to them]—including governmental sites and engineering sites—and attend seminars taught by the best lawyers.”

Headline Image: Courtesy of Van Blois Law

Related Articles

"Lawyer of the Year"


Lawyer wearing suit poses for headshot

Ed Snow

Commercial Finance Law

Atlanta, GA

2024

"Lawyer of the Year"


Lawyer in suit poses for a headshot photo

Jeffrey A. Weissman

Family Law

Fort Lauderdale, FL

2024

"Lawyer of the Year"


Headshot of the D.C. Lawyer of the Year Honoree

Adam J. August

Corporate Law

Washington, D.C., VA

2024

Announcing The Best Lawyers in Germany™ 2023


by Best Lawyers

The results include an elite field of top lawyers and firms from Germany.

Black, red and yellow stripes

Announcing The Best Lawyers in Switzerland™ 2023


by Best Lawyers

The results include an elite field of top lawyers and firms from Switzerland.

Red flag with white cross

Announcing The Best Lawyers in Austria™ 2023


by Best Lawyers

The results include an elite field of top lawyers and firms from Austria.

Red and white stripes

Announcing The Best Lawyers in Belgium™ 2023


by Best Lawyers

The results include an elite field of top lawyers and firms from Belgium.

Black, yellow and red stripes

Announcing The Best Lawyers in Italy™ 2023


by Best Lawyers

The results include an elite field of top lawyers and firms from Italy.

Green, white and red stripes

Unwavering Dedication to Clients


by Best Lawyers

Trial attorneys Michael Lyons and Chris Simmons find motivation when the result means everything.

Trial Attorneys at Lyons & Simmons

Dan Sciano Renaissance Lawyer


by Justin Smulison

Tinsman & Sciano recently celebrated 50 years as greater San Antonio’s leading trial law firm for civil litigation and personal injury. Daniel J.T. Sciano obtained judgments for his clients in both Federal and State courthouses in 2021. A trial lawyer with many talents and diverse knowledge of the law.

Tinsman & Sciano Celebrates 50

Courtroom Mastery


by Justin Smulison

Victor H. Pribanic recalled the excitement of returning to the courtroom in late 2021 for a medical negligence case that could help set a new course for Pribanic & Pribanic’s trial advocacy.

Victor H. Pribanic Makes Return to Courtroom

Pennsylvania "Lawyer of the Year" 2022


by Best Lawyers

Wendelynne J. Newton is honored as 2022 "Lawyer of the Year" in Pennsylvania for Litigation-Healthcare.

Pennsylvania "Lawyer of the Year" 2022

New England "Lawyer of the Year" 2022


by Best Lawyers

Vincent Lau is honored as 2022 "Lawyer of the Year" in New England for Immigration Law.

New England "Lawyer of the Year"

Connecticut "Lawyer of the Year" 2022


by Best Lawyers

Tanya A. Bovée is honored as 2022 "Lawyer of the Year" in Connecticut for Employment Law-Management.

Connecticut "Lawyer of the Year" 2022

Georgia "Lawyer of the Year" 2022


by Best Lawyers

We highlight seven 2022 "Lawyer of the Year" recipients throughout Georgia.

Georgia "Lawyer of the Year" 2022

Colorado "Lawyer of the Year" 2022


by Best Lawyers

Jane E. Young is honored as 2022 "Lawyer of the Year" in Colorado for Insurance Litigation.

Colorado "Lawyer of the Year" 2022

Trending Articles

Announcing the 2023 The Best Lawyers in America Honorees


by Best Lawyers

Only the top 5.3% of all practicing lawyers in the U.S. were selected by their peers for inclusion in the 29th edition of The Best Lawyers in America®.

Gold strings and dots connecting to form US map

Announcing the 2022 Best Lawyers® in the United States


by Best Lawyers

The results include an elite field of top lawyers listed in the 28th Edition of The Best Lawyers in America® and in the 2nd Edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America for 2022.

2022 Best Lawyers Listings for United States

2021 Best Lawyers: The Global Issue


by Best Lawyers

The 2021 Global Issue features top legal talent from the most recent editions of Best Lawyers and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch worldwide.

2021 Best Lawyers: The Global Issue

The U.S. Best Lawyers Voting Season Is Open


by Best Lawyers

The voting season for the 31st edition of The Best Lawyers in America® and the 5th edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America is officially underway, and we are offering some helpful advice to this year’s voters.

Golden figures of people standing on blue surface connected by white lines

How To Find A Pro Bono Lawyer


by Best Lawyers

Best Lawyers dives into the vital role pro bono lawyers play in ensuring access to justice for all and the transformative impact they have on communities.

Hands joined around a table with phone, paper, pen and glasses

The Best Lawyers in Australia™ 2024 Launch


by Best Lawyers

Best Lawyers is excited to announce The Best Lawyers in Australia™ for 2023, including the top lawyers and law firms from Australia.

Australian Parliament beside water at sunset

How Palworld Is Testing the Limits of Nintendo’s Legal Power


by Gregory Sirico

Many are calling the new game Palworld “Pokémon GO with guns,” noting the games striking similarities. Experts speculate how Nintendo could take legal action.

Animated figures with guns stand on top of creatures

What the Courts Say About Recording in the Classroom


by Christina Henagen Peer and Peter Zawadski

Students and parents are increasingly asking to use audio devices to record what's being said in the classroom. But is it legal? A recent ruling offer gives the answer to a question confusing parents and administrators alike.

Is It Legal for Students to Record Teachers?

Inflation Escalation


by Ashley S. Wagner

Inflation and rising costs are at the forefront of everyone’s mind as we enter 2023. The current volatile market makes it more important than ever to understand the rent escalation clauses in current and future commercial lease agreements.

Suited figure in front of rising market and inflated balloon

The Upcycle Conundrum


by Karen Kreider Gaunt

Laudable or litigious? What you need to know about potential copyright and trademark infringement when repurposing products.

Repurposed Products and Copyright Infringemen

Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America for 2023


by Best Lawyers

The third edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America™ highlights the legal talent of lawyers who have been in practice less than 10 years.

Three arrows made of lines and dots on blue background

A Celebration of Excellence: The Best Lawyers in Canada 2024 Awards


by Best Lawyers

As we embark on the 18th edition of The Best Lawyers in Canada™, we are excited to highlight excellence and top legal talent across the country.

Abstract image of red and white Canada flag in triangles

8 Different Types of Criminal Defenses in Law


by Best Lawyers

Learn about the different types of criminal defenses available in law, including innocence, self-defense, insanity and more. Protect your rights today.

Silver handcuffs laying on finger printed papers

Wage and Overtime Laws for Truck Drivers


by Greg Mansell

For truck drivers nationwide, underpayment and overtime violations are just the beginning of a long list of problems. Below we explore the wages you are entitled to but may not be receiving.

Truck Driver Wage and Overtime Laws in the US

Choosing a Title Company: What a Seller Should Expect


by Roy D. Oppenheim

When it comes to choosing a title company, how much power exactly does a seller have?

Choosing the Title Company As Seller

The 2024 Best Lawyers in Spain™


by Best Lawyers

Best Lawyers is honored to announce the 16th edition of The Best Lawyers in Spain™ and the third edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in Spain™ for 2024.

Tall buildings and rushing traffic against clouds and sun in sky