Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs Product Liability Litigation - Plaintiffs
Elinor Leary
Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2016 
Firm
First Person Legal
1 Best Lawyers award
Awarded Practice Areas
Biography
Elinor Leary is a seasoned trial lawyer dedicated to protecting the rights of her clients and guiding them through some of the most difficult moments of their lives. She founded First Person Legal in 2025 and focuses her practice on complex personal injury and wrongful death cases, with a record of achieving significant verdicts and settlements for individuals and families facing life-altering harm.
Elinor is known for her compassionate approach and unwavering advocacy. She takes the time to understand each client’s story, ensuring they feel supported while pursuing justice on their behalf. In the courtroom, she combines meticulous preparation with persuasive advocacy, earning the respect of judges, juries, and colleagues alike. Her work has been recognized by peers for both professional excellence and dedication to client service. Elinor’s inclusion in Best Lawyers reflects her commitment to achieving outstanding results while always prioritizing the care and trust of those she represents.Firm
First Person Legal
1 Best Lawyers award
Overview
- Spanish
- University of San Francisco, J.D., graduated 2003
- American University, BA, graduated 1994
- California, Northern District, Federal
- United States, U.S. Supreme Court
- California, All State Courts
- Irish Legal 100 - Member
- American Association for Justice - Member
- American Bar Association - Fellow
- BASF Lawyer Referral and Information Service - Member
- Consumer Attorneys of California - Board of Governors
- Litigation Counsel of America - Fellow
- Public Justice - Member
- San Francisco Trial Lawyers Association - Member
- The Justice & Diversity Center of the Bar Association of San Francisco (BASF) - Member
- Bar Association of San Francisco (BASF) - Board of Directors
- United Irish Cultural Center - Member
- Spanish
- California, Northern District, Federal
- United States, U.S. Supreme Court
- California, All State Courts
- Irish Legal 100 - Member
- American Association for Justice - Member
- American Bar Association - Fellow
- BASF Lawyer Referral and Information Service - Member
- Consumer Attorneys of California - Board of Governors
- Litigation Counsel of America - Fellow
- Public Justice - Member
- San Francisco Trial Lawyers Association - Member
- The Justice & Diversity Center of the Bar Association of San Francisco (BASF) - Member
- Bar Association of San Francisco (BASF) - Board of Directors
- United Irish Cultural Center - Member
- University of San Francisco, J.D., graduated 2003
- American University, BA, graduated 1994
Client Testimonials
Awards & Focus
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2026 for work in:
- Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs
- Product Liability Litigation - Plaintiffs
Additional Areas of Practice:
- Construction Law
Awards:
- Selected to the Northern California Super Lawyers Rising Stars List, 2011 - 2013
- Two settlements honored in California’s Top Settlements, The Recorder – Doe v. Roe Driver & Duenas v. Carter
- Rated AV-Preeminent for Ethical Standards & Ability – Martindale-Hubbell
- Selected by peers to The Best Lawyers in America – US News & World Report, 2016 - present
- Top 50: Women Northern California Super Lawyers
- Top 100: Northern California Super Lawyers
- American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys 10 Best Female Attorneys in California
- Nominated for the State Bar of California President’s Pro Bono Service Award
- Nominated for the Jack Berman Award of Achievement
- Selected to the Northern California Super Lawyers List, 2014 - present– Top 5% of attorneys, as voted by peers
News & Media
Additional Information
- Pro Bono Activities
Food From the Bar, San Francisco and Marin Food Banks, Volunteer
GAAP, Past Volunteer
La Casa de las Madres — Past Volunteer
- Publications
Let Your Case Speak For Itself, Make the doctrine of res ipsa loquitur work for you, January 01, 2015
Protecting Immigrant Clients From Having Their Cases Undervalued: Immigration Status Should Not Interfere With a Damages’ Suit, December 01, 2013
Waging War in the Courtroom and at Appeal, December 01, 2012
Putting the Best Face on Your Client – “Warts and All”, December 01, 2011
“Criminal” Torts – Maximizing Your Client’s Recovery Through Effective Use of Victim Restitution, August 01, 2011
Products Liability: The Manufacturer’s Insurer as a Defendant, January 01, 2011
- Speaking Engagements
University of San Francisco School of Law, Intensive Advocacy Program, Co-Director, May-June 2016
San Francisco Trial Lawyers Association, "Trial Boot Camp Series “Being Real – How to Talk to Jurors in Voir Dire”, Faculty, May 24, 2016
CAOC, Sonoma Seminar “What’s Trending Now”, Panel Moderator, April 2016
SFTLA, Tahoe Shred, “Jury Selection”, Speaker, January 2016
University of San Francisco School of Law, Intensive Advocacy Program, Faculty, May 2015
University of San Francisco School of Law, Criminal and Juvenile Justice Clinic, “Jury Selection”, Lecturer, April 2015
University of San Francisco School of Law, Criminal and Juvenile Justice Clinic, “Jury Selection”, Lecturer, November 2014
University of San Francisco School of Law, Criminal and Juvenile Justice Clinic, “Jury Selection”, Lecturer, April 2014
University of San Francisco School of Law Chapter of the American Inn of Court, “Jury Voir Dire: The Challenges of Eliciting Vital Information”, Speaker, March 2014
University of San Francisco School of Law, Clinical professor
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