J. Gary Gwilliam

J. Gary Gwilliam

Oakland, CA recognized lawyers icon Recognized in Best Lawyers since 1993
Gwilliam, Ivary, Chiosso, Cavalli & Brewer

2 Best Lawyers awards

Gwilliam, Ivary, Chiosso, Cavalli & Brewer logo

Awarded Practice Areas

Civil Rights Law Employment Law - Individuals Litigation - Labor and Employment Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs

Biography

Founding Partner

On January 16, 2025,, Gary Gwilliam received the first ever, Legend of The Law, Lifetime Achievement Award presented by the Alameda Contra Costs Trial Lawyers Association.

Gary Gwilliam is considered one of the best consumer trial attorneys in the state. His reputation and skill in representing seriously injured plaintiffs is well known. He has tried over 180 jury cases, of which almost 150 were plaintiff civil personal injury cases. He has handled major cases in every area of consumer law, including serious automobile and construction accidents, products liability, medical malpractice, bad faith insurance, civil rights (including police misconduct), wrongful termination and employment discrimination and harassment, and has recently concentrated more in employment law.

A noted lecturer and motivational speaker, he has conducted seminars and workshops around California and the United States for many years. He is the author of numerous articles on California consumer law and is frequently called upon to serve as an expert witness on the standard of care for lawyers’ conduct. He frequently lectures on the topics of substance abuse, stress reduction, improving the quality of life as well as topics related to his practice.

Gwilliam, Ivary, Chiosso, Cavalli & Brewer

2 Best Lawyers awards

Gwilliam, Ivary, Chiosso, Cavalli & Brewer logo

Overview

  • Gender: Male

  • University of California Berkeley, J.D., graduated 1963

  • California, The State Bar of California, 1963
  • California, The State Bar of California, 1963
  • California, The State Bar of California, 1963
  • California, The State Bar of California, 1963
  • California, The State Bar of California, 1963
  • California, The State Bar of California, 1963
  • California, The State Bar of California, 1963
  • California, The State Bar of California, 1963
  • California, The State Bar of California, 1963
  • California, The State Bar of California, 1963
  • California, The State Bar of California, 1963
  • California, The State Bar of California, 1963
  • California, The State Bar of California, 1963
  • California, The State Bar of California, 1963
  • California, The State Bar of California, 1963
  • California, The State Bar of California, 1963
  • California, The State Bar of California, 1963
  • California, The State Bar of California, 1963
  • University of California Berkeley, J.D., graduated 1963
  • Gender: Male

Client Testimonials

Awards & Focus

Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2025 - Employment Law - Individuals Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2019 - Employment Law - Individuals Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2017 - Employment Law - Individuals
Named "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers® for:
  • Employment Law - Individuals, Oakland (2025)
  • Employment Law - Individuals, Oakland (2019)
  • Employment Law - Individuals, Oakland (2017)
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2026 for work in:
  • Civil Rights Law
  • Employment Law - Individuals
  • Litigation - Labor and Employment
  • Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs
Awards:
  • Champion of Justice award

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