Laurie Hepler

Laurie Hepler is a leading San Francisco appellate lawyer, who collaborates with clients to address all aspects of the appellate process objectively and strategically. For almost 30 years, Laurie has helped trial counsel, corporate counsel, insurers and individuals keep their wins, reverse their losses, and develop the law. Successful first- and second-chair trial experience back up her appellate expertise.

Clients retain Laurie in state and federal courts throughout California and the U.S. She has briefed and argued countless California appeals, including three California Supreme Court wins, and has argued in the highest courts of two other states and several federal circuits.

Laurie has been honored with two prestigious California Lawyer Attorney of the Year (“CLAY”) Awards, in 2000 and 2013. Since 2005, she has been certified as an Appellate Specialist by the State Bar of California, and she is an officer of the highly selective California Academy of Appellate Lawyers. She is ranked by Chambers and Partners USA for California Appellate Law, and in 2020 was elected as a Fellow of the American Academy of Appellate Lawyers.

Her clients’ appellate matters span a wide range of subjects, including employment, product liability, insurance coverage, contract disputes, personal jurisdiction, and unfair competition. But the subject counts less than the forum: appellate courts know Laurie, and she knows them.

She is Contributing Editor for the leading treatise on California appeals—Eisenberg, Cal. Practice Guide: Civil Appeals and Writs (The Rutter Group).Laurie’s community service includes running a volunteer group that makes hundreds of bagged meals per month for Samaritan House. Her years leading this wonderful team have produced nearly 30,000 meals.