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Lawyer Profile

Image of William Bernstein

William Bernstein

Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, LLP
  • Recognized Since:
    2013
  • Recognized in:
    Litigation - Antitrust
  • Law School:
    University of San Francisco
  • Website:
    http://www.lieffcabraser.com
  • Location:
    275 Battery Street, 29th Floor
    San Francisco, CA 94111
A Leader In The Plaintiffs’ Bar

William Bernstein has practiced law for more than three decades. Who’s Who Legal called him, “a leader in the plaintiffs’ bar in the fields of complex civil litigation, antitrust, and consumer protection law.”

Notable cases Mr. Bernstein  has litigated include price-fixing suits against pharmaceutical companies on behalf of retail pharmacies, consumer claims against the world’s largest vitamin manufacturers for crafting a global “vitamins cartel,” charges against natural gas and energy companies for manipulating the price of natural gas and electricity in California during the California energy crisis of 2000-2001, and qui tam claims against the Sutter hospital system for anesthesia service overcharges. These cases, in total, resulted in over $1.3 billion in settlements for consumers and businesses.

Mr. Bernstein also oversaw negotiations in the landmark settlement and injunction against De Beers for monopolizing the trade of rough diamonds in the U.S. for nearly 60 years. As featured in the 2008 Plaintiffs Hot List, The National Law Journal wrote, “The plaintiffs’ firms’ pluck, and some luck, resulted in a $295 million settlement for De Beers’ customers [and] secured De Beers’ pledge to abide by federal and state antitrust laws and accept court oversight to ensure compliance.”

Mr. Bernstein teaches settlement law as an Adjunct Professor of Law at the University of San Francisco. He has been repeatedly recognized as a "Super Lawyer for Northern California" by Super Lawyers magazine.
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  • Client Comments
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Lawyer Bio

A Leader In The Plaintiffs’ Bar

William Bernstein has practiced law for more than three decades. Who’s Who Legal called him, “a leader in the plaintiffs’ bar in the fields of complex civil litigation, antitrust, and consumer protection law.”

Notable cases Mr. Bernstein  has litigated include price-fixing suits against pharmaceutical companies on behalf of retail pharmacies, consumer claims against the world’s largest vitamin manufacturers for crafting a global “vitamins cartel,” charges against natural gas and energy companies for manipulating the price of natural gas and electricity in California during the California energy crisis of 2000-2001, and qui tam claims against the Sutter hospital system for anesthesia service overcharges. These cases, in total, resulted in over $1.3 billion in settlements for consumers and businesses.

Mr. Bernstein also oversaw negotiations in the landmark settlement and injunction against De Beers for monopolizing the trade of rough diamonds in the U.S. for nearly 60 years. As featured in the 2008 Plaintiffs Hot List, The National Law Journal wrote, “The plaintiffs’ firms’ pluck, and some luck, resulted in a $295 million settlement for De Beers’ customers [and] secured De Beers’ pledge to abide by federal and state antitrust laws and accept court oversight to ensure compliance.”

Mr. Bernstein teaches settlement law as an Adjunct Professor of Law at the University of San Francisco. He has been repeatedly recognized as a "Super Lawyer for Northern California" by Super Lawyers magazine.
Read more on firm website
  • Education
  • Bar & Court Admissions
  • Affiliations
  • Award List

Education:

  • University of San Francisco , J.D., graduated 1975
  • University of Pennsylvania, B.A., graduated 1972

Bar Admissions:

  • California, The State Bar of California
  • New York, New York State Bar Association
 

Court Admissions:

  • U.S. Supreme Court, 1985
  • U.S. Court of Appeals 3rd Circuit, 2008
  • U.S. Court of Appeals 9th Circuit, 1987
  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of California, 1975
  • U.S. District Court, Central District of California, 1991
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of California, 1991

Affiliations:

  • Association of Business Trial Lawyers - Board of Governors, 2005-Present
  • Bar Association of San Francisco - Member
  • Marin County Bar Association - Admin. of Justice Committee, 1988
  • State Bar of California - Member

Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America for work in:

  • Litigation - Antitrust
 

Awards:

  • AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
  • Selected for inclusion by peers in The Best Lawyers in America in field of "Litigation - Antitrust," 2013 - 2021
  • "Northern California Super Lawyer," Super Lawyers, 2004-2020
  • California Litigation Star, Benchmark Plaintiff (ranked as one of California's leading litigators in antitrust law)
  • "Consumer Attorney of the Year Finalist," Consumer Attorneys of California, 2014
  • Top Attorneys In Antitrust Law, Super Lawyers Corporate Counsel Edition, 2010, 2012
  • Lawdragon Finalist, Lawdragon, 2009-2011
  • Princeton Premier Registry, Business Leaders and Professionals, 2008-2009
  • Top 100 Trial Lawyers in California, American Trial Lawyers Association, 2008
  • Who's Who Legal, 2007
  • Unsung Hero Award, Appleseed, 2006
 

Lawyer Client Comments

Lawyer Practice Areas

Key: Awarded in Best Lawyers Not Currently Awarded for this Area in Best Lawyers

Firm Details

Image for Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, LLP View Firm Profile
Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, LLP
http://www.lieffcabraser.com
 
Headquarters
275 Battery Street, 29th Floor
San Francisco, CA 94111
(415) 956.1000
4 Office Locations
in 2 Countries

Germany

Germany

Munich, Germany

Nympenburger Strasse 4, 5th Floor

Munich 80355

Germany

49 89 20 80 27 389

Get Directions

United States

United States

New York

New York

New York, NY

250 Hudson Street, Eighth Floor

New York, NY 10013

United States

(212) 355.9500

Get Directions

Tennessee

Tennessee

Nashville, TN

222 Second Avenue South, Suite 1640

Nashville, TN 37201

United States

(615) 313.9000

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