R. Lewis Van Blois

Member

Mr. Van Blois completed his undergraduate education at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. and worked in the U.S. Senate as a legislative assistant.  His legal education was obtained at the University of California Law School at Berkeley, California (Boalt Hall), graduating in 1965.

Mr. Van Blois became Board Certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy in 1983 and as such is recognized by the California State Bar as a civil trial specialist.  He has been recognized by the Consumer Attorneys of California (formerly called the California Trial Lawyers Association) as an experienced trial attorney in the fields of Products Liability, Professional Negligence, General Personal Injury, Public Entity Liability and Insurance Bad Faith law.  He has received the honor of being the Alameda County Trial Lawyer of the Year.  He has tried over 150 jury trials in California.

He is admitted to the State Bar of California and the Supreme Court of the United States of America.  He is a member of the Alameda-Contra Costa County Trial Lawyers Association (President 1977-1978); Consumer Attorneys of California (Board of Governors 1978-1980); Alameda and Contra Costa County Bar Associations; and American Association for Justice (ATLA Stalwart).

Mr. Van Blois has received the "AV" rating from Martindale-Hubbell, the legal profession's directory for over 140 years.  This peer review process measures two components of a lawyer's practice: Legal ability and professional ethics.  The "A" signifies legal ability that is "Very high to preeminent."  The "V" signifies professional ethics that "Adhere to the strict standards of the Bar."  This rating is achieved by only 15% of the Bar nationwide, and is the highest possible rating.

Mr. Van Blois has been actively involved in improving the administration of justice in Alameda and Contra Costa counties.  He was instrumental in establishing the Early Disposition Program (EDP) and the SETL Programs that have led to settlements of cases to help reduce court congestion.  He has frequently lectured on trial practice and personal injury law and medicine.