Michael P. Verna - a Walnut Creek, California (CA) Wrongful Death Lawyer

Walnut Creek Wrongful Death Lawyer

Updated: 02/28/2026

Areas of Practice

Wrongful Death
Catastrophic Personal Injury
Business/Commercial
Aviation
Insurance Bad Faith

Attorney Information

Overview

Michael P. Verna’s legal practice has focused on complex civil trial work since 1978. He has been recognized by his peers with admission to a number of exclusive trial lawyer organizations and by several legal publications. His track record of accomplishments range from recovering well over $100 million for his plaintiff clients to obtaining defense verdicts in multi-million dollar claims against his corporate and government clients. Mr. Verna is board certified in civil trial and pre-trial advocacy, and routinely handles cases in courts throughout the United States.

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Awards and Honors

Honors

Faculty: National Institute of Trial Advocacy, 1987
Best Lawyers in America, 2006-present, Peer-reviewed recognition by Best Lawyers legal publication as among top 5% of lawyers in civil litigation in the U.S.
Super Lawyers of Northern California, 2005-present, Peer-reviewed recognition by Thompson Reuters legal publication as among top attorneys in commercial trial litigation in California
National Trial Lawyers Association, Peer-reviewed invitation only admission to elite trial lawyers organization recognizing top 100 business tort litigation attorneys
American Board of Trial Advocacy, 1999, Peer-reviewed invitation only admission to elite trial lawyers organization for only those attorneys meeting stringent criteria of demonstrated skill, expertise, and ethical standards in trial work
Litigation Counsel of America Trial Lawyer Honorary Society, Admitted as Charter Fellow to peer-reviewed invitation only legal organization for trial attorneys with demonstrated track record of accomplishment
Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers, LexisNexis Martindale-Hubbell legal rating service designation for only those attorneys with highest possible peer-review rating for legal ability and ethical standards
Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, Life Member, Admission limited to attorneys who have routinely obtained multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements
American Inns of Court, Master of the Bench, Member Hon. Robert G. McGrath Chapter of Inn of Court, which is invitation only professional legal organization
The American College of Master Advocates and Barristers, Senior Counsel, Peer-reviewed invitation only admission to civil trial attorneys society promoting highest standards of ethics and litigation skill
American Board of Professional Liability Attorneys, Diplomate, Peer-reviewed invitation only legal organization for limited number of attorneys demonstrating expertise in professional liability litigation, 1992
"Top Attorney in Northern California" designation from San Francisco and Oakland magazines for accomplishments as trial attorney

Education

Legal Education
- University of California College of the Law, San Francisco (formerly UC Hastings), San Francisco, California, 1978
  J.D.
Non Legal Education
- University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, California, 1975
  B.A.
  Honors: summa cum laude
  Honors: Phi Beta Kappa
  Major: Pre-Law

Past Positions

Bronson, Bronson & McKinnon, Associate/Partner, trial attorney on complex civil litigation matters, 1978 - 1986

Classes and Seminars

Panelist on numerous presentations to ABA members on issues related to civil trial law, American Bar Association
Guest speaker at comparative law forum in Munich, Germany dealing with litigation systems of the U.S. and the E.U., European Air Law Association, 2007
Lead panelist on doctrine of forum non conveniens and jurisdictional disputes in international litigation, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Multiple presentations over several years dealing with civil litigation and trial tactics and practices, Contra Costa County Bar Association

Pro Bono Activities

Judge Pro Tempore, Appointed by Contra Costa and San Francisco Superior Courts to act as temporary and special assignment judge
Arbitrator, Appointed by American Arbitration Association to periodically act as arbitrator in complex litigation matters.
Mediator, Routinely retained by private parties and counsel to assist in resolving complex disputes

Bar Admissions

California, 1978
Supreme Court of California, 1978
U.S. District Court Northern District of California, 1978
U.S. District Court Eastern District of California, 1998
U.S. District Court Central District of California, 1998
U.S. Court of Appeals 9th Circuit, 1988
U.S. Court of Appeals 11th Circuit, 2006
U.S. Court of Appeals 2nd Circuit, 2009
Supreme Court of the United States of America, 2002

Other Affiliations

American Bar Association (Vice-Chairman of Aviation and Space Law Committee)
American Association for Justice
Consumer Attorneys of California
International Association of Defense Counsel
San Francisco Trial Lawyers Association
Contra Costa County Bar Association
National Italian American Bar Association
State Bar of California

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Contact

Walnut Creek, CA

2121 North California Boulevard
Suite 875
Walnut Creek, CA 94596

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Phone: 925-478-5763

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Michael P. Verna - Walnut Creek, CA