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Vincent Galvin, Jr.

Vincent Galvin, Jr.

Executive Managing Partner
Phone:408.961.4501
Fax:408.279.5845

Vince Galvin is a nationally recognized first-chair trial lawyer with more than 40 years of experience dedicated to defending high exposure product liability and mass tort litigation nationwide. He is regarded by many as one of the best product liability lawyers and was lauded as "one of the best in the country" by Chambers USA in 2017.

Vince is the quintessential first-chair counsel, a compelling courtroom communicator who translates technical engineering issues into persuasively coherent trial presentations. He has picked juries and tried more than 30 catastrophic injury and wrongful death trials throughout California, as well as in 11 other states across the country. 

Known for serving as lead counsel in high profile litigation, Vince has defended multiple corporations in class actions, mass torts, including state and federal MDLs and in individual cases. In his highest profile assignment, Vince was lead counsel defending class actions and individual personal injury cases in the Toyota Motor Corporation Unintended Acceleration Marketing, Sales Practices, and Product Liability Litigation, MDL 2151. He was lead counsel in the California Coordinated Toyota Unintended Acceleration cases and lead counsel in non-coordinated cases. He was also responsible for the technical aspects of the Congressional hearings. In October 2013, Vince obtained a defense verdict for Toyota in its first bellwether "unintended acceleration" case, which The Los Angeles Times called a "landmark trial." The verdict triggered headlines in business and legal media across the nation and abroad, including The New York Times, CNN, Fox News, Associated Press, Kyodo News, The Today Show and The National Law Journal.

In addition to his defense prowess in the automotive industry, Vince has defended manufacturers of power tools, helmets, motorcycles, off-road vehicles, firefighter equipment and other consumer products against product liability, commercial and class action claims. 


Bar Admissions

  • California, 1982
  • Texas, 2005

Court Admissions

  • U.S. Supreme Court, 1982
  • U.S. Court of Federal Claims, 1982
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit

Education

  • Santa Clara University School of Law, J.D., 1982
  • University of Santa Clara, B.A., 1979
    —cum laude

Professional Associations

    • Product Liability Advisory Council
    • American College of Trial Lawyers
      —State Committee
    • American Board of Trial Advocates
    • International Society of Barristers
    • California State Bar Association
    • Santa Clara County Bar Association

Distinctions

    • The Legal 500
      Hall of Fame, Product Liability, Mass Tort and Class Action: Automotive/Transport, 2017 – 2023
      —Leading Lawyers in Litigation: Product Liability Defense, Automotive/Transport, 2008 – 2022
    • Chambers USA
      —Leading Individual in Nationwide Product Liability & Mass Torts, 2014 – 2018
    • Law360
      —Product Liability MVP, 2013
    • The Daily Journal
      —Top 100 Lawyers in California, 2012 – 2013
    • Benchmark Litigation
      —National "Litigation Star," Product Liability and Class Action, 2014 – 2016
      California "Local Litigation Star," Product Liability and Class Action, 2013 – 2015
    • Who's Who Legal
      —International Who's Who of Product Liability Defense Lawyers, 2013 – 2014, 2016 – 2023
    • The Best Lawyers in America
      —Listed in Product Liability Litigation: Defendants, 2011 – 2024
    • Irish Legal 100, 2009 – 2014
    • Super Lawyers Magazine
      Northern California Super Lawyers, 2005 – 2022
    • Silicon Valley/San Jose Business Journal
      —Who's Who in Silicon Valley, 2008

Recent Verdicts & Case Studies


CASE RESULTS DEPEND UPON A VARIETY OF FACTORS UNIQUE TO EACH CASE. CASE RESULTS DO NOT GUARANTEE OR PREDICT A SIMILAR RESULT IN ANY FUTURE CASE.

Recent News, Events and Blogs


Speaking Engagements

  • "Unintended Acceleration Trial Update," 2013 Emerging Issues in Motor Vehicle Product Liability Litigation, American Bar Association TIPS, April 3, 2013