Terry O'Reilly
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Terry O'Reilly founded his own plaintiff trial law firm 22 years ago after practicing with the renowned Bruce Walkup for 17 years. Today, he is one of the most distinguished and successful trial lawyers in the United States, not only in the number and magnitude of cases won, but also in the number of impressive awards his peers have bestowed on him. In 2003, other trial lawyers named him California Trial Lawyer of the Year, the highest honor given in this state. In 1997 he was elected to the Inner Circle of Advocates, the top 100 trial lawyers in the United States.
Born in Farnborough, Hampshire, England in 1945 and educated in that country, Terry O'Reilly graduated from Loyola University of Los Angeles and received his law degree from Boalt Hall, University of California at Berkeley, where he was Moot Court Champion. He was admitted to the California Bar in 1970.
Mr. O'Reilly serves as a Trustee of the United States Rugby Football Foundation, following his playing days with the University of California and the Old Blues Rugby Club. He is also an avid vintage-car racing enthusiast, competing in classic car rallies around the world. Visit www.twoboarsracing.com to read more about Mr. O'Reilly's racing activities.
Mr. O'Reilly has successfully tried numerous multi-million dollar cases that have generated substantial media attention. The $32 million settlement he obtained in Paboojian v. Teledyne Continental Motors made national news and remains the largest single settlement of its type ever. He has represented families in dozens of air disasters beginning with the Turkish Airlines Flight 981 crash in 1974. He has served on the plaintiffs' committees of such major disasters as TWA Flight 800, EgyptAir Flight 990, and Alaska Airlines Flight 261. Mr. O'Reilly's recent $24 million verdict in Del Barba v. American Medical Resource was one of the top 100 verdicts in the nation in 2008.
Other representative cases include the following:
- $165 million settlement for families of passengers killed in the crash of a Boeing 737
- $13 million settlement for victims of an Emergency Medical Services helicopter accident
- $13 million settlement for victims of an SUV rollover
- $16 million jury verdict for the wrongful death of a child
- $7 million jury verdict in a case arising from the crash of a logging helicopter
- $32 million settlement for a student pilot who suffered burn injuries in the crash of a single-engine aircraft
- $11 million court judgment for the victim of a helicopter crash at an air show
- $10 million settlement for victims of an SUV rollover
- $9 million settlement for the death of a refinery worker
- $7 million jury verdict for injuries to a child sustained at birth
- $7 million settlement for injuries sustained in a big-rig accident
Litigation Percentage
- 100% of Practice Devoted to Litigation
Bar Admissions
- California, 1970
- U.S. District Court Eastern District of California, 1970
- U.S. District Court Northern District of California, 1970
- U.S. District Court Southern District of California, 1970
- U.S. Court of Appeals 9th Circuit, 1970
Education
- University of California at Berkeley, Boalt Hall School of Law, Berkeley, California
- J.D.
- Loyola University of Los Angeles (Honors Program)
- B.A.
Professional Associations and Memberships
- Inner Circle of Advocates, Member
- Named to the Lawdragon 500
- Named a Northern California Super Lawyer every year since 2004
- Elected 2008 president of the Western Trial Lawyers Association
- Board certified as a trial specialist by the National Board of Trial Advocacy
- Board certified by the American Board of Professional Liability Attorneys
- Diplomate of the Congress of Fellows at the Center for International Legal Studies and frequently lectures internationally on trial topics
- Member of the Consumer Attorneys of California and in 2003 was elected by CAOC as trial lawyer of the year in recognition for his work in promoting the safety of children
