Mr. Calnero has been with Porter Scott since 1983, when he began working at the firm as a law clerk while in law school. Upon passing the bar in 1985, Carl immediately developed his reputation as a trial lawyer in the areas of products liability, dangerous condition of public property and civil rights. Through the years, his practice has broadened to include a range of litigation experience in areas such as real estate, business litigation, environmental law, insurance bad faith and, recently, in the area of unfair business practices. Carl now focuses on complex business litigation and catastrophic personal injury matters.
Carl has tried a variety of cases to verdict, in counties and federal jurisdictions throughout Northern California. After just 13 years of trial practice, he was invited to be a member of the prestigious American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA). Since that time, he has continued to handle major pieces of litigation on behalf of cities and counties, as well as for national and multi-national corporations.
Carl currently represents clients at all levels of court, including the Appellate Courts at both State and Federal level. Carl has been a presenter at continuing legal education programs offered within the legal community, through the State Bar and in conjunction with his associate status in ABOTA.
Professional Memberships & Awards
American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA), Associate
American Trial Lawyers Association
Sacramento County Bar Association
Presentations & Seminars
Cross Examination: Techniques and Evidentiary Issues or the Experienced Litigator, CEB Programs(2008)
Preparing for the Unexpected in Depositions: Hostile Counsel and Runaway Witnesses, Sacramento Barristers' Club (2007)
Expert Testimony, Sacramento Barristers' Club (2006)
What Goes On in the Mind of a Defense Attorney Regarding Case Evaluation?, Capitol City Trial Lawyers Association (2006)
Masters Ultimate Trial Notebook, Program Chair and Moderator, Sacramento Valley ABOTA Masters in Trial (2002)
Products Liability Litigation, CEB Programs (2000)
Fundamentals of Civil Pre-Trial Practice, CEB Programs (1999)
Representative Trials
Aerotek v. Johnson Group Staffing Company [Trade Secret Misappropriation/False Advertising]
Alvarez v. Stone-Cheney Construction [Construction Accident]
Arlana Block v. County of Sacramento [Excessive Force/False Arrest]
Armstrong v. County of Sacramento [Excessive Force]
Baer v. City of Sacramento [Dangerous Condition of Public Property]
Barbara Nelson v. Henry Smith [Personal Injury]
Bollinger v. El Dorado Post 119 [Breach of Contract/Ground Lease]
Bowman v. Clark Equipment Co. [Products Liability]
Carrasco v. City of Vallejo [Civil Rights/Excessive Force]
Chad Michael v. Ron Weston/Lonestar Industries [Personal Injury]
Charles Arnold v. County of Sacramento [Excessive Force/False Arrest]
CSAA v. Sears, Roebuck & Co. [Products Liability]
Darlene Jackson v. Lumberjack Building Material [Premises Liability]
Darnell Turner v. Grant Joint Union HSD [Excessive Force]
Deanna Scott v. Diane Oliver [School Liability]
Diamond v. County of Sacramento [Employment Law/Discrimination]
Dunn v. Clark Equipment Co. [Products Liability]
Elliot v. State of California [Dangerous Condition of Public Property]
Escobar v. Mike Lowrie Trucking [Wrongful Death]
Giustiniani v. Lyjan/ C& E Auburn Harley Davidson [Breach of Contract]
Greg Dupree v. Grant Joint Union HSD [Negligent Supervision]
Gutierrez v. County of Sacramento [Employment/First Amendment]
Houska v. Clark Equipment Company [Products Liability]
Jack Fowler v. City of Sacramento [Excessive Force]
James Stead v. Mickeyï¿1/2s Pet Store [Premises Liability]
John Staggs v. Payless Cashways/Lumberjack Building [Premises Liability]
Kellog v. VMR Realty [Premises Liability]
Lim v. Lumberjack Stores [Premises Liability]
Lino Catabran v. Progressive Housing, Inc. dba Happy Daze RV [Employment Contract]
Richard Meixner v. C&E Auburn Harley Davidson [Personal Injury/Negligence]
Splawn v. County of Sacramento [Civil Rights/Excessive Force/Shooting]
Stagg v. Lumberjack [Premises Liability]
Thelma Parker v. County of Sacramento [Excessive Force]
Representative Appeal
Wakefield v. Mathews [852 F.2d 482 (9th Cir. 1988)]
Alternative Dispute Resolution
Judge Pro Tem for Sacramento Superior Court (1994 to Present)
Community Involvement
Community Service Director for Del Paso Country Club (2004 to 2007)