Experience
John A. Koeppel's litigation practice includes commercial litigation, catastrophic injury, product liability, earth movement and construction defect along with general casualty matters. He has tried cases throughout California and is certified in civil trial practice by the National Board of Trial Advocacy.
Mr. Koeppel was born in Jersey City, New Jersey. He graduated with honors from the University of Notre Dame in 1969, and the following year, received a Masters degree from the Fletcher School at Tufts University where he studied International Trade. Before attending law school, he worked as a Program Analyst for a special drug abuse prevention task force in the Executive Office of the President in Washington, D.C. In 1976, Mr. Koeppel received his law degree from Hastings College of Law.
Mr. Koeppel has been an Instructor at the Hastings College of Advocacy and has been a guest lecturer at Hastings College of Law. He has taught law and related topics at San Francisco elementary, middle and high schools. He is admitted to the State Bar of California, District of Columbia Bar, and the United States Supreme Court Bar. He has heard cases as an appointed Arbitrator on the San Francisco Superior Court Panel since 1979 and has served as a mediator with the court since 1993. He has also been certified as a mediator by the District Court for the Northern District of California. In 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008, he has been named by Northern California Super Lawyer® magazine.
From 1992 through 1999 and from 2003 to the present, Mr. Koeppel served on the firm's Board of Directors, and was Managing Director of its San Francisco office from 1992 through 1995 and from 1997 through 1999.
Outside the Firm, Mr. Koeppel has served as legal counsel and a Board member for a number of local organizations, including the San Francisco Food Bank, the San Francisco Junior Chamber of Commerce, San Francisco Amigos de Los Americas, the San Francisco School, the St. Francis Homes Association, and Or Shalom. He has coached elementary and middle school basketball and soccer teams and rows with the Open Water Rowing Center in Sausalito. During his spare time, he also runs marathons.
Since admission to the Bar, Mr. Koeppel has been involved in pro bono legal work through the Volunteer Legal Services Program of the San Francisco Bar Association. In 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2008, the Program designated him an "Outstanding Volunteer in Public Service". He has also been recognized by the State Bar of California for these efforts.
Memberships & Associations
· Bar Association of San Francisco
· OR Shalom Jewish Community, Board of Directors
· National Board of Trial Advocacy (NBTA)
Representative Clients
· RCN Telecom Services, Inc
· Pacific Gas and Electric Company
· Tomkins Industries
· Ralcorp Holdings, Inc.
· Johnson Controls, Inc.
· The Red Wing Company
· ADT Automotive
· Ford Motor Company
· California Department of Insurance
· Jonce Thomas Construction Company
· Argonaut Insurance Company
· Continental Insurance Company
· Fireman's Fund Insurance Company
· Winterthur International
· Cargill, Inc.