Elinor Leary is the team leader of the Leary Trial Team which handles complex cases that involve life-altering injuries or death. The Leary Trial Team has expertise with cases that involve construction and worksite injuries, defective products, dangerous property conditions, negligent security, car and truck collisions, and incidents that involve pedestrians and bicyclists. Ms. Leary has tried cases to verdict as well as reached large settlements in numerous other cases, including cases listed in The Recorder's "Top Settlements" publications.
The Leary Trial Team provides extensive knowledge of the civil justice system and a commitment to helping clients when they face difficult times after a catastrophe. We help clients who have suffered fractures, amputations, head injuries, brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and burn injuries. We also help families who have lost loved ones due to the fault of others in wrongful death actions. We have experience helping construction workers, laborers, truck drivers, union members, and other professionals and their families.
In addition to handling cases from start to finish, the Leary Trial Team also serves as trial counsel when colleagues call for last-minute help. Ms. Leary has been a clinical professor at the University of San Francisco School of Law, where she taught advanced law students case investigation, courtroom advocacy, jury selection, and trial skills.
Ms. Leary believes in giving back to the community and devotes time to pro bono service for the San Francisco and Bay Area communities. Her pro bono work was previously recognized with nominations for the State Bar of California President's Pro Bono Service Award and Jack Berman Award of Achievement.
Ms. Leary enjoys travel, and lived for a time in Mexico City. She speaks Spanish fluently. She lives in San Francisco where she enjoys time spent with family and friends, preferably outdoors.
Presentations
• University of San Francisco School of Law, Intensive Advocacy Program, Co-Director, May-June 2016
• San Francisco Trial Lawyers Association, "Trial Boot Camp Series “Being Real – How to Talk to Jurors in Voir Dire”, Faculty, May 24, 2016
• CAOC, Sonoma Seminar “What’s Trending Now”, Panel Moderator, April 2016
• SFTLA, Tahoe Shred, “Jury Selection”, Speaker, January 2016
• University of San Francisco School of Law, Intensive Advocacy Program, Faculty, May 2015
• University of San Francisco School of Law, Criminal and Juvenile Justice Clinic, “Jury Selection”, Lecturer, April 2015
• University of San Francisco School of Law, Criminal and Juvenile Justice Clinic, “Jury Selection”, Lecturer, November 2014
• University of San Francisco School of Law, Criminal and Juvenile Justice Clinic, “Jury Selection”, Lecturer, April 2014
• University of San Francisco School of Law Chapter of the American Inn of Court, “Jury Voir Dire: The Challenges of Eliciting Vital Information”, Speaker, March 2014
• University of San Francisco School of Law, Clinical professor
Publications
• Let Your Case Speak For Itself, Make the doctrine of res ipsa loquitur work for you, January 01, 2015
• Protecting Immigrant Clients From Having Their Cases Undervalued: Immigration Status Should Not Interfere With a Damages’ Suit, December 01, 2013
• Waging War in the Courtroom and at Appeal, December 01, 2012
• Putting the Best Face on Your Client – “Warts and All”, December 01, 2011
• “Criminal” Torts – Maximizing Your Client’s Recovery Through Effective Use of Victim Restitution, August 01, 2011
• Products Liability: The Manufacturer’s Insurer as a Defendant, January 01, 2011
Honors and Awards
• American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys 10 Best Female Attorneys in California, 2016
• Rated AV-Preeminent for Ethical Standards & Ability – Martindale-Hubbell
• Selected to the Northern California Super Lawyers List, 2014, 2015 and 2016 – Top 5% of attorneys, as voted by peers
• Selected to the Northern California Super Lawyers Rising Stars List, 2011 - 2013
• Selected to the Top Northern California Female Lawyers (Super Lawyers)
• Two settlements honored in California’s Top Settlements, The Recorder – Doe v. Roe Driver & Duenas v. Carter
• Nominated for the State Bar of California President’s Pro Bono Service Award, 2008
• Nominated for the Jack Berman Award of Achievement, 2008
• Best Lawyers in America
