William Bernstein
275 Battery Street, 29th Floor San Francisco, California 94111
Firm:
Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, LLP
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Overview
A Leader In The Plaintiffs’ Bar
William Bernstein has practiced law for more than three decades. Who’s Who Legal called him, “a leader in the plaintiffs’ bar in the fields of complex civil litigation, antitrust, and consumer protection law.”
Notable cases Mr. Bernstein has litigated include price-fixing suits against pharmaceutical companies on behalf of retail pharmacies, consumer claims against the world’s largest vitamin manufacturers for crafting a global “vitamins cartel,” charges against natural gas and energy companies for manipulating the price of natural gas and electricity in California during the California energy crisis of 2000-2001, and qui tam claims against the Sutter hospital system for anesthesia service overcharges. These cases, in total, resulted in over $1.3 billion in settlements for consumers and businesses.
Mr. Bernstein also oversaw negotiations in the landmark settlement and injunction against De Beers for monopolizing the trade of rough diamonds in the U.S. for nearly 60 years. As featured in the 2008 Plaintiffs Hot List, The National Law Journal wrote, “The plaintiffs’ firms’ pluck, and some luck, resulted in a $295 million settlement for De Beers’ customers [and] secured De Beers’ pledge to abide by federal and state antitrust laws and accept court oversight to ensure compliance.”
Mr. Bernstein teaches settlement law as an Adjunct Professor of Law at the University of San Francisco. He has been repeatedly recognized as a "Super Lawyer for Northern California" by Super Lawyers magazine.
William Bernstein has practiced law for more than three decades. Who’s Who Legal called him, “a leader in the plaintiffs’ bar in the fields of complex civil litigation, antitrust, and consumer protection law.”
Notable cases Mr. Bernstein has litigated include price-fixing suits against pharmaceutical companies on behalf of retail pharmacies, consumer claims against the world’s largest vitamin manufacturers for crafting a global “vitamins cartel,” charges against natural gas and energy companies for manipulating the price of natural gas and electricity in California during the California energy crisis of 2000-2001, and qui tam claims against the Sutter hospital system for anesthesia service overcharges. These cases, in total, resulted in over $1.3 billion in settlements for consumers and businesses.
Mr. Bernstein also oversaw negotiations in the landmark settlement and injunction against De Beers for monopolizing the trade of rough diamonds in the U.S. for nearly 60 years. As featured in the 2008 Plaintiffs Hot List, The National Law Journal wrote, “The plaintiffs’ firms’ pluck, and some luck, resulted in a $295 million settlement for De Beers’ customers [and] secured De Beers’ pledge to abide by federal and state antitrust laws and accept court oversight to ensure compliance.”
Mr. Bernstein teaches settlement law as an Adjunct Professor of Law at the University of San Francisco. He has been repeatedly recognized as a "Super Lawyer for Northern California" by Super Lawyers magazine.
What legal services does this lawyer offer?
Awards
- AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
- Selected for inclusion by peers in The Best Lawyers in America in field of "Litigation - Antitrust," 2013 - 2023
- "Northern California Super Lawyer," Super Lawyers, 2004-2022
- California Litigation Star, Benchmark Plaintiff (ranked as one of California's leading litigators in antitrust law)
- "Consumer Attorney of the Year Finalist," Consumer Attorneys of California, 2014
- Top Attorneys In Antitrust Law, Super Lawyers Corporate Counsel Edition, 2010, 2012
- Lawdragon Finalist, Lawdragon, 2009-2011
- Princeton Premier Registry, Business Leaders and Professionals, 2008-2009
- Top 100 Trial Lawyers in California, American Trial Lawyers Association, 2008
- Who's Who Legal, 2007
- Unsung Hero Award, Appleseed, 2006
Education
University of San Francisco, J.D.
Graduated 1975
University of Pennsylvania, B.A.
Graduated 1972
Contact Details and Office Locations
Office: (415) 956-1000
275 Battery Street, 29th Floor
San Francisco, California 94111
San Francisco, California 94111
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