Jude Basile Named "Trial Lawyer of the Year"

Press Release by Consumer Attorneys of San Diego
February 12, 2004

     Local San Luis Obispo Attorney and Cambria resident Jude Basile has been named “Trial Lawyer of the Year” by the Consumer Attorneys of San Diego (CASD).

     The organization selects the David S. Casey, Sr., Trial Lawyer of the Year based on criteria which include ingenuity of counsel in the presentation of cases, conduct of counsel during trials, multiple verdicts in one year and service to CASD and the legal community.

     Basile is being recognized for his work in and out of the courtroom including 3 jury trials and a separate case settled with San Luis Obispo County.

     The case against San Luis Obispo County involved the violation of civil rights when an 18 year old suffered brain damage at the hands of the sheriffs department (Bernales v. County of San Luis Obispo). The case settled for 2 million dollars shortly before the trial was set to begin and is believed to be the largest personal injury settlement for civil rights violations in the County’s history.

     The cases that Basile tried to juries included, representing a laborer from the San Onofre Nuclear Power Plant who suffered hearing damage due to excessive noise exposure (Hanlon v. Southern California Edison). The jury returned a 1.1 million dollar damage verdict. Basile took the case when the workers previous lawyer withdrew from the case. It is believed to be the first jury trial based on new case law limiting how subcontractor’s employees may sue a general contractor.

     Another case Basile tried was on behalf of a Mother, whose daughter was killed at a dangerous intersection in the City of Riverside (Lindsay v City of Riverside). Basile initially won the case but the judge overruled the jury verdict. Basile appealed the judge’s ruling and had the verdict reinstated and then tried the case on damages. The jury returned a $1.5 million damage verdict, which is believed to be the largest verdict in Riverside County for the death of a minor child.

     The final case involved an injured truck driver who was crushed by a forklift at a steel fabrication plant in Oakland California (Miller v. McGrath Steel Inc.). The steel corporation denied liability and blamed the entire accident on the client. The corporation refused any offer to settle before trial. The jury returned a 14.6million dollar damage verdict ($10 million net).

     Basile was also selected for his work in teaching other “people’s lawyers” through his work on the board of Directors and staff of famed Wyoming lawyer Gerry Spence’s Trial Lawyers College.

     He also volunteered pro bono to represent a daughter of a New York firefighter who was killed in the September 11, World Trade Center attack. His representation involved traveling to New York to represent her before the Victims Compensation Fund that was established to help victims of the tragedy.

     Gerry Spence will present the award to Basile on March 4, 2004 at the Manchester Grand Hyatt, San Diego, California.

     Basile has received 2 previous Outstanding Trial Lawyer awards. He and his wife Deidre live in Cambria, California with 3 children, Max 6, Meigan 3, Mollie 2.

     CASD serves as an advocate for the public while fighting to preserve the Constitutional right to trial by jury for all consumers. The membership of the organization is primarily made up of plaintiff and criminal defense attorneys. CASD is committed to supporting members in all areas of their trial practice, while inspiring excellence in advocacy through training and education.

Contact Info:

SJ Kalian, Executive Director, Consumer Attorneys of San Diego 619-696-1166
J. Jude Basile 805-781-8600
Gerry Spence 307-733-7290