Erin is married to her husband James; they have two adult children and two golden retrievers. When not practicing law, Erin enjoys working out, traveling, and spending quality time with her family and friends.
Erin o. hallissy
Managing Partner
Practice Areas
Biography
Erin handles a wide variety of cases as a civil defense trial lawyer. Erin has tried cases involving catastrophic automobile accidents with alleged traumatic brain injuries and spinal injuries, motorcycle accidents, wrongful death from a trench collapse, wrongful death assault and battery, mold resulting in personal injury and property damage, neighbor property lines disputes, construction defects, bad faith, and insurance coverage. Erin also handles appellate matters having argued before the California Supreme Court, Ninth Circuit Court of Appeal and California First, Second and Fourth District Courts of Appeal. Erin has successfully written and argued numerous appeals including Bouton v. USAA Casualty Insurance Company (2008) 43 Cal.4th 1190 which was favorably decided by the California Supreme Court in 2008.
Most importantly, Erin’s focus is on taking care of her clients, and putting their interests first. Erin truly cares about her clients and understands that in most cases this is the first time they have been involved in litigation. She develops clients’ trust by listening, frequent communication, and providing top quality work product. She believes preparation is key, and aggressive advocacy includes a good working relationship with opposing counsel.
Notable Matters
- May 2014, Mejia, Jose Vidal, et al. v. Bruttomesso: Wrongful death trial following a trench collapse at defendants’ home. Defendants admitted liability and the jury awarded Decedent’s 5 children just over $500,000.
- October 2019, Erin successfully represented high profile individual and corporate defendants in a mold case resulting in a defense verdict and a recovery of costs.
- December 2019 Wood v. Kubic: Wrongful death case where Defendant’s caregiver assaulted and battered Defendant’s best friend in a planned retirement community. The Simon Law Group dismissed Erin’s client during the trial for a waiver of costs, but the cross-complaint proceeded. Ultimately, the court granted a directed verdict in favor of Erin’s client after all the evidence was submitted. Not only was Erin’s client dismissed, but she recovered her costs against the cross-complainant.
- March 2020, Flick v. Reyes: Erin tried an alleged open policy TBI case against the Ernst Law Group where her client rear-ended Plaintiff while driving DUI at more than 102 mph. Defendant was criminally convicted and admitted liability in the civil case. The judge granted a motion for nonsuit for Defendant’s father on a negligent entrustment cause of action. Plaintiff’s counsel asked the jury to award approximately 25 million against defendant driver. Erin limited the verdict to just over 1.6 million.
- March 2021, Knoll v. Wright: This was a real estate dispute between two neighbors that resulted in a defense verdict. Additionally, the judge awarded Erin’s clients a prescriptive and equitable easement on the cross-complaint.
- November 2022, Lopez-Aranda v. Harris: Auto verses motorcycle case where Plaintiff claimed more than $350,000 in past lien meds, and significant future meds. This disputed liability case resulted in 50% comparative fault to the Plaintiff, and only $17,000 in damages.
Honors, Awards & Memberships
- Association of Southern California Defense Counsel
- Southern California’s “Super Lawyers” (by Law & Politics and the publishers of Los Angeles Magazine and Orange Coast Magazine) in 2013 and 2014
- Super Lawyers Southern California Rising Stars in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008
- Erin has been asked to speak multiple times on the defense trial lawyer perspective at CAALA Vegas and Law DiGras.
Education
B.A. University of San Francisco, 1991 (with Honors)
Bar Admissions
State Bar of California