Laurie J. Hepler

Biography

Laurie Hepler is a leading San Francisco appellate lawyer, who collaborates with clients to address all aspects of the appellate process objectively and strategically.  For over 30 years, Laurie has helped trial counsel, corporate counsel, insurers and individuals keep their wins, reverse their losses, and develop the law.  Successful first- and second-chair trial experience back up her appellate expertise.

Clients retain Laurie in state and federal courts throughout California and the U.S.  She has briefed and argued countless California appeals, including three California Supreme Court wins, and has argued in the highest courts of two other states and several federal circuits.

Laurie has been honored with two prestigious California Lawyer Attorney of the Year (“CLAY”) Awards, in 2000 and 2013.  She has been certified as an Appellate Specialist by the State Bar of California every five years since 2005, and is ranked by Chambers and Partners USA for California Appellate Law.  In 2023-24, Laurie served as President of the highly selective California Academy of Appellate Lawyers, and in 2020 she was elected a Fellow of the American Academy of Appellate Lawyers.

Her clients’ appellate matters span a wide range of subjects, including insurance coverage, employment, product liability, contract disputes, personal jurisdiction, and unfair competition.  But the subject counts less than the forum: appellate courts know Laurie, and she knows them.

She is Contributing Editor for the leading treatise on California appeals—Eisenberg, Cal. Practice Guide: Civil Appeals and Writs (The Rutter Group).

Laurie’s community service includes serving on the Board of Trustees of her synagogue, and making weekend meals for Samaritan House.  From 2016 to 2022, she led a large mealmaking team that produced over 30,000 meals.