William M. Shernoff

Practice areas

Insurance Coverage, Personal Injury – General: Plaintiff

Focus areas

Bad Faith Insurance, Insurance, Personal Injury – Plaintiff, Wrongful Death

Founding partner of Beverly Hills-based law firm Shernoff Bidart Echeverria LLP, Attorney William M. Shernoff, stands as a pioneering figure in the realm of bad faith insurance law. His legal expertise extends across Los Angeles, Southern California, San Bernardino, Riverside, and Orange County, providing invaluable support to clients.

With a legal journey spanning numerous decades since his bar admission in 1966, Mr. Shernoff has committed himself to representing individuals and businesses subjected to unfair treatment by insurance companies. Renowned for his unwavering advocacy on behalf of consumers, he has successfully secured billions of dollars in verdicts and settlements for his clients.

The media, including notable outlets like The New York Times and 60 Minutes, have taken note of Mr. Shernoff’s prowess and accomplishments. His pivotal role in a landmark 1979 case before the California Supreme Court established a precedent allowing individuals to seek compensatory and punitive damages in specific bad faith claims. Beyond his legal contributions, he has authored over 50 articles on bad faith insurance and co-authored the authoritative legal textbook titled “Insurance Bad Faith Litigation.”

Having earned his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Wisconsin–Madison, Mr. Shernoff is licensed to practice law in all California state courts, the U.S. District Courts for the Central and Southern Districts of California, the U.S. Court of Appeals, and the U.S. Supreme Court.

In acknowledgment of his exceptional impact on the legal field, Mr. Shernoff has garnered prestigious honors. He has been recognized as a Loyola Law School Champion of Justice and has been named to The National Trial Lawyers: Top 100 list. The Lifetime Achievement Award from Consumer Watchdog reflects his tireless commitment to safeguarding the rights of insurance consumers. Other notable awards include:

• Charles Althouse Lifetime Achievement Award – Western San Bernardino County Bar Association
• 2017 Excellence in Advocacy Award – Beverly Hills Bar Association
• Top 100 Lawyers – American Association for Justice
• Top Health Care Attorneys in California – Daily Journal Corporation
• Trial Lawyer of the Year – Consumers Attorneys Association of Los Angeles
• Trial Lawyers of the Year – Consumer Attorneys of California
• Trial Lawyer of the Year – Consumer Attorneys of Inland Empire

Additionally, Mr. Shernoff has achieved an AV Preeminent* rating through Martindale-Hubbell and holds a “Superb” rating on Avvo.

Throughout his career, Mr. Shernoff has actively participated in and led various professional associations, including the American Bar Association, Beverly Hills Bar Association, Eastern Bar Association of Los Angeles County, and Trial Lawyers for Public Justice, among others.

*AV®, AV Preeminent®, Martindale-Hubbell Distinguished, and Martindale-Hubbell Notable are certification marks used under license following Martindale-Hubbell’s certification procedures, standards, and policies. Martindale-Hubbell® oversees a peer-review rating process, with ratings reflecting the anonymous opinions of bar members and the judiciary. Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Ratings™ encompass legal ability and general ethical standards.