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Jake Courtney
Home
Resume
CASE SUMMARIES
TESTIMONIALS
Media
CONTACT US
More
  • Home
  • Resume
  • CASE SUMMARIES
  • TESTIMONIALS
  • Media
  • CONTACT US

  • Home
  • Resume
  • CASE SUMMARIES
  • TESTIMONIALS
  • Media
  • CONTACT US

Resume

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John K. (“Jake”) Courtney, Esq. is one of the most successful and well-regarded trial lawyers and civil litigators in the country. After an accomplished 32-year career as a prominent trial attorney, during which he tried over 40 jury and bench trials to verdict and handled numerous high-value arbitrations and multi-million dollar settlements, he stepped down from the practice of law in 2020 to serve as a full-time mediator at ADR Services, Inc.


Having resolved countless cases as a litigator, Mr. Courtney brings a broad perspective to his work to help parties approach matters from every angle, assessing realistic options and the full costs and tradeoffs of litigation and trial. His down-to-earth demeanor, legal acumen, and comprehensive understanding of the unique concerns of disputants have earned him national recognition for helping to craft creative, customized solutions to complex disputes.


Among his professional memberships, Mr. Courtney has been a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) since 2003, where he held numerous leadership roles and served as a Board Member for the Los Angeles Chapter, Cal-ABOTA, and National ABOTA. In addition, he has been accoladed several times as one of the nation’s Top 100 Trial Lawyers and as a Southern California Super Lawyer. 

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

  • Personal Injury
  • Mass Torts
  • Business Torts
  • Class Actions
  • Medical Malpractice
  • Wrongful Death
  • Product Liability
  • Insurance Bad Faith



LEGAL EXPERIENCE

Girardi | Keese, 1988-2020

Mr. Courtney clerked at Girardi, Keese and Crane following his first year of law school and joined the firm as an attorney after passing the bar in 1988.  As the firm grew from 6 to 36 lawyers, Mr. Courtney hired and mentored the new lawyers while maintaining a diverse array of cases. In the 1990s, the firm rebranded as Girardi | Keese.  In addition to trying both bench and jury trials, Mr. Courtney settled in excess of 1,000 matters through mediations and arbitrations. His practice was known for its diversity, ranging from injury claims stemming from defective products and automobile accidents to complex civil litigation, primarily in the areas of Mass Torts, Class Actions, Insurance Bad Faith, and Aviation.



PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS AND MEMBERSHIPS

  • American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA), 2003-Present
    • Los Angeles Chapter, Civility Chair, 2015-2016
    • Los Angeles Chapter, Vice President, 2017
    • Los Angeles Chapter, President, 2018
    • Los Angeles Chapter Executive Board, 2010-2016
    • Elected to National ABOTA, Board Member, 2015-2018
    • Cal-ABOTA Board Member, 2017-2019
  • International Academy of Trial Lawyers (IATL), 2020-Present 
  • International Society of Barristers, 2017-Present
  • Consumer Attorneys of California (CAOC), Associate, 1993-Present
  • Million Dollar Advocates Forum, 2008-Present
  • American Association for Justice, 2008-Present



HONORS AND AWARDS

  • Top 100 Trial Lawyers, American Association for Justice, 2008-2011, 2013
  • National Trial Lawyers Top 100, 2015, 2016
  • America’s Top 100 Lifetime Achievement Award
  • Southern California Super Lawyer, 2007-2016
  • Multi Million Dollar Advocates Forum, 2008-2013



EDUCATION

  • Loyola Law School, J.D., 1988
  • Loyola Marymount University, B.A. cum laude, 1985
    Alpha Sigma Nu Honor Society, Pi Alpha Theta, Pi Gamma Mu



BAR ADMISSIONS

  • California, 1988
  • U.S. District Court, Central District of California, 1988
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of California, 1988
  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of California, 1988
  • U.S. District Court, Southern District of California, 1988
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, 9th Circuit, 1988


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