Stefano Formica is an experienced Trial Attorney who has recovered over $100,000,000 on behalf of his clients. Stefano is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA). ABOTA is one of the nation’s most effective organizations in championing the ethics, professionalism and principles of the legal profession. Members in this distinguished invitation-only group have tried a minimum of 10 civil jury trials to conclusion and must maintain the highest level of ethical standards and civility, while also successfully advocating on behalf of their clients. Only 7,600 lawyers and judges are involved in ABOTA chapters in all 50 states, and Stefano is one of the youngest members to be admitted into the prestigious organization.
Stefano has been selected as one of the National Top 40 Under 40 Trial Lawyers, and is a member of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum and Million Dollar Advocates Forum. Entry into these organizations requires having obtained results of greater than seven-figures. He has also been selected regularly as a “Rising Star” by Super Lawyers, a selection limited to the top 2.5% of attorneys in the nation. He is a member of the American Association for Justice, and is licensed in California, Nevada and the District of Columbia.
Stefano proudly maintains an over 90% success rate in disputed liability jury trials. Stefano’s practice is 100% litigation and he only takes on wrongful death and catastrophic/serious injury cases.
Stefano has several multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements including the largest trip and fall verdict in California for the year of 2017. In 2019, he successfully settled a $2 million case involving a pedestrian v. commercial vehicle accident against one of the nation’s largest shipping companies. He also obtained a seven figure settlement against a transportation company involving a passenger on an airport shuttle bus. He was also co-lead counsel on a wrongful death accident that settled prior to litigation being filed involving a motorcyclist that was run-over by a commercial semi-tractor trailer.
Stefano obtained a nearly $5million dollar settlement on behalf of 6 injured day laborers who were injured and ejected from their van by a negligent commercial truck driver.
In 2017, Stefano obtained the largest trip and fall verdict in the state of California against Westfield, in the case of Barnett v. Westfield Group.In that case, his 83 year old client tripped and fell on a dangerous condition on one of the Culver City Mall’s parking ramps while walking into the shopping center. Westfield denied liability throughout trial and blamed his client for not paying attention. The jury returned a verdict in the liability phase of the trial in less than 48 hours and subsequently awarded Mrs. Barnett $3,100,000.
Stefano is a graduate of University of California Los Angeles, magna cum laude, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science. He earned his Juris Doctorate degree from the George Washington University Law School, where he served as a member of the Mock Trial Board.
After graduating from law school, Stefano worked as an associate in a prestigious insurance defense firm and later became a partner at one of the nation’s largest litigation firms. He has successfully represented clients involving automobile accidents, traumatic brain injuries, wrongful death, and catastrophic injuries.
Stefano has been successful in trying cases with very difficult facts- a skill he has honed throughout his nearly 15 years of practice. He attributes his success to preparation and understanding each client’s case through their eyes, and truly immersing himself in their situation. Only then can a jury be given “all of the facts”- both positive and negative. He believes in giving the jury as much information as possible and letting them decide what is fair and just. In his free time, Stefano enjoys hiking, yoga, and surfing. Stefano is a Los Angeles native and speaks Spanish and Italian fluently. He is also an avid Laker and UCLA fan.
Career highlights
- $40,000,000 Settlement – Semi-Truck v. Motorcycle
- $5,900,000 Semi-Truck v. Auto – Fatality w/ International Oil Company
- $4,500,000 Auto v. Commercial Vehicle
- $3,100,000 Barnett v. Westfield Slip & Fall
- $2,500,000 Auto v. Motorcycle
- $2,500,000 Auto v. Motorcycle – Disputed Liability
- $2,000,000 Auto v. Auto
