Ivan Puchalt stands out as a rising star among trial lawyers in the realm of personal injury law. With a zealous advocacy for consumer rights, Ivan has secured victories in several high-profile cases involving public safety, whistleblower rights, and disability insurance policyholders. His impressive track record earned him the nomination for Trial Lawyer of the Year from Consumer Attorneys of California in 2013, 2014, and 2018.
Ivan's trial practice is centered on catastrophic personal injury, products liability, wrongful death, municipal liability, employment, and insurance bad faith. Recognizing that the odds may be stacked against ordinary citizens, Ivan firmly believes that courts and juries serve as true equalizers.
In one of his most recent achievements, Ivan played a pivotal role in obtaining a $36.1 million verdict in San Bernardino Superior Court on behalf of an 11-year-old girl who suffered life-altering injuries after being struck by a car while trying to cross the street to board her school bus. This landmark judgment prompted transportation administrators in school districts nationwide to reevaluate safety policies and implement new measures to prevent similar accidents in the future.
Another significant victory involved securing a $10 million settlement from The Regents of The University of California in a whistleblower retaliation case, shedding light on rampant economic waste, kickbacks, and misconduct at UCLA Medical Center. This case earned Ivan a nomination for the 2014 Trial Lawyer of the Year from Consumer Attorneys of California.
In a separate incident, Ivan achieved a $7.6 million jury verdict against the City of San Diego on behalf of a man paralyzed by a falling queen palm tree, leading to another nomination for Trial Lawyer of the Year in 2013. He also shared his expertise on handling cases involving fallen trees, particularly during storms, through an article in the Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles' Advocate Magazine. In a successful bad faith insurance case against UNUM group, Ivan obtained a $4.2 million verdict for a dental hygienist who was wrongly denied disability policy benefits.
Ivan earned his B.A. degree in History magna cum laude from the University of California at Berkeley in 1998 and received his J.D. degree from Loyola Law School, Los Angeles, in 2006. He is a member of the State Bar of California and has served as an at-large board member with Consumer Attorneys of California, actively contributing to legislation assisting consumers and injury victims. Ivan's accomplishments have been recognized in Attorney at Law Magazine for his dedication to fighting for public safety.
Aside from his professional pursuits, Ivan enjoys traveling, musical composition and recording, soccer, and basketball. Fluent in Spanish, he was born in Brazil and is now a United States citizen. Ivan resides in Santa Monica with his wife Ayana and their two children.
Ivan has earned numerous honors and awards, including recognition as one of the Top 40 attorneys Under 40 by the National Trial Lawyers in 2014, Trial Lawyer of the Year Nominee by Consumer Attorneys of California in 2013, 2014, and 2018, Best Lawyers in America, Best Lawyer, Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs, from 2014 to present, a Southern California Rising Star from 2010 to 2014, a Southern California Super Lawyer from 2015 to present and Trailblazer West in 2021.
His dedication to his profession is evident through his published works:
Trees: A Primer on How to Beat the "Act of God" Defense, Advocate Magazine, March 2022 Out on a Limb: How to Litigate Against Dangerous Trees, The Recorder, February 2020 Whistleblower Protections May Help to Improve Patient Safety Standing of Parents to Sue for the Wrongful Death of Their Married Child
Back to Nature: Beware of Immunity Traps, Advocate Magazine, November 2012
