Praise For

“GETTING A WINNING VERDICT IN MY PERSONAL

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“Gary Gwilliam shows that he has received a winning verdict, both

inside and outside of the courtroom. Gary is an inspirational leader,

a cagey lawyer, and most of all, a flawed but flourishing man. This

book leads us on the journey of life step-by-step with Gary, providing

insight into the character of a complex man who also happens

to be a very successful trial attorney. The human element draws

the reader in as Gary provides a powerful tale of the successes he

garnered in his professional life which were equally matched by

the struggles he faced in his personal life. Gary has an astounding

amount of courage and humility to expose his innermost self

to the world through this book. The life lessons in this story are

relevant to everyone. Lawyer or not, we can all aspire to the deep

commitment Gary has made towards the principles of personal

growth and spirituality.”

—Peter Perlman, past president of the American Association

for Justice the Public Justice Foundation

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“Gary Gwilliam is a man of many dimensions whom I have had

the pleasure of knowing and admiring for many years. With the

early days of his life sealed by his family life unraveling, alcohol

abuse, and poor behavior, he was presented with a choice. He

chose the right way but also the tough way. He truly deserves

his place in the sunlight of success after his walk through the

valley of death. He is one of the great trial lawyers in this

country. Equally important, he has overcome the disease of alcoholism

and carries that message wherever it will help. Gary

has openly shared his life experiences in seminars where I was

a panelist sharing my experiences with alcohol. This book is

inspirational, enjoyable, and well written.”

—Edwin Train Caldwell, founder of The Other Bar, past

president of San Francisco Trial Lawyers Association

and recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award

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“Winning Verdict is a remarkably open and honest life story about

a trial lawyer’s journey through life, including his successful

battle with alcoholism. This book will cause you to reflect on

your own life. You will be astounded at the evolution and growth

of this incredibly sensitive and thoughtful man who overcame

adversity to become both a great trial lawyer and strong leader

in the legal profession in a time of profound crisis.”

—David S. Casey, Jr., past president of American Association

for Justice and Consumer Attorneys of California

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“This intensely personal book takes the reader on a spiritual

journey with a very insightful view in the life of a real warrior

for justice. This is the story of a lawyer who overcame alcohol

abuse and other demons to become a strong and respected leader

in the California legal profession. Gary shares the lessons he

learned on his journey—lessons that are profound and insightful,

lessons that provide a positive life roadmap.”

—Joseph W. Cotchett, nationally recognized trial

lawyer from California

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“This book is a courageous and soul searching account of an

amazing journey. I lived part of that journey with Gary and could

not admire him more for it. It is unusual for someone to have

both the journey and the ability to tell the story in such a page

turning way. His message is important. It needs to be read.”

—Laurence E. Drivon, past president of the Consumer

Attorneys of California

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“Gary Gwilliam does the unthinkable for a trial lawyer. Trained

by his profession to hide weakness and attack the vulnerability

of others in an effort to win, Gary violates this by exposing his

weaknesses, limitations, and concerns to the entire world. By

acknowledging his faults and flaws, he demonstrates his true

wisdom and insight by leading us on a journey that is all too

often ignored. He uses himself as the example, teaching how to

embark on the journey that is necessary to undertake to achieve

success in life.”

—Jeffrey M. Goldberg, past president of Public Justice

Foundation

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“Gary Gwilliam has revealed new reasons for the affection and

respect I feel for him as a trial lawyer and as a man. Never have

I read a book so revealing about the personal and professional

struggles of dealing with the demons and defeats, as well as the

victories, of a long and successful life. Winning Verdict is Gary’s

greatest verdict and hopefully, it will be our greatest verdict as

well. This book is a must read for everyone.”

—Browne Greene, past president of Consumer Attorneys

of Los Angeles and Consumer Attorneys of California

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“In this remarkable book, Gary Gwilliam describes in elegant

detail his hard-fought triumph over the sort of demons that plague

many of us and his ultimate victory in emerging as a top-flight

attorney. Gary shines as the quintessential trial lawyer, a man

whose humanity bursts through while he works endlessly to

obtain justice for those victimized by the misconduct and negligence

of some of the country’s most powerful interests. America

desperately needs trial lawyers like Gary who hold wrongdoers

accountable. This engrossing book will leave you inspired and

amazed by the strength of the human spirit.”

—Jon Haber, CEO, American Association for Justice

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“Unlike most lawyers, who rarely talk or write about their

courtroom defeats, Gary Gwilliam not only talks about them,

but begins this book by describing one of his most crushing and

disappointing losses at trial. He shares the lessons he learned

from that and other professional experiences, but this is not just

a book written by a lawyer for other lawyers. Instead, it is a noholds-

barred, intensely personal autobiography in which Gary

discusses not just his legal work, but also reflects on all aspects

of his life—from his Mormon upbringing and former gang affiliation

to his rise as a prominent trial attorney while battling

alcohol abuse and other personal demons. I highly recommend

this immensely readable and enjoyable book, particularly to

anyone who understands that life’s pressures sometimes demand

personal sacrifices.”

—The Honorable Thelton E. Henderson, Judge, United

States District Court, Northern District of California,

San Francisco

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“Gary demonstrates for all of us the one unassailable truth: To

win in trial, as in life, one must face the unvarnished truth about

oneself. I have had a ringside seat for the last thirty-five years. I

can assure you that Gary doesn’t have an inauthentic bone in his

body. In this book, he has the courage to reveal his own personal

journey without trying to look good in the process. I don’t know

too many trial lawyers who can say the same.”

—Eric Ivary, California mediator and long-time friend

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“Gary Gwilliam’s story is a compelling tale of self-disclosure and

personal growth. The simple sincerity of his friendly voice keeps

you turning pages. He is a role model for what is good and right

about lawyers. This book is filled with lessons for everyone, but

especially for lawyers and their clients. If you need a champion,

you can find a template of what to look for in this book!”

—Stewart L. Levine, Esq. author of Getting to Resolution:

Turning Conflict Into Collaboration and The Book

of Agreement: 10 Essential Elements for Getting the

Results You Want

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“What is at the core of a successful trial lawyer? Gary’s journey

reveals the truth and honesty that we can all bring to our lives

and share with those around us. As a declaration of personal

freedom, he turns all of his failures into successes. This book is

a must read for any lawyer.”

—Maryanne Murphy, past president of the Santa Clara Trial

Lawyers Association

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“This book is a page-turning, passionate, life-affirming journey

with one of America’s most gifted trial lawyers. His rare

combination of soul-baring humility and powerful competence

enables him to share both the personally tragic and the publicly

triumphant events of his life. Unlike most public figures, he

doesn’t need or want to be thought of as perfect—because he

knows that none of us are. I feel more at peace for having read

his book and blessed to call Gary my friend.”

—Leo Boyle, past president of American Association

for Justice

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“All things happen for a reason, including this book. Gary Gwilliam

gives a sobering account of his life journey in the pages of

this book. Poignant, insightful, and humorous, Winning Verdict

is filled with the kind of wisdom that only comes from experience.

Gary tells his story with authenticity and integrity because

he is a man who truly is in touch with his inner self, indeed his

inner soul. We all are a product of our past, and Gary is no different.

He examines his past and by doing so, he gains a deeper

understanding of himself and humanity, as do we. Gary’s spiritual

journey inspires us to let go of the fear in our own life and

reinforces the truth: Love is the answer.”

—Michael M. Reyna, Chief Executive Director, Consumer

Attorneys of California

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“There are few books that so explode with energy, emotion,

insight, and deep feelings that they immediately impact the life

of the reader. Gary Gwilliam’s book is one of them. Somehow,

this extraordinary advocate (and author) has grasped the true

meaning of life and teaches us the lessons that he has learned

in a way that enables us understand his feelings and desire for

spiritual meaning in his life. Gary’s book is fun, action-packed,

and will jump-start every one of your emotions. Winning Verdict

is the only book I have ever read where the author has me crying

and laughing, all in the same paragraph.”

—John F. Romano, past president of Academy of Florida

Trial Lawyers

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“The stereotype of lawyers is that of implacable sharks, ever

ready to slash all who get in their way, but Gary Gwilliam proves

the falsity of this perception. In Winning Verdict, Gary takes the

reader behind the scenes revealing the passion and dedication that

motivate him and other advocates for justice. Gary’s warmth and

courage to expose his own personal struggles vividly illustrates

why the law can be a profoundly noble calling.”

Wesley J. Smith, co-author with Ralph Nader of No Contest:

Corporate Lawyers and the Perversion of Justice in

America

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“It is not unusual for successful lawyers to recount all of their

court cases they have won by their brilliance. However, I do not

ever remember any lawyers giving a lifelong account of their

search for their soul. However, Gary Gwilliam has done just this

in his book Winning Verdict, detailing his spiritual quest for us

on paper. How someone can be both qualified to share what he

learned on his spiritual journey as well as his wins in the courtroom

will seem quite remarkable to you, as it did to me.

—Frederick Sontag, Robert C. Denison Professor of

Philosophy, Pomona College, California