Spencer is a co-author of Introduction to Trial Advocacy: The Elements of Trial, a pioneering all-online video lecture series that teaches aspiring trial attorneys at all levels the fundamentals of trying a case. Introduction to Trial Advocacy has been published through Trial Guides, a renowned legal publishing house, and is designed for both self-study trial advocacy learning and use in a trial advocacy course.
Spencer is also a recipient of the Edward D. Ohlbaum Professionalism Award, an award designed to recognize a trial advocacy teacher and program director who exemplifies the late Professor Ohlbaum’s commitment. professionalism, integrity, and honed proficiency. The award honors an individual whose life and practice display sterling character and unquestioned integrity.
Spencer has taught and lectured on trial advocacy and tort law at institutions including the University of Michigan School of Law, Universidad de Monterrey (Mexico), San Francisco State University, and UC Berkeley. Spencer has also been an invited lecturer at Baylor University’s prestigious School of the Trial, hosted annually in St. Andrews, Scotland. Spencer’s teaching includes instruction at the Public Defender’s Offices of San Francisco and Sacramento Counties.
Spencer provides ongoing legal education, including developing and co-chairing programs produced in conjunction with Berkeley Law, with a special focus on providing training to young attorneys. He has also co-chaired a presentation on governmental liability and design immunity, spoken to leading trial associations regarding governmental liability, made presentations on liability for commercial carriers, and lectured on the topic of liability insurance in the context of products liability. Spencer is also a contributor on current legal issues in leading legal publication Law360.
Spencer was selected as a Super Lawyer from 2013-2021, and before that a Rising Star in 2011 and 2012. In 2014-2021, he was listed by Best Lawyers. Also in 2020 Spencer was recognized by The Daily Journal’s “Top 40 Under 40” attorneys in California.
Spencer is the co-host of Unscripted Direct, the top trial advocacy podcast for law schools across the country. With co-host Justin Bernstein of UCLA Law, Spencer interviews leading figures in the trial advocacy training community, ranging from law school deans to professors to coaches and students, all to bring the trial advocacy community closer together. The Walkup Firm is the presenting sponsor of the podcast.
After graduating with Highest Distinction from the University of Nebraska with a double major in Economics and Psychology, Spencer attended law school at Berkeley Law, receiving his J.D. in 2007. At Berkeley, Spencer was a member of the California Law Review as well as an associate editor for Ecology Law Quarterly. Academically, he won Prosser Awards in Legal Ethics and in Environmental Law.
Spencer’s main interest in law school was trial advocacy, both in Berkeley Law’s competitive trial advocacy program and its clinical programs. Clinically, he tried cases before Oakland’s Citizens’ Police Review Board. There, his responsibilities included representing people claiming violations of their constitutional rights at the hands of the Oakland Police Department. He successfully competed on several trial teams. He won the Bay Area trial competition held by the San Francisco Trial Lawyers Association. Additionally, in the National Trial Competition, his three-person team was a regional finalist, and he won two top advocate awards.
Spencer joined the Walkup firm in 2007, and practices all types of personal injury litigation in all courts within the State of California. He is also an active volunteer and organizer with Refuse Refuse San Francisco, a local organization dedicated to motivating residents to help pick up trash and clean up the city’s streets.
Noteworthy Results
- Housecleaners v. Property Owners and Propane Supply Company – Settlement – Premises Liability, $45,000,000
- Family v Farming Trust/Manufacturer – Settlement – Premises Liability $20,000,000
- Baby v. Major Institution – Settlement – Medical Malpractice, $10,000,000+
- Bicyclist v. Food Delivery Company/Taxi Company – Settlement – Vehicular Negligence, $6,010,000
- Family v. Valet Company – Settlement – Vehicular Negligence, $6,000,000
- Patient v. Hospitalist/Hospital – Settlement – Medical Malpractice, $5,000,000
- Snowboarder v. Equipment Manufacturer – Settlement – Product Liability, $4,500,000
- Pedestrian v. City and County of San Francisco – Settlement – Public Transit Negligence, $3,250,000
- Patient v. ER Doctor/Hospital – Settlement – Medical Malpractice, $3,000,000
- Disabled Student v. School District/Driver – Settlement – Disability Rights/Vehicular Negligence, $2,975,000
- Insured v. Insurance Carrier – Settlement – Underinsured Motorist, $2,250,000
- Cable Car Passenger v. City and County of San Francisco – Settlement – Negligent Operation of Cable Car, $2,026,000
- Adult Daughter v. Heavy Equipment Company – Settlement – Vehicular Negligence, $2,000,000
- Patient v. Cardiologist – Settlement – Medical Malpractice, $1,999,900
- Family v. SUV Driver – Settlement – Wrongful Death/Vehicular Negligence, $1,500,000
- Wife/Children v. HMO – Settlement – Medical Malpractice, $1,400,000
- Pedestrian v. Driver – Settlement – Vehicular Negligence, $1,000,000
- Scooter Driver v. Cab Company – Settlement – Vehicular Negligence, $1,000,000
- Chu v. Bay Area Community Services, Inc. – Jury Verdict – Premises Liability – Negligent Supervision, $996,000
- Insured v. Major Insurance Company – Settlement – Insurance Bad Faith, $975,000
- Pedestrians v. Uninsured Motorist – Settlement – Vehicular Negligence, $970,000
- Child v. Doctor – Settlement – Medical Malpractice, $965,000
- Pedestrian v. South Bay City – Settlement – Dangerous Condition of Public Property, $875,000
- Wife/Children v. HMO – Settlement – Medical Malpractice, $850,000
- Cyclist v. Driver’s Employer – Settlement – Vehicular Negligence, $750,000
- Pedestrian v. Driver – Settlement – Vehicular Negligence/Underinsured Motorist, $555,000
- Patient v. Surgeon – Settlement – Medical Malpractice, $500,000
- Family v. HMO – Settlement – Medical Negligence – Wrongful Death, $475,000
- Adult Children v. Pilot / Airplane Owner – Settlement – Aviation, $425,000
- Insured v. Mercury Insurance – Arbitration Award – Underinsured Motorist, $421,000
- Grandparent v. Youth Camp – Settlement – Premises Liability, $400,000
- Pedestrian v. Cab Company – Settlement – Vehicular Negligence, $350,000
- Motorcyclist v. Driver – Settlement – Vehicular Negligence, $350,000
- Bicyclist v. Driver – Settlement – Vehicular Negligence, $325,000
- Passenger v. Driver – Settlement – Vehicular Negligence, $325,000
- Customer v. Massage Therapist – Settlement – General Negligence, $300,000
- Bicyclist v. Driver – Settlement – Vehicular Negligence / Underinsured Motorist, $300,000
- Passenger v. Cab Company – Settlement – Vehicular Negligence, $300,000
- Pedestrian v. San Diego – Settlement – Mass Transit Public Transit Negligence, $300,000
- Cyclist v. SUV Driver – Settlement – Vehicular Negligence, $300,000
- Pedestrian v. CCSF – Settlement – Dangerous Condition of Public Property, $270,000
- Passenger v. MUNI – Settlement – Governmental Liability, $250,000
- Driver v. Driver – Settlement – Dangerous Condition of Public Property, $270,000
- Passenger v. MUNI – Settlement – Governmental Vehicular Negligence – Underinsured Motorist, $250,000
- Bicyclist v. Driver – Settlement – Vehicular Negligence, $250,000
- See All Case Results and Summaries
