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Mark F. Hazelwood

Partner

Mark Hazelwood, a founding partner of the firm, is a member of the firm’s public entity practice group. He specializes in public entity, premises liability, trucking, Americans with Disabilities Act, and catastrophic injury/wrongful death litigation. Mr. Hazelwood practices in both state and federal court, and represents a wide variety of public and private entity clients, including cities, counties, transportation, and special districts. Mr. Hazelwood is active in several public entity organizations, including the Public Agency Risk Management Association (PARMA). He is also a member of the Trucking Industry Defense Association (TIDA). Mr. Hazelwood is a frequent speaker on litigation and risk management issues affecting public entities.

  • Education

    • University of California, Los Angeles, B.S., 1984
    • Loyola Law School-Los Angeles, J.D., 1988

  • Admissions

    • State Bar of California
    • United States District for the Northern District of California
    • United States District for the Eastern District of California

  • Affiliations

    • Public Agency Risk Management Association (PARMA)
      • Firm Representative
    • Trucking Industry Defense Association (TIDA)
      • Member
    • Santa Clara County Superior Court
      • Early Settlement Conference Panelist

  • Representative Cases

    Stapp, et al. v. Bay Area Rapid Transit District – Alameda County Superior Court (2020)
    Personal injury lawsuit alleging common carrier liability brought by a family arising out of a robbery on a BART train. Six day jury trial resulting in defense verdict.

    Brown v. City of San Rafael – Marin County Superior Court (2019)
    Personal injury action relating to alleged dangerous condition of sidewalk within City. Jury trial resulting in defense verdict.

    Sullivan, et al. v. City of Berkeley and San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District – USDC, Northern District of California (2018)
    Constitutional/civil rights claim by homeless camped on BART property. Successful opposition to preliminary injunction, followed by dismissal of all claims on a motion to dismiss.

    Fire Insurance Exchange v. City of Fairfield – Solano County Superior Court (2017)
    Subrogation action alleging inverse condemnation and dangerous condition of public property arising from fire damage to a dozen residences. Favorable ruling on pre-trial motions leading to settlement.

    Amberger-Warren v. City of Piedmont – Alameda County Superior Court (2006); 143 Cal. App 4th 1074 (2006)
    Personal injury lawsuit involving recreational trail immunity under the Government Code. Summary judgment granted in favor of City of Piedmont and affirmed on appeal.

    Chan v. Bay Area Rapid Transit District – Alameda County Superior Court (2005)
    Wrongful death action arising from BART train v. vehicle accident. Jury trial resulting in defense verdict.

    Viada v. Clock Freight – Alameda County Superior Court (2002)
    Personal injury lawsuit arising from motor vehicle v. tractor trailer accident. Jury trial resulting in defense verdict.

    Korn v. Bay Area Rapid Transit District – Alameda County Superior Court (1994)
    Personal injury action alleging dangerous condition of public property. Jury trial resulting in defense verdict.

  • Speaking Engagements

    • Transportation Liability: Smoothing the Road for Transit Agencies, Cities, and Other Public Entities, Public Agency Risk Management Association (PARMA) Conference, 2018
    • Gimme Shelter: The Homeless Dilemma for Cities, Public Agency Risk Management Association (PARMA) Southern California Chapter, 2018
    • Roadway to Liability?: Analyzing Dangerous Condition of Public Property Claims After Cordova, et al. v. City of Los Angeles, Public Agency Risk Management Association (PARMA) Conference, 2017
    • It’s a Bird, It’s a Plane, It’s a DRONE: Evaluating the Emerging Risk of Drones, California Association of Joint Powers Authorities (CAJPA) Conference, 2016
    • Liability Update for Recreation and Park Districts, California Association of Recreation and Park Districts (CARPD), 2016
    • ADA Access Claims – Transportation for Individuals with Disabilities, American Public Transit Association (APTA) Conference, 2014
    • Evaluating and Resolving ADA Access Claims, Claims Conference of Northern California, 2013
    • ADR – Defense and Claims Perspectives, California Association of Joint Powers Authorities (CAJPA) Conference, 2012

  • Recognitions

    • Northern California Super Lawyer, 2013 – 2023