EDITORIAL REVIEW
Lack is unmatched at taking on the toughest
causes for those harmed or killed by industrial
pollution, natural disasters and transportation
industry neglect.
—2008 Lawdragon 500 Leading Lawyers in America
Don't mess with Cool Hand Lack, who's nearing $1B in awards against Dole, Dow and Shell for banana workers poisoned by DBCP pesticide in Latin America. Death squads in Colombia allegedly financed by Chiquita are next.
— Lawdragon,
January 2008
This quiet titan lacks nothing in the victory department, nailing Dow Chemical, Shell Chemical and Dole Food for $800 million for
Nicaraguan workers exposed to pesticide.
— Lawdragon,
February 2007
This
steely litigator’s punch brings billions for victims of energy scams,
insurance bad-faith and mass toxic torts.
— Lawdragon,
October 2006
This famed plaintiffs' lawyer makes giants like Pacific Gas and Sempra tremble.
— Lawdragon,
March 2006
The tough-as-nails litigator consistently rakes in multimillion verdicts, but may be best known for his work with fellow Los Angeles litigator Tom Girardi in the famed Erin Brockovich case. Walter Lack is in trial representing California ratepayers who claim that Sempra Energy engaged in price fixing during the state's energy crisis. With a specialty in aviation cases, Lack won $43.5 million verdict in 2004 on behalf of the families of three victims of a 1997 Silk Air crash in Indonesia. Also last year, Lack partially settled an antitrust suit against gas company El Paso for $1.7 billion.
This attorney is a member of the prestigious International Academy of Trial Lawyers.
— Lawdragon,
October 2005
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Walter J. Lack is a name partner with the law firm of Engstrom, Lipscomb & Lack. Founded in 1974, the firm specializes in a broad range of national and international high profile tort and commercial litigation matters with an emphasis on litigating disputes involving the environment, aviation, entertainment, construction and the insurance industries.
Areas of Practice: Complex Business Litigation; Insurance Bad Faith; Mass Toxic Tort and Environmental Litigation; Professional Liability; Aviation Crash Litigation and Class Actions.
Background: Born Los Angeles, California January 10, 1948; admitted to bar, 1973, California; 1979, U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit; 1981, U.S. Supreme Court.
Education: Loyola Marymount University (B.A. 1970; J.D. 1973).
Memberships: Superior Court Arbitration Panel since 1976. Chairperson, Bar Fee Dispute Committee, Los Angeles County since 1979. Member, the Standing Committee on Discipline for the Central District of California (1997-2000); Governor's Los Angeles Judicial Selection Advisory Committee (1999-2003); Member, Panel of Arbitrators, American Arbitration Association since 1976. Member: Los Angeles County and American Bar Association; State Bar of California; The Association of Trial Lawyers of America; Consumer Attorneys of California; Board of Governors (2001); Consumer Attorneys of Los Angeles; Trial Lawyers for Public Justice; Fellow of the International Academy of Trial Lawyers and member of Board of Directors 2000-2005; Mr. Lack is an Advocate of the American Board of Trial Advocates and served as National Executive Committee Member 1998-2001.
Awards and Honors: Finalist: 2003 and 2004 Consumer Attorneys of California Trial Lawyer of the Year, Finalist: 1997 Trial Lawyer of the Year Award from Trial Lawyers for Public Justice. Recipient, Daily Journal California Law Business award for Top 10 California Jury Verdicts in 1993, 1994, 1996 and 1999 and 2004. Listed in Daily Journal's "One Hundred Most Influential Lawyers in California" for years 2000-2005. Los Angeles Business Journal "Top 50 Litigators in Los Angeles" (1999-2004). Los Angeles Business Journal "Los Angeles' 25 Most Powerful Attorneys," 2002. Pat Summerall "Success Story" aired on Fox News May 9, 2002. California Governor's Judicial Selection Committee 1998-2003. Deputy Attorney General, State of New Mexico, representing state in Natural Resource Damage litigation. Frequent lecturer to trial lawyer groups throughout country.
Boards and Service Organizations: Alumni Board of Directors for Loyola-Marymount University (1986-89 and 1991-1994). Board of Regents for Loyola Marymount University (1999-present). California Judicial College - Guest Lecturer (1995 and 1997). Board of Directors: Supergen, Inc. and current Chairman of the Compensation and Corporate Governance Committee.
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by Walter Lack
