When it comes to the heavyweights of the California legal arena, few names resonate with as much authority as Greene Broillet & Wheeler, LLP (GBW). Based in El Segundo, this firm has spent over five decades redefining the standard for plaintiff-side litigation. Often referred to by peers as the “lawyer’s lawyers,” GBW has built a legacy not just on winning cases, but on taking the “unwinnable” ones and transforming them into landmark victories that reshape consumer safety laws.
A Legacy of Fearless Advocacy
Founded in the early 1970s, Greene Broillet & Wheeler established itself as a firm that thrives under pressure. During its formative years, the firm earned the nickname “the patron saint of lost causes.” This was not because they lost, but because they possessed the courage to represent individuals in extraordinary, life-altering situations that other firms deemed too risky or too complex to litigate.
The firm’s philosophy is built on the foundation that justice is not a passive event—it is something that must be aggressively pursued. Their slogan, “Justice Doesn’t Happen by Accident,” perfectly encapsulates their proactive approach. By combining deep legal intellect with an almost obsessive attention to detail, the firm has recovered billions of dollars for its clients, including more million-dollar verdicts and settlements than perhaps any other firm in California history.
The Titans: Browne Greene and Bruce Broillet
The firm’s success is a direct reflection of its powerhouse leadership. Browne Greene, one of the founding partners, is a legendary figure in the trial bar. Known for his charismatic presence and relentless pursuit of the truth, Greene has been a central figure in some of the most significant civil rights and personal injury cases in the state.
Bruce Broillet is equally esteemed, often recognized as one of the top trial lawyers in the United States. His ability to distill complex legal and technical issues into a narrative that a jury can easily understand has made him a formidable opponent for major corporations. Both Greene and Broillet are members of the Inner Circle of Advocates, an invitation-only group limited to the top 100 plaintiff trial lawyers in the country. This level of expertise ensures that every case accepted by the firm is handled with the highest degree of strategic precision.
Record-Breaking Verdicts: The $4.9 Billion Precedent
While many firms celebrate million-dollar wins, Greene Broillet & Wheeler operates on a different scale. One of their most famous achievements was the landmark $4.9 billion verdict in Anderson v. General Motors. The case involved a defective fuel tank design that resulted in catastrophic burn injuries to a family. At the time, it was the largest personal injury verdict in U.S. history, sending a clear message to the automotive industry that corporate negligence would carry a heavy price.
Beyond the automotive sector, the firm gained national attention for representing FOX Sports reporter Erin Andrews in her case against a hotel that failed to protect her privacy from a stalker. The resulting $55 million verdict highlighted the firm’s ability to navigate the intersection of personal injury, privacy rights, and corporate responsibility.
State-of-the-Art Litigation Resources
What truly sets GBW apart from other personal injury firms is their “war chest” of resources. They do not just rely on testimony; they rely on undeniable physical evidence. The firm maintains a secured evidence warehouse where they can store large pieces of physical evidence, such as crashed vehicles, defective machinery, or failed equipment.
In-house experts and investigators use this space to reconstruct accidents and create life-size models for the courtroom. Coupled with cutting-edge multimedia presentations, these evidentiary techniques allow juries to experience the facts of a case firsthand. This commitment to “demonstrative evidence” ensures that by the time a case reaches trial, the firm has built a visual and factual narrative that is nearly impossible for the opposition to dismantle.
Comprehensive Practice Areas
The firm’s expertise extends far beyond standard car accidents. They are leaders in:
-
Catastrophic Injury: Handling traumatic brain injuries (TBI), spinal cord damage, and severe burns.
-
Product Liability: Taking on global manufacturers for defects in tires, gas tanks, and industrial equipment. Partner Christine Spagnoli is nationally recognized for her work in this field, having secured some of the highest individual product liability verdicts in history.
-
Wrongful Death: Providing a voice for families who have lost loved ones due to corporate or individual negligence.
-
Legal Malpractice and Business Litigation: Representing individuals and businesses in high-stakes disputes, including a notable $46.5 million verdict in a legal malpractice action.
The “Family” Approach to Client Care
Despite their massive success and high-profile cases, Greene Broillet & Wheeler prides itself on maintaining a “close-knit” culture. They often state that they treat their clients like family. This is not just a marketing phrase; it is a necessity in catastrophic injury law. Many of their clients are facing the darkest moments of their lives, and the firm’s attorneys provide a level of emotional support and steady guidance that is rare in the high-pressure world of elite litigation.
They operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning they invest their own time and money into every case. This ensures that even an individual of modest means can go up against a multi-billion dollar corporation with the same—or better—legal resources.
Greene Broillet & Wheeler, LLP stands as a titan of the American legal system. For over 50 years, they have demonstrated that with enough resources, expertise, and courage, the legal system can be used to hold the powerful accountable. Whether they are litigating a case involving a defective tire or a complex whistleblower retaliation suit, their commitment to the client and the pursuit of justice remains unwavering. For anyone seeking the pinnacle of trial advocacy in California, GBW is the gold standard.
