HomeCaliforniaSan JoseCraig Needham

About Craig Needham

Craig Needham was born in Palo Alto, California and is a founding partner at Needham Kepner & Fish LLP. He has practiced personal injury law since being admitted to the California Bar in January 1972 and has built a career spanning more than five decades representing clients in Silicon Valley, Sacramento, and the Bay Area in car accidents, truck accidents, elder abuse, and wrongful death cases. Needham has held teaching positions at several law schools, including Lincoln Law School where he served as Professor of Torts from 1994 to 2017, and he has lectured extensively on torts.

Trial practice, and evidence throughout California. He has served as a mediator in civil litigation matters, as a Judge Pro Tem in Santa Clara and San Francisco counties, and as an arbitrator for uninsured motorist and Kaiser cases. He is a longtime member of the American Board of Trial Advocates (since 1988) and the San Francisco Trial Lawyers Association (since 1972), and he served as President of the Lawyers Club of San Francisco in 1985-1986. He co-authored and presented the annual "What's New in Torts and Trial Practice" seminar for 34 consecutive years across California.

Proven verdicts and settlements

Settlement

Craig Needham appeared as counsel for claimants against Peoples Temple in the San Francisco Superior Court receivership that ultimately distributed more than $13 million to roughly 750 survivors, family members, and creditors between 1979 and 1983.

San Francisco Superior Court (Peoples Temple receivership) · 1983Wrongful DeathRead the full story →

Craig Needham and Kirsten Fish won a published appellate ruling establishing that a nursing facility could not force a stroke patient into arbitration based on an agreement her daughter signed without legal authority.

California Court of Appeal, Sixth District (H038736) · 2013Premises LiabilityRead the full story →
View all 4 proven verdicts →

Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Each case is unique and depends on its own facts.

Practice areas

Education

Hastings College of the Law, University of California
J.D., 1971
University of Santa Clara
Undergraduate, 1968

Bar admissions & credentials

State Bar of California, admitted 1972

Other attorneys at Needham Kepner & Fish LLP

View firm →

Proven verdicts and settlements from other San Jose firms

Cerri, Boskovich & Allard
Cerri, Boskovich & Allard
$65 million · Santa Clara County Jury Awards $65 Million to One Survivor in $102.5 Million Verdict Against Union School District
GJEL Accident Attorneys
GJEL Accident Attorneys
$111.7 million · GJEL Secures $111.7 Million for Patients Who Underwent Needless Heart Surgery at Redding Medical Center
Harris Personal Injury Lawyers, Inc.
Harris Personal Injury Lawyers, Inc.
$21.5 million · $21.5 Million Settlement After Exposed Trolley Rail Left Man Paralyzed at San Diego Transit Station
Alexander Law Group
Alexander Law Group
$79.8 million (reduced to $29.4 million on appeal) · Retired Officer Wins $79.8 Million After Defective Ethicon Stapler Causes Permanent Colostomy
Adamson Ahdoot Accident and Injury Lawyers
Adamson Ahdoot Accident and Injury Lawyers
$9 million · $9 Million Settlement for Family of Teen Who Died of Heat Stroke During Football Practice