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About Nicholas Wagner

Nicholas "Butch" Wagner is a trial attorney who has practiced personal injury law for nearly 40 years and employment law for over 20 years. He graduated as class valedictorian from St. Xavier University in 1980 and earned his J.D. from the University of Notre Dame Law School in 1983, passing the California Bar that same year. After relocating from Chicago to Fresno in 1983, he has been licensed in all California state courts and all federal courts, and has held admission to the U.S. Court of Claims since 1990. Wagner has obtained multi-million dollar settlements and jury verdicts across employment and personal injury matters, including a nearly $75 million verdict and judgment against Walmart.

He has argued before the California Supreme Court and testified as an expert witness before the California State Assembly on employment law. Wagner has appeared on national television programs including Good Morning America, Court TV's Catherine Crier Live, the Tucker Carlson Show, and Your World with Neil Cavuto. One of his early cases, Zelnick v. Candid Camera, aired on Court TV and produced the first successful lawsuit against a reality television show for a prank that caused injury. He has since successfully sued major corporations including Walmart, Bolthouse Farms, Pepsi Co., 7-Up, Polaris, PG&E, and Mercury Insurance Company.

Proven verdicts and settlements

$54.6 millionVerdict

Wagner Jones Kopfman & Artenian secured a $54.6 million federal jury verdict on behalf of roughly 840 California Walmart truck drivers who went unpaid for mandatory pre- and post-trip vehicle inspections, controlled layovers, and rest breaks spanning more than a decade.

U.S. District Court, Northern District of California (San Francisco) · 2016Workplace InjuryRead the full story →
View all 3 proven verdicts →

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

Practice areas

Education

University of Notre Dame Law School
J.D., 1983
St. Xavier University
Undergraduate, 1980

Bar admissions & credentials

State Bar of California, admitted 1983

Other attorneys at Wagner Jones Kopfman & Artenian

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Proven verdicts and settlements from other Fresno firms

Miles, Sears & Eanni
Miles, Sears & Eanni
$27.5 million · $27.5 Million Verdict for Worker Burned in Biomass Boiler Fireball at AES Mendota
Paboojian & Bell
Paboojian & Bell
$49.8 million · $49.8 Million Verdict for Brain-Injured Kingsburg Man After Paramedic Removed Breathing Tube During Transport
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
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
Dunnion Law
Dunnion Law
$21.5 million · Farm Laborer Paralyzed at Railroad Crossing Wins $21.5 Million Verdict in Madera County