Similar personal injury attorneys in Fresno
Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Each case is unique and depends on its own facts.
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
Kenny Mullins, 32, was shot and killed by two reserve Fresno County deputies at a southwest Fresno auto dismantling shop on March 6, 2020. His family sued in federal court, and in August 2025 the judge ruled the civil rights trial against the deputies would proceed. In October 2025 the county agreed to pay $3.125 million to his young daughter and his mother, and the federal court approved the settlement in February 2026.
Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Each case is unique and depends on its own facts.
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Other attorneys at Wagner Jones Kopfman & Artenian
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Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Each case is unique and depends on its own facts.






