Robert Buccola -- Sacramento ABOTA Trial Lawyer Of The Year
by Curtis R. Namba

The Executive Committee of the Sacramento Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates "ABOTA" unanimously elected Robert Buccola as their 2001 Trial Lawyer of the Year.

Bob is a native of Sacramento. He received his undergraduate degree from UC Berkeley and graduated from the McGeorge School of Law in 1983. From 1983 to 1985, Bob did insurance defense work for the firm of Donahue & Callaham. In late 1985, he joined the law firm of Thompson & Dreyer to pursue his goal of representing injury victims. In 1987, Bob became a partner with the firm now known as Dreyer, Babich, Buccola, & Callaham. The firm has 16 attorneys and exclusively represents injury victims in the full spectrum of tort litigation.

In 1995, Robert was voted into the Sacramento chapter of ABOTA, which includes practice areas from Stockton through Redding and counties outlying Sacramento. At the time, Bob was the youngest member to be inducted. Admission to ABOTA requires that the nominee meet the highest ethical and competency standards. Less than 1% of the country's civil attorneys are members of ABOTA. "It is really a privilege to be a member of such an accomplished and respected group of attorneys. The camaraderie is wonderful. It is really nice to share a common bond with attorneys whom you typically oppose. I am honored to receive this award from my colleagues."

Bob is well known among his colleagues and judges for his extraordinary accomplishments representing injury victims both in trial and out-of-court. He has won some of the largest general damage verdicts in Sacramento and Marin County history.

Retired Judge Michael J. Virga describes Bob as "the consummate trial attorney. A man of character and integrity who truly cares about his clients. He loves the courtroom and the courtroom loves him --- jurors, judges, and even the opposing attorneys have the utmost admiration and respect for him. Over my 40-year legal career, it has been my personal and professional privilege to know and work with some of the most renowned trial attorneys in the state and nation. None in my view were any better than Bob Buccola. He is at the top of my list of truly outstanding trial lawyers."

Judge Lyn O'Malley Taylor has been a superior court judge in Marin County for 19 years. Judge O'Malley Taylor describes Bob as "meticulously prepared. One of the best trial lawyers I have ever seen. Bob is able to do very complex cross-examinations and opening and closing arguments without notes. He passionately believes in his clients and is able to communicate that to the jury."

Judge Jimmy Long says about Bob, "some people were born to be trial lawyers. Bob is one of those rare people. That is what he was put on this earth to do. He is among the absolute best trial lawyers I have seen in 20 years on the bench."

Perhaps nationally renowned trial lawyer Patrick Becherer, one of Firestone's lead trial attorneys, says it best --- "Bob has a rare gift. In many ways he is a throwback to the great trial lawyers of yesteryear, when being a trial lawyer was an art. Bob is able to project an infectious empathy for his client to the jury. He has the talent to be the very best any of us have ever seen."

In talking to many lawyers, Bob is described as a "lawyer's lawyer". He gives a great deal of time to other attorneys, sharing his experience and helping them with their cases. He is a gentleman to deal with. "You never need to send Bob a confirming letter."

Bob's out-of-court results are equally dramatic. He recently settled a very complicated case on behalf of his injured client against a public utility and other defendants for 13.5 million dollars. He also prosecuted and settled the highly publicized Nicolas Contreas wrongful death case against the Arizona Boys Ranch and other governmental entities, which the defendants insisted be settled under a covenant of confidentiality. Bob quietly resolves a multitude of seven figure cases on an annual basis.

Robert is masterful in obtaining large settlements for his clients. He prides himself on his ability to turn a weakness into a strength. "Although I prepare every case as if it is going to trial, I work very hard to resolve my cases for what I believe is fair short of a trial. Even though trial is what I enjoy the most, I always do my very best to assess our chances of success against the very serious risk that trying a case may bring for my client." Trial often becomes an unattractive choice to defendants after Bob finishes working up a case. The defense is often left with no choice but to settle for sums far greater than they had anticipated. Joe Ramsey, an ABOTA member, says "He is extraordinarily well prepared. He anticipates the defense's every move. You can see the noose tightening. He blocks every avenue of escape. Over the last 41 years I have tried cases with many of the top trial lawyers in the state. Robert is right at the top of my list of anyone I have ever seen."

Of his firm, Bob says he is lucky to practice with such talented lawyers. "You could not find better attorneys or better human beings. We have 16 incredibly devoted and hard working lawyers. I have the luxury of being able to delegate complicated discovery and research to the lawyers I work with. I routinely receive credit for their industry and magic. When problems arise, the answer is only an office away. I can't say enough about how much they help me." Partners, Roger Dreyer, Joe Babich, and Bill Callaham, are all ABOTA members and renowned for their skills in trial. Roger Dreyer received ABOTA's Trial Lawyer of the Year award for the year 2000. "I really can't say that receiving this award the year after Roger is a total coincidence. There is always an attorney who sets the bar for his partners and associates. Roger is unquestionably that guy for us."

Bob is deeply devoted to his family. He spends as much time as possible with his son and arranges his calendar around his son's busy schedule. Perhaps Bob was always destined to become a plaintiff's attorney. From an early age, his parents taught him the virtues of hard work and helping others. Bob and his firm are known for their charitable activities and political involvement. Bob's associate, Elliot Reiner, says about Bob, "I have never seen anyone who has more compassion for his clients or an advocate who is more fierce in the heat of battle."