Debra F.
Bogaards
Trial Attorney
About Debra F. Bogaards
Clients like Debra for many reasons: She clearly explains their case and describes what they can expect from the legal process, she quickly responds to phone calls and emails, she advocates aggressively and, quite simply, she cares passionately about them. Debra is so trusted that she often is referred cases by other attorneys and judges, and is asked to serve as personal counsel to people who are going through complex, multi-party litigation.
Debra connects with people. Whether they’re clients hospitalized after an accident, a jury considering liability, or a family whose elderly parent has been abused in a nursing home, Debra gets to the heart of their concerns. She obtains exceptional results for clients bringing suit – plaintiffs in injury, accident and wrongful death cases. As a former managing partner of a legal defense firm, she understands defense attorneys’ game plan, and can often achieve generous settlements before the trial even begins.
Debra loves her trial work. With almost 40 years of successful trial experience, she has devoted tens of thousands of hours to the craft of taking expert depositions, picking juries, conducting trials, and telling her clients’ stories in compelling detail. Intensely focused and meticulous in preparing each case for mediation or trial, she prides herself on establishing good working relationships with opposing counsel, experts and judges. Debra credits her extraordinarily successful record to tenacity, determination and an unstoppable desire to win. She is an advocate in the best sense of the word, with an excellent reputation and results to prove it.
Debra’s Interests
The law is not Debra’s only interest. After earning an advanced legal certification in Austria, Debra worked in Europe and married her attorney husband, Pieter Bogaards, in DeRijp, the Netherlands, a 17th-century town near Amsterdam. The family, which includes two adult daughters and two grandsons, resides in Marin County, where Debra can be found cycling on the roads to Point Reyes or the Seven Sisters.
“I like my law practice because I get to know my clients so well, to help them through difficult times and get them the highest compensation for their losses. Many have become good friends.”
Get To Know Debra
Debra’s Achievements and Involvements
Debra is so devoted to the art of settlement, mediation and trial that she teaches her peers how to become better trial lawyers. She also is deeply involved in her legal and home communities. Of the many achievements, awards, offices and memberships noted below, she is most proud of her induction into the Litigation Counsel of America in 2007, a national trial lawyer honorary society composed of less than half of one percent of American lawyers; her long service to Legal Aid of Marin, where she advocated for those without access to legal representation; and her successful representation of one of the families who lost a young daughter in the horrendous San Bruno PG&E pipeline explosion. Debra is also committed to her U.C. Hastings College of the Law, as president of the Board of Trustees.
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Bar Admissions
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Writings (selected)
Clients like Debra for many reasons: She clearly explains their case and describes what they can expect from the legal process, she quickly responds to phone calls and emails, she advocates for justice.
- All California Courts
- U.S. Federal Courts
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California
- U.S. Supreme Court
Clients like Debra for many reasons: She clearly explains their case and describes what they can expect from the legal process, she quickly responds to phone calls and emails, she advocates.
- University of California, Hastings College of the Law J.D., 1981
- University of California, Berkeley B.S., 1978
- Major: Accounting and Finance
- Certified In International Legal Studies, McGeorge School of Law, 1983
- Advanced Mediation Training, Harvard, 2019
Clients like Debra for many reasons: She clearly explains their case and describes what they can expect from the legal process, she quickly responds to phone calls and emails, she advocates.
- Using Deposition Experts at Mediation, Western Trial Lawyers Association
- The Basics: Personal Injury – Trial (with Miles Cooper) CA Continuing Education of the Bar
- Basic Civil Procedure for Medical Experts, Private Client Seminars
- Expert Depositions, Continuing Education of the Bar, San Francisco Trial Lawyers Association, Sterling Education
- Voir Dire, Continuing Education of the Bar, San Francisco Trial Lawyers Association, Sterling Education Lecturer, UC Hastings College of the Law College of Trial Advocacy
- Lecturer, National Institute of Trial Advocacy (NITA)
- Effective Approaches to Opening Statements and Closing Arguments (with Kevin Morrison), Continuing Education of the Bar
Clients like Debra for many reasons: She clearly explains their case and describes what they can expect from the legal process, she quickly responds to phone calls and emails, she advocates.
- Northern California Super Lawyers, 2005 – present
- Litigation Counsel of America, Fellow, 2007 – present
- Top 50 Women Lawyers, 2007
Clients like Debra for many reasons: She clearly explains their case and describes what they can expect from the legal process, she quickly responds to phone calls and emails, she advocates.
- Mediator and mandatory settlement Conference officer in over 50 cases in 2021
- University of California, Hastings College of the Law Foundation, Board of Trustees, 2009 – present
- Alumni advisor of HJLSA 2014-present
- Chair, Nominating Committee, 2013-2016
- Vice President: 2015-present
- Soiree Gala chair: 2017- present
- President of the Board of Trustees: 2020- present
- A.J.C. Board: 2019 – present
- Legal Aid of Marin, Board of Directors, 2000 – 2015
- Marin County Bar Association, Board of Directors, 1996 – 1999
- Lawyers Friends of Wine, Board of Directors, 1995 – 1997
- San Francisco Trial Lawyers Association, Member, 1995 – present
- Consumer Attorneys of California, Member, 2009 -present
- Jewish Community Foundation, Business Leaders Council, Member; 2011 – 2012
- Marin Bicycle Coalition Association, Member, 2011 – present
- Marin Women Lawyers, Past President
Clients like Debra for many reasons: She clearly explains their case and describes what they can expect from the legal process, she quickly responds to phone calls and emails, she advocates.
- CA Continuing Education of the Bar, California liability Insurance Practice: Claims and Litigation and Uninsured Motorist Coverage, update author, 2009 – present
AWARDS & RECOGNITION
Almost 40 years of professional excellence
Testimonials
What our clients are saying about us
The Hastings Community Justice Clinic represented a plaintiff in an employment case that Ms. Bogaards successfully mediated in
April 2022. Professor Goishi stated about her experience with Ms. Bogaards:
“We (plaintiff and his representatives) greatly appreciated Ms. Bogaards’ optimism and enthusiasm for the mediation process. This set a very positive tone and framing for the mediation itself. We also appreciated that she was a great listener, and welcomed hearing background information and emotional content that is present in most disputes, but that is often glossed over or ignored. She also did a great job of reality-checking, gently telling us about the potential weaknesses in our case. Finally, we thought it was great that she reminded us that a successful mediation will be one where both parties are unhappy. This was a great reminder of the nature of compromise. She also reiterated the upside of settling, as opposed to taking our chances with proceeding with the litigation — helpful to remind the parties about the risks of proceeding.”
U.C. Hastings Professor Miye A. Goishi of the Hastings Community Justice Clinic
My mediation appointment with Ms. Bogaards was more than interesting as it was conducted exclusively by phone due to the health crisis. Despite this, it went smoothly and productively. The case settled within the allotted time frame due largely in part to Ms. Bogaards persistence but also her vast experience in personal injury work. It was obvious her defense and plaintiff’s background gave her credibility with both parties. All in all, it was all a very positive experience for a first-time use. She was prepared and knew the flash points needed to get this settled. It took time but it was due to the parties obstinance, which she dealt with professionally and civilly. I’ve known Ms. Bogaards over the years from having litigated with her in her role as a defense attorney. I thought this case was perfect for a Mediator with a defense background that also does plaintiff’s work, as she does. I was very impressed with her grasp of value as regards a plaintiff’s case. She was spot on regarding the values and issues. I would not hesitate to use her again and recommend her as a Mediator to all plaintiff’s attorneys who view her strictly as a former defense attorney. She is way more than that; very efficient, there was no wasted time.
Don K.
Debra Bogaards is one of the most thorough, skilled and aggressive litigators in the Bay Area. She protects her clients and their interests like a mama bear to her cubs. I speak both as a client for whom Ms. Bogaards achieved an incredible result, and as a colleague who has worked beside Ms. Bogaards and has seen her diligence and thought process. Here skillset and tremendous presence and command, regardless of the forum, makes for a most fierce litigator. Ms. Bogaards is always my first recommendation to clients and friends seeking to protect their legal rights relating to personal injuries.
Joshua R.
Let’s Talk!
Please contact Bogaards Law to discuss your case. We welcome your phone call or email.
Attorney Advertising. This information is designed for general information only. The information presented should not be construed to be formal legal advice nor the formation of a lawyer/client relationship. Past results and testimonials are not a guarantee, warranty, or prediction of the outcome of your case, and should not be construed as such. Past results cannot guarantee future performance. Any result in a single case is not meant to create an expectation of similar results in future matters because each case involves many different factors, therefore, results will differ on a case-by-case basis.