Oliver W. Wanger is a shareholder of Wanger Jones Helsley PC in Fresno, California. He is a former United States District Judge (1991-2011); sat by designation as United States Court of Appeal (9th Circuit) Judge; and former Pro Tem Trial and Settlement Judge, Superior Court of California, Fresno County. He is a co-founder, former Dean, Chair of the Board of Trustees, President and Adjunct Professor of Law at San Joaquin College of Law, Fresno, California (1970-1994, 2011). United States Marine Corps Reserve (1960-1967). He offers private judging services including arbitration, mediation, and private jury and mock trials and sentencings. He also engages in trial practice and trial consulting. He has qualified as an expert witness in Federal and State Courts, Arbitrations in judicial ethics, performance, and standards of care; attorney ethics and professional conduct, standards of care, attorneys’ fees and billing; insurance coverage issues – tripartite relationship, cumis and Buss issues; trial practice and performance.
ADMISSIONS
- California State Bar
- United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
- United States District Court for the Eastern District of California
- United States District Court for the Northern District of California
- United States District Court for the Central District of California
- United States District Court for the Southern District of California
- United States Tax Court
EDUCATION
- Colorado School of Mines
- University of Southern California B.S.
- University of California (Boalt Hall) LLB
- Former San Joaquin College of Law Adjunct Professor of Law:Â Trial Practice, Civil Procedure, Criminal Trial and Criminal Procedure, Constitutional Torts, Federal Courts, Remedies, Real Property
HONORS & PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS
Mr. Wanger’s achievements as a trial lawyer have gained him:
- Fellowship in the American College of Trial Lawyers;
- Fellowship in the International Academy of Trial Lawyers;
- American Board of Trial Advocates (President of San Joaquin Valley Chapter and a National Director);
- Litigation Counsel of America (rank of Centurion) (Emeritus);
- Founder Diplomat of the American Board of Professional Liability Attorneys;
- A former Certified Civil Trial Specialist by the National Board of Trial Advocacy;
- Founder and first President of San Joaquin Valley Inns of Court;
- National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals;
- Teacher of the Year, San Joaquin College of Law.
AWARDS
- U.S. Congressional Tribute (2011);
- American Board of Trial Advocates Civility Award for Integrity, Professionalism and Civility (2018);
- Top 100 Lawyers 2016-2021, Top 100 Registry, multi-practice law;
- Los Angeles Daily Journal Top 100 Lawyers (2008);
- Northern California Super Lawyers and Top 100 (2012-Present);
- Marquis Who’s Who Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award for Career Longevity and Demonstrated Unwavering Excellence (2018);
- Humanitarian Award (2019)
- Benchmark Litigation California, Litigation Star; Environmental/Land Use/Water Rights, Noted Star (2018-2020)
- Top 100 Registry Business Leaders and Professionals; 2020 Professional of the Year; 2019 Attorney of the Year; 2018 Professional of the Year in Recognition of Outstanding Efforts and Achievements; 2019 Lifetime Achievement Award in Recognition of Exemplary Accomplishments and Contributions in the Field of Law;
- America’s Most Honored Professionals Top 1% (2016-2021);
- America’s Top 100 Attorneys Lifetime Achievement Northern California 2017;
- Teacher of the Year Award, San Joaquin College of Law, Fresno, where he served as Dean of the Law School (1980-82);
- President and Chair of Board of Trustees (1983-1995);
- NAACP Image Award (2005);
- Central California Legal Services Champion of Justice (2006);
- FCBA Witkin Lifetime Achievement Award (2012);
- Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent 5.0/5.0 legal competence/integrity;
- Beta Gamma Sigma (Business Honorary Society); and
- Phi Alpha Delta Legal Society (Honorary Member).
