Boxer & Gerson Partners Michael Gerson and John Harrigan were recently named to the coveted “Best Lawyers®” list for the Oakland Metropolitan area in their specialty area of workers’ compensation, with Gerson winning additional accolades as “Lawyer of the Year”. The firm, meanwhile, was again named to the associated “Best Law Firms” list in workers’ compensation and product liability. “Best Lawyers” produces a stand-alone publication honoring its award recipients around the country while also noting the awards in regional editions of the Wall Street Journal and the San Francisco Chronicle.
Like all its previous publications, this 25th edition of “Best Lawyers” relied on extensive surveys of practicing lawyers in the evaluation and naming of award winners. The peer review process relies on extensive feedback and ratings from attorneys within various specialty and geographic areas.
“Best Lawyers” designation might include a highly select group other attorneys from an award winner’s region, while Gerson’s additional “Lawyer of the Year” honor went to him alone among Northern California worker’s compensation specialists.
Gerson is a founding partner of the firm that has borne his name since its establishment in 1977, along with the now retired Stewart Boxer.
An Alameda native, Gerson earned his law degree from the University of San Francisco in 1974 and was admitted to the State Bar that same year. He became a certified workers’ compensation specialist in 1980, and has since litigated thousands of claims before the California Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board. He has also argued cases before the California Supreme Court and the California Courts of Appeal.
Among Gerson’s most prized additional responsibilities is serving the NFL Players Association as its panel attorney for workers’ compensation. In that capacity, he represents players on the San Francisco 49ers, Oakland Raiders, and all other association members with a claim in northern California.
Harrigan is also a certified workers’ compensation specialist who joined Boxer & Gerson in 1987 and serves as the firm’s administrative managing partner and practicing workers’ compensation and Social Security Disability attorney. He was admitted to the California State Bar in 1977, and has since made hundreds of expert presentations at conferences and seminars to groups ranging from union members to doctors, insurers, and other legal professionals.
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