Attorney Biography: Nicholas R. Allis

Nicholas R. Allis focuses his practice in the area of civil litigation with particular emphasis on plaintiffs' contingency fee litigation including personal injury-related cases such as vehicular accidents, medical malpractice, product liability, pharmaceutical liability, insurance bad faith, employment, legal malpractice, elder abuse, harassment and other claims.

A graduate of Yale University (B.A. 1964) and the Georgetown Law Center (J.D. 1970), he served on the Executive Board and as Case Notes Editor for the Georgetown Law Journal in 1969 and 1970.

Legal Experience

Mr. Allis has been a member of the California Bar since 1972 and Washington D.C. Bar since 1971.

His extensive trial and appellate experience includes serving as lead attorney in numerous jury trials in Federal and California Superior Courts and arguing and presenting cases before federal and state appellate courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court.

After law school, Mr. Allis served as clerk to Judge Francis Van Dusen of the United States Court of Appeals, for the Third Circuit in 1970 and 1971, and was a Deputy Federal Public Defender in Los Angeles from 1972 to 1975.

Before founding his own practice in 1987, he was a partner with Butler, Dan, Allis and Reback and its predecessor law firms, specializing in plaintiffs' civil litigation.

Mr. Allis is qualified to serve as a Pro-Tem Judge in the Los Angeles Superior Court, Central District and an Arbitrator for the Los Angeles Superior Court.

He served as Assistant Editor of The Advocate (the Magazine of Los Angeles Trial Lawyers Association) from 1988 to 1993.

Mr. Allis is extremely active in all local bar association activities and has been involved in organizing Citizens Law Schools to provide free legal advice to people and worked with the Museum of Tolerance on their speakers programs.

Mr. Allis is the recipient of the Outstanding Achievement Award of the California Trial Lawyers Association, the President's Award of the Beverly Hills Bar Association (1992), and the Distinguished Service Award of the Beverly Hills Bar Association (1995).

A frequent author and lecturer, he has lectured on various topics for the Continuing Education of Bar (CEB) and Consumer Attorneys of Los Angeles. His articles have been published in various prestigious publications, including the Georgetown Law Journal (e.g. note, vol.57, no.5 pp 992-1056 (1969), the University of Southern California Law Review (vol. 50, no.3 pp 461-511 (1977), and the Advocate, magazine of Consumer Attorneys of Los Angeles.

Memberships

Beverly Hills Bar Foundation, President (2006-2007)
Beverly Hills Bar Association, President (1999-2000), President-Elect (1998-1999), 1st Vice President (1997-1998), 2nd Vice President (1996-1997), Secretary/Treasurer (1995-1996), Board of Governors (1990-1994; 1995-2001), Executive Committee (1995-2001)
Justice 2000-2002 Committee, Chair
Resolutions Committee to State Bar Convention, Chair (1995)
Citizens Law School, Chair (1993-1994)
Federal Courts Committee, Beverly Hills Bar Association, Chair (1990)
Bill of Rights Bicentennial Committee of the Member of Board Beverly Hills Bar Foundation, Chair (1999- )
Public Counsel (the largest public interest law firm in California), Board of Directors (1998-2006).
PAC Board, California Trial Lawyers Association (1988-1991);
Los Angeles Trial Lawyers Association, member
California Trial Lawyers Association, member
American Trial Lawyers Association, member
Federal Bar Association, member
Los Angeles County Bar Association, member
Beverly Hills Bar Association, member
Superior Court Bench and Bar Committee, member
Superior Court’s West District Coordination Implementation Committee, member
The Lawyers Professional Liability Bar Association (2001- )
Board of Directors, Mental Health Advocacy Services, Inc. 1998

Other Experience

Mr. Allis has always shown a deep commitment to the larger community. Prior to attending law school, he served for two years in the United States Peace Corps in Nigeria, worked in Mississippi in the Summer of 1964 registering voters and taught High School in Inner City Philadelphia.

As comfortable in the out-of-doors as in the courtroom, Mr. Allis has worked for the U.S. Forest Service as a firefighter with a Hot Shot Crew based out of Idaho, and worked for the National Park Service as a fire lookout.

A father of three, he has also at various times enjoyed the roles of Little League Coach and Soccer Coach, and participated with his children in the YMCA Indian Princess / Indian Guides program. He served on the board of his local Methodist church and volunteers for many community groups.