In the arena of product liability and auto defect litigation, where multinational corporations deploy vast legal resources to protect their profits, Brian Chase stands as one of California’s most formidable advocates for injured victims. As managing partner and senior trial attorney at Bisnar Chase, Chase has built a remarkable career taking on automotive giants and securing transformative victories for clients. The firm has recovered over $1 billion for clients, including Chase’s staggering $117.5 million consumer class action award and numerous multi-million dollar verdicts in auto defect cases.
From Surfer to Trial Lawyer: An Unexpected Journey
Chase’s path to becoming one of California’s premier trial attorneys is as unconventional as it is inspiring. In a recent episode of “Celebrating Justice,” Chase shared his remarkable transition from a laid-back surfer to a passionate trial lawyer dedicated to tackling motor vehicle defect cases.
His spark of interest in the law came unexpectedly during a college debate on the renowned Baby Fae case—a medical ethics controversy involving an infant who received a baboon heart transplant. Chase’s deep dive into research for this debate instilled a passion for legal challenges that would shape his entire career. “I specifically went to law school to become a personal injury trial attorney. It is what I love, what I do, and what I am,” Chase reflects on this pivotal moment that set him on his path.
Inspired by Ford Pinto: A Focus on Auto Safety
Chase’s unique focus on auto defect litigation was driven by witnessing the Ford Pinto cases of the 1970s, where corporate negligence led to tragic consequences. These cases, in which Ford prioritized cost savings over safety by knowingly selling vehicles with dangerous fuel tank designs, demonstrated the critical role trial lawyers play in advancing public safety through relentless litigation against industries prioritizing profit over people.
This early exposure to corporate malfeasance in the automotive industry became the foundation for Chase’s lifelong commitment to holding car manufacturers accountable when they place profits ahead of consumer safety.
The Jacqueline Romine Case: A Landmark Victory
Among Chase’s many significant victories, the Jacqueline Romine case stands as a watershed moment both for his career and for California auto defect law. Chase secured a groundbreaking $25 million verdict for Romine, who was paralyzed in a seat back failure incident. More importantly, this case led to the landmark published opinion Romine v. Johnson Controls, which has aided countless future auto defect cases in California by clarifying the consumer expectation test for proving defect.
As Chase shares in “Celebrating Justice,” this case and client enabled him and his partner to elevate their firm to new heights. It exemplifies his philosophy that “you have to keep hustling, no matter your age, and when you love what you do, there’s nothing like it.”
A Proudest Moment: $24.7 Million Victory for Paralyzed Client
One of Mr. Chase’s proudest moments among many was the victory he obtained representing a client who was seriously injured in an auto defects case that left her paralyzed. Brian took on the auto industry and garnered a $24.7 million victory for his client, securing medical care and financial security for the rest of her life.
This case exemplifies Chase’s commitment to not just winning verdicts, but to ensuring that his clients receive the resources they need for lifetime care and security. His discussion of this case with Fox News brought national attention to the ongoing issues of automotive safety and the critical role that trial attorneys play in holding manufacturers accountable. The case represents the human impact behind the numbers—a paralyzed victim who now has the means to afford the care and support she needs to live with dignity.
Unprecedented Recognition and Leadership
Chase’s excellence has earned recognition at the highest levels of the legal profession. In August 2025, The Los Angeles Times named him a Top Executive in Orange County, acknowledging both his significant contributions to the legal field and his creation of an impressive workplace culture.
His accolades include an impressive array of honors that distinguish him among California’s legal elite:
National Recognition:
- Named to Top 1% by the National Association of Distinguished Counsel
- Litigator of the Year by the American Institute of Trial Lawyers (AIOTL)
- Listed among Top 100 Trial Lawyers by the American Trial Lawyers Association since 2007
- 2025 Fellowship awarded by the Litigation Counsel of America
- Million Dollar Advocate recognition
- American Academy of Attorneys $500M Club member
- Top Plaintiff Lawyer by the Daily Journal
- Southern California SuperLawyer since 2006
- Top 50 Orange County SuperLawyer for 15 consecutive years
Leadership Positions:
- 2023 Orange County Bar Association Tort and Trial Section Chair
- Former President, Consumer Attorneys of California
- Past President, Orange County Trial Lawyers Association
- Current member of ABOTA (American Board of Trial Advocates), which upholds the highest standards for trial attorneys
- 2014 Trial Lawyer of the Year in Products Liability (Orange County Trial Lawyers Association)
Community Involvement:
- Board member of the Brain Society of California, established to help those who have suffered serious traumatic brain injuries
- Member of the Trial Lawyer Institute
- Member of the Diversity Law Institute
Published Authority on Auto Safety
Chase’s expertise extends beyond the courtroom to the written word. He is the author of “Still Unsafe at Any Speed,” a groundbreaking book examining the auto industry and defective vehicles. In 2019, he released “The Second Collision,” an updated follow-up focusing on the catastrophic injuries and wrongful deaths caused by auto defects.
These publications have established Chase as a thought leader in automotive safety and product liability law. He is a frequent lecturer nationwide on litigation-related topics and has appeared on numerous major media outlets, including CBS Special Reports, Peter Jennings/World News Tonight, PBS, Fox 11 News, and America’s Best Lawyers.
Precedent-Setting Legal Victories
Beyond individual case results, Chase has shaped California law through his work on four crucial, precedent-setting appellate opinions that continue to impact product liability litigation:
- Martinez-Mazon v. Ford Motor Company – Auto products defect case establishing important principles regarding Forum Non-Conveniens
- Romine v. Johnson Controls – Auto products defect case clarifying the consumer expectation test for proving defect
- Schreiber v. Estate of Kiser – California Supreme Court case establishing key principles regarding expert witness designations
- Hernandez v. State of California – Landmark case addressing governmental design immunity
These appellate victories demonstrate Chase’s commitment not just to winning individual cases, but to advancing the law in ways that protect future victims of defective products.
Remarkable Case Results
Chase’s track record speaks volumes about his abilities in the courtroom. His case results include some of the largest verdicts and settlements in California personal injury history:
Major Victories:
- $117,500,000 – Consumer Class Action
- $38,650,000 – Motorcycle Accident
- $24,700,000 – Auto Defect: Seatback Failure
- $23,091,000 – Auto Defect: Seatback Failure + MVA
- $16,444,904 – Auto Defect: Seatback Failure
- $12,238,000 – Auto Defect
- $10,591,098 – Auto Defect: 15-Passenger Van Rollover
- $10,200,000 – Auto Defect/Auto Negligence
- $10,030,000 – Auto Defect: Seatback Failure
These results represent just a fraction of Chase’s successful cases. His consistent ability to secure eight-figure verdicts and settlements demonstrates not only his legal acumen but also his unwavering commitment to maximizing recovery for injured clients.
Leading the Fight on Emerging Vehicle Technologies
Chase continues to stay at the forefront of automotive safety litigation, now focusing on the challenges presented by electric vehicles and autonomous driving technology. As he shares in “Celebrating Justice,” these emerging technologies present new opportunities and challenges for personal injury lawyers as manufacturers rush to market with innovations that may not have been adequately tested for safety.
His forward-thinking approach ensures that as the automotive industry evolves, there remains a vigilant advocate ready to hold manufacturers accountable for new types of defects and safety failures that threaten consumers.
Philosophy: Hustle, Passion, and Client-First Advocacy
Chase’s success stems from key principles that guide his practice:
- Continuous Learning and Hard Work: Chase emphasizes that continuous learning, hard work, and dedication are essential for success in the legal profession. No matter his numerous accolades, he maintains the same drive and work ethic that launched his career.
- Creativity and Storytelling: Chase recognizes that creativity and storytelling are valuable skills in connecting with juries and drafting compelling briefs. His ability to make complex automotive engineering issues understandable to lay jurors has been crucial to his courtroom success.
- Humility and Client-First Approach: Despite his remarkable achievements, Chase maintains that humility and a client-first approach are crucial for a successful legal career. Every case is treated with the same dedication and personal attention, regardless of its size.
- Embracing Setbacks: Chase believes in embracing setbacks as learning experiences to keep moving forward. His career demonstrates that persistence and resilience are as important as legal skill in achieving justice for clients.
- Advocacy for Positive Impact: For Chase, advocacy and making a positive impact remain central to a trial lawyer’s role. His work has not only compensated individual clients but has also led to safer vehicles for all consumers through precedent-setting cases and pressure on manufacturers to improve safety standards.
Specialization in Auto Defects and Dangerous Products
Chase has made his reputation by focusing his efforts on auto defects and defective or dangerous products. His deep understanding of automotive engineering, manufacturing processes, and safety standards allows him to effectively challenge even the largest automotive manufacturers when their products cause harm.
His practice addresses various types of auto defects, including:
- Seatback failures (a particular focus area following the Romine case)
- Airbag failures and malfunctions
- Roof crush incidents in rollovers
- Defective seatbelts
- 15-passenger van rollover cases
- Failure to equip vehicles with proper safety features
- Emerging defects in electric vehicles
- Safety issues in autonomous driving systems
This specialization has made Chase the attorney of choice for catastrophic injury cases involving vehicle defects, where his expertise can make the difference between inadequate compensation and life-changing recovery. His stories demonstrate the significant role trial lawyers play in advancing public safety through relentless litigation against industries prioritizing profit over people—a lesson learned from the Ford Pinto cases that continues to drive his work today.
Fighting Corporate Giants for Client Justice
Chase has built his practice on the willingness to take on some of the biggest corporate giants in America. From major automotive manufacturers to large insurance companies, he has consistently demonstrated that with the right combination of preparation, expertise, and courtroom skill, individual plaintiffs can achieve justice against even the most powerful opponents.
His approach combines thorough investigation, cutting-edge expert testimony, and compelling jury presentations to build cases that corporations cannot ignore. This preparation often results in substantial settlements, but when necessary, Chase is fully prepared to take cases to trial and has proven his ability to secure favorable jury verdicts time and again.
A Personal Commitment to Injured Victims
What sets Chase apart is not just his impressive results or numerous accolades, but his genuine passion for helping injured victims rebuild their lives. He understands that behind every case is a person or family dealing with life-altering circumstances, often through no fault of their own.
For Chase, being an injury advocate means more than just winning cases—it means assisting injured people to obtain justice from big corporations that manufacture dangerous products, helping accident victims collect what they’re owed from insurance companies, and providing the satisfaction of helping someone recover their life after an accident caused by the wrongdoing of others. This is what matters most to Brian Chase.
The Chase Advantage
For individuals injured by defective vehicles or dangerous products, Brian Chase offers a unique combination of specialized expertise, proven results, and passionate advocacy. His 18-year streak as a Top 100 Trial Lawyer, combined with his precedent-setting appellate victories and hundreds of millions of dollars recovered for clients, demonstrates that when facing catastrophic injuries caused by corporate negligence, having the right advocate can make all the difference.
Chase’s leadership positions within California’s legal community, his published works on automotive safety, and his media presence as an expert on defective products have established him as not just a successful attorney, but as a force for positive change in product safety and corporate accountability.
Whether fighting a major automotive manufacturer over a defective seatback, challenging an airbag failure, tackling emerging issues with electric or autonomous vehicles, or taking on any corporation that has placed profits ahead of consumer safety, Brian Chase brings the experience, resources, and determination necessary to achieve justice for his clients.
In a legal landscape where injured victims often feel powerless against corporate defendants with unlimited resources, Brian Chase has proven that with exceptional skill, unwavering dedication, and genuine passion for justice, it’s possible to hold even the largest corporations accountable and secure the compensation that injured victims deserve to rebuild their lives.
Learn more about Brian Chase’s auto defect and product liability practice: Visit his profile on the Haute Lawyer Network.
