Craig A. Diamond is an experienced litigator, having tried cases in many counties throughout the State of California during his legal career which spans nearly three decades. His trial experience includes representing plaintiffs and defendants in brain damage cases, wrongful death cases, products and premises liability cases as well as commercial litigation for both plaintiffs and defendants. He has also appeared before the First District Court of Appeal, the Third District Court of Appeal, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeal and the United States Supreme Court.

Craig was also a firefighter for 15 years, and a fire investigator for 12 years. He's always said "I learned my courtroom composure at the nozzle of a hose in the middle of a burning building... if you can stay composed there, the courtroom is a breeze."

During his spare time, he is a sports enthusiast, currently trying to learn the proper game of golf. Though less active than when he was younger when he rowed on the UCLA Crew, he still enjoys watching sports and participating when he can.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:

• Admitted California State Bar, 1979
• Admitted New York State Bar, 1988
• Admitted Washington State Bar, 2009
• Admitted United States District Court Bar (Central), 1979
• Admitted United States District Court Bar (Eastern), 1981
• Admitted United States District Court Bar (Northern), 1996
• Admitted United States District Court (Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals), 1986
• Admitted Supreme Court of the United States, 1987

MEMBERSHIPS:

• A-V Rated in Martindale-Hubbell Directory
• Nevada County Bar Association
• Association of Defense Counsel of No. California
• Association of Trial Lawyers of America

PRESENT EMPLOYMENT:

Area of emphasis:

• Personal Injury Litigation
• Elder Abuse
• Insurance Defense
• Business Litigation

FEBRUARY 1995 - 2006

• Judge Pro Tem
• Nevada County Municipal Court
• Placer County Superior Court
• Court Appointed Arbitrator
• Court Approved Mediator
• Nevada County Superior Court

JUNE 1981 - JANUARY 1995

• SHINE, BROWNE & DIAMOND - A Professional Corporation
• 1981 - 1984 Shine & Browne
• 1984 - 1994 Shine, Browne & Diamond, APC

MARCH 1980 - JUNE 1981:

• Haight, Dickson, Brown & Bonesteel

AUGUST 1979 - MARCH 1980:

• Pacific Telephone & Telegraph

EDUCATION:

• Juris Doctor 1979; Hastings College of the Law, University of California.
• Intern: San Francisco District Attorney's Office, Career Criminal Unit.
• Intern: California State Public Defenders Office.
• Intern: California Public Utilities Commission.
• Bachelor of Arts, (Political Science), 1976 - University of California at Davis
• University of California at Los Angeles (1974 - 1975)
• California State University at Northridge (1972 - 1974)
• California Teaching Credential for Junior and Community Colleges.

COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES:

• Founding Fellow, Foundation of the State Bar of California
• Grass Valley Volunteer Fire Department
• Fire Investigator; Fire Fighter; Board President
• Fire Fighter of the Year, 1996

FORMER MEMBER:

• Board of Directors for Nevada County Legal Assistance.
• Board of Directors, 49er Fire Protection District
• Committee of Bar Examiners of the State Bar of California - Vice Chairman of Ethics Subcommittee

SPECIALIZED TRAINING:

• Medical Legal Institute
• Certification program, eight week course in anatomy at USC Medical School.

CALIFORNIA STATE FIRE MARSHAL

• Certified Fire Investigator I. and Certified Fire Fighter I.

CERTIFICATES OF COMPLETION:

• Sacramento Valley Fire Prevention Officers Association
• Advanced Fire Investigation
• California Fire Service Training and Education System
• Fire Investigation 1A
• Fire Investigation 1B
• Fire Investigation 2A
• Emergency Medical Technician 1-D
• Sierra College Peace Officer Standards and Training Approved
• Penal Code 832 Curriculum

MEMBER:

• California Conference of Arson Investigators.

AREA OF EMPHASIS IN PRACTICE:

• Insurance Defense and Personal Injury Litigation.