Markus Willoughby is relentless in the pursuit of excellence. He is an award winning trial lawyer who is recognized for his tenacity as an advocate and his law changing successes in the courtroom. He continually seeks to develop and refine strategies that will help achieve outstanding outcomes for his clients. He has been practicing for 27 years and has litigated thousands of cases in multiple jurisdictions.
Mr. Willoughby focuses his practice on medical malpractice, personal injury and other injury-related lawsuits and has earned a reputation for success in these complex cases. Mr. Willoughby is a Trial Lawyer’s trial lawyer. Other lawyers throughout California frequently turn to Mr. Willoughby for guidance on complex legal matters or seek his assistance when they need to go into a courtroom.
His medical malpractice victory in Keys v. Alta Bates Summit Medical Center created a blueprint for individuals to successfully bring claims for negligent infliction of emotional distress claims against doctors and hospitals. His formula is being taught to attorneys around the country and Mr. Willoughby has received widespread acclaim from his peers.
Some of his accomplishments include:
Nomination for Trial Lawyer of the Year in 2013 and 2014 by the San Francisco Trial Lawyers Association.
Received the coveted Civil Justice Award in 2014 from the San Francisco Trial Lawyer’s Association for “fighting the good fight for his clients every day.”
Is repeatedly selected as a Northern California SuperLawyer “Top 5%” of Attorneys in Northern California.
Received the CLAY AWARD 2016 California “Attorney of the Year” for Medical Malpractice.
Is a member of the National Trial Lawyer’s Top 100 Attorney’s
AVVO 10.0 Rating “Superb Attorney in Medical Malpractice”
AV Rated by Martindale-Hubbell “Peer Rated for the highest Level of Professional Excellence.”
Mr. Willoughby is a Board Member of the San Francisco Trial Lawyer’s Association, which is dedicated to the education of the legal community. He has been the chairperson for the annual Mock Trial Competition for the last 5 years, mentors students and young lawyers, is a frequent author on matters relevant to the ever changing and complex legal community and lectures at continuing legal education courses. Mr. Willoughby is the immediate past president of the San Francisco Trial Lawyers Association (President in 2020).
Education
Case Western Reserve University Law School, Cleveland, Ohio
J.D. – 1995
Honors: Nathan Burkan Award
Honors: Governor’s Commendation
California State University
Honors: With High Honors
Major: Philosophy
Languages
English
Spanish
Published Works
Pinning Down the Medical Expert in Failure to Diagnose Cases, Plaintiff Magazine, 2014
Navigating Negligent Infliction of Emotional Distress After Keyes vs. Alta Bates, Plaintiff Magazine , 2015
Winning the Battle of Experts, San Francisco Daily Journal, Oct.28, 2016
The Art of Selection and Use of Expert Witnesses, Plaintiff Magazine, 2017
Frequent contributor to the Trial Lawyer Magazine, Quarterly article as president, as well as commentary as Board Member.
Professional Associations
Alameda County Bar Association, Member
San Francisco Trial Lawyers Association, Board of Directors, 2010 to Present
San Francisco Trial Lawyers Association, President, 2020
Admissions
Ohio, 1995
California, 1998
U.S. District Court Northern District of California
U.S. District Court Northern District of Ohio
U.S. District Court Eastern District of California
Honors
Trial Lawyer of the Year Nominee 2014 and 2015, San Francisco Trial Lawyers Association
Civil Justice Award, SFTLA
Top 5% Attorneys, Northern California Super Lawyers
Member, National Trial Lawyer's Top 100 Attorneys
California Lawyer Attorney of the Year Award, California Lawyers Magazine
AV Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
AVVO 10.0 Rated
Chairperson, Annual Mock Trial Competition
America's Top 100 High Stakes Litigators
Representative Cases
Keys v. Alta Bates Summit Medical Center, (2015) 235 Cal App. 4th 484, Contra Costa