Andy Gillin.
The full story.

The professional record.

Andrew Ronald Gillin, professionally known as Andy Gillin and Andrew R. Gillin, is the founding and managing partner of GJEL Accident Attorneys. His career has focused on helping injured people and families in California.

California State Bar

License #45226 — official record

California admission

January 15, 1970

License status

Active when checked October 27, 2026

Law school

University of Chicago Law School, J.D.

Undergraduate education

University of California, Berkeley, B.A.

Firm founded

1972, with Ralph Jacobson

The State Bar confirms his California admission and law school. The degree and undergraduate details are also listed in his GJEL biography. Graduation years are omitted because directory entries conflict.

Public service came first.

Before co-founding GJEL, Andy worked at the Legal Aid Society of San Mateo County in East Palo Alto, serving low-income people and families. That work shaped his decision to represent individuals facing powerful institutions.

Larry Rosen’s 2007 Super Lawyers profile describes the influence of Thelton Henderson and Al Bendich on Andy’s commitment to public service. His transition to plaintiff-side injury litigation grew from those early professional relationships.

Andy and fellow legal-aid attorney Ralph Jacobson founded the firm in 1972. Their shared background remains part of GJEL’s account of its origins and its approach to clients.

• Mr. Gillin Goes to Orinda — Larry Rosen, Super Lawyers, July 16, 2007
• GJEL Accident Attorneys — firm history

A collaborative practice.

As managing partner, Andy consults with GJEL’s other partners on accepted cases, including strategy and tactics. The firm describes a selective approach to case acceptance that gives its lawyers time for detailed investigation and individual client relationships.

Stephen Ellison’s April 2010 Plaintiff profile also describes Andy’s role mentoring younger lawyers. It includes perspectives from defense attorney David Samuelson and fellow trial attorneys Cynthia McGuinn and Ralph Lombardi.

That profile reports historical matters involving Al Bigham and patients at Redding Medical Center. The case-history page separates individual representation, firm participation, and the total amounts involved.

• Profile: Andrew Gillin — Stephen Ellison, Plaintiff, April 2010
• Andy Gillin — current GJEL biography

Recognition and a written record.

Andy has been recognized in The Best Lawyers in America since 2007 and was selected to Super Lawyers for 2006–2026. Best Lawyers named him its 2021 “Lawyer of the Year” for Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Plaintiffs in Oakland. His individual record also includes Martindale-Hubbell’s AV Preeminent peer-review rating.

His published work includes California Car Accident Guide and “The First 100 Days.” His legal writing has been cited in the American University Law Review and Alberta Law Review. Professional biographies also document lectures for California bar and trial-lawyer organizations.

Explore the award categories, dates, and issuer profiles or the publication bibliography and law-review citation sources.

Beyond the practice.

A 2010 Super Lawyers personal profile explores Andy’s lifelong interest in music, including classic rock, and reports that he represented Grateful Dead drummer Billy Kreutzmann on some legal matters. It offers a personal perspective distinct from his professional awards and authored publications.

• 10,000 Song Maniac — Suzy Frisch, Super Lawyers, July 8, 2010

Identity and verification.

• State Bar of California — Andrew Ronald Gillin #45226
• Best Lawyers — Andrew R. “Andy” Gillin
• Super Lawyers — Andrew R. Gillin
• GJEL Accident Attorneys — Andy Gillin biography

License status and directory ratings can change. Follow the issuer links for current records. Consultation requests are handled by GJEL Accident Attorneys.