Cedric the Entertainer did the honors in roasting Brian Panish, founding partner of Panish Shea & Boyle LLP in Los Angeles, at the Brian Panish Tribute & Roast Dinner hosted by the Consumer Attorney Association of Los Angeles (CAALA).

More than 500 guests including family, friends and colleagues of Panish, a member of the Irish Legal 100, filled the Crystal Ballroom at The Beverly Hills Hotel to watch him get a good ribbing and celebrate the recognition of his many accomplishments.

Actor, comedian and friend Cedric the Entertainer served as master of ceremonies for the evening and kept roasters Jeoffrey Robinson, Robert Buccola, Tim DeRuyter, Wally Yoka and John Morgan in line as they successfully roasted the sports-loving trial lawyer while reiterating his devotion to his family, friends and the legal system.

As one of the country’s leading trial attorneys, Panish has obtained some of the most significant jury verdicts in American history on behalf of plaintiffs in personal injury, wrongful death and business litigation cases. During his career, Panish has obtained more than 200 verdicts and settlements in excess of $10 million and 27 jury verdicts over $10 million in personal injury and wrongful death cases, including three in excess of $50 million – more than any other attorney in California history. In the last five years alone, he has obtained more than $300 million in verdicts.

Panish is consistently recognized by both state and national publications and organizations for his outstanding achievements. Too numerous to name, they include trial lawyer/attorney of the year awards from CAOC (2015), California Lawyer Magazine (2013), ABOTA-California (2010), and CAALA (1999). He is consistently named as among the best lawyers in California and the country by the Daily Journal, the Recorder, Super Lawyers, Best Lawyers, the National Law Journal and Law Dragon. In addition to his numerous honors, Panish is a member of the prestigious Inner Circle of Advocates, a Fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers and a Diplomat of the ABOTA.

Growing up in the Los Angeles area, Panish played football, basketball and baseball in high school. He later obtained a football scholarship to Fresno State University where he played free safety and received the Athletic Directors Award.

After graduating from Fresno State, Panish spent two years coaching high school football before following in the footsteps of his trial attorney father Howard R. Panish and attending law school. He received his law degree, with honors, from Southwestern Law School in 1984.

After becoming a member of the bar, Panish rose through the ranks starting at Engstrom, Lipscomb & Lack and then to partner at Greene Broillet, Panish & Wheeler and in 2005, along with partners Adam Shea and Kevin Boyle, formed Panish Shea & Boyle LLP. The firm is now recognized as one of the top plaintiffs’ law firms in the country.

When not practicing law, Panish maintains balance in his life by enjoying sports, traveling and spending time with his family.

Panish’s grandmother Maryellan Kiernan Murphy was a native of Co. Longford. His grandfather Bernard Ambrose Murphy was from Co. Westmeath.

Panish is a member of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick and the Irish American Bar Association.

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