John Burris

For the politician, see John Burris (politician).
John Burris
Born
John Leonard Burris

(1945-05-08) May 8, 1945 (age 79)
Vallejo, California, United States
Alma materGolden Gate University (B.A.)
University of California, Berkeley (MBA, J.D.)
OccupationAttorney
SpouseCheryl Amana Burris
WebsiteOfficial website

John Leonard Burris (born May 8, 1945)[1][2] is an American civil rights attorney, based in Oakland, California, known for his work in police brutality cases representing plaintiffs. The John Burris law firm practices employment, criminal defense, DUI, personal injury, and landlord tenant law.

John Burris' practice grew notably when he represented Rodney King in his civil rights lawsuit against the Los Angeles Police Department and won $3.8 million against the LAPD.[3] Since then, Burris has represented plaintiffs in a number of high-profile lawsuits against police departments across the state of California including the "Oakland Riders" case which settled for $10.9 million where a gang of Oakland officers were found to be planting evidence on citizens, which caused the federal government to investigate and oversee the Oakland Police Department to this day.[4]

Recently, John Burris represented Celeste Guap in her cases against Northern California Police Departments for a number of officers exploiting and having sex with her while she was underage.[5] Mr. Burris won a $989,000 settlement for Ms. Guap against the Oakland Police Department whose officers also face criminal charges for their sexual misconduct with a minor.[5]

Mr. Burris won a $11.3 million judgment at trial against the San Jose Police Department, after an officer shot Hung Lam in the back causing him to become paralyzed.[6]

John Burris also represented Oscar Grant's mother in her lawsuit against BART Police which settled for $1.3 million, where Bay Area Rapid Transit Officer Johannes Mehserle shot the 22-year-old in the back while he was handcuffed on the Fruitvale BART train platform in Oakland, California on New Year's Day in 2009.[7] The facts of the case were later depicted in the movie "Fruitvale Station" starring Michael B. Jordan, which won multiple film awards.[8]

Mr. Burris also represents Mario Woods' mother in her case against the San Francisco Police Department where a group of officers were captured on video shooting her son, Mario Woods, on December 2, 2015, that caused large protests throughout the Bay Area and ultimately resulted in the resignation of the SFPD Chief of Police Greg Suhr.[9]

Burris also has represented notable clients such as Tupac Shakur,[10] Latrell Sprewell,[11] Gary Payton[12] Keyshawn Johnson[13] and Barry Bonds.[13]

  1. ^ "John L. Burris Burris, John L. - an Oakland, California (CA) Police Misconduct Lawyer". Archived from the original on 2017-07-27. Retrieved 2009-01-10.
  2. ^ Family Tree Legends John L. Burris
  3. ^ "Civil Rights Lawyer Reflects on Former Client Rodney King, Who Died Sunday at 47".
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference ap was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ a b "Oakland Agrees To $989,000 Settlement In Police Sex Scandal Case". 2017-05-31. Retrieved 2018-03-23.
  6. ^ "Jury awards $11.3 million to San Jose man shot in the back by officer". The Mercury News. 2015-12-21. Retrieved 2018-03-23.
  7. ^ "BART strikes $1.3 million settlement with Oscar Grant's mother". Oakland North. Retrieved 2018-03-23.
  8. ^ Scott, A. O. (2013-07-11). "'Fruitvale Station' Is Based on the Story of Oscar Grant III". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2018-03-23.
  9. ^ "SF Police Chief Greg Suhr Resigns Amid Racial Tensions". NBC Bay Area. Retrieved 2018-03-23.
  10. ^ "From Rodney King to Oscar Grant to Mario Woods, Oakland Attorney John Burris on Taking Cases That Change Police Departments: SFist". Archived from the original on 2017-11-05. Retrieved 2018-03-22.
  11. ^ "Sprewell Pleads Not Guilty in Accident / Basketball star accused in reckless driving case". 1998-04-08.
  12. ^ "'Money grab' rejected as jury clears ex-Laker star in alleged assault". 2017-07-19.
  13. ^ a b "Famous lawyer after a better world". 2008-02-24.