James L. Hazard has tried more than fifty jury trials in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, and the Superior Courts of Contra Costa, Alameda and Solano Counties. He is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates. His litigation practice has involved the defense of many wrongful death actions.

Mr. Hazard has tried five wrongful death actions to defense verdict and successfully settled four additional wrongful death actions on the morning of trial call. He now is resolving cases as a mediator for a wide variety of cases, including personal injury claims involving vehicles, watercraft, premises, and products as well as employment, municipal actions, police and contract disputes.

From 1994 to 1997, Mr. Hazard served as a member of the Board of Directors for the Northern California Association of Defense Counsel. He is currently a member of that organization. Additionally, Mr. Hazard serves as a master in the Contra Costa California America Inn of Court and serves on the Contra Costa County and Solano County Arbitration and Mediation Panels.

Mr. Hazard served two terms as Mayor and eight years as a City Councilman for the City of Walnut Creek. He also served as a member and Chairman of the Contra Costa County LAFCO (Local Agency Foundation Commission). He has represented a number of special districts and acted as, District Counsel for the Central Contra Costa Sanitary District.