William Bernstein

Consumer Protection Law

4.0 (1 reviews)

San Francisco, California

50+ years experience

Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein LLP

Updated: Jan 04, 2026

Contact Information

415-956-1000

https://www.lieffcabraser.com/attorneys/william-bernstein/

275 Battery Street, 29th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94111

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Bio

William Bernstein has practiced law for more than three decades. Who’s Who Legal called him, “a leader in the plaintiffs’ bar in the fields of complex civil litigation, antitrust, and consumer protection law.”Notable cases Bill has litigated include price-fixing suits against pharmaceutical companies on behalf of retail pharmacies, consumer claims against the world’s largest vitamin manufacturers for crafting a global “vitamins cartel,” charges against natural gas and energy companies for manipulating the price of natural gas and electricity in California during the California energy crisis of 2000-2001, and qui tam claims against the Sutter hospital system for anesthesia service overcharges. These cases, in total, resulted in over $1.3 billion in settlements for consumers and businesses.Bill also oversaw negotiations in the landmark settlement and injunction against De Beers for monopolizing the trade of rough diamonds in the U.S. for nearly 60 years. As featured in the 2008 Plaintiffs Hot List, The National Law Journal wrote,The plaintiffs’ firms’ pluck, and some luck, resulted in a $295 million settlement for De Beers’ customers [and] secured De Beers’ pledge to abide by federal and state antitrust laws and accept court oversight to ensure compliance.Bill taught settlement law as an Adjunct Professor of Law at the University of San Francisco. Bill has been repeatedly recognized as a “Super Lawyer for Northern California” by Super Lawyers magazine. Bill also oversaw negotiations in the landmark settlement and injunction against De Beers for monopolizing the trade of rough diamonds in the U.S. for nearly 60 years. As featured in the 2008 Plaintiffs Hot List, The National Law Journal wrote, The plaintiffs’ firms’ pluck, and some luck, resulted in a $295 million settlement for De Beers’ customers [and] secured De Beers’ pledge to abide by federal and state antitrust laws and accept court oversight to ensure compliance. Bill taught settlement law as an Adjunct Professor of Law at the University of San Francisco. Bill has been repeatedly recognized as a “Super Lawyer for Northern California” by Super Lawyers magazine.

Practice Areas

Consumer Protection Law

Awards & Recognition

Recognized: Consumer Protection Law
Recognized: Litigation - Antitrust
Practice Area: Antitrust Law
AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
California Litigation Star, Benchmark Plaintiff (ranked as one of California's leading litigators in antitrust law)
“Recommended Lawyer – Competition: Plaintiff,” Lexology Index 2025
Selected for inclusion by peers in The Best Lawyers in America in field of "Litigation - Antitrust," 2013 - 2026
"Northern California Super Lawyer," Super Lawyers, 2004-2025
"Consumer Attorney of the Year Finalist," Consumer Attorneys of California, 2014
Top Attorneys In Antitrust Law, Super Lawyers Corporate Counsel Edition, 2010, 2012
Lawdragon Finalist, Lawdragon, 2009-2011
Princeton Premier Registry, Business Leaders and Professionals, 2008-2009
Top 100 Trial Lawyers in California, American Trial Lawyers Association, 2008
Who's Who Legal, 2007
Unsung Hero Award, Appleseed, 2006

Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2013

Education

University of San Francisco, J.D., graduated 1975
University of Pennsylvania, B.A., graduated 1972

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Reviews

Matthew Johnson

2 weeks ago

A formidable advocate in complex litigation

Our company retained Mr. Bernstein for a complex antitrust matter involving alleged price-fixing in our industry. His depth of knowledge, honed over 50 years of practice, was immediately evident. He and his team at Lieff Cabraser expertly navigated the intricate discovery process and legal strategy, clearly drawing on the expertise that has earned him recognition in antitrust and consumer protection law. Mr. Bernstein was a steady, strategic presence throughout, and his counsel was invaluable in reaching a favorable settlement. The only minor critique would be that, given his stature and caseload, direct communication sometimes required patience, as he delegates appropriately to his capable associates. Overall, we felt exceptionally well-represented by a true leader in the plaintiffs' bar.