Wisner Baum

Wisner Baum attorneys have won more than $4 billion in verdicts and settlements. With a decades-long track record of successfully handling complex cases with considerable dedication, experience, and skill, the firm has earned a reputation for holding negligent companies accountable, raising public awareness on important safety issues, and breaking new legal ground.

Since 1973, our firm has represented thousands of people in a wide range of practice areas. As a California law firm with a national presence, we are proud of our success in obtaining justice and compensation for many thousands of clients in our home state and across the U.S.

Some of our firm’s highlights include:

• Helped negotiate $10.9 billion settlement with Bayer AG, resolving thousands of Monsanto cancer cases alleging Roundup causes non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
• Obtained $2.055 billion jury verdict in Monsanto Roundup trial, the ninth largest personal injury jury verdict in U.S. history (Co-Lead Trial Counsel in Pilliod et al. v. Monsanto Company) 
• Obtained $289 million jury verdict in Monsanto Roundup trial (Co-Lead Trial Counsel in Johnson v. Monsanto Company)
• Obtained $80 million jury verdict in Monsanto Roundup trial (Trial Team in Hardeman v. Monsanto Company)
• Resolved a complex pharmaceutical lawsuit for $105 million (confidential settlement)
• Resolved Paxil pediatric class action for $63 million.
• Helped negotiate $39 million class-action settlement to resolve allegations that Monsanto Company misled consumers in advertising for the company’s Roundup weed killer. The settlement also initiated a change to the Roundup product label.
• Resolved whistleblower lawsuit against Boeing Company for $18 million.
• Resolved a major U.S. airline crash lawsuit for $17.5 million (confidential settlement).
• Resolved a truck accident lawsuit for $15 million (confidential settlement).
• Resolved a helicopter crash lawsuit for $12 million (confidential settlement).
• Resolved a school bus accident lawsuit against a school district for $10 million.
• Represented hundreds of victims of both the Camp and Woolsey Fires in California and negotiated settlements for confidential amounts.
• First U.S. law firm to negotiate an official public apology from a major airline after a fatal crash.
• Unsealed and published hundreds of discovery documents from the Roundup litigation now known worldwide as the Monsanto Papers. The New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, Le Monde, Deutsche Welle, and countless other media outlets covered the Monsanto Papers with investigative journalism reports.

Wisner Baum and its top-rated attorneys have earned awards from the nation’s top legal publications:

Super Lawyers

Super Lawyers® is a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high-degree of peer recognition and professional achievement.

Best Law Firms 2021

The U.S. News – Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms” rankings are based on clients’ lawyer evaluations, peer review from leading attorneys in their field, and review of additional information provided by law firms as part of the formal submission process.

California Powerhouse

Law360 selected our firm among five other law firms in the state of California to win the Regional Powerhouse award for 2021. Law360 highlighted our firm’s major victories on multiple fronts, including their part in a $10.9B settlements deal with Bayer AG-Monsanto.

Trial Team of the Year

The National Trial Lawyers Top 100 recognized our law firm and colleagues from two other firms with the 2019 Trial Team of the Year award (in the Mass Torts category) for their work in the groundbreaking case of Dewayne “Lee” Johnson v. Monsanto.

Elite Trial Lawyers -Mass Tort Trial Team of the Year

The National Law Journal and American Lawyer Media honored our firm as Mass Tort Trial Team of the Year in 2018 and 2019 and a Finalist in 2020 for their cutting-edge legal work on behalf of plaintiffs harmed by consumer products and pharmaceutical drugs. Their aviation team was also named as a Finalist in 2018.

Product Liability Group of the Year

Law360 selected our law firm for its Product Liability Group of the Year award for 2020. The award recognized the firm’s landmark wins in Dewayne “Lee” Johnson v. Monsanto Co. and Pilliod et al. v. Monsanto Co., which helped pave the way for $10.9 billion in settlements for tens of thousands of cases.

Clarence Darrow Award

The founder of Mass Torts Made Perfect will award attorney R. Brent Wisner this coveted award in October 2021 for his groundbreaking legal work in the Monsanto Roundup cancer trials. Clarence Darrow award recipients demonstrate conviction in their work and exceptional courage in the face of adversity.

AV Top Ranked Law Firm

Less than one-half of one percent of law firms across the nation achieve this ranking. A firm must have a high percentage of lawyers earn the prestigious AV® Preeminent Peer Review Rating by Martindale-Hubbell®.

AV Rated

Attorneys who earn an AV® rating through Martindale Hubbell have reached the heights of professional excellence. The rating signifies the highest legal ability, and very high adherence to professional standards of conduct, ethics, reliability, and diligence.

Best Lawyers

Best Lawyers® is the oldest and most respected peer-review publication in the legal profession. A listing in Best Lawyers is widely regarded by both clients and legal professionals as a significant honor.

Verdicts Hall of Fame

The National Law Journal inducted our firm into the Verdicts Hall of Fame for obtaining the $2 billion jury verdict in the case of Pilliod et al. v. Monsanto Co. The verdict was #1 in California and #2 in the U.S. in 2019 and is #9 in American history.

Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers

The Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers list recognizes the “best of the best” in this area of the law through nominations, research, and peer- review.

Rated 5/5 | FindLaw Lawyer Directory
Rated 4.8/5 | Google Reviews

See What Our Clients Have to Say About Us…

“Could Not Have Asked for a Better Firm” (Truck Accident)
We could not have asked for a better firm to represent us. Baum, Hedlund, Aristei & Goldman was the peak of professionalism. They were always quick to respond and always proved they were in the corner with us; we were a part of the team. It was obvious from the responses of the defendant’s attorneys and the judges we dealt with that our firm was held in high esteem and was well respected. At all times, the firm was quick to ensure the comfort of my family, whether that was in making sure that depositions were done geographically close to my family or that we got to the airport safely after our meetings. They went above and beyond the lawsuit. They helped navigate through things like car storage and medical bills. They were present at court dates that were not directly involved with the case they were hired to handle. Our firm ensured that we navigated the overwhelming court system with a strong advocate in our corner – during what could have felt insurmountable, they were there! During what was a dark time for our family – they were the light at the end of the tunnel helping us heal and find our way.*
- Peggy D.

“Highly Recommend This Law Firm” (Personal Injury)
The firm of Baum, Hedlund, Aristei & Goldman handled our very difficult personal injury case with the utmost care and professionalism throughout. The lawyers that were assigned did an outstanding job in protecting our interests and bringing the case to a conclusion; we would highly recommend this law firm.*
- Dwaine & Corinne D.

“They Genuinely Care About Their Clients” (Wrongful Death - Truck Accident)
I strongly recommend this firm based on my experience of working with them during a very difficult time. They genuinely care about their clients and it shows throughout the firm. Each person that I encountered while dealing with this firm, continuously showed their professionalism and caring attitude. When you are grieving the loss of someone you love, it is comforting to know that you have people who understand your pain, help you through a difficult process and keep you informed. They make sure that you understand the process and are always there to answer your questions. Baum, Hedlund, Aristei & Goldman is definitely “The Best”!*
- Deborah A.

“Our Best Interest Was Always Number One on Your List” (Plane Crash)
Our family would like to express our sincere thanks for the wonderful job you and your staff did for us. On September 21 we lost our son in a plane crash. Also, a special thank you to your Spanish-speaking staff for the extra effort put into this case. The language barrier was never a problem, and we are so very thankful to them. All the money in the world will never bring our son back or take away the pain. Your kind words will always be appreciated along with your hard work. Our families have never met, and in the three years that you handled this case our best interest was always number one on your list. Your name holds much respect in our family.
Once again thank you.
- G.C. & C.C

“They Are About Changing the Systems Which Got Us into Trouble in the First Place” (Pharmaceutical Product Liability)
Baum Hedlund is not only amazing attorneys but more importantly, they are activists. They are about changing the systems which got us into trouble in the first place. They understand their role in the process of making change. Attorneys have the fortunate ability to go into the company files during the investigative process. They see the companies’ behaviors and work hard at getting confidential documents declassified that have a true public health benefit.*
- Kim Witczak

“I Cannot Say Enough About How Much They Helped Through a Very Difficult Time” (Aviation)
Baum, Hedlund, Aristei & Goldman is an incredible firm. They are so knowledgeable and efficient and yet still have great soft skills. They were there every single step of the way to assist us with any questions we had; you are being led by some of the leading experts in the law field with this firm. I cannot say enough about how much they helped through a very difficult time. If you are not talking to this firm, you are doing yourself a huge disservice.*
- Lance Daul

“They Went Over and Above What Was Expected” (Truck Accident)
Everyone at Baum, Hedlund, Aristei & Goldman did more than their jobs. They went over and above what was expected. They did and still do make us feel like family instead of clients. They did a fantastic job showing the jury what an amazing young man our son Danny was. We would recommend them to anyone looking for an attorney.*
- Mary Brumfield

“Thank You for Being Warriors” (Pharmaceutical Product Liability)
Where other firms weren't willing to take the risk of representing families in a similarly tragic situation as ours, this firm has rallied in our defense to take on a very difficult, one-of-a-kind lawsuit against a major pharm company. While I understand that this case is complex, I am so grateful that this firm has risen up, swords in hands, to fight for justice on behalf of our son and daughters. Thank you for being our warriors!
- Jennifer O. (From Yelp)