Practice areas: General Litigation, Appellate, Criminal Defense; view more
Licensed in California since: 2008
Education: University of Notre Dame Law School
Selected to Super Lawyers: 2023 - 2026 
Selected to Rising Stars: 2013 - 2022 Call today:
408-381-3464
McManis Faulkner
50 West San Fernando Street10th Floor
San Jose, CA 95113 Visit website
Details 
Tyler Atkinson is a skilled trial attorney at McManis Faulkner in San Jose, California, whose practice encompasses a wide range of civil, criminal and appellate litigation. He represents both plaintiffs and defendants in complex disputes involving commercial litigation, government and civil rights, highly regulated industries, intellectual property and conflict resolution.
Graduating cum laude, Mr. Atkinson earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Notre Dame Law School, where he was named to the dean’s list. He received his Bachelor of Arts, with honors, from the University of California, Santa Cruz. He also completed studies at the National University of Singapore, adding an international dimension to his legal education and analytical perspective.
Mr. Atkinson is admitted to practice before The State Bar of California, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit and the U.S. Supreme Court. He is a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation and the Litigation Counsel of America and a member of the Federal Bar Association. He also serves on the Civil Practice Committee of the Santa Clara County Bar Association and sits on the Board of Directors for the Boys and Girls Clubs of America in Santa Cruz County.
Mr. Atkinson has received significant professional recognition, including being listed in The Best Lawyers in America for Commercial Litigation. He was also selected as a Fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America, an honor limited to the top one-half of 1% of trial lawyers nationwide.
Dedicated to the advancement of the legal profession, Mr. Atkinson serves as a professor of remedies at Lincoln Law School of San Jose, a content attorney for Continuing Education of the Bar (CEB) and managing attorney at Stanford University’s Legal Counseling Office. His balanced experience, ethical integrity and record of courtroom success make him a trusted and effective advocate for his clients.
Mr. Atkinson’s dual focus on civil and criminal matters gives him a unique perspective on cases where the two areas intersect, allowing him to craft well-rounded and strategic approaches. He is known for his courtroom confidence, creative advocacy and effective use of technology to present compelling cases at trial.
Practice areas
General Litigation, Appellate, Criminal Defense, Family LawFocus areas
Litigation
- 70% General Litigation
- 10% Appellate
- 10% Criminal Defense
- 10% Family Law
First Admitted: 2008, California
Professional Webpage: https://www.mcmanislaw.com/people/lawyers/tyler-atkinson/
Bar / Professional Activity
- State Bar of California
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of California
- U.S Court of Appeal, Ninth Circuit
- U.S. Supreme Court
- Member, Federal Bar Association, 2025
- Member, Civil Practice Committee, Santa Clara County Bar Association, 2009 - present, 2025
- Worked alongside the Santa Clara County Bar Association and local Judges to organize and host a Civil Trial Institute at McManis Faulkner., 2022
- Chair, Civil Practice Committee of the Santa Clara County Bar Association, 2016 - 2017, 2017
- Managing Attorney, Legal Counseling Office, Associated Students of Stanford University (ASSU)
- Fellow, Litigation Counsel of America (limited to top one-half of one (1) percent of trial lawyers)
- Fellow, American Bar Foundation (ABF)
- Content Attorney at Continuing Education of the Bar (CEB)
- Professor of Remedies at Lincoln Law School of San Jose: Fall 2016, Fall 2015, Fall 2014, Fall 2013, Fall 2012
- Member, Santa Clara County Bar Association (SCCBA)
- Past Member, Finance Committee, Santa Clara County Bar Association (SCCBA)
Verdicts / Settlements (Case Results)
- Obtained many felony dismissals through forensic, electronic, and accounting investigations.
- Won civil rights trials against federal and county defendants for Constitutional violations.
- Secured tens of millions of dollars in personal injury cases, including $11.2M against eight defendants in a single case.
- Obtained seven-figure arbitration award against multiple foreign-based defendants after compelling them to arbitrate pursuant to a federal court order.
- Defended major U.S.-based cybersecurity company in corporate espionage case. Tyler disproved allegations that a high-level executive transmitted secrets to an archrival.
- Secured $9,000,000 settlement against managed care consortium in hard fought arbitration.
- Won unanimous jury verdict against County defendants for violation of client’s Constitutional rights.
- Won unanimous jury verdict against domestic abuser
- Obtained dismissal of felony assault charges after forensic investigation disproved accuser’s allegations.
- Secured hard-fought restraining orders for national corporate clients.
- Recovered amounts overpaid by telecommunications company in commercial lease dispute.
- Obtained sizeable judgment for elderly couple swindled by a financial planner and his controlled parties.
Representative Clients
- Successfully prosecuted federal privacy suit against U.S. Government as lead trial attorney.
- Successfully defended leading semiconductor manufacturer against patentholder claiming hundreds of millions in damages for patent infringement and antitrust violations.
- Successfully defended the national governing body of a U.S. Olympic sport in multi-million dollar action.
- Secured hard-fought restraining orders for national corporate clients.
- Argued critical motions on behalf of major U.S. company in case resulting in $80 million judgment for client.
- Coordinated electronic discovery for law firm after sanctions were issued in landmark Qualcomm v. Broadcom opinion; Tyler’s work contributed to the lifting of massive penalties against the attorney clients.
Pro bono / Community Service
- Board Member, Boys and Girls Club Santa Cruz, 2018 - 2021
- Tyler served on Notre Dame Law School’s Honor Council and has volunteered extensively with the Boys and Girls Clubs of America.
Honors
- Atkinson has been recognized in the “Commercial Litigation” category since 2024. He represents plaintiffs and defendants in civil cases, public entity litigation, and high-stakes disputes, and his clients range from individuals and closely held businesses to Fortune 500 companies. Atkinson received his J.D., cum laude, from the University of Notre Dame Law School (2008) and his B.A., with honors, from the University of California, Santa Cruz (2005)., Best Lawyers, The Best Lawyers in America 2026, 2026
- Northern California Super Lawyer, 2025, Northern California Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers, 2025
- Tyler was selected as a Best Lawyer by The Best Lawyers in America® in the area of Commercial Litigation., Best Lawyers, The Best Lawyers in America 2025, 2025
- Northern California Super Lawyer, 2024, Northern California Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers, 2024
- Tyler was selected as a Best Lawyer by The Best Lawyers in America® in the area of Commercial Litigation., Best Lawyers, The Best Lawyers in America 2024, 2024
- Northern California Super Lawyer, 2023, Northern California Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers, 2023
- Northern California Super Lawyers Rising Star, 2013 - 2022, Northern California Super Lawyers Rising Star, Super Lawyers, 2022
- Fellow, Litigation Counsel of America (limited to top one-half of one (1) percent of trial lawyers), Fellow, Litigation Counsel of America, 2021
- McManis Faulkner Partner Tyler Atkinson was selected as a Fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America (LCA). Atkinson joins partners James McManis, Elizabeth Pipkin, and William Faulkner in the prestigious society. The LCA is a trial lawyer honorary society composed of 3,500 members, less than one-half of one percent of all American lawyers. Established as a trial and appellate lawyer honorary society reflecting the American bar in the twenty-first century, the LCA membership represents the best in the law. Fellowship in the LCA is highly selective and by invitation only. Fellows are evaluated based on their accomplishments in litigation, both at the trial and appellate levels, and superior ethical reputation. In addition, the LCA is dedicated to promoting advocacy, professionalism and ethical standards among its Fellows. In his practice, Tyler represents Fortune 500 companies, closely held businesses, charitable institutions, and individuals in a wide range of trial work, including trade secrets, complex commercial disputes, and civil rights cases. Tyler also frequently assists in negotiations and crisis management, counseling corporate and executive clients in sensitive matters that require careful handling. He serves as managing attorney for the Legal Counseling Office at Stanford University and serves on the board of trustees of the Boys and Girls Clubs of America, Santa Cruz County., Fellow, Litigation Counsel of America, 2020
- Phi Beta Kappa, University of California Santa Cruz
Educational Background
- University of California, Santa Cruz, B.A., honors, Phi Beta Kappa
- National University of Singapore
Scholarly Lectures / Writings
- Attorneys who appear in both state and federal courts must be familiar with the differences between the two systems. While some rules have harmonized over time,[1] other procedures are entirely distinct. As a matter of competence, lawyers who practice in state and federal courts should stay familiar with these differences. As a matter of strategy, when a party has the option to litigate in either forum, the differences may present a tactical edge. This article, comparing class action procedure in federal and state actions, is one of a five-part series of articles highlighting particular differences in California versus federal civil procedure. Other articles in this series examine differences in punitive damages, the jury system, citation to unpublished authorities, and evidentiary privileges., Author, Class Actions: A Brief Comparison of Federal and California Practice, JD Supra, 2018
- Attorneys who appear in both state and federal courts must be familiar with the differences between the two systems. While some rules have harmonized over time,[1] other procedures are entirely distinct. As a matter of competence, lawyers who practice in state and federal courts should stay familiar with these differences. As a matter of strategy, when a party has the option to litigate in either forum, the differences may present a tactical edge. This article, comparing punitive damages in federal and state actions, is one of a five-part series of articles highlighting particular differences in California versus federal civil procedure. Other articles in this series examine differences in the jury system, citation to unpublished authorities, evidentiary privileges, and class actions..., Author, Punitive Damages: A Brief Comparison of Federal and California Practice, JD Supra, 2018
- Attorneys who appear in both state and federal courts must be familiar with the differences between the two systems. While some rules have harmonized over time,[1] other procedures are entirely distinct. As a matter of competence, lawyers who practice in state and federal courts should stay familiar with these differences. As a matter of strategy, when a party has the option to litigate in either forum, the differences may present a tactical edge. This article, comparing the jury system in federal and state court, is one of a five-part series of articles highlighting particular differences in California versus federal civil procedure. Other articles in this series examine differences in punitive damages, citation to unpublished authority, evidentiary privileges, and class actions..., Author, The Jury System: A Brief Comparison Between Federal and California Practices, JD Supra, 2018
- Attorneys who appear in both state and federal courts must be familiar with the differences between the two systems. While some rules have harmonized over time,[1] other procedures are entirely distinct. As a matter of competence, lawyers who practice in state and federal courts should stay familiar with these differences. As a matter of strategy, when a party has the option to litigate in either forum, the differences may present a tactical edge. This article, comparing the rules for citing unpublished authorities, is one of a five-part series of articles highlighting particular differences in California versus federal civil procedure. Other articles in this series examine differences in punitive damages, the jury system, evidentiary privileges, and class actions., Author, Citation to Unpublished Cases: A Brief Comparison of Federal And California Practices, JD Supra, 2018
- Attorneys who appear in both state and federal courts must be familiar with the differences between the two systems. While some rules have harmonized over time,[1] other procedures are entirely distinct. As a matter of competence, lawyers who practice in state and federal courts should stay familiar with these differences. As a matter of strategy, when a party has the option to litigate in either forum, the differences may present a tactical edge..., Author, Evidentiary Privileges in California And Federal Courts: A Brief Comparison, JD Supra, 2018
- McManis Faulkner Blog, Author, California Residential Leases: Ten Things to Know (Part 2), 2017
- McManis Faulkner Blog, Author, California Residential Leases: Ten Things to Know (Part 1), 2017
- For graduate students, moving to Palo Alto and finding an affordable place to live can be a tricky endeavor. Tyler Atkinson delivered a presentation about the ins and outs of finding off-campus housing. Presentation was followed by a Q & A session. The event took place on the Stanford University Campus, the Havana Room of the Graduate Community., Presenter, Off-Campus Housing, Stanford Graduate Program, 2017
- Daily Journal, Author, SB 470: Amends Code of Civil Procedure, 2016
- Santa Clara County Bar Association, Moderator, Electronic Evidence: How to Get It, and What to Do with It, 2016
- Daily Journal, Author, AB 2634: Clarification of remedies under Bane Act, 2015
- Why was his motion denied? Why was her petition granted? Tyler Atkinson presented findings from content analysis performed on tentative opinions issued by the civil court across a five month period. He looked at the frequency in which particular motions were granted or denied, and delved into the most common reasons certain motions win and fail. The event was hosted at the firm., Speaker, The Hit List: Most Common Motions in Santa Clara Civil Court and How Judges Rule On Them, McManis Faulkner, 2015
- JD Supra, Author, Will Legal Reform Kill The Bitcoin?, 2014
- JD Supra, Author, The Role of Stare Decisis in California Law, 2013
- Presenter, Hands-on eDiscovery, Santa Clara County Bar Association, 2013
- Presenter, Trial Preparation: What to Do During the Weeks Before Trial, LSI Annual Conference, 2013
- Presenter, eDiscovery: Practical Tips & Practices for Discovery in an Era of Electronically Stored Information, SCCBA Civil Practice Committee, 2013
- McManis Faulkner Blog, Author, What I Learned from Teaching Remedies, 2012
- Daily Journal, Author, Avoiding Avoidance: Keeping Payments After Client Bankruptcy, 2011
- Daily Journal, Author, Conducting Warranted Searches Without a Warrant, 2011
Other Outstanding Achievements
- McManis Faulkner Ranked a Top Litigation Firm in Silicon Valley in Inaugural Chamber USA: Spotlight Guide California. McManis Faulkner has been selected for inclusion in the inaugural Chambers Spotlight Guide 2025 for California, a prestigious new initiative produced by Chambers USA, the world’s leading legal data and analytics provider that has been highlighting the country’s top lawyers and law firms for more than two decades. The Spotlight Guide highlights standout small and mid-sized firms across California with McManis Faulkner recognized for its exceptional work in the Litigation: General Commercial – Silicon Valley category. (Link to press release.), 2025
- McManis Faulkner Named a "Top Boutiques" by the Daily Journal. Leading Northern California trial firm McManis Faulkner has been named one of 2023’s “Top Boutiques” in California by the Daily Journal, California’s largest legal newspaper. The Daily Journal’s “Top Boutiques” awards recognize California’s leading small law firms dedicated to one practice area. One of 20 law firms selected to the list, McManis Faulkner was lauded for its trial work. The firm was also named to the “Top Boutiques” list in 2016 and 2018. In its coverage of the honor, the Daily Journal discusses the firm’s excellence at trial. Partner Tyler Atkinson states that “trial work is in our DNA” and commends firm founder Jim McManis for imprinting “the ethos of the trial lawyer” on everyone at the firm. All of the firm’s lawyers are trial lawyers. (Link to press release.), 2023
- Executive Editor of the Journal of Legislation. His work has been cited by the American Bar Association, the Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau (part of the Wisconsin state legislature), the Indiana Law Review, the Drake Law Review, the Denver University Law Review, and the University of Memphis Law Review, as well as several other publications.
Office location for Tyler Atkinson
50 West San Fernando Street
10th Floor
San Jose, CA 95113
Phone: 408-381-3464
Selections
4 Years Super Lawyers
10 Years Rising Stars
- Super Lawyers: 2023 - 2026
- Rising Stars: 2013 - 2022
