Peter Mallon
Mr. Mallon has more than 35 years of experience as a civil litigation attorney, successfully trying, arbitrating and mediating cases in many substantive legal areas. His practice focuses primarily on representing individuals and corporations in personal injury, products liability and premises liability litigation. Mr. Mallon represents private, insured and self-insured clients with an emphasis on large exposure cases involving catastrophic injury and wrongful death. He also represents insurance companies in the defense of bad faith lawsuits, and automobile insurers involved in uninsured motorist and underinsured motorist arbitration proceedings.
Mr. Mallon also litigates employment, real property and commercial disputes, provides general counsel to recreational vehicle parks and represents them in compliance matters and litigation.
Mr. Mallon currently serves as a Settlement Conference Officer and Arbitrator for the San Francisco Superior Court, and as a neutral in private arbitrations and mediations.
- HASSARD BONNINGTON LLP, San Francisco, CA
Partner, 2012-Present - LAW OFFICES OF STEVEN D. HILLYARD, APC, San Francisco, CA
Partner, 2004-2011 - TUVERSON & HILLYARD LLP, San Francisco, CA
Partner, 2003-2004 - NIESAR & DIAMOND LLP, San Francisco, CA
Partner, 1997-2003 - WRIGHT, ROBINSON, OSTHIMER & TATUM, San Francisco, CA
Partner, 1996-1997; Associate, 1990-1996 - BOLLINGTON, STILZ, BLOESER & CURRY, Woodland Hills, CA
Associate, 1987-1990 - RUSS & REYNOLDS, San Francisco, CA
Associate, 1986-1987
- June 2014, Wrongful termination, Favorable settlement during trial
Former executive of startup software company was sued for breach of contract, fraud, and misappropriation of business opportunity by his employer. All claims were denied, and Mr. Mallon filed a Cross-complaint on behalf of his client for wrongful termination. Mr. Mallon successfully negotiated a settlement on the first day of trial, resulting in dismissal of all claims against Mr. Mallon’s client, and a six-figure payment to Mr. Mallon’s client. - July 2011, Underinsured Motorist Arbitration, Defense Award
Alleged trigeminal nerve injury resulting in permanent facial numbness from rear-end automobile accident. The Arbitrator found in favor of Mr. Mallon’s insurer client. - April 2010, Uninsured Motorist Arbitration, Defense Award
Shoulder dislocation requiring future surgery alleged from hit and run motor vehicle accident. The Arbitrator rejected the injury claim and entered an award in favor of Mr. Mallon’s insurer client. - September 2006, Wrongful Death, Favorable settlement during trial
Wrongful death action arising from fatality accident, involving claims of negligent operation of motor vehicle and negligent design of parking lot. Global settlement reached after four days of trial, in which the previously rejected pre-trial settlement offer extended on behalf of Mr. Mallon’s client was accepted. - November 2002, Breach of Contract, $400,000 Verdict in favor of client
Mr. Mallon obtained a $400,000 verdict as first chair trial counsel on behalf of plaintiff in a breach of contract action. - June 1993, Wrongful Termination, Defense Verdict
Alleged wrongful termination in violation of public policy predicated on claim that former claims adjuster had been terminated for exposing a practice of “lowballing” homeowner claims following the Loma Prieta earthquake. Mr. Mallon served as second chair trial counsel in this six-week jury trial which resulted in a defense verdict on the wrongful termination claim.
EH v. UC Regents - Gender Affirming Care to Minor: Plaintiff, father of the youth, sued alleging the child was provided with a hormonal implant without his consent. Through two motions to dismiss in federal court, all of plaintiff's claims were eliminated. The appeal is pending. Lead attorney handling all aspects of case and coordinating strategy with co-defendants -2024.
QB v. SBH - Birth Injury with Brain Injuries Case: Patient, a twin, alleged significant birth injuries due to a prolapsed umbilical cord. Strategic low value settlement was achieved at mediation. Co-defendant proceeded to trial with large 8-figure verdict. Lead attorney handling all aspects of case and coordinating strategy with co-defendants through resolution -2024.
JD v. MESR - Alleged Sexual Assault at Massage Therapy Franchise: Patient alleged she was assaulted at a massage clinic. Discovery revealed no therapist matched the description of the alleged assailant and the case was dismissed for a nominal amount - Lead attorney handling all aspects of case through resolution - 2024.
MP v. SH - Alleged Failure to Diagnose Bladder Cancer: Plaintiff alleged defendants failed to properly diagnose a kidney cyst as renal cell carcinoma. With a motion for summary judgment pending, plaintiffs agreed to dismiss SH for a waiver of costs at mediation. Lead attorney handling all aspects of case through dismissal - 2023.
XC v. The Regents - Alleged Breach of Contract and Conversion of IVF Embryos: Plaintiff alleged The Regents wrongfully retained her embryos and refused to transfer them to another facility. Plaintiff's case was dismissed on demurrer. Following a successful appeal, plaintiff's case was again dismissed following a motion for terminating sanctions. Lead attorney handling all aspects of case through dismissal - 2023.
MM v. The Regents – Premises Liability/Design Defect: Patient alleged she slipped and fell while a patient on the maternity ward due to a defective design. Complex motion for summary judgment granted based on governmental immunities – 2021
PL v. The Regents – Alleged Delay in Transfer of Stroke Patient: Patient was taken to a local hospital for signs of a stroke. The case was filed in federal court including allegations of violation of EMTALA, medical malpractice, NIED, dependent adult abuse, wrongful death and intentional misconduct. Contested motion to dismiss was granted in its entirety, ending the case. Lead attorney handling all aspects of case through dismissal – 2021.
KRB v. SHC – Wrongful Life/Wrongful Birth Case: Plaintiffs alleged negligent genetic counseling failed to identify that plaintiff child’s parents were both sickle cell anemia carriers. Plaintiff child was born with sickle cell anemia. Discovery revealed plaintiff mother’s knowledge of her status as a carrier of sickle cell anemia. Thereafter, the case resolved for nuisance value. Lead attorney handling all aspects of case through resolution – 2020.
AS v. SH - Wrongful Life/Wrongful Birth Case: Plaintiff alleged defendant lab failed to identify the genetic marker for cystic fibrosis during prenatal testing, resulting in the birth of a child with severe cystic fibrosis. Plaintiff required very costly medication for life, had significant care needs and a relatively long life expectancy given advances in treatment for cystic fibrosis. Initial demand for $50 million. Experts were disclosed, key depositions taken and case was resolved for an amount in the low seven figures, a significant victory for the defense. Lead attorney handling all aspects of case through resolution – 2020.
CM v. SH - Wrongful Death – Failure to Diagnose Malaria: Plaintiff alleged defendant hospital and physician failed to diagnose malaria, leading to his discharge from the emergency department and death. Plaintiff sought and obtained a significant settlement from the treating emergency physician and proceeded with the case against the hospital. Days before trial, the case settled for nuisance value. Lead attorney handling all aspects of case through resolution – 2019.
GS v. SH - Severely Brain-Injured Child: Plaintiff mom and plaintiff child alleged medical negligence related to care and treatment plaintiff child received in the NICU. Plaintiff child had a PICC line placed for nutrition and medication administration. The PICC line migrated and caused a pericardial effusion. Plaintiff child’s heart stopped and he underwent a prolonged resuscitation until the pericardial effusion was identified and tapped. Plaintiff mom was brought up to the NICU while the code was in process and brought an NIED claim. The NIED claim was eliminated with a motion for summary adjudication. The plaintiff child had profound neurological injuries but also a significantly long life expectancy. A favorable settlement was reached following development of causation arguments related to placental pathology. Lead attorney handling all aspects of case through resolution – 2019.
EG v. The Regents: Plaintiff alleged negligent attempted placement of an epidural catheter prior to hernia surgery, leading to an epidural hematoma and lower extremity paralysis. Plaintiff was a high wage earner with no ability to work and a significant remaining work-life expectancy. Prior to trial, the case was presented to two mock juries, with opening statements, a few witness presentations and closing arguments presented to the mock juries. Expert depositions were underway when plaintiff passed away from unrelated causes. Co-lead attorney handling causation and damages experts – 2018.
- University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law, J.D.
- University of California Berkeley, B.A.
Martindale-Hubbell Rated AV Preeminent ®
AV Preeminent Peer Review Rating for more than 20 consecutive years.
Hassard Bonnington LLP
111 Pine Street, Suite 1530
San Francisco CA 94111
Main (415) 288-9800
Direct (415) 494-4366