I spend a lot of time listening to the client. You begin, then, to hear things that you didn’t think were possible. The imagination starts working and then you find a way.
Joseph H. Low IV, M.S., J.D.
Curriculum Vitae
Areas of Trial Experience
Trial Attorney with over 23 years of experience. Trials include Civil, Criminal, State, Federal, and Military Courts-Martial and have been conducted all over the world including Iraq, Germany, Japan and Kuwait. Has tried in excess of 100 jury trials in states all over the United States including Alaska, Hawaii, Kentucky, Maine, Florida, Indiana, Missouri, Washington, Wyoming, Iowa, and Texas. Retained by Lawyers all over the country to consult on trial communications skills and continue to offer various speaking engagements and educational lectures. Expert Commentator of Court TV, CNN and other programs. Selected by Daily Journal as Top Plaintiff Lawyer of 2020.
Education
University of California - Bachelors of Science Chemistry (1993)
University of California - Masters of Science Biophysical Chemistry (1994)
McGeorge School of Law -Juris Doctor (1997)
Trial Lawyers College - Graduate (1998)
Bar Admissions
State Bar of California
Supreme Court of the United States
United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
United States District Courts:
District of Connecticut
Central District of California
Eastern District of California
Southern District of California
Northern District of California
Eastern District of Texas
Western District of Texas
Central District of New York
Professional Experience
| United States Marine Corps | Enlisted Marine | (1985-1993) |
| University of CA | Chemistry Instructor | (1992-1994) |
| Anderson Engineering Corp | Mechanical Engineer | (1993-1997) |
| Calgene, Inc. | Biochemist | (1995) |
| Campbell & Flores | Biotech Patent Attorney | (1997-1998) |
| McGeorge School of Law | Trial Team Coach | (1997-1999) |
| Law Office of Milton Grimes | Attorney | (1998-1999) |
| Thomas Jefferson School of Law | Trial Team Coach | (1998-2000) |
| Gerry Spence’s Trial Lawyers College at Thunderhead Ranch | Board Member, Senior Instructor | (1998 - 2020) |
| The Law Firm of Joseph Low IV | Trial Attorney | (2000 – Present) |
| J.A.G. Academy | Instructor of Trial Skills | (2004 - Present) |
Memberships/Affiliations
American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA)
American Bar Association
American Inn of Court
American Trial Lawyers Association
Association of Trial Lawyers of America
Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles (CAALA)
Consumer Attorneys of California (CAOC)
Gerry Spence’s Trial Lawyers College (Board Member; Senior Instructor)
Lectures
360 Advocacy Institute - Trial Skills Retreat
"Developing and Litigating Cases in Today's Sound byte Environment"
“Discover New and Powerful Ways to Win in Practice & Trial”
Arizona Association for Justice/Arizona Trial Lawyers Association
"Win your Case in Voir Dire"
Bay Area Trial Lawyers
California MCLE Trial Skills Workshop
Occidental – Opening Statements
Palomar – Cross Exam
Beaumont – Voir Dire, Closing Statements
Monterey – Direct Examination
Chapman Law School
Consumer Attorneys of California
Los Angeles - Voir Dire
Lake Tahoe - Trial Skills
San Francisco - Voir Dire for Brain Injury Cases
Florida Justice Association
"Conducting Voir Dire During Your Opening Statement (and During Direct Examination and Cross-Examination and
Throughout the Trial) and
Learning More about Your Jurors as Each one Communicates Directly With You."
Louisiana Association for Justice-Last Chance Conference, Masters of Trial
"Voir Dire-How to get the Jury Talking and Keep Them Talking"
“Psychodrama in the Courtroom”
Marine Corps Prosecutor's Trial Advocacy
Marine Corps Defense Seminar
Naval Justice School, Newport, R.I.
"Complex Case Litigation"
New Jersey Association for Justice, Inc.
2000+ Attorneys in attendance
Ohio Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
“Voir Dire: Lessons from the Trial Lawyers College”
State Bar MCLE Instructor
Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Texas, Washington, Wyoming
The Bob Chaloupka Trial Skills Seminar
Thomas Cooley Seminar for Law Professors
Trial Lawyers College - Voir Dire, Opening and Closing Statements, Trial Skills, Advanced Trial Lawyer Skills
U.C. Hastings
Western Sierra Judicial College-Faculty Staff Instructor
Distinctions
| USMC – Various service awards/commendations | (1985-1993) Honorable Discharge |
| Howard Hughes Research Award | (1992) 1st Place, Research in Chemistry |
| Consumer Attorneys of California | (1996) National Trial Competition Champion |
| American Bar Association | (1997) 1st Place, National Trial Competition |
Graduated Law School No. 1 in Trial Advocacy. Received the Following Awards:
| The Order of Barristers | (1997) |
| American Board of Trial Attorneys | (1997) Student Trial Advocate of the Year |
Notable Cases
Bibbie v. A-Quality Transport LLC - $3,328,842.00. Jury Verdict. Plaintiff was injured while sitting in her car at a stop sign. Pick up truck pulling a trailer side swiped the side of her car. She was 76 years old at the time and required a neck surgery.
Carter v. Kern High School District - Represented Plaintiff. $10,500,000.00. Jury verdict. Changed and determined school policy against using opposing team’s mascot at school rally a National Standard
Cervantes v. State of California - Represented Plaintiff. $12,600,000.00.
Cuevas v. Rai - Represented Plaintiffs in $70,500,000.00 jury verdict
McPhoy v. Ramirez, et al - Represented Plaintiff. $11,061,471.62. Jury verdict
Mendoza v. County of Orange, et al - $1,500,000.00. Represented Plaintiff who was shot multiple times with pepper ball gun, bean bag shot gun and baton. Verdict in favor of plaintiffs. Defendants ordered to pay over $1,500,000. First Case Enforcing a person’s right to a phone call in California.
Nevada v. Schwingdorf - Represented Defendant. First Case in Nevada State History to overturn the law on marijuana, making it legal for sales and purchase.
People v. Dr. Conrad Murray - Dr. accused of killing Michael Jackson
People v Judith Lopez - Accused of Voluntary Manslaughter. Charges against client dismissed.
Shelby v. Sea River - Represented Plaintiff. $8,000,000.00 verdict for toxicity due to chemical exposure aboard ship. Thought to be largest verdict for this cause of action.
U.S. v. Cpl. Magincalda - Hamdania Murder Case against 8 U.S. Marines. Mr. Low’s client only one to walk free after trial. First Case in U.S. History to have a TBI and PTSD recognized as an affirmative defense.
U.S. v. Gonzalez-Lopez - U.S. Supreme Court case win on 6th Amendment Issue with a 5-4 decision written by Justice Scalia. First Case in U.S. History to have the U.S. Supreme Court determine the 6th Amendment Right to Counsel of Choice.
U.S. v. Khadr - Consultant Guantanamo Bay Terrorist Case
U.S. v. Sgt. Nelson - Fallujah murder case during battle of Fallujah. Charges against client dismissed
U.S. v SSgt Wuterich - Consultant Haditha Murder Case
Publications
"Intercalation of Quinizarin into DNA" U.C.S.D.
"Voir Dire for Murder" The Warrior, Winter 2002
Additional Publications Soon to be Added.