SAN DIEGO (March 16, 2020): Higgs Fletcher & Mack (HFM) Partner Paul Pfingst has become a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, one of the premier legal associations in North America.

Founded in 1950, the College is composed of the best of the trial bar from the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. Fellowship in the College is extended by invitation only and only after careful investigation, to those experienced trial lawyers of diverse backgrounds, who have mastered the art of advocacy and whose professional careers have been marked by the highest standards of ethical conduct, professionalism, civility and collegiality. Lawyers must have a minimum of fifteen years trial experience before they can be considered for Fellowship.

Membership in the College cannot exceed one percent of the total lawyer population of any state or province. There are currently approximately 5,800 members in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico, including active Fellows, Emeritus Fellows, Judicial Fellows (those who ascended to the bench after their induction) and Honorary Fellows. The College maintains and seeks to improve the standards of trial practice, professionalism, ethics, and the administration of justice through education and public statements on independence of the judiciary, trial by jury, respect for the rule of law, access to justice, and fair and just representation of all parties to legal proceedings.

“Paul Pfingst has litigated some of San Diego’s most high-profile cases, and is a highly respected and admired trial lawyer, with a long history of success in both civil and criminal matters,” said Steve Cologne, HFM’s Managing Partner. “Induction into the American College of Trial Lawyers is an exceptional distinction, and one that Paul undoubtedly has earned. Congratulations to Paul on this well-deserved honor.”

Before rejoining HFM in 2003, Pfingst served as the San Diego County District Attorney, earning the coveted “William French Smith Award” for outstanding contributions to law enforcement from the United States Attorney General. He also served as President of the California District Attorneys Association, and he is a former member of the Board of Directors of the National District Attorneys Association.

Prior to his election as DA in 1994, he was an HFM partner specializing in product liability, medical malpractice, professional licensing, and general litigation. He was the lead attorney for California physicians in the national breast implant litigation. He rejoined HFM in 2003 and has lectured on trial technique while also contributing to a variety of legal publications.

Pfingst has appeared before the California Supreme Court and the California Court of Appeals, and he has been selected by his peers to the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA). He is admitted to practice in both California and New York, and he is a graduate of St. John’s University School of Law and Union College in Schenectady, New York.

In addition to Pfingst, HFM Partners Douglas Butz and William Low have also been inducted into the American College of Trial Lawyers.

About Higgs Fletcher Mack

Higgs Fletcher & Mack is a full-service law firm that serves diverse individuals and industries. For 80 years, the firm has worked tirelessly with companies and people that need legal counsel and representation in and out of the courtroom. Higgs Fletcher & Mack’s more than 75 attorneys have experience in multiple fields of law, and its internal network of legal professionals frequently coordinate in practice area groups that have multi-disciplinary dimensions, helping clients make a more informed decision. The firm is actively recruiting partner-level talent in complimentary practice areas to provide legal expertise in the San Diego region and beyond.