The firm was formed in 1986 when experienced Bay Area trial attorney Tom Bertrand teamed with Greg Fox, then a lead trial attorney in the San Francisco City Attorney’s office. One year later, in 1987, Gene Elliot left his position as a senior trial team leader with the San Francisco City Attorney’s office to join the firm. Michael Wenzel and Rich Osman joined the firm as partners in 2002 and 2003 respectively.

From the beginning, the practice was devoted to civil litigation, with an emphasis on representing public entities. For more than 28 years, Bertrand, Fox, Elliot, Osman & Wenzel has continued to set a standard of excellence in this area. The firm has a unique understanding of the complex issues facing public entities today.

While many firms claim to be experts in litigation, the attorneys at Bertrand, Fox, Elliot, Osman & Wenzel are proven trial attorneys with demonstrated courtroom expertise and success. The members of the firm have collectively tried more than one hundred jury trials to verdict. Their experience extends beyond public entity defense, and includes practice areas such as complex commercial litigation and employment litigation. The firm’s recognized proficiency in trial work adds to its effectiveness, as well, in negotiation of settlements short of trial, when in the clients’ interest.

Bertrand, Fox, Elliot, Osman and Wenzel is located at Aquatic Park near Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco, a location from which it conveniently serves clients throughout the Bay Area Region. In recent years, the firm’s practice has grown to include matters arising in other regions of California and in neighboring states. The firm also has an office in Oakland, California to service its East Bay clients. Its members regularly appear in state and federal courts throughout California. Bertrand, Fox, Elliot, Osman & Wenzel is AV-rated (highest rating) by the national law directory, Martindale-Hubbell.