Monica Burneikis – Founder & Chief Trial Counsel

Monica Burneikis is the driving force behind Burneikis Law, P.C., based in Oakland. A trial-tested personal injury attorney, she has nearly two decades of courtroom experience securing multi‑million‑dollar results for clients across the Bay Area and California.

Academic Excellence & Legal Career

Born in San Jose in 1978, Monica earned a B.A. in Political Science from San José State in 2001. She attended Santa Clara University School of Law on a prestigious Dean’s Fellowship, graduating with her J.D. in 2005.

From 2005 to 2007, Monica defended medical‑malpractice cases before shifting to plaintiffs’ personal injury law. By 2007, she was trying cases to verdict. After winning back‑to‑back trials in 2012, she became a partner in 2015. In 2018, she was the only female finalist for the San Francisco Trial Lawyers Association’s Trial Lawyer of the Year award after securing a massive pedestrian-verdict—nearly three times the last settlement offer, with non-economic damages seven‑and‑a‑half times the economic damages.

In 2020, Monica founded Burneikis Law, P.C., where she continues to practice as President and Chief Trial Counsel—ready to take cases to jury when needed.

Areas of Practice & Notable Results

Car, motorcycle, bicycle, pedestrian, bus & semi‑truck accidents
Rideshare incidents (Uber/Lyft)
Wrongful death, traumatic brain injury, slip-and-fall, dog bites
Civil rights & police brutality representations

Burneikis Law has secured landmark results, including settlements and verdicts ranging from $500K to $6.5M, such as:

$6.5 M in Los Angeles County (confidential).
$3 M for a head‑on collision in San Mateo County.
$2.05 M for a pedestrian struck in San Francisco County.

Core Values & Professional Memberships

Monica’s guiding principles are Trust, Advocacy, Dedication, and Empathy—cornerstones of her client‑centered representation ().

She maintains active memberships with the State Bar of California; Bar Association of San Francisco; San Francisco Trial Lawyers Association; Alameda‑Contra Costa County Trial Lawyers Association; Consumer Attorneys of California; American Association for Justice; and Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles. She is admitted in all California state courts and U.S. District Courts for the Northern & Central Districts of California.

Awards & Leadership

Top 50 Women Attorneys in Northern California, Super Lawyers (2024)
Super Lawyers Northern California lists (2020–2024)
America’s Top 100 Personal Injury Attorneys (multiple years)
National Trial Lawyers Top 100 Civil Plaintiff Trial Lawyers (multiple years)
Only female finalist, SFTLA Trial Lawyer of the Year (2018)
Lifetime member, Million Dollar Advocates Forum (since 2014)

Client Praise

“All my questions were addressed with honesty… I would recommend Monica to any family or friends in need of her services without second thought.” – Marie S. via Google

“Monica was extremely helpful… They provided the care I needed after my car accident which took a lot of stress off of me.” – Vanessa H. via Google

“I was involved in a bike accident… Monica was a tireless advocate… trustworthy, honest and upfront.” – Eric G. via Google

Why Clients Choose Monica Burneikis

Clients seek out Monica for her rare combination of deep courtroom experience, unwavering empathy, and proven success in securing top-dollar results. She is committed to guiding each client personally through every stage of their case.

In the Community & Legal Advocacy

Monica has held leadership roles, including as President of the Santa Clara County Trial Lawyers Association, membership on the Board of Directors at the Alameda‑Contra Costa Trial Lawyers Association, and active participation in American Association for Justice events.