We are fierce and devoted advocates for our clients.




We are fierce and devoted advocates for our clients.
Spillane Trial Group PLC is devoted to business trials. We have tried and won cases in state, federal and bankruptcy courts and arbitral and administrative tribunals. We have argued and won cases before the state and federal courts of appeal.
We do not merely shuffle paper during the pretrial process with the end goal of steering the client into settlement. We begin and end every engagement with the singular goal of prevailing at trial. Our focused and aggressive approach results in superior settlements where they can be achieved. Where they cannot, we have a fine track record of trying and winning cases.
We are hired by private clients to handle “bet the company” cases, ones who prefer our focused, cost effective and responsive service. We are experienced in trying cases involving entertainment, sports, intellectual property, technology, finance, real estate, bankruptcy disputes, securities, directors’ and officers’ liability, professional negligence, family wealth and company control.
Our cases are not limited to California. We try cases throughout the country in cooperation with local counsel. We are experienced in steering litigation involving multiple actions, across multiple jurisdictions and with multiple counsel.
In addition to appearing at the inception of a case, we are also asked to appear at the eleventh hour for trial.
We appear for plaintiffs and defendants. We handle most cases at competitive hourly rates. On a select basis we consider high stakes business cases on contingency.

Jay Spillane is an experienced and effective business trial lawyer. Over three decades Jay has successfully tried numerous jury and non-jury trials in state, federal and bankruptcy courts. Jay has also briefed and argued numerous state and federal appeals. Jay believes anyone with a law degree can be a litigator, but a true trial lawyer will begin and end every case by honing in on and developing a clear story, one that will be readily understood by and compel any listener. This approach often brings forth good settlements, and when a case cannot settle, the best results at trial. To see a full bio of Jay’s cases please click the link below.
Download Full Bio
Christopher T. Williams
With over 24 years of experience working at big firms, clients love Chris Williams because he is commercial, confident, fast and results-oriented. Chris is also an aggressive litigator with extensive trial and arbitration experience. As a graduate of UC Hastings College of the Law and UC Berkeley, Chris has successfully prosecuted and defended lawsuits on behalf of individuals and businesses in federal and state courts throughout California and Illinois.
As a former U.S. national rugby team player, Chris know what it’s like to compete, and that starts with understanding his client’s needs and goals. From there, Chris develops a cost-effective strategy to achieve those goals whether it is defending a meritless action, or prosecuting a case on your behalf. Often times a legal dispute can be resolved short of expensive and lengthy litigation and Chris prides himself on his extensive dispute resolution skills.

Donald L. Zachary
Don Zachary has nearly forty years of experience advising clients on corporate, intellectual property, production, licensing and media issues. Don is a former Vice President, Law, West Coast for NBC.
- Entertainment and Sports
- Beijing Galloping Horse
- Robert Redford
- Harold Ramis
- KNBC
- Telemundo
- Astrablu Media
- Alchemy Filmworks
- Kent Steffes
- Kelly Slater
- Seven Star Pictures
- Seraphim Films
- Allen Watson
- Sleepless In Seattle LLC
- Manufacturing/Distribution
- YCI Inc.
- Radio/Music
- Doyle Rose
- Ken Roberts
- The Sweet
- Technology and New Media
- Geneyx Genomics, Ltd.
- UNICOM Systems, Inc.
- Henry Samueli/Henry Nicholas
- CCBill, LLC
- CWIE, LLC
- Net Management Services
- M80 Interactive
- Agile Media Partners
- LeisureLink Inc.
- UNX Inc.