An appellate lawyer and professor, Gary Watt handles writs and appeals in all California appellate courts, including the Supreme Court, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.

Broad Based Appellate Knowledge

A consummate appellate lawyer, Gary’s practice deals primarily with writs and appeals to contest the outcome of cases in the lower courts. Recognizing that creating a proper record in the trial courts is an essential ingredient for any appeal, Gary also prepares key motions such as summary judgment, in limine and post-trial motions in numerous cases.

Interpreting Risk in Business Ventures

Gary’s appellate experience gives him unique insights into complex cases and esoteric disputes. He excels at exploring the facts to uncover the underlying issues of a case and arrive at thoughtful solutions to business problems. His practice includes risk management such as interpreting contracts, indemnity provisions and more. 

Appellate to the Core

Gary is chair of the Contra Costa County Bar Association’ appellate practice section and a frequent lecturer in MCLE courses on complex trial issues, writs and appeals. An Adjunct Professor of appellate advocacy at Hastings College of the Law, Gary helps educate future generations of California lawyers. He is also Director of the Hastings Appellate Project, a program where Hastings students handle real appeals in the Ninth Circuit, providing legal representation to in pro bono cases. Gary also teaches moot court and appellate advocacy and serves as faculty coach for national moot court competition teams at Hastings.

Before Archer Norris

Gary brings his appellate and business litigation practice from the McNamara law firm, where he was a partner for five years and chaired the firm’s appellate practice.

Announcements

• Gary A. Watt, Partner

Articles

• State high court to hear settlement offer fee-shifting arguments

• High court set to examine prevailing party attorney fees

• Immigrant gets another chance to stay in U.S. despite kidnapping rap, 9th Circuit rules

• Prevailing party attorney fees: battle or war?

• Strategy in Section 998 offers to compromise

• The outer limits: When the facts are not taken as true

• Supreme Court Rolls Back Nondelegable Duties

• Masquerade: Identifying the Genuine Judgment

• Summer Blockbusters: Will the State Supreme Court deliver?

• Home Improvement: When There’s an Accident, Who’s at Fault?

• Early 998 Offers: Wicked Weapon or Wise Tactic?

• It Gets Tricky - Issues re Appealing Awards of Attorneys Fees and Costs

• Navigating the Maze of Public Works Bidding

• Words Matter

• Oral Argument: Are We Just Tilting at Windmills?

• Law’s Lighter Side?

• No More Kicking and Screaming

• The Privette Doctrine: What’s Next in Store?

• List of Other Recent Articles

Events

• Disappearing Dollars - How Section 998 Offers Can Make or Break Your Case

• State v. Federal Appeals: Winning in Either Venue

• 16th Annual 2010 MCLE Spectacular

News

• Hastings Appellate Project Students Garner High Praise

• Archer Norris Lawyers Recognized as Super Lawyers in Northern California

• Meet Your Section Leaders

• Six Archer Norris Attorneys Recognized by Super Lawyers Magazine

• Seabright Challenge

Press Releases

• Gary A. Watt Certified as Appellate Law Specialist by California State Bar

• Gary Watt Honored by Contra Costa County Bar Association

• Archer Norris Welcomes Appellate Partner Gary A. Watt in Walnut Creek

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