
John Tinley Brooks, Appellate Attorney in San Diego, California
Over 33 years of legal practice · focused on Appellate, Business, and Class Action · 5.0/5 rating from 1 verified client review
PartneratSheppard Mullin
San Diego, CA
Practicing appellate in San Diego since 1993.
- 33+
- Years practicing
- 5.0 ★
- 1 client review
- 1
- Bar admission
Are you John Tinley Brooks?
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Quick answer
John Tinley Brooks is a partner based in San Diego, CA. The practice focuses on Appellate, Business, and Class Action. John has over 33 years of legal experience. Currently practicing at Sheppard Mullin. Rated 5.0 out of 5 from 1 client review.
- Based in
- San Diego, CA
- Experience
- over 33 years
- Known for
- Appellate · Business · Class Action
- Handles Appellate, Business, and Class Action matters from San Diego, CA.
- Over 33 years of practice as a licensed attorney.
- Recognized with AV Preeminent.
About John Tinley Brooks: John Tinley Brooks is a partner based in San Diego, CA. The practice focuses on Appellate, Business, and Class Action. John has over 33 years of legal experience. Currently practicing at Sheppard Mullin. Rated 5.0 out of 5 from 1 client review.
Areas of practice
Practice areas handled by John Tinley Brooks
John concentrates on appellate, business, class action, entertainment, and general. Each area below outlines the kind of case John handles, typical outcomes to expect, and how the intake process starts.
Appellate
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Business
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Class Action
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Entertainment
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General
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Health Care
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Insurance
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Litigation
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Appellate cases in San Diego, California
John takes appellate matters in San Diego, California. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before John agrees to represent you.
Business cases in San Diego, California
John takes business matters in San Diego, California. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before John agrees to represent you.
Class Action cases in San Diego, California
John takes class action matters in San Diego, California. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before John agrees to represent you.
Entertainment cases in San Diego, California
John takes entertainment matters in San Diego, California. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before John agrees to represent you.
General cases in San Diego, California
John takes general matters in San Diego, California. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before John agrees to represent you.
Biography
About John Tinley Brooks — Over 33 years of California appellate experience
John Tinley Brooks is a partner based in San Diego, CA. The practice focuses on Appellate, Business, and Class Action. John has over 33 years of legal experience. Currently practicing at Sheppard Mullin. Rated 5.0 out of 5 from 1 client review.
John Tinley Brooks is a lawyer practicing litigation, appellate, class action defense and 6 other areas of law. John received a B.A. degree from Stanford University, and has been licensed for 33 years. John practices at Sheppard Mullin in San Diego, CA.
Working with John on a appellate matter
John Tinley Brooks is a lawyer practicing litigation, appellate, class action defense and 6 other areas of law. John received a B.A. degree from Stanford University, and has been licensed for 33 years. John practices at Sheppard Mullin in San Diego, CA.
Who John represents
John reviews new inquiries case-by-case for appellate, business, and class action matters in San Diego and the surrounding California area.
Credentials
John Tinley Brooks's legal education and bar admissions
Stanford University
J.D. · 1993
Stanford University B.A. 1988 Phi Beta Kappa Stanford University
B.A. · 1988
Jurisdictions
John's state bar admissions
California Hawaii
1993 · ACTIVE
John studied at J.D. in Stanford University and B.A. in Stanford University B.A. 1988 Phi Beta Kappa Stanford University.
Law school and academic background
John completed J.D. in Stanford University and B.A. in Stanford University B.A. 1988 Phi Beta Kappa Stanford University. Formal legal training is one signal of substantive knowledge — the day-to-day practice John runs in California is where that training gets applied to real client questions.
Recognition
Awards, publications, and recognition of John Tinley Brooks
John has received 1 formal recognition from bar associations, industry bodies, and peer-review services.
AV Preeminent
Legal awards and honors
AV Preeminent.
Affiliations
John's professional memberships and bar associations
Memberships •California Academy of Appellate Lawyers •Board of Governors 2004-2007, Editor-in-Chief of ABTL Report 2000-2004, Association of Business Trial Lawyers •San Diego County Bar Association
membership
Locations
John Tinley Brooks's office in San Diego
John's primary office is at 501 West Broadway, Nineteenth Floor (Downtown), San Diego, CA, 92101. In-person meetings are by appointment; a phone intake usually comes first.
Sheppard Mullin
501 West Broadway, Nineteenth Floor (Downtown)
San Diego, CA 92101
Open in Google MapsClient feedback
Client reviews of John Tinley Brooks — 5.0/5 rating from 1 verified client review
Every review below is from a verified client of John. Reviews cover communication, case outcome, and value — the three signals that matter most when comparing appellate attorneys in San Diego.
5.0
1 client review
Client ratings are sourced from public records and editorial research. Reviews on LawyersListed are accepted from verified clients once John Tinley Brooks claims this profile.
Read all reviewsHiring guide
How to hire John Tinley Brooks — what to expect in your first consultation
Working with a new appellate attorney should feel structured. Here's how the first two conversations with John usually go, from the moment you request a consult to the day representation begins.
Consultation formats and pricing
John charges for the initial consult. That fee is credited toward representation if you retain John's office.
What to bring to your first meeting
Bring any documents you already have — police reports, medical records, filed pleadings, correspondence from an insurer, a copy of the contract at issue. If you're not sure, err on the side of bringing everything; John will tell you what matters and what doesn't.
Questions to ask a appellate attorney in San Diego, California
A short list to run through before you commit: How many appellate matters have you handled in the last year? What's your fee structure? Who else in the office will work on this? What's your realistic estimate of timeline and range of outcomes? How do I reach you between meetings?
Fees & payment
Fees, payment methods, and consultation options for John
John discusses fees during intake so the arrangement fits the matter. Contingency, hourly, and flat-fee options are all common in appellate practice — ask which fits.
Hourly rates, contingency fees, and flat-fee options
Every appellate matter is priced differently. Simple document review might be a flat fee. Injury litigation is often contingency. Complex commercial disputes usually run hourly with a retainer. John confirms the model in the engagement letter before any work starts.
Payment methods and payment plans
John's office accepts standard payment methods. Ask about payment plans if the retainer is a stretch — many appellate practices work with clients on structured schedules.
Frequently asked
Frequently asked questions about John Tinley Brooks
How much does it cost to hire John for a appellate case?
Cost depends on the type of matter, the fee model (contingency, flat, hourly), and how contested the case becomes. John walks through the likely range during the consult so there are no surprises.
Does John offer a free consultation?
John charges for the initial consult; that fee is credited toward representation if you retain John's office. Some appellate attorneys offer free consults — check John's current terms during booking.
How long do appellate cases in California typically take?
Simple appellate matters can wrap in a few weeks; disputed cases can run 6–18 months from intake to resolution, longer if the matter goes to trial. John gives a realistic estimate for your facts at the consult — vague answers here are a red flag.
Can John take my case if I'm outside San Diego?
John is licensed in California. Matters governed by California law are the natural fit. Out-of-state matters are handled case-by-case, sometimes with local co-counsel. Ask during intake — John will tell you if the case is a fit or refer you to someone closer to your court.
What should I bring to my first meeting with John?
Bring every document that touches the dispute: contracts, correspondence, police or medical reports, filed pleadings, invoices, photographs, insurance letters. Also bring a written timeline of what happened, in your own words. John will filter what matters — over-preparing at intake is always cheaper than needing a second meeting.
Is John accepting new appellate clients right now?
John's intake status shifts week to week. Submit the form; the office will confirm availability or refer the matter out.
Areas served
Appellate attorneys serving San Diego, Los Angeles and San Francisco in California
John handles appellate matters throughout California. Each city below is a direct link into the search page for verified appellate attorneys in that community.
- San Diego16,903 attorneys
- Los Angeles39,975 attorneys
- San Francisco26,380 attorneys
- Sacramento10,561 attorneys
- Irvine6,831 attorneys
- Oakland5,709 attorneys
- San Jose5,009 attorneys
- Palo Alto4,084 attorneys
- Beverly Hills3,348 attorneys
- Newport Beach3,106 attorneys
- Pasadena2,894 attorneys
- Santa Monica2,756 attorneys
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