As the Firm’s senior trial counsel, Mr. Gagen has tried many highly-publicized and intricate criminal matters, as well as complex civil litigation and personal injury cases.

Prior to joining the Firm in 1972, Mr. Gagen served as an Army Officer, instructing at the Adjutant General School in Indianapolis, between 1968 and 1970. He was awarded an Army Commendation Medal in 1970. Immediately following his service, he served as a Deputy District Attorney for Contra Costa County.

Mr. Gagen was admitted to the California State Bar in January, 1969. He has been certified by the California Board of Legal Specialization as a Specialist in Criminal Law since 1976 and by the California Trial Lawyer’s Association as an Experienced Trial Lawyer. He has served on many judicial settlement and arbitration panels. He was admitted to the American College of Trial Lawyers in 1988.

Mr. Gagen was a Professor adjunct of Law at John F. Kennedy University in Walnut Creek for 20 years, specializing in Evidence, Trial Practice, and Criminal Law. He is Vice Chair of the Board of Regents for John F. Kennedy University.

Mr. Gagen resides in Danville with his wife. They have three adult sons.

Contra Costa County Bar Association, President, 1982
Alameda-Contra Costa Trial Lawyers Association, President, 1979
Professor of Law, John F. Kennedy University Law School, 1984 - 2005 (Classes in Evidence and Trial Practice and Criminal Law)
Legal Analyst, KPIX Television, San Francisco, 1994, 1995
California State Bar Disciplinary Investigation Panel 1973-1976
Contra Costa County Judicial Evaluation and Client Relations Committees
American College of Trial Lawyers, Fellow, August 1988 - present
MCLE Panelist, Lecturer: Alameda-Contra Costa Trial Lawyers Association; Contra Costa Bar Association, Contra Costa Barristers Assocation, California Bar Continuing Education Program, Contra Costa County Public Defenders office, Alameda County District Attorney's office. Programs topics included ethics, jury trial practice, including selection, cross-examination, opening statements and closing arguments in trial, client interview procedures, interaction of criminal and civil law, and felony representation.

COMMUNITY ASSOCIATIONS & ACTIVITIES

San Ramon Valley Community Center, Board Member, 1973 - 1976
Danville Fire Protection District, Board Member, 1976 - 1979
Eugene O’Neil Foundation, Board Member, 1984 - 1990
Oakland Symphony Orchestra Association, Board of Trustees, 1984 – 1986
Diablo Bank, Board Member, 1984 - 1987
Board of Trustees of De La Salle High School 1986-1995, Board President, 1992 - 1995
Board of Regents, John F. Kennedy University, 1990 - 1994; 1998 – present (Vice Chair)
Board of Directors, University of California, Boalt Hall Alumni Association, 2000 - 2003

Co-author, California Criminal Discovery, Bancroft-Whitney,1995; 2nd Ed., 1999; 3rd Ed., 2003; 4th Ed., Lexis Nexis, 2008
Contributing author, California Criminal Law Practice & Procedure, 1986, 1994, 2000

Bachelor of Arts, Georgetown University, Washington D.C., 1965
Juris Doctor, Boalt Hall School of Law, University of California, Berkeley, 1968