Education:
- Pepperdine Law 1976-1979 JD
- University of California, Davis 1974-1976 BA, English Literature
Professional Affiliations:
- Kern CASA - Board of Directors, 1997 - 2002 - Vice President, 2000 - 2002
- Kern County YMCA - Board of Directors, 1981 - 1983
Bar Admissions:
- California State Bar
- Kern County Bar Association
William A. Bruce was born in Grand Junction, Colorado, and later moved with his family to Bakersfield in 1964. Following his graduation from Foothill High School in 1971, Mr. Bruce attended Bakersfield Community College and the University of California, Davis, where he obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature. He subsequently received his Juris Doctorate Degree from Pepperdine University School of Law in 1979.
Mr. Bruce was previously a partner at Robinson, Palmer & Stanton and Klein DeNatale Goldner in Bakersfield before joining Clifford & Brown. Mr. Bruce has tried over 45 jury trials to verdict in matters as diverse as personal injury, products liability, public entity defense, real estate fraud, toxic tort, crop damage, breach of contract, medical negligence, and wrongful termination. He is licensed to practice law in California and is admitted to the United States District Court for the Eastern, Central and Southern Districts of California, as well as the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Mr. Bruce is individually rated as an AV lawyer by Martindale-Hubbell, its highest designation.
Mr. Bruce has been a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) since 1995 and served as President of the San Joaquin Chapter in 2009. He has also served on the board of directors for Cal-ABOTA, Association of Southern California Defense Counsel and the Kern County Bar Association.
Mr. Bruce’s community participation includes having served on the Board of Directors for the Kern County YMCA, Kern CASA and Bakersfield College Renegade Helmet Club.