Rains Lucia Stern St. Phalle & Silver

California's premier full-service law firm with an emphasis on the representation of peace officers in disciplinary, criminal, labor, workers' compensation, personal injury and other civil matters.

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Principal
Harry S. Stern
San Francisco
P: 415.341.9341
F: 925.609.1690
HStern@RLSLawyers.com
Principal
Harry S. Stern
San Francisco
P: 415.341.9341
F: 925.609.1690
HStern@RLSLawyers.com

Harry S. Stern is the Rains Lucia Stern St. Phalle & Silver, PC (“RLS”) managing principal. His practice is focused on civil litigation and criminal defense as well as complex administrative matters.

Harry has successfully defended peace officers in a number of high-profile trials. Harry has also represented college and professional athletes, candidates for elected office and other prominent people in civil and criminal actions in both federal and state court. He regularly represents peace officers in internal investigations, administrative hearings, coroner’s inquests, grand jury proceedings and related court actions.

A sample of Harry’s recent noteworthy cases include:

  • Securing full acquittal for Sonoma County Deputy Sheriff charged with homicide and assault under color of authority.
  • Winning total exoneration for a San Francisco Deputy Sheriff charged with multiple felonies including obtaining the leading published decision regarding Assault Under Color of Authority. (People V. Lewelling (2017) 26.Cal.App.5th 276)
  • Obtaining what the San Francisco Chronicle described as the largest settlement in recent memory against S.F. Muni for the death of Oakland Tribune reporter Bill Brand.
  • Securing acquittal of former Fresno police officer facing federal criminal civil rights charges after lengthy jury trial.
  • Successfully defending key member of Oracle Team USA charged with gross rule violations in trial before International Sailing Jury days before the start of the America’s Cup finals.
  • Attaining complete dismissal of federal civil rights action against an Oakland police officer via pre-trial motions.
  • Co-head of litigation team that secured major settlement on behalf of Berkeley balcony case victim as well as lobbying for legislation that helps improve residential balcony safety.
  • Won dismissal of all criminal charges against San Francisco deputy sheriffs after discovering serious due process violations by the prosecution.

 
Harry teaches classes and seminars on a broad range of topics related to police legal issues. He is often interviewed on television, the radio and in print media regarding his cases and about law enforcement matters.

Prior to becoming an attorney, Harry was a police officer with the City of Berkeley and was a member of the Berkeley Police Association’s Board of Directors. Harry graduated from the University of California at Berkeley with a degree in English Literature. He earned his law degree from the University of San Francisco while working full-time as a police officer. He also attended Chicago’s Loyola University School of Law as a visiting student, where he earned two academic achievement awards and worked at the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office in the criminal appeals division. He has also served on the University of California’s Civilian Police Review Board. Harry was admitted to practice law in California in 1995 and is also admitted to practice in the Northern, Eastern, Southern and Central Districts of the Federal Courts of California and the Federal District Court of Colorado, as well as the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Disclaimer: Any results set forth herein are based upon the facts of that particular case and do not represent a promise or guarantee.

Education

• B.A., University of California, Berkeley
• J.D., University of San Francisco

Bulletins & Publications:
Sonoma Deputy Acquitted of Homicide and Felony Assault Charges
The Nature of the Game
Demystifying Qualified Immunity
SF Deputy Cleared After Five Years as DA’s Attempt to Expand Criminal Liability for Cops Thwarted
SF General Hospital Redux: Court of Appeal Hands SF Deputy and RLS Another Win
RLS Wins Major Appellate Victory: Felony Excessive Force Conviction Reversed
Harry Stern and Heather Mac Donald Win Debate in Support of Police
Harry Stern to Debate in Support of Police on Prominent National Show
Mob rule by protesters is not the road to justice
UBER assault victim hires RLS
Law Enforcement Defense Firm, Rains Lucia Stern, Wins Case for Paul Van Dalen
The Ultimate Backup Expands to Southern California
RLS Adds Veteran Lawyer to Sacramento Office
Message from Mike Rains, Rocky Lucia, and Harry Stern Regarding Email from PORAC President, Ron Cottingham, Concerning Billing Irregularities by a PORAC Legal Defense Fund Panel Firm
Oakland Police Department Administration Loses Again: Officer’s Suspension Overturned
Jury Votes 9-3 in Favor of Acquittal in Federal Criminal Prosecution of Fresno Police Officers
Limited First Amendment Rights of Public Employees
The RLS Brady Summit: Renowned Speakers and A Sell-Out Audience
Richmond Officer Acquitted of Criminal Excessive Force Charges
If Demoted, Lawyer Up and Fight to Protect Your Career
In Case You Missed the RLS Symposium on Officer-Involved Shootings: The 5 Facts You Need to Know
Protecting Public Employees from Illegal Actions by Overbearing Superiors
News & Press:
Oakland Cops Fired Over Fatal Shooting Win Revival of Lawsuit
Former Sonoma County Sheriff’s Deputy Not Guilty in 2019 Death of Bloomfield Man
‘Uphill battle’ ahead for Contra Costa DA after charging officer in 2018 killing
Brown Act violation Reinstates Oakland officers Fired Involved in 2018 Fatal Shooting
5 Oakland Police Officers Face Firing for “Flawed” Actions in Fatal Shooting
I-Team Obtains Video of Deputy-Involved Shooting
DA Drops Charges in SF Jail “Fight Club” Case Due to Tainted Investigation
Experts Spar Over Data Suggesting Blacks Commit More Crimes
SF Police Face Pressure to Release Footage of Shooting by Officer
The Debate on Racially-Biased Policing
San Fran Inmates: Guards Made Us Fight for Food
Berkeley forum discusses ‘War on Cops’
Why Police-Shooting Videos Sizzle on Social Media But Fizzle in Court
Report offers insight into SFPD disciplinary process
Calif Bill Takes Aim at Police Misconduct … Watch Out for Unintended Consequences?
State bill would give public access to police misconduct records
No jail time for S.F. deputy in hospital assault
Berkeley balcony had ‘unusual slope’ before collapse
S.F. sheriff seeks to fire deputy accused of staging jail fights
Witness stories diverge in case of SF deputy who allegedly pulled gun on parking enforcement officer
FBI probing allegations of forced inmate fights at S.F. jail
South Carolina video may have huge impact on debate over police
S.F. deputies trained inmates for fights, bet on them, official says
SF deputy who allegedly pulled gun named, incident disputed
Ezell Ford autopsy results raise more questions
Attorney For Sheriff’s Deputy Involved In SF General Brutality Case Calls Charges ‘Political’
VIDEO: S.F. Deputy Accused of Assaulting Hospital Patient and Lying About it Arraigned
First Wrongful Death Lawsuit Filed in Listeria Outbreak Linked to Caramel Apples
Uber puts everyone at risk
Richmond cop accused of tipping off dealers is fired
Things Are Going Downhill Fast for Uber
Sheriff’s dispatcher fired over botched hunt for hospital patient
Uber hammer attack may clarify firm’s responsibilities
UBER UNDER ATTACK BY HAMMER VICTIM AND CABBIES
Man Accusing Uber Driver Of Attacking Him With Hammer Slams The Rideshare Service
San Francisco cab drivers rally against rideshare companies
Uber Skimps On Driver Training, Then Charges Drivers $65 For Basic Driver Skills Course
How risky is your Uber ride? Maybe more than you think
Uber Rider Might Lose An Eye From Driver’s Hammer Attack. Could Uber Be Held Liable?
Victim of alleged Uber hammer attack may lose eye
San Francisco Uber Driver Charged With Attacking Passenger With Hammer
Judge denies temporary restraining order to halt confidential police hearings
Berkeley police officer, union sue city over leaked information
Berkeley: Leak shuts down confidential police hearings
City of Berkeley seeks source of leaked confidential info
Ex-Concord cop pleads to stealing drugs
Lawyers: Ex-Concord Officer’s Addiction Drove Him To Steal Drugs
Concord cop accused of swiping drugs from the elderly
Concord police officer arraigned on drug theft, elder abuse charges
4 Fresno police officers found not guilty on 7 of 8 excessive force charges
Inquiry into Oakland officer cited in IHOP gun case in S.F.
Should LA Sheriff Lee Baca be held financially liable for inmate abuse at county jail?
Domestic violence case against Concord police officer dismissed
Boy, 6, fatally bitten by relative’s dog
Muni to pay $900,000 in fatal Metro accident
4 days, 5 deaths after officer-involved shootings
S.F. deputy sheriff faces 6 charges
Rains Lucia Opens S.F. Workers’ Comp Practice
Monitor: Oakland police reforms lagging
Vallejo struggles with spate of police shootings
Oakland cop’s lawyer defends fatal shooting
Concord officer pleads not guilty to felony domestic violence charges
Berkeley police chief’s call on reporter draws fire
Richmond police officer acquitted of all charges in brutality case
Policing the police: Drug testing policies for officers vary throughout state
Courts, police say pepper spray ‘defensive’ only
Police Tapes Reveal Name of Officer Who Shot Charles Hill
BART: Suspect killed by officer in S.F. had knife
Embattled San Leandro cop had affair with informant
San Leandro drug cop charged with marijuana felony
San Ramon officer charged with drug, gun crimes
Delays in Richmond police hearings cost everyone
Richmond officer accused of assault wins his job back
Concord pays $188,500 to settle claim by former public works employee
Ex-Daly City cop gets 90 days in jail for gun and knife incidents
Richmond cop says he didn’t punch suspect
Richmond officer pleads not guilty to assaulting suspect
Former S.F. cop cleared after being sued by 14-year-old girl he solicited for sex
High Court Curbs Power of Police to Search Cars
Parolee stood over stricken police officers and fired again
Oakland cops kill fleeing drug suspect
Oakland cop was cleared in earlier killing
Oakland likely to be sued over killing by cop
Oakland sees second cop-involved killing
Officer back on job: Sergeant returns to work after being cleared in assault
Former Oakland cop pleads not guilty in time-card case
Inquest finds Richmond officer shot man accidentally
Court ruling sparks rally by Copwatch
Berkeley cop is charged in shooting
Officer’s widow files suit alleging wrongful death
Wife sues in death of officer
Teenager killed by Oakland police
Officer pleads guilty to stealing drugs Police sergeant in narcotics unit took confiscated heroin
Slain officer, like many, joined police in midlife
Couple Files Suit In Food Poison Case
Upcoming Classes & Speaking Engagements:
Past Classes:
Advanced Internal Affairs Investigation

Sept. 25th – Sept. 27th, 2019 – LRIS Seminar: Grievances, Arbitration, and Past Practices (Las Vegas, NV)
Jun. 22, 2017 – Protecting Cops in the 21st Century Symposium (Newport Beach, CA)
Sept. 26th – Sept. 28th, 2018 – LRIS Seminar: Grievances, Arbitration and Past Practices (Las Vegas, NV)
More Past Classes

Harry S. Stern

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  • About Us
  • Practice Areas
    ▼
    • Labor Representation
    • Civil Litigation
    • Personal Injury
      ▼
      • Example of Case Results
    • Workers’ Compensation
    • Maritime Law
    • Estate Planning
    • DOE Security Clearance Hearings
    • Peace Officers
    • Firefighters
    • EMS Agency Investigations
    • Criminal Defense
    • CalPERS Appeals
  • Our Team
  • Classes
  • Media
    ▼
    • Bulletins
    • RLS in the News
  • Resources
    ▼
    • Links
    • Resources
    • Newsletters
  • Clients
  • Career Opportunities
  • Contact Us
  • Disclaimer
Hotline phone numbers. Northern California: 925-609-1699. Southern California: 310-393-1486.