Biglaw Partner Murdered Outside Of His Home

Our thoughts go out to the family and friends of this prominent lawyer.

Jim Gilliland

Jim Gilliland

Terrible news from San Francisco. Kilpatrick Townsend partner James Gilliland, Jr. was shot outside of his house on Thursday.

According to police Lt. Robert De La Campa, Gilliland had just returned home from a social event, parked his car and was shot on his front porch. Police are still investigating possible motives for the murder, as reported by SF Gate:

It was not known whether Gilliland was stalked or followed, whether he was the victim of a robbery, or whether the victim and gunman knew one another, De La Campa said.

A few residents remembered seeing a white car, and someone running, around the same time as the shooting, he said. Others said they heard loud gunshots.

“I heard the shots, but honestly I didn’t make the connection to gunshots,” said neighbor Roberta Binarelli. “I thought it was fireworks. I thought, ‘What are they celebrating?’”

Gilliland’s practice focused on intellectual property litigation, and his clients included Apple, Sony, and Oracle. The firm is understandably shocked by Gilliland’s death, and released a statement:

We are deeply saddened by the death of our colleague, friend and partner, Jim Gilliland. Our most heartfelt condolences and sympathies go to Jim’s family and all of his colleagues, friends and clients.

Jim was dedicated to his wife, Vickie, his four children and his parents. They were the center of his life. His passions spanned from spending time with his family to singing, enjoying the arts, travel and sports.

Jim was an absolute pillar of our law firm. He was our trusted colleague and close friend, as well as a mentor and role model to so many. Jim will be missed deeply. He was truly a great lawyer, and his many clients trusted him with their most difficult cases. Jim had been successfully trying cases in federal and state courts around the country for 35 years. Over his amazing career, Jim led our firm in many ways — as Managing Partner, Chairman, and most recently served as Chairman of our Litigation Department.

It is truly a great loss for the Kilpatrick Townsend family and the legal community. We offer our thoughts and prayers to Jim’s family and friends.

Our thoughts go out to the family and friends of this prominent lawyer.

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Prominent SF lawyer James Gilliland slain outside El Cerrito home [SF Gate]


Kathryn Rubino is an editor at Above the Law. Feel free to email her with any tips, questions, or comments and follow her on Twitter (@Kathryn1).

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