Attorney Profiles

Walter W. Whelan

Walt has a bachelor’s degree in history from Stanford University (1979) and a law degree (J.D.) from the University of California, Los Angeles (1982).

After practicing law in the Los Angeles area for two years, Walt came to Fresno in 1985 and practiced with McCormick, Barstow, Sheppard, Wayte & Carruth for 12 years in the business litigation department, where he specialized in business and employment litigation.

In 1997, Walt established his own law firm in Fresno, where he has continued to specialize in business and employment litigation. He has tried to verdict or judgment over 75 cases in state and federal courts in California. He is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) and has, once again, been named a Super Lawyer for Northern California (reserved for the top five percent of lawyers). Walt has been AV®-rated by Martindale-Hubbell for over 14 years.

Over the years, Walt has represented a variety of clients, including corporate clients such as AT&T, RadioShack Corporation, Adventist Health, Beverly Enterprises, SaveMart Supermarkets, SYSCO Foods, Central Valley YMCA, Primex Farms, Central Valley Processing, Wilbur-Ellis Company, and Sportsmobile West, to name a few.

Walt’s other interests and hobbies include parenting (father of five), wine-making (he has won gold medals at the California State Fair and at local fairs), gardening, traveling, and supporting research for Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva (FOP).  Walt has a life-long interest in agriculture, having been born and raised on his family’s olive farm near Porterville, California. Walt is proficient in Spanish and French.