Mr. Hugo is a trial attorney, litigator and litigation manager for cases involving products and premises liability, toxic torts, environmental claims, personal injury, insurance, professional negligence, construction defect and criminal law.   He also has been retained as an expert witness and testified in trial regarding the reasonableness of settlement values and defense costs.

He gained his initial trial experience as a criminal prosecutor with the San Francisco District Attorney's Office where he held the highest courtroom ability rating in each of his assignments.   Mr. Hugo left that office as a Senior Trial Attorney after trying more than 75 felony cases and 40 Municipal Court jury trials.   He was undefeated in all Superior Court jury and bench trials.

Mr. Hugo is designated trial counsel for several corporations in defense of products liability and toxic tort claims and has successfully tried to defense verdict scores of asbestos lawsuits.

He has served as a Superior Court Judge pro tempore and a member of the Bench/Bar Settlement Program and regularly lectures in the areas of mass tort, environmental and products liability, and trial and deposition skills.

Mr. Hugo earned his J.D. degree from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law in 1986.   He is a Certified Civil Trial Specialist, accredited by the State Bar of California; a "Board Certified Civil Trial Advocate", National Board of Trial Advocacy; Charter Fellow, Litigation Counsel of America; and "AV" Martindale-Hubbell rated.   He is also admitted to the Colorado and Hawaii bars.