Nathan Oyster has focused on defending peace officers and public entities in litigation relating to officer-involved shootings, the use of force, false arrest, malicious prosecution, jail conditions, First Amendment issues, class actions, and public employment. He has substantial experience defending litigation brought under Section 1983, the Unruh Act, the Ralph Act, and the Bane Act at both the trial and appellate levels.
Mr. Oyster has tried cases to verdict before a jury, argued before the California Court of Appeal and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, and has conducted over 300 depositions throughout his career. He has utilized the ADR process to obtain the cost-effective resolution of numerous matters for his public entity clients, including the voluntary dismissals of three wrongful death actions. Mr. Oyster has managed an active case load and supervised associates and paralegals defending both civil rights and general liability litigation.
During law school, Mr. Oyster prosecuted criminal cases on behalf of the Norfolk County District Attorney’s Office through the school’s Criminal Clinic, where he conducted his first jury trial at age 24. He was also active in moot court and mock trial programs.
While studying for his Bachelor of Arts degree, Mr. Oyster served as the vice president of the student government and was captain of the Cross Country and Track teams.
Prior to joining Burke, Williams & Sorensen, Mr. Oyster defended public entities in civil rights litigation and defended general liability litigation for multiple insurers throughout California.