Media Blog Chain | Cohn | Clark Announces the Passing of Attorney James A. Yoro

Chain | Cohn | Clark Announces the Passing of Attorney James A. Yoro

September 10, 2024 | Article by Chain | Cohn | Clark staff

Chain | Cohn | Clark Announces the Passing of Attorney James A. Yoro

James “Jim” A. Yoro, former partner and longtime attorney at Chain | Cohn | Clark and one of the most veteran and most respected workers’ compensation lawyers in California, died Sept. 7 at age 70.

“It is with great sadness that our firm announce the passing of Jim Yoro,” said Matt Clark, managing partner, attorney, and colleague of Yoro’s for 20-plus years. “Jim was dedicated, not just to his clients and the firm, but to the community as a whole. I also witnessed firsthand Jim’s dedication to his wife Reverie, and his commitment to his daughters Kelsey and Carli. He will be greatly missed.”

Chain | Cohn | Clark hosted a reception on Oct. 2, at its downtown office (1731 Chester Avenue) to celebrate Yoro’s life and career. Dozens of Yoro’s colleagues in the legal community, clients, and others attended to pay their respects.

In lieu of flowers or other gifts, the family requests donations be made to Greater Bakersfield Legal Assistance in Yoro’s name for a new scholarship. Click here to donate. or scan the QR Code below.

“In honor of Jim Yoro, a passionate advocate for equal access to justice and a mentor to young lawyers with similar interests, we invite you to support the Jim Yoro Legal Intern Scholarship. Jim’s family is proud to continue his legacy by supporting this scholarship, which provides a stipend to a summer legal intern working for Greater Bakersfield Legal Assistance (GBLA) to encourage the strongest candidates interested in non-profit legal work to apply to GBLA. Your donation helps ensure Jim’s commitment to justice, mentorship, and equity lives on.”

Yoro attended Garces Memorial High School, before obtaining his bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Berkeley and his law degree from the UC Berkeley School of Law. Following law school, he worked as a staff attorney with Greater Bakersfield Legal Assistance before joining Chain | Cohn | Clark as an associate in 1982. He ultimately became a partner in the firm and managed the firm’s workers’ compensation practice.

Over the years he became one of the most veteran and most respected workers’ compensation lawyers in the San Joaquin Valley as a Certified Workers’ Compensation Professional. He worked for 41 years at Chain | Cohn | Clark.

James served the President of Kern County Bar Association and was recognized in the Best Lawyers in America program, the oldest and among the most respected attorney ranking services in the world. He has argued cases before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals the California Supreme Court. He fought day in and day out for the rights of injured workers.

He served as Chairman of the Board of Directors for Greater Bakersfield Legal Assistance, on the Board of Governors for the California Applicants’ Attorneys Association, Board of Directors for Kern Regional Center, and the Board of Directors for the CSU Bakersfield Kegley Institute of Ethics.

Outside of the office, James was also deeply involved in the Filipino community in Bakersfield, Delano, and throughout Kern County.

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