Gabriel S. Spooner

EDUCATION

• University of Southern California Gould School of Law (J.D., 2008)
• University of Virginia (B.A., 2003)

BAR ADMISSIONS

• California
• U.S. District Court, Central District of California
• U.S. District Court, Northern District of California
• U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit

Gabriel S. Spooner earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Virginia, where he was a pitcher on the baseball team and a two-time recipient of the ACC Scholar-Athlete Award. His experience on the mound continues to inform his litigation practice: Both require rigorous preparation, strategic decision-making, the ability to perform under pressure, and a commitment to individual accountability within a team framework.

Mr. Spooner went on to earn his law degree from the University of Southern California Gould School of Law. Mr. Spooner then spent the first 18 years of his legal career as a civil litigator at a leading Am Law 200 national defense firm, where he handled all aspects of complex, high-stakes litigation through trial and appeal in California state and federal courts, as well as other jurisdictions. His practice focused on personal injury, products liability, toxic tort, right of publicity, business disputes, and employment matters. This nearly two decades of defense practice, including close collaboration with corporate and insurance representatives, gave him invaluable insight into California law and how corporations and insurers evaluate, manage, defend, and resolve claims.

In 2026, Mr. Spooner chose to bring that experience to the representation of injured individuals. He opened Pond Lehocky’s Costa Mesa office, where he now exclusively represents injured clients, using the knowledge and perspective gained from nearly two decades of defense work to advocate effectively against corporations and insurers.