Born and raised in San Jose, California, Mr. Balestrieri received his undergraduate degree from the University of Santa Clara in 1981 and studied at the University of Gonzaga in Florence, Italy in 1979 and 1980, and speaks Italian.

In 1984, he graduated from the University of Santa Clara School of Law where he served as a Comments Editor of the Santa Clara Law Review. He was admitted to practice in California in December of 1984.

Mr. Balestrieri is a member of the Santa Clara County Bar Association, the State Bar of California, the Association of Defense Counsel of Northern California, and the Defense Research Institute.

He has tried a variety of cases in both California Superior Courts and United States District Court. Mr. Balestrieri serves as a pro tem settlement judge and as a court appointed arbitrator.

Mr Balestrieri is an active member of the American Law Firm Association (“ALFA”) Transportation and Product Liability Practice Groups. He also has served as a frequent speaker, Compendium and Transportation Update Editor for the ALFA Transportation Practice Group.

Mr Balestrieri, on request, serves as an arbitrator and mediator in cases involving personal injury, wrongful death, and transportation and product liability claims.