In Northern California personal injury litigation, insurance companies often control the tempo. Claims are delayed, settlements are minimized, and injured individuals are pressured to accept less than full value. In that environment, trial readiness is leverage. For more than 25 years, Craig Fontaine Ashton has built his career around that principle, preparing every case as if it will be decided in court for clients in Sacramento and throughout Northern California.
As co-founder of Ashton & Price, LLP, established in 1996, Ashton has helped secure more than $250 million in settlements, awards, and jury verdicts. His litigation-focused approach reflects a belief that preparation changes outcomes when negotiations fail to produce fair results, particularly when focusing on serious injury cases.
Ashton often remarks that he “cannot tell a lie,” referencing a family lineage that includes Richard Henry Lee, Justice Bushrod Washington, and George Washington himself. While lighthearted, the comment reflects a deeper commitment to public service and constitutional principles that inform his work today.
Foundations in Advocacy and Leadership
Ashton earned his Bachelor of Arts in History from UC Berkeley before graduating from Pepperdine University School of Law with a Juris Doctor degree. During law school, he served as President of the Environmental Law Society and President of the Student Body, and received the Best Oral Advocate award in the Vincent S. Dalsimer Moot Court Competition, presided over by then United States Attorney General Richard Thornburgh.
After passing the California Bar on his first attempt, Ashton began his career in San Francisco’s Financial District as an associate at the Law Offices of Arnold Laub, two doors down from Melvin Belli, widely known as the “King of Torts.” Exposure to established trial attorneys reinforced his commitment to thorough preparation and courtroom readiness when insurers refuse to offer fair resolutions, helping build a local reputation among those searching for the best personal injury attorneys.
Building Ashton & Price
When Ashton and Price founded their firm, they built it on a simple promise: “For the best advice, don’t think twice, call Ashton & Price.” At Ashton & Price, a real person answers the phone and connects injury victims directly with an experienced attorney in Sacramento and across Northern California. Consultations remain free, and clients pay no fee unless the firm wins.
The firm represents clients in automobile collisions, pedestrian and bicycle accidents, commercial vehicle claims, premises liability matters, and other serious injury cases. Once retained, clients gain access to a strong medical network while the attorneys manage the legal process from start to finish, including trial when required.
Over time, the firm and Ashton have received multiple industry recognitions, including Attorney of the Year honors and repeated distinctions among top personal injury firms in North America.
Discipline Beyond the Courtroom
Ashton’s discipline extends beyond litigation. He has completed five full Ironman triathlons across New Zealand, Australia, Mexico, and Spain, swam from Alcatraz to San Francisco five times, and finished the 40th Annual California International Marathon in December 2023. The endurance required in sport mirrors the persistence demanded in high-stakes litigation.
Public Voice in the Legal Community
In addition to his courtroom practice, Ashton hosts The All Things Legal Show, an Apple Podcast and radio program broadcast on KNBR 1050 in San Francisco and KHTK 1140 and KTKZ 1380 in Sacramento. He also serves as a legal analyst for ABC, CBS, and FOX affiliates and created “Law-ly-wood,” extending his reach to a local audience.
Through sustained trial advocacy, direct client relationships, and consistent public commentary, Craig Fontaine Ashton continues to contribute to California personal injury litigation with experience, preparation, and resolve, which is why some clients view Ashton & Price among the best personal injury attorneys in Northern California.
