James F. Boccardo

James F. Boccardo (July 1, 1911–March 17, 2003) was an American trial lawyer, businessman, and philanthropist from Santa Clara County, California. Boccardo "was a standout in the flamboyant brotherhood of personal-injury lawyers."

Early life and education Boccardo was born on July 1, 1911, in San Francisco, to Italian immigrant parents from Genoa. He then attended Stanford Law School, earning his L.L.B. and J.D. in 1934. Boccardo also represented San Francisco Mayor Joseph Alioto in a libel suit against Look, after the magazine suggested that the mayor was connected to the Mafia.

Boccardo was a member of the Inner Circle of Advocates. They were married in San Jose on November 13, 1936.

Retirement After retiring from the practice of law, Boccardo increased his philanthropic activities. He was a major benefactor of San Jose State University; in 1997, he gave $2 million for renovations to the business school building (later renamed the James F. Boccardo Business Education Center). Boccardo also donated to the university gate project, and the gate at Fourth Street and Paseo de San Carlos was renamed the Boccardo Gate in his honor. The university awarded Boccardo and his wife the Tower Award in 1998.

Boccardo was named a commander of the Order of the Star of Italian Solidarity in 1970. He also received the 2002 Achievement Award of the Italian American Heritage Foundation.

Boccardo also contributed to homelessness projects. In 1997, he gave funds for a 250-bed homeless shelter for the San Jose Emergency Housing Consortium, the James F. Boccardo Regional Reception Center. Boccardo also endowed the John H. Boccardo Family Living Center. In 2002, Boccardo funded the creation of the Boccardo Trail Corridor at Alum Rock Park, a hiking and equestrian trail, and doubling the amount of protected land at the park.

Boccardo died in his sleep at age 91 on March 17, 2003, in Los Gatos, California. He was survived by his wife of 67 years, Lorraine; a son, John Boccardo II of Sausalito, California; a daughter, Leanne Rees of Maryland; two grandsons James "Jim" Rees of Los Gatos and Evan Rees of New Mexico; and a great-grandson, Zachary Rees.