Before Craig Fontaine Ashton stood beside clients in court, he spent years studying how people react under pressure.
That curiosity shaped everything that followed. He co-founded Ashton & Price, LLP, and approaches each case with early, steady preparation in Northern California.
Cases involving serious injury place a heavy burden on clients. Many arrive overwhelmed by new medical routines, job interruptions, and insurance hurdles. Ashton steps into that moment with a style built over decades. His early years in San Francisco’s Financial District exposed him to attorneys who valued steady litigation skills, and their example set the tone he keeps now. Files move through his hands with the understanding that every detail may matter later. Clients meet with attorneys from the first call, so they feel anchored at a time that may feel unstable in Sacramento and throughout Northern California.
The Long Game Behind Every Case
Trial work rewards people who think ahead. Ashton’s strategy grows from long-range preparation that guides everything from evidence gathering to negotiations. One of the first lessons he took seriously was the value of straightforward communication, especially for clients facing the legal system for the first time.
Ashton & Price’s contingency fee model lets people focus on medical appointments while attorneys manage deadlines and filings. Over $250 million in settlements, awards, and verdicts mark the film’s long experience with insurer negotiations. Cases range from auto collisions and pedestrian injuries to commercial vehicles and premises, with the firm focusing on serious injury cases.
Each file brings a different story, yet the approach stays consistent. Ashton looks for the strongest path forward, studies the facts, and guides clients through what to expect. People often feel uncertain during the early stages, so he keeps communication steady. A structured process helps them understand where things stand, which has helped build a strong local reputation among those seeking the best personal injury attorneys.
Training for Miles and Trials
Ashton’s studies at UC Berkeley and the Pepperdine University School of Law, combined with student body leadership and participation in the Vincent S. Dalsimer Moot Court Competition, gave him a close look at persuasion and decision-making.
Endurance shows up in Ashton’s life on and off the clock. He’s a multiple-time Ironman finisher with races completed in New Zealand, Australia, Mexico, and Spain. The training hours required for a 140.6-mile race are no joke. Ashton handles that workload because the routine strengthens his patience.
Litigation develops in much the same way. A single case may stretch across months with long stretches of preparation that test a lawyer’s ability to stay focused. Ashton uses his training to keep a clear head, and the consistency helps him stay present for clients who rely on him for guidance, especially when focusing on serious injury cases.
Shorter workouts act as reset points during demanding weeks. Longer ones may help Ashton map out upcoming strategies with more clarity. He treats these sessions as a personal foundation. The aim stays linked to performance in the courtroom and the attention he gives to his files.
A Firm Built for Real Conversations
Ashton & Price center on client experience on direct access. There’s no automated system that filters callers through a chain of prompts. A real person answers and connects them to an attorney. This approach reflects Ashton’s belief that people deserve clear information when dealing with the fallout from injury. He built the firm with Christopher Alan Price after the two met in law school. Their shared work ethic developed into a long partnership that continues to shape the office today in Sacramento and across Northern California.
The firm draws on a broad medical network, and clients may receive support to manage their treatment while Ashton and his team handle legal tasks. When disputes escalate, he draws on decades of trial experience to move cases forward.
The Mindset That Carries Cases Forward
Heritage plays a quiet role in Ashton’s life, with connections to Richard Henry Lee, John Augustine Washington, Bushrod Washington, and George Washington. He jokes that he “cannot tell a lie,” while treating the lineage as a reminder to stay grounded. People rely on Ashton during stressful times, and he works to meet that trust with stability.
Ashton’s style leans on steady preparation. Each case requires time, communication, and long-term focus. The reward comes when clients finally regain confidence after a difficult injury, which is why some local clients view Ashton & Price among the best personal injury attorneys in Sacramento.