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About Us Table of Contents
Michael A. Kelly 
San Francisco, California,
phone 415-992-5819
888-799-3968
fax 415-391-6965
email Email Me

Mr. Kelly is among California’s preeminent personal injury and wrongful death trial lawyers . In 2010 he was voted the San Francisco Trial Lawyers Association "Trial Lawyer of the Year" and nominated for the Consumer Attorneys of California "Consumer Attorney of the Year" award (his second such nomination). In December 2009 he was chosen by the readers of San Francisco's Recorder legal newspaper as the "Best Personal Injury Attorney" in San Francisco and featured on the cover of the 2009 Northern California Super Lawyers magazine. His 2010 $23,200,000 jury verdict in a  medical negligence case ranks among the nation's largest verdicts ever for obstetrical injury. Mr. Kelly has successfully litigated matters in Oregon, Hawaii, Colorado, Alaska, Minnesota, New Mexico and the Territory of Guam. He has obtained 8-figure jury verdicts and settlements in product liability, wrongful death, obstetrical injury, medical negligence and vehicle collision cases. He holds an "AV" rating (highest rating) from Martindale-Hubbell and has been favorably profiled in numerous legal periodicals.

He has tried cases throughout California and the nation, and has been involved in more than 150 cases where his client(s) recovered $1,000,000 or more by way of trial, arbitration, mediation or settlement. He is a four-time "Trial Lawyer of the Year" nominee of the San Francisco Trial Lawyers Association. In 2010 he was selected for the 16th consecutive year as one of the Best Lawyers in America. His record breaking jury verdicts include the largest verdict for paraplegia in Sonoma County history in 2007;  the largest jury verdict for medical negligence in the history of El Dorado County in 2006; and a San Francisco Superior Court jury verdict in 2006 which was, at the time, the largest ever reported for the wrongful death of a non-dependent adult child.

He has been recognized by his peers by election to the most selective and prestigious legal honorary societies.  He is a National Board member of ABOTA, and serves for 2011-2012 on the ABOTA Foundation Board of Trustees. He is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and was elected in 2011 as Vice President of the International Society of Barristers. He has also been elected to Fellowship in the International Academy of Trial Lawyers.

His commitment to legal education and pro-bono work is widely known and has been recognized by multiple Bar Associations. In 2008 - 2010 he made three visits to Japan ( Tokyo, Osaka )  to assist in the training of Japanese attorneys involved in Japan's new Saiban-in jury trial system. In 2008 he was honored by Sonoma County Legal Aid society for his commitment to the poor, and in 2007 the Bar Association of San Francisco presented him with a citation acknowledging his commitment to training lawyers for children. He is heavily involved in continuing legal education and teaches for NITA, the California Continuing Education of the Bar, ABOTA , CAOC, SFTLA and The Rutter Group. He is a member of the Board of Trustees of the National Institute of Trial Advocacy, and serves as Program Director of that organization's San Francisco, New York and Colorado Teacher Training Programs.

He is a summa cum laude graduate of St. Mary's College of California and obtained his law degree from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law in 1976. For the last 35 years he has specialized in the resolution of complex plaintiff's personal injury claims, including claims for wrongful death, and those arising from product liability, government negligence, obstetrical mismanagement, drug and device failure, vehicle defects and vehicle collisions.

Motor Vehicle Accidents
Defective Products
Medical Malpractice
Toxic Household Products
Brain Injury
Brain Stem Injury
Birth Injuries
Labor & Delivery Negligence

Born: August 14, 1951; San Francisco, California

Education:

St. Mary's College of California; B.A. 1973
           Honors: Summa Cum Laude
           Student Body President
           De La Salle Medal (Academic Excellence)
           Milliken Award (Student Affairs)

University of California Hastings College of Law; J.D. 1976

License: State Bar of California, 1976

State Bar Number: 71460

Employment:

Walkup, Melodia, Kelly & Schoenberger
Partner/Vice-President
(1978 - Present)

Litigation, trial, arbitration and mediation of civil cases including catastrophic injury, product liability, medical malpractice, premises liability, automobile negligence, wrongful death, obstetrical injury and traumatic brain injury claims.

Academic Appointment:

Assistant Professor of Law
University of California Hastings College of Law
(1981 - 2000)

Courses Taught:

Personal Injury Litigation
Evidence Advocacy
Litigation Advocacy 1
Advanced Personal Injury Seminar
Litigation Advocacy II - Personal Injury
Teaching Faculty / Team Leader
Emory University School of Law (1989 to present)
Kessler-Eidson Trial Techniques Program

Honors, Professional Affiliations and Associations:

Martindale-Hubbell, "AV" Rating
Top Ten Northern California "SuperLawyer" (2007, 2008)
Listed, "The Best Lawyers In America" (1997 - 2010)
Nominee, San Francisco Trial Lawyers Association Trial Lawyer of the Year (1999; 2001; 2008)
Fellow, American College of Trial Lawyers
Fellow, International Society of Barristers (Secretary/Treasurer, 2010; Member, Board of Governors, 2002 - 2009)
Associate, American Board of Trial Advocates (Chapter President 2010; National Board Member 2002 - 2003; 2004 - 2010)
Member, Board of Trustees, N.I.T.A. (2002 - 2010)
San Francisco Focus Magazine, Northern California "SuperLawyer" (2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010)
Award of Merit, Bar Association of San Francisco, 2007
Nominated Finalist, Consumer Attorneys of California, Trial Lawyer of the Year (2008)
San Francisco Trial Lawyers Association (President, 1996; Executive Board Member 1990-1995)
Program Director, National Institute of Trial Advocacy - West Coast Teacher Training, 2001 - 2010; Harvard Teacher Training, 2005 - 2008; Colorado Teacher Training, 2006 - 2007; New York Teacher Training, 2009, 2010.
Member, Judicial Council of California Jury Instruction Task Force (2000 - 2003)
Member, Judicial Council Advisory Committee on Civil Jury Instructions (C.A.C.I.) (2004 - 2010)
San Francisco Superior Court Judge Pro Tem
State Bar of California (Member, Litigation Section)
Bar Association of San Francisco, Member: Judiciary Committee; Litigation Section Executive Committee (2001 - 2006)
San Francisco Superior Court Judicial Arbitration Arbitrator Selection Committee, Member (1998 - 2008)
Edward J. McFetridge San Francisco American Inn of Court (1990-1993)
American Association for Justice, Member
Arbitrator, San Francisco Superior Court
Association of Personal Injury Attorneys (United Kingdom)
Trial Lawyers for Public Justice, Member

Selected Publications/Authorship:

Co-Author California Uninsured Motorist Practice (2d Ed.) Continuing Education of the Bar (August 2005 Update)
Consultant, California Trial Objections (3d Ed.) Continuing Education of the Bar; Berkeley, California, 1995 (Author: Edwin A. Heafey, Jr.)
Contributor, Continuing Education of the Bar Civil Litigation Reporter (1992-1995)
Consultant, Bancroft-Whitney, California Civil Practice, Torts (1992)
Co-Author, "The Auto Collision Case: What You Need to Know," The Compleat Lawyer, A.B.A. Publications, Vol. 9 No. 3, Summer 1992

Presentations/Lectures:

January 2010Osaka Bar Association, Saiban-in Jury Trial Skills Training, Program Director (Osaka, Japan)
January 2010California Continuing Education of the Bar's 25th Annual Torts Practice. Panelist: "Recent Developments in Torts" (Sacramento, California)
December 2009The Rutter Group, 2009 Torts Update. Panelist (San Francisco, Los Angeles)
November 2009National Institute of Trial Advocacy. Program Director: West Coast Teacher Training (San Francisco)
November 2009American Board of Trial Advocates, Sacramento Chapter, Masters in Cross-Examination. Presenter: "Cross-Examination, Basic Principles and Techniques" (Sacramento, California)
September 2009National Institute of Trial Advocacy - U.K., Scottish Solicitor Advocacy Training (Edinburgh, Scotland)
August 2009Consumer Attorneys of California, Vehicle Dynamics Seminar. Lecturer: "Cross-Examining the Accident Reconstruction Expert Witness" (Sonoma, California)
June 2009National Institute of Trial Advocacy. Program Director: East Coast Teacher Training (New York, NY)
May 2009American Board of Trial Advocates, San Francisco Chapter, Masters in Demonstrative Evidence. Presenter: "Final Argument" (San Francisco, California)
January 2009Osaka Bar Association Litigation Advocacy Training Program Director and Team Leader (Osaka, Japan)
January 2009California Continuing Education of the Bar's 24th Annual Torts Practice. Panelist: "Recent Developments in Torts" (San Francisco, Sacramento)
January 2009Bar Association of San Francisco. Panelist: Dealing With The Toxic Client (San Francisco)
November 2008National Institute of Trial Advocacy. Program Director: West Coast Advocacy Teacher Training, University of San Francisco School of Law (San Francisco)
August 2008Consumer Attorneys of California, Vehicle Dynamics and Handling Seminar. Presenter: "Deposing the Defense Automobile Accident Reconstruction Engineer" (Sonoma, California)
June 2008University of San Francisco, Kendrick Hall School of Law, Intensive Advocacy Program. Lecturer: "Final Argument" (San Francisco, California)
June 2008American Board of Trial Advocates, San Francisco Chapter, Masters of Cross-Examination. Program Director: "How to Cross- Examine and Impeach Lay and Expert Witnesses" (San Francisco, California)
May 2008Low, Ball & Lynch Annual Update, "Damages In Wrongful Death Actions." Presenter (San Francisco, California)
May 2008California Medical Association, Eleventh Annual Health Care Leaders Academy. Presenter: "Avoiding Medical Malpractice" (Anaheim, California)
April 2008National Institute of Trial Advocacy - U.K. Program Director/Faculty Member: Scottish Prosecutor's Training (Edinburgh, Scotland)
March 2008National Institute of Trial Advocacy. Program Director: Boston Teacher Training (Boston, Massachusetts)
January 2008Federation of Japanese Bar Associations (JFBA). Advisor / Instructor: National Litigation Skills Training (Waseda University, Tokyo, Japan)
January 2008California Continuing Education of the Bar's 23rd Annual Torts Practice. Panelist: "Recent Developments in Torts" (Sacramento)
December 2007San Francisco Trial Lawyers Association. Panelist: CLE Program, "Tactical Containment of Experts: Exorcising Economic Experts" (San Francisco)
December 2007The Rutter Group, 2008 Torts Update. Panelist (San Francisco, Los Angeles)
November 2007Association of Defense Counsel of Northern California and Nevada. Lecturer: "College of Hard Knocks" (San Francisco)
November 2007Bar Association of San Francisco. Co-Director: Juvenile Trial Advocacy Clinic (San Francisco)
November 2007National Institute of Trial Advocacy. Program Director: Western Teacher Training, University of San Francisco School of Law, Kendrick Hall School of Law (San Francisco, California)
October 2007National Institute of Trial Advocacy. Faculty Member: Pacific Regional Trial Skills Program (San Diego, California)
October 2007American Society of Anesthetics, 2007 Annual Meeting. Invited Lecturer: "Risk Management and Professional Liability Issues (San Francisco)
July 2007National Institute of Trial Advocacy. Director: National Trial Skills Program. (Boulder, Colorado)
March 2007National Institute of Trial Advocacy. Program Director: Advocacy Teacher Training (Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts)
December 2006The Rutter Group, 2007 Torts Update. Panelist (San Francisco, Los Angeles)
November 2006National Institute of Trial Advocacy. Program Director: Western Teacher Training, University of San Francisco School of Law, Kendrick Hall School of Law (San Francisco, California)
November 2006American Board of Trial Advocates, Sacramento Chapter "Masters in Trial". Presenter: Opening Statement. (Sacramento)
October 2006National Institute of Trial Advocacy. Faculty Member: Pacific Regional Trial Skills Program (San Diego, California)
July 2006National Institute of Trial Advocacy. Faculty Member: National Trial Skills Program (Boulder, Colorado)
May 2006University of San Francisco, Kendrick Hall School of Law, Intensive Advocacy Program. Lecturer: "Final Argument" (San Francisco, California)
April 2006San Francisco Trial Lawyers Association. Program Moderator: "On Suing MUNI." (San Francisco, California)
March 2006National Institute of Trial Advocacy. Program Director: Advocacy Teacher Training (Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts)
January 2006California Continuing Education of the Bar's 21st Annual Torts Practice. Panelist: "Recent Developments in Torts" (San Francisco, Sacramento)
December 2005The Rutter Group, Personal Injury Update. Panelist (San Francisco, Newport Beach)
November 2005National Institute of Trial Advocacy. Program Director: West Coast Advocacy Teacher Training, University of San Francisco School of Law (San Francisco)
October 2005National Institute of Trial Advocacy. Faculty Member: Pacific Regional Trial Skills Program (San Diego)
July 2005National Institute of Trial Advocacy. Team Leader: National Trial Skills Program (Boulder, Colorado)
June 2005San Francisco Trial Lawyers Association Presentation. Speaker: "The Scientific, Artistic and Efficient Use of a Trial Lawyer's Most Basic Weapon: Cross-Examination"
May 2005American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) "Masters in Trial - Ultimate Trial Notebook". Lecturer: Direct and Cross- Examination (San Francisco)
May 2005National Institute of Trial Advocacy. Faculty Member: Southwest Regional Trial Skills Program (University of New Mexico School of Law - Albuquerque, NM)
May 2005Microsoft Corporation Advocacy Academy. Faculty Member (Seattle, WA)
April 2005University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine. Presenter: "Medical Liability Reform - Is MICRA Fair?" (San Francisco)
February 2005Public Interest Law Group Advocacy Trial. Faculty Member, University of San Francisco Kendrick School of Law (San Francisco)
January 2005California Continuing Education of the Bar's 20th Annual Torts Practice. Panelist: "Recent Developments in Torts" (San Francisco, Sacramento)
December 2004The Rutter Group, Personal Injury Update. Panelist (Newport Beach)
December 2004ABA/CEELI Advocacy Training. Program Leader (Tbilisi, Republic of Georgia)
October 200454th Annual Meeting, American Congress of Neurological Surgeons. Guest Speaker: "Medical Liability"
October 2004National Institute of Trial Advocacy. Faculty Member, Pacific Regional Trial Skills Program. (San Diego)
July 2004National Institute of Trial Advocacy. Faculty Member, National Trial Skills Program. (Boulder, Colorado)
July 2004University of California San Francisco School of Medicine. Panelist: "Evidence Based Medicine and Risk Management" (San Francisco)
May 2004Emory University Kessler-Eidson Trial Techniques Program. Team Leader. (Atlanta, Georgia)
May 2004University of San Francisco, Kendrick Hall School of Law, Intensive Advocacy Program. Lecturer: "Closing Argument" (San Francisco)
January 2004California Continuing Education of the Bar's 19th Annual Torts Practice. Panelist: "Recent Developments in Torts" (San Francisco, Sacramento)
December 2003Association of Defense Counsel 44th Annual Meeting. Speaker: "California's All New Plain-English Civil Jury Instructions" (San Francisco)
November 2003San Francisco Trial Lawyers Association Presentation. Speaker: "From BAJI to CACI - Using the New Jury Instructions to Your Advantage"
November 2003National Institute of Trial Advocacy. Program Director, West Coast Advocacy Teacher Training, University of San Francisco School of Law.
September 2003Northern Ireland Advocacy Working Party and NITA, U.K. Faculty Member, Solicitors Advanced Advocacy Training, Queens College, Belfast, Northern Ireland.
May 2003University of San Francisco Intensive Advocacy Program. Lecturer: "Making a Convincing Closing Argument" (Kendrick Hall Law School, San Francisco)
March 2003National Institute of Trial Advocacy. Faculty Member, Harvard University Teacher Training (Cambridge, Massachusetts)
February 2003Association of Defense Counsel. Speaker: "The Judicial Counsel's Jury Instructions - Are You Prepared?" (San Francisco)
February 2003National Institute of Trial Advocacy. Faculty Member, Native American Tribal Court Skills Program (National Judicial College, Reno, Nevada)
January 2003California Continuing Education of the Bar's 18th Annual Torts Practice. Panelist: "Recent Developments in Torts" (San Francisco, Sacramento)
January 2003The American Board of Trial Advocates, in conjunction with ABOTA National Meeting. "Masters in Trial, Direct Examination Demonstration" (San Francisco)
November 2002National Institute of Trial Advocacy. Director/Faculty Member: West Coast Teacher Training (San Francisco)
October 2002National Institute of Trial Advocacy. Faculty Member, Pacific Regional Trial Skills Program (San Diego)
July 2002National Institute of Trial Advocacy. Faculty Member, National Session Trial Skills Program (University of Colorado School of Law - (Boulder, Colorado)
May 2002University of San Francisco Intensive Advocacy Program. Lecturer: "Final Argument" (San Francisco)
January 2002California Continuing Education of the Bar's 17th Annual Torts Practice. Panelist: "Recent Developments in Torts" (San Francisco, Sacramento)
November 2001National Institute of Trial Advocacy. Director, West Coast Teacher Training Program, University of San Francisco Law School (San Francisco)
October 2001National Institute of Trial Advocacy. Faculty Member, Pacific Regional Trial Skills Program (San Diego)
September 2001San Francisco Trial Lawyers Continuing Legal Education Symposium. Lecturer: "Dealing With Hospital and Health Plan Liens" (San Francisco)
July 2001National Institute of Trial Advocacy. Faculty Member, National Session Advocacy Training (University of Colorado School of Law - Boulder, Colorado)
May 2001American Bar Association Section of Litigation Annual Meeting. Participant: "Mauet and the Masters" (The Phoenician - Scottsdale, Arizona)
May 2001Bar Association of San Francisco Litigation Section M.C.L.E. Seminar. Moderator: "Maximizing Client Participation at Mediation" (San Francisco)
February 2001San Francisco Trial Lawyers Continuing Education Program. Presenter: "Direct & Cross Examination of Experts" (San Francisco)
January 2001California Continuing Education of the Bar's 16th Annual Torts Practice. Panelist: "Recent Developments in Torts" (San Francisco, Sacramento)
October 2000National Institute of Trial Advocacy. Faculty Member, Pacific Regional Trial Skills Program (San Diego)
July 2000National Institute of Trial Advocacy. Faculty Member, National Session Trial Skills Program (University of Colorado, School of Law, Boulder, Colorado)
May 2000Kessler-Eidson Trial Techniques Program. Faculty Member, Emory University School of Law (Atlanta, Georgia)
July 1999National Institute of Trial Advocacy. Faculty Member, Pacific Regional Trial Skills Program (San Diego)
June 1999San Francisco Trial Lawyers Association, Continuing Legal Education Seminar. Presenter: "Identifying and Evaluating the Automobile Product Liability Case" (San Francisco)
May 1999National Institute of Trial Advocacy. Faculty Member Southwest Regional Trial Skills Program (University of New Mexico School of Law - Albuquerque, New Mexico)
March 1999Consumer Attorneys of California. Lecturer: "Handling Personal Consumption Issues in Wrongful Death Cases" (33rd Annual Lake Tahoe Seminar)
January 1999California Continuing Education of the Bar's 14th Annual Torts Practice. Panelist: "Recent Developments in Torts" (San Francisco, Sacramento)
June 1998Lecturer: "Standard of Care" presented to Surgical Grand Rounds at U.C.S.F./Mt. Zion Hospital (sponsored by U.C.S.F./Mt. Zion Risk Management).
May 1998National Institute of Trial Advocacy. Faculty Member, Southwest Regional Program (University of New Mexico - Albuquerque, N.M.)
April 1998Emory University Trial Techniques Program. Faculty Member (Atlanta, GA)
March 1998Consumer Attorneys of California 33rd Annual Tahoe Seminar. Moderator: "Creative Approaches to Economic Losses"
January 1998California Continuing Education of the Bar's 13th Annual Torts Practice. Panelist: "Recent Developments in Torts" (San Francisco, Sacramento, Yosemite)
November 1997Panelist: "Trying the Wrongful Death Case in California" presented by National Business Institute (Oakland)
November 1997National Institute of Trial Advocacy. Faculty Member: Western Deposition Skills Program (Golden Gate University School of Law - San Francisco)
January 1997California Continuing Education of the Bar's 12th Annual Torts Practice. Panelist: "Recent Developments in Torts" (San Francisco, Sacramento
December 1996Consumer Attorneys of California, Continuing Legal Education Seminar. Featured Speaker: "Proposition 213: Constitutionality and Applicability" (San Francisco)
October 1996National Institute of Trial Advocacy. Faculty Member: "Deposition Skills Program" (San Francisco)
July 1996National Institute of Trial Advocacy. Faculty Member, Pacific Regional Skills Program (San Diego)
June 1996National Institute of Trial Advocacy. Faculty Member, National Session (University of Colorado, School of Law - Boulder, Colorado)
May 1996Kaiser Permanente Risk Management Symposium, Medical Malpractice Risk From the Trial Lawyers Perspective. Panelist: "Managing Unexpected Patient Care Outcomes" (Emeryville, California)
January 1996California Continuing Education of the Bar's 11th Annual Torts Practice. Panelist: "Recent Developments in Torts" (San Francisco, Sacramento)
December 1995State Bar of California, Litigation Section. Teaching Video: "Civility in the Practice & Avoidance of Gender Bias" (San Francisco)
October 1995Attorneys Information Exchange Group, Auto Focus '95 Seminar. "Discovery, Experts, Exhibits and Defenses in Occupant Restraint Cases" (presented with Daniel Dell'Osso) (Phoenix, Arizona)
September 1995San Francisco Trial Lawyer Association's Auto Seminar. "Handling Biomechanical and Occupant Restraint Issues in Automobile Cases" (San Francisco)
July 1995National Institute of Trial Advocacy. Faculty Member, Pacific Regional Session (San Diego)
June 1995National Institute of Trial Advocacy. Faculty Member, National Session (University of Colorado Law School - Boulder, Colorado)
April 1995Consumer Attorneys of California. Moderator: "Premises Liability: Preparing and Proving the Case" (30th Annual Lake Tahoe C.L.E. Seminar)
January 1995California Continuing Education of the Bar's 10th Annual Torts Practice. Panelist: "Recent Developments in Torts" (San Francisco, Sacramento, Yosemite)
July 1994National Institute of Trial Advocacy. Faculty Member, Pacific Regional Session (San Diego)
June 1994California Continuing Education of the Bar. Program Director: "Handling Product Liability Cases" (San Francisco, Sacramento, San Jose)
March 1994Bar Association of San Francisco. Speaker: "Avoidance of Legal Malpractice in a Personal Injury Practice" (San Francisco)
January 1994California Continuing Education of the Bar's 9th Annual Torts Practice. Panelist: "Recent Developments in Torts" (San Francisco, Sacramento, Yosemite)
December 1993San Francisco Trial Lawyer's Association. Panelist: "Legal Ethics - Making Your Way Through the Maze of Every Day Practice"
July 1993National Institute of Trial Advocacy. Faculty Member, Pacific Regional Session (San Diego)
June 1993National Institute of Trial Advocacy. Faculty Member, Western Regional Session (Boalt Hall, Berkeley)
May 1993California Continuing Education of the Bar. Participant/Lecturer: "Coping With Liens in Personal Injury Cases" (San Francisco 5/8/93; Sacramento 5/4 and 5/6/93)
March 1993Bancroft Whitney/San Francisco Trial Lawyers Association Program: "Low Speed Collision Accident Reconstruction and Biomechanics" (Speaker with Lawrence Kern, Esq. and L. Elson, Ph.D.)
February 1993E.J. McFetridge American Inn of Court Legal Ethics Presenter: "Use and Abuse of the Media in Litigation"
January 1993California Continuing Education of the Bar's 8th Annual Torts Practice. Panelist: "Recent Developments in Torts" (San Francisco, Sacramento, Yosemite)
November 1992California Trial Lawyers Association's 31st Annual Convention. Speaker: "Arguing the Slip and Fall Case" (San Francisco)
October 1992Los Angeles Trial Lawyers 11th Annual Las Vegas Convention. Presenter: "Evaluation of the Premises Liability Case; Should You Accept It?"
July 1992National Institute of Trial Advocacy. Faculty Member, Pacific Regional Trial Advocacy Program (San Diego)
June 1992National Institute of Trial Advocacy. Faculty Member, Western Regional Trial Advocacy Program (Boalt Hall, Berkeley)
March 1992Bancroft-Whitney/San Francisco Trial Lawyers Association/Continuing Education of the Bar Program. Speaker: "Handling the Seat Belt, Biomechanical and Comparative Negligence Issues" (San Francisco)
January 1992State Bar of California Litigation Section Demonstration Program. Participant: "Everything You Need to Know About Depositions" (San Francisco)
January 1992California Continuing Education of the Bar's 7th Annual Torts Practice. Panelist: "Recent Developments in Torts" (San Francisco, Sacramento, Yosemite)
November 1991California Trial Lawyers Association Annual Convention. Lecturer: "Evaluation and Settlement: Maximizing the Bottom Line" (San Francisco)
October 1991Bancroft-Whitney/San Francisco Trial Lawyers Association/Continuing Education Program. Panelist: "Evaluation and Settlement" (San Francisco)
September 1991Bancroft-Whitney/San Francisco Trial Lawyers Association Program. Presenter: "Taking Depositions" (San Francisco)
September 1991Bar Association of San Francisco. Panelist: "Taking and Defending Depositions" (San Francisco)
November 1990California Trial Lawyers Association Annual Convention. Lecturer: "Preparing for and Conducting Depositions of Medical Experts" (LaJolla, California)
September 19907th Annual C.T.L.A. Advocacy College. Speaker: "Preparing the Experts, the Plaintiff and the Trial" (San Francisco)
June 1990National Institute of Trial Advocacy. Faculty Member, Western Regional Advocacy Course (Boalt Hall, Berkeley)
April 1990California Continuing Education of the Bar, Product Liability Trial Practice Institute. Panelist: "Understanding and Utilizing Government Involvement in Product Liability Claims" (Los Angeles, San Francisco)
January 1990California Continuing Education of the Bar's 5th Annual Torts Practice. Panelist: "Recent Developments in Torts" (San Francisco, Sacramento, Yosemite)
March 1989Practicing Law Institute, Western Region Symposium. Presenter: "Preparation and Trial of a Toxic Spill Case" (San Francisco)
January 1989California Continuing Education of the Bar's 4th Annual Torts Practice. Panelist: "Recent Developments in Torts" (San Francisco, Sacramento, Yosemite)
November 1989California Trial Lawyers Association, Annual Convention. Lecturer: "Recognizing and Resolving Third Party Liens" (San Francisco)
January 1988California Continuing Education of the Bar's 3rd Annual Torts Practice. Panelist: "Recent Developments in Torts" (San Francisco, Sacramento, Yosemite)
November 1987California Trial Lawyers Association Annual Convention. Lecturer: "Recent Developments in Products Liability Law (Newport Beach, California)
January 1987California Continuing Education of the Bar's 2nd Annual Torts Practice. Panelist: "Recent Developments in Torts" (San Francisco, Sacramento, Yosemite)
October 1985California Continuing Education of the Bar. Panelist: "Use and Abuse of Interrogatories" (San Francisco, San Rafael)

Fraternal Organizations/Community Activity:

Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory: Member, Board of Regents 1987-2002; President, Board of Regents, 1989-1992

St. Mary's College Alumni Association: Member, National Board of Directors, 1983-1989

C.Y.O. Sports: Youth Basketball/Baseball Coach, 1985 - 2001

Noteworthy Verdicts and Settlements

Goodloe v. Bell Sports, Inc. (Defective Consumer Product) $17,000,000 Jury Verdict

Rachel K. v. Truck Line Operator (Bicycle v. Semi-Truck - Catastrophic Injuries) $15,000,000.00 Settlement

Family of H. v. UpRight, Inc. (Defective Industrial Product - Wrongful Death) $10,000,000 Settlement

Twins v. Fertility Center (Fertility Clinic Negligence / Congenital Disease) $9,500,000 Settlement

Dahl V. Stone M.D. (Paraplegia - Medical Malpractice) $9,420, 840.00 Jury Verdict

Perry v. Budget Rent-A-Car (Automobile Accident) $8,775,000 Jury Verdict

Henry V. v. PG&E (Electrocution / Utility Negligence) $7,000,000 Settlement

Child v. Pediatric Neurosurgeon (Quadriplegia - Surgical Error) $6,350,000 Settlement

Johnston v. American Honda Motor Co. (Product Liability - Wrongful Death) $5,760,000 Jury Verdict

Diana C. v. Devicemaker (Defective Medical Device / Paralysis) $5,250,000 Settlement

Student v. Valley Unified School District (Negligent School Supervision Paraplegia) $4,500,000 Settlement

Michael O. v. County of Kern (Dangerous Highway - Brain Damage) $4,500,000 Settlement

Richard T. v. HMO (Brain Damage / Failure to Diagnose Cardiomyopathy) $4,250,000 Settlement

Machinist v. Industrial Machine Design (Product Liability - Brain Damage) $4,000,000 Settlement

Infant v. HMO (Birth Injury - Diplegia) $3,975,000 Settlement

Jastrab v. Kelada (Failure to Diagnose Soft Tissue Infection) $3,170,000 Jury Verdict

Ethier v. Poindexter (Wrongful Death of Child) $3,030,000 Jury Verdict

Student v. Daimler-Chrysler (Product Liability) $3,000,000 Settlement

Michael N. v. U.S. Automaker (Vehicle Stability Defect - Rollover Accident) $2,900,000 Settlement

Baby Y. v. Sutter Health (Failure to Diagnose Kernicterus) $2,900,000 Settlement

Kozusko v. Parke-Davis (Prescription Drug Liability) $2,500,000 Settlement

Govil v. Golden Gate Bridge (Highway & Transportation District / Government Liability) $2,500,000 Settlement

Magana v. Sunshine (Trench Cave-In - Abdominal Injury) $2,150,000 Settlement

Dani S. v. Maritime Industries (Boating Accident) $2,025,000 Settlement

Arnold v. City and County of San Francisco (Police Negligence) $1,500,000 Settlement

The Million Dollar Man - Northern California Super Lawyers article


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