Douglas Saeltzer

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Mr. Saeltzer specializes in handling large personal injury and burn cases. He has obtained over $50,000,000 in jury verdicts and settlements on behalf of his clients and is recognized as a premiere wrongful death lawyer. He has extensive experience handling all types of wrongful death cases including trucking accidents, bicycle accidents, dangerous products, construction site accidents, and government liability. In 2011 he was voted the San Francisco Trial Lawyers Association "Trial Lawyer of the Year."

Mr. Saeltzer graduated from the University of California at Los Angeles, and then attended the University of California at Hastings College of the Law where he was a member of the Constitutional Law Quarterly. After graduating law school Mr. Saeltzer accepted a direct commission into the United States Army Judge Advocate General Corps, and spent three years assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division prosecuting criminal cases. After one year as a trial counsel his Commander appointed him Senior Trial Counsel responsible for overseeing all 82nd Airborne Division prosecutors. Mr. Saeltzer was honorably discharged at the rank of Captain, and his military achievements include receiving the Meritorious Service Medal for his work as a prosecuting attorney.

In January 1998 Mr. Saeltzer completed his military service and brought his extensive trial experience to Walkup, Melodia, Kelly & Schoenberger. Mr. Saeltzer teaches and lectures extensively in personal injury litigation and trial advocacy techniques. He is currently an assistant professor on the faculty at the University of California at Hastings College of the Law, where he teaches personal injury litigation. He also serves on the faculty of the National Institute of Trial Advocacy and is regularly invited to lecture for the Continuing Education of the State Bar of California on recent developments in personal injury law. He has been voted as one of The Best Lawyers in America by his peers, as well as a Northern California Super Lawyer. He is also "AV" peer review rated by Martindale-Hubbell®, which is the highest such ranking for legal ability and ethics available to an individual attorney. Recently, Mr. Saeltzer was elected to membership in the American Board of Trial Advocates. He is also an active member of the American Association for Justice, Consumer Attorneys of California and the San Francisco Trial Lawyers Association.

Outside of the courtroom Mr. Saeltzer can be found spending time with his wife and two children, refereeing high school soccer, or playing softball.

Court of Appeal Decisions

Smock v State of California (2006) 138 Cal.App.4th 883

Verdicts & Settlements

Pedestrian v. State of California
Dangerous Condition of Public Property
$12,200,000 Jury Verdict

Worker v Contractor
Construction Site Negligence
$6,000,000 Settlement

Family v. Delivery Company, Roadway, and Estate of Negligent Driver
Trucking negligence/Dangerous roadway
$1,900,000 Settlement

Family v. Bus Company
Negligence/statutory violation
$1,200,000 Settlement

Parents v School District
Negligent supervision
Confidential Settlement

Family v. Delivery Truck Company
Pedestrian accident
Confidential Settlement

Mother v. Property Owner
Residential Fire
Confidential Settlement

Family v Medical Provider
Medical Negligence
Confidential Settlement

Family v State of California
Dangerous Roadway
$425,000 Settlement

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