Our History

In 1959, Bruce Walkup founded our law firm with the goal of maximizing the recovery of injured clients by showing a willingness to take their cases before juries. Where other lawyers hesitated, he embraced the opportunity. This philosophy, together with the skill and caring of our attorneys, is what sets us apart.

In the early 1960's when only a few national firms were competent to handle complex medical, product liability, automobile and aviation litigation, our firm was at the forefront.  Through the 1970's and 80's important victories establishing the rights of consumers followed.  Our partners successfully represented injured plaintiffs against General Motors and Ford for defective fuel tanks and fuel fed vehicle fires; we successfully pursued claims against Goodyear, Goodrich and Firestone tire makers for accidents caused by design and compounding defects; we obtained recovery for victims of government wrongdoing against the United States Government, the State of California, and local public entities for injurious conduct in public hospitals, on public roads and highways, and as a result of negligent and reckless conduct by police and sheriffs.  When the earliest claims were made against drug makers and manufacturers for dangerous drugs and medical devices (such as the Dalkon Shield, DES and L-Tryptophan) we were again on the front lines.

In the 1990's we paved the way for automobile safety with successful recoveries against Ford, General Motors, Honda, Toyota and other automakers who were not doing all they could to provide for passenger safety, crashworthiness, and vehicle stability. We prosecuted actions against the makers of dangerous medical devices and drugs, including the makers of silicone breast implants, Rezulin, Fen-Pfen, Baycol, and Sulzer hip implants. We represented seniors in elder abuse cases against unscrupulous nursing facilities and retirement centers; we sought recovery for infants who were the victims of obstetrical negligence; and we protected the rights of health plan and healthcare members when their HMO or health plan left them injured or disabled.

In the 2000’s we have been at the forefront of protecting consumers from defective drugs like Vioxx, unstable and roll-over prone SUV’s, medical devices that cause harm and recreational products that injure and kill. We have enforced consumers’ rights in class actions seeking recovery for injuries in California. In the medical negligence arena, we have obtained recovery for brain damaged infants injured in the birth process, Kaiser members hurt as a result of HMO wrongdoing and seniors who have been mistreated in assisted living and long term care centers.

Through it all we have not forgotten the philosophy upon which Bruce Walkup founded the firm. Almost fifty years later, we remain among the top trial firms in the United States and our lawyers continue to obtain seven and eight figure verdicts for our clients.  Now our skills are better, our technology cutting edge, and our resources unmatched.

Contact Walkup, Melodia, Kelly & Schoenberger for a FREE CONSULTATION to discuss your personal injury or wrongful death claim.