Douglas S. Saeltzer

Bio Español

After graduating from the University of California at Los Angeles, Mr. Saeltzer attended the University of California at Hastings College of the Law. While in law school he worked for both plaintiff personal injury firms, as well as a large Bay Area insurance defense firm. In law school, Mr. Saeltzer was appointed to 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 ranging from minor drug offenses to arson, rape and attempted murder. After one year as a trial counsel his Commander appointed him Senior Trial Counsel responsible for overseeing all other 82nd Airborne Division prosecutors. Mr. Saeltzer's 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. He represents clients in civil cases throughout California and in Federal District Courts. Mr. Saeltzer 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. He has also been invited to lecture for the Continuing Education of the State Bar of California in law and motion practice, and the annual review of recent developments in personal injury law. His areas of practice include a variety of serious injury and death cases in the fields of vehicular negligence, products liability, construction site injuries, elder abuse, medical negligence and government liability. He is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates, American Association for Justice, Consumer Attorneys of California and the San Francisco Trial Lawyers Association. He has also been voted as one of The Best Lawyers in America by his peers, as well as a Northern California Super Lawyer.

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

Verdicts & Settlements

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

Worker v. Property Management Company
Construction Site Negligence
$6,000,000 Settlement

Child v HMO
Birth Injury
$4,750,000 Settlement

Pedestrian v. Product Manufacturer and Negligent Driver
Product Liability and Vehicular Negligence
$4,331,250 Settlement

LaRocca v. Diablo Contractors, Inc., et. al.
Construction Negligence/Vehicular Negligence/Dangerous Condition of Public Property
$3,050,000 Settlement

Brock v. Bonifacio, et. al.
Vehicular Negligence/Products Liability
$2,800,000 Jury Verdict

Confidential v. Confidential
Products Liability
$2,000,000 Settlement

Decedent's Family v. Delivery Company, Roadway, and Estate of Negligent Driver
Wrongful death, Trucking negligence, Dangerous roadway, and vehicular negligence
$1,900,000 Settlement

Pedestrian v. Driver and Owner of Vehicle
Vehicular Negligence/Negligent Entrustment
$1,500,000 Settlement

Marquez v. Transportes Azteca De Oro
Bus Accident/Wrongful Death
$1,100,000 Settlement

Patient v. HMO
Medical Negligence
$1,100,000 Settlement

Driver v. Truck Company and Vehicle Manufacturer
Vehicular Negligence/Products Liability
$1,030,000 Settlement

Patient v. Doctor and Hospital
Medical Negligence
$1,000,000 Settlement

Student v. School District
Government Liability
$1,000,000 Settlement

Pedestrian v. Delivery Company
Vehicular Negligence
$925,000 Settlement

Worker v. Construction Company
Construction Site Negligence
$750,000 Settlement

O'Brien v Wheatley
Auto Accident
$431,569 Jury Verdict

Bradley v. Les Driving & Traffic School
Vehicular Negligence
$355,000 Jury Verdict

Smock v. State of California (Caltrans) and Driver
Dangerous Condition of Public Property; Vehicular Negligence
$288,000 Jury Verdict

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