Selected as one of Northern California's Top Ten SuperLawyers in 2007, Michael A. Kelly is one of Northern California's top trial lawyers. In June of 2007 Mr. Kelly obtained the largest personal injury verdict in Sonoma County history, and one of the largest verdicts for paraplegia in state history. The verdict, in the amount of $9,420,840 was returned on behalf of a 28 year old construction worker whose physician failed to diagnose a spinal abscess. In March of 2007, he obtained the largest jury verdict for medical negligence in the history of El Dorado County. In the spring of 2006, he obtained a jury verdict which was, at that time, the largest ever reported for the wrongful death of a non-dependent adult child in San Francisco Superior Court.

Mr. Kelly is a two time "Trial Lawyer of the Year" nominee of the San Francisco Trial Lawyer's Association. He is also a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and of the International Society of Barristers, for whom he sits on their Board of Governors. 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 30 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 (including roll-over accidents) and vehicle collisions.

In 2001 he was selected by the California Judicial Council to be a member of the task force empanelled to rewrite California's civil jury instructions. At the present time he continues on the Jury Instruction Advisory Committee for CACI. He has annually been selected for inclusion among "The Best Lawyers in America," for ten consecutive years and serves as Secretary of the American Board of Trial Advocates San Francisco Chapter.

Mr. Kelly has successfully prosecuted cases throughout California in both State and Federal Court. He has also litigated matters in Oregon, Hawaii, Colorado and the Territory of Guam. He has personally tried, arbitrated or mediated more than 100 cases in which the recovery on behalf of his client exceeded $1,000,000. He has obtained 8-figure jury verdicts and settlements in product liability, wrongful death and vehicle collision cases.

He holds an "AV" rating (highest rating) from Martindale-Hubbell and has been favorably profiled in legal periodicals. He is heavily involved in continuing legal education and teaches for NITA, the California Continuing Education of the Bar, ABOTA 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 West Coast, Harvard and Colorado Teacher Training Programs.

Noteworthy Verdicts and Settlements

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

View Michael Kelly's full resumé here.