DOUGLAS S. SAELTZER (download vcard)
Mr. Saeltzer specializes in handling large personal injury cases, and has obtained over $50,000,000 in jury verdicts and settlements on behalf of his clients. In 2011 he was honored as the " Trial Lawyer of the Year" by the San Francisco Trial Lawyers Association.
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 his field expertise. 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. In 2010 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
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
Boilermaker v Refinery Owner
Industrial Negligence
$2,800,000 Settlement
Brock v. Bonifacio, et. al.
Vehicular Negligence/Products Liability
$2,800,000 Jury Verdict
Confidential v. Confidential
Products Liability
$2,000,000 Settlement
Minor Child v Hair Salon
Negligence
$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
