Richard H. Schoenberger - Walkup, Melodia, Kelly & Schoenberger

Richard H. Schoenberger has enjoyed remarkable success in his almost 40-year legal career. His outstanding skills and presence in the courtroom have made him one of the most highly respected trial lawyers in California. In honor of his achievements in the courtroom, Rich was inducted as the 37th member of the California Lawyers Association Trial Lawyers Hall of Fame in August of 2024.

In an article printed in the Los Angeles Daily Journal, an opponent was quoted as follows: “Schoenberger is everything that a good plaintiff’s lawyer should be: ethical, professional, and smart, and he works hard.”

At various times, he has held or shared the record for the largest verdict in particular case types in San Francisco, Sacramento, Santa Clara, San Luis Obispo, San Mateo, and Sonoma Counties. In September of 2025, his client, a 21-year-old who was paralyzed after the roll cage of the Yamaha YXZ side-by-side he occupied collapsed during a forward rollover, received a $26,300,000 verdict, one of the largest ever handed down for personal injury in Orange County. With its verdict, the jury sent a strong message that Yamaha’s off-road vehicle is defective and needs to be recalled before others are badly hurt. In August of 2023, Rich’s clients received a $16.1 million verdict against the State of California, Department of Transportation, believed to be the largest personal injury verdict in Sonoma County history.

He has tried to verdict or settled well over 100 cases for a million dollars or more, including more than 30 eight-figure cases. In the last few years alone, Rich has resolved individual cases for $50 million, $25 million, $23.3 million, $20 million, $19 million, and $18.5 million. His recent $24.5 million recovery is considered one of the largest known settlements of a medical malpractice case in California history. In the past ten years alone, Rich has achieved results, either through verdict or settlement, that total more than $500,000,000.

In December of 2022, Rich received the prestigious Don E. Bailey Award, given to a distinguished San Francisco ABOTA member who continually exemplifies civility, professionalism, and integrity in the practice of the law while always vigorously, courageously, and expertly advocating his clients’ causes. Rich was named one of the Daily Journal’s 2023 Top Plaintiff Lawyers in California, recognizing his exceptional trial advocacy and placing him among the state’s most accomplished legal professionals.

Rich has been selected Best Lawyers in America Plaintiffs “Lawyer of the Year” in the San Francisco area five separate times – in 2016, 2019, 2022, 2024, and 2026 –sometimes for the field of Personal Injury and sometimes for the field of Medical Malpractice. Only a single lawyer in each practice area and designated metropolitan area is honored as the “Lawyer of the Year”. Rich has been nominated several times and selected as the Trial Lawyer of the Year by the San Francisco Trial Lawyers Association, and in 2021 was a finalist for Trial Lawyer of the Year by the Marin Trial Lawyers Association. He has been recognized as one of the “Top 100” lawyers in Northern California for the past 14 years, is “AV” peer review rated by Martindale-Hubbell, has been included in the national publication The Best Lawyers in America for the past 20 years, and has been a Super Lawyer in Northern California for every year the designation has existed. For the past five years, he has been selected as one of the top 500 Lawyers in America by Lawdragon. In 2021, Rich was named to The American Lawyer’s list of West Trailblazers for his impactful resolutions that resulted in policy and design changes, which improved public safety.

Owing to his many achievements in the courtroom, Rich is an invited member of the most prestigious trial lawyer organizations in the country: The International Academy of Trial Lawyers; the American College of Trial Lawyers, where he served as the Northern California State Committee’s Chair for three years; the International Society of Barristers, where he serves on the Foundation Board; and the American Board of Trial Advocates, where he served as President for the San Francisco Chapter during its 50th Anniversary year.

Rich has been a highly sought after trial advocacy teacher on a national and international level since the early 1990s. Rich has been invited to teach at the University of California, Berkeley, School of Law where he served as an adjunct professor for several years; the Judicial Council of California’s Judicial Studies Program; dozens of programs for the National Institute of Trial Advocacy; Emory Law School’s renowned Kessler-Eidson Trial Techniques Program in Atlanta, Georgia; the Republic of Georgia where he taught advocacy to 24 selected attorneys whose government had only recently allowed the right to a jury trial; Italian trial lawyers in Milan; Northern Ireland solicitors in Belfast; and trial lawyers in Sarajevo. Rich has been a frequently invited faculty member of the ABOTA National Trial College, and this year co-chaired ABOTA National’s inaugural Advanced Trial College at Northwestern University College of Law.

After graduating from Santa Clara University in 1982, Rich attended the University of California, Hastings College of the Law. He began practice in 1985 as a Deputy District Attorney in the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office, where he prosecuted serious felonies. He joined the Walkup office in August of 1987, became a partner in 1995, and a named partner in 2005.

For a decade, Rich taught Mock Trial and other subjects at Bridge the Gap, a wonderful Marin City school designed to prepare at-risk youths for high school and college. For years before that, Rich served as CYO Athletic Director at St. Patrick’s in Larkspur and as Minor League Rep for the Twin Cities’ Little League Board of Directors. Rich also used to be found on some field or court, having coached more than 30 of his three kids’ teams. All three went on to play four years of Division I volleyball or baseball, where they were coached by people who, unlike their dad, knew what they were talking about.

Client Testimonials

"You are very fortunate if Richard Schoenberger agrees to represent you. Richard is incredibly smart, asks thoughtful questions to understand your case and really listens. He and his team will work tirelessly to win your case. On top of these qualities, Richard is one of the finest human beings that I’ve been lucky to know. If you find yourself in need of a personal injury lawyer, I highly recommend Richard Schoenberger of Walkup, Melodia, Kelly & Schoenberger."

Client

“We recently resolved our case thanks to the professional and personal manner provided by Richard Schoenberger at Walkup, Melodia, Kelly & Schoenberger Law Offices. Our case involved the death of a loved one and Rich's genuine and respectful style during an extremely difficult period helped us immensely. The personal approach, while maintaining the professional management of the case, helped guide us through the unfamiliar legal process for a successful outcome. We are forever grateful and highly recommend this firm to anyone in need of these type of services.”

Client

"Choosing Richard Schoenberger and Matthew Davis to handle our case was one of the best decisions we have ever made and we remain in awe of their expertise (not to mention their kindness and sensitivity). They are quality attorneys and, even more, quality people! Mr. Schoenberger is one of the best lawyers I have had the pleasure of knowing and as a former police officer I have known quite a few. He is not only forthright but he is honest and fair."

Client

“I was in a serious motorcycle accident that was life altering and the compassion I received from Rich Schoenberger and his firm was beyond my expectations. They truly do care about their clients. This being my first time dealing with not only major injuries but also a lawsuit of any kind I was very nervous and overwhelmed but Rich and his firm made me feel comfortable and confident that his team would do their very best for me so I could concentrate on my recovery."

Client

"Other attorneys either thought my case was less valuable, or in other ways didn't understand the situation well. Rich Schoenberger and Jeff Clause offered me a custom solution that perfectly fit my needs. They have all the patience, honesty, professionalism, experience, relationships and work ethic you could hope for."

Client

"Richard Schoenberger, Matthew Davis and Brian Robbins were absolutely professional while at the same time being amazingly supportive, personable and RESPONSIVE. Although several years have passed by since we interacted with them constantly we never forget what they have meant to our lives. Choosing them to handle our case was one of the best decisions we have ever made and we remain in awe of their expertise (not to mention their kindness and sensitivity). They are quality attorneys and, even more, quality people!"

Client

"From the moment Rich took over my case, he worked like a bull. Not only is he an excellent lawyer, working hard for his clients, he is extremely personable with a great sense of humor. Throughout the process, he genuinely cared about myself and my children and always kept us abreast of what was going to happen, answering any questions we all had so that we were entirely comfortable."

Client

Noteworthy Verdicts and Settlements

Family v. Company – Settlement – Negligence/Wrongful Death – $50,000,000

Urban Tenant v. Real Estate Manager – Settlement – Property Defect / Traumatic Brain Injury – $26,662,000

Client v. Yamaha – Jury Verdict – Product Liability – $26,300,000

Parents v. School – Settlement – Premises Liability – $25,000,000

Forman v. Various Health Care Providers – Pre and Post-Verdict Settlement – Negligent Obstetrical Care – $24,500,000

Motorcyclist v. UC Regents Employee – Motorcycle Collision – $23,300,000

Minor Patient v. Trucking Company – Settlement – Trucking Accident – $20,000,000

Parents v. School – Settlement – Dangerous Condition of Property – $19,000,000

Pedestrian v. Bus Company – Settlement – Negligent Bus Operation – $18,500,000

Goodloe v. Bell Sports, Inc. – Jury Verdict – Defective Consumer Product – $17,000,000

Lindquist v. State of California – Jury Verdict – Dangerous Condition of Property – $16,100,000

Guest v. Hotel Chain – Settlement – Carbon Monoxide Poisoning – $13,500,000

Driver v. Utility Company – Settlement – Orthopedic Injuries – $13,000,000

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

Bicyclist v. Road Contractor – Settlement – Dangerous Condition / Paralysis – $12,000,000

Van Fleet v. City of Oakland – Settlement – Motorcycle Collision – $12,000,000

Patient v. Doctor – Settlement – Medical Negligence – $12,000,000

Driver v. Trucking Company – Settlement – Paralysis in Truck Collision – $11,000,000

City v. Pedestrian – Settlement – Dangerous Condition of Property – $11,000,000

Loh v. County of Alameda – Settlement – Bicycle Accident – $9,500,000

Surviving Spouse v. General Contractor – Settlement – Dangerous Crane Operation – $9,500,000

Perry v. Budget – Jury Verdict – Automobile Accident – $8,765,000

Hotel Worker v. Parking Garage – Settlement – Traumatic Brain Injury – $8,750,000

Kammerer v. Alimak Hek AB – Jury Verdict – Construction Accident / Product Liability – $8,340,000

Law Student v. County – Settlement – Dangerous Condition of Public Property – $8,250,000

Patient v. Hospital – Settlement – Medical Malpractice – $8,000,000

Driver/Passenger v. Chip Seal/Paving Company – Settlement (During Jury Selection) – Traumatic Brain Injury – $7,900,000

Widow v. National Package Delivery – Settlement – Truck v. Auto Collision – $7,750,000

Truck Driver v. General Contractor – Settlement – Workplace Accident – $7,000,000

Wrongful Death Heirs v. Car Company – Settlement – Negligent Operation of a Vehicle – $6,500,000

Window Contractor v. Scaffolding Company – Settlement – Dangerous Workplace – $6,000,000

Motorcycle Driver v. State Employee – Settlement – Roadway Collision – $5,750,000

Bruce v. Telfer Highway Technologies, Inc. et al. – Jury Verdict – Motorcycle Collision / Construction Zone – $5,510,000

Kim v. Zarour – Jury Verdict – Wrongful Death – $5,300,000

Driver v. Vineyard – Settlement – Vineyard Worker Collision – $4,750,000

Minor v. Valley Unified School District – Settlement – Negligent School Supervision – $4,500,000

Receptionist v. Elevator Company – Settlement – Premises Liability – $4,500,000

Machinist v. Industrial Machine Design – Settlement – Product Liability – $4,000,000

Thornburgh v. City of Auburn – Settlement – Dangerous Condition of Public Property – $3,000,000

Perez v. CCSF – Settlement – Public Transit Liability – $3,000,000

Quackenbush v. CSAA – Jury Verdict – General Negligence – $2,500,000

Lown v. Mildenberger – Jury Verdict – Premises Liability – $1,072,000

Chu v. Bay Area Community Services – Jury Verdict – Psychiatric Malpractice / Premises Liability – $1,000,000

O’Cain v. Basu – Jury Verdict – Medical Malpractice – $1,000,000

Representative Cases

Liou v. State of California

Goodloe v. Bell Sports, Inc.

Loh v. County of Alameda

Perry v. Budget

Quackenbush v. CSAA

Lown v. Mildenberger

O’Cain v. Basu

Beltram v. City and County of San Francisco

Chu v. Bay Area Community Services

Wrongful Death Heirs v. Car Company

Window Contractor v. Scaffolding Company

Minor v. Valley Unified School District

Machinist v. Industrial Machine Design

Thornburgh v. City of Auburn

Perez v. CCSF

Honors and Awards

Lawdragon – Top 500 Lawyers in America: 2020, 2021, 2022

Best Lawyers – Lawyer of the Year: 2016, 2019, 2022

Best Lawyers – Best Lawyers in America: 2016-2022

Super Lawyers – Top 100 in Northern California: 2010-2022

San Francisco Trial Lawyers Association – Trial Lawyer of the Year: 2011

The American Lawyer – West Trailblazers: 2021

Martindale-Hubbell – AV Peer Rated: 2005-2021

Consumer Attorneys of California – Presidential Award of Merit: 2001

Client Testimonials

Noteworthy Verdicts and Settlements

Representative Cases

Honors and Awards

Lawyers Who Know How to Win Your Case

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