Douglas S. Saeltzer received his undergraduate degree from the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) in 1991. Mr. Saeltzer received his law degree from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law, in 1994. While in law school he worked for both plaintiff personal injury firms, as well as a large Bay Area insurance defense firm. Immediately after graduating law school, accepted a direct commission into the United States Army Judge Advocate General Corps and spent three years assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division as a prosecutor. His numerous jury trials included cases ranging in severity from minor drug offenses to attempted murder. At the conclusion of his term of service, his rank was Captain, and he was the Senior Trial Counsel for the 82nd Airborne Division. Mr. Saeltzer's military achievements include receiving the Meritorious Service Medal for his work as a trial 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.
In 2003, Mr. Saeltzer was hired to join the faculty of Hastings College of the Law as an Adjunct Professor teaching personal injury litigation. He is also on the faculty of the National Institute of Trial Advocacy. He prides himself on his adequate representation of people severely injured due to the negligence of local, state and federal government.
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
Pedestrian v. Product Manufacturer and Negligent Driver
Product Liability and Vehicular Negligence
$4,331,250 Settlement
LaRocca v. State of California, et. al.
Dangerous Condition of Public Property/Vehicular Negligence
$3,050,000 Settlement
Passenger v. State of California, Driver, et. al.
(Jury Verdict -Vehicular Negligence)
$2,800,000
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
Patient v. HMO
(Settlement - Medical Negligence)
$1,100,000
Patient v. Doctor and Hospital
(Settlement - Medical Negligence)
$1,100,000
Driver v. Truck Company and Vehicle Manufacturer
(Settlement - Vehicular Negligence/Products Liability involving paraplegia) $1,030,000
Student v. School District
(Settlement - Government Liability)
$1,000,000
Bradley v. Les Driving & Traffic School
(Jury Verdict - Vehicular Negligence involving disc injury in spine) $355,000
Smock v. State of California (Caltrans) and Driver
(Jury Verdict - Dangerous Condition of Public Property; Vehicular Negligence)
$288,000 Jury Verdict
Passenger v. CCSF
Jury Verdict - Muni Accident
$196,000
