Michael Kelly

Selected as one of Northern California's Top Ten SuperLawyers in 2007, Michael A. Kelly is one of Northern California's top trial lawyers. He has handled uncounted cases against the Municipal Railway involving busses, cable cars and old time F-Line streetcars. In March of this year he obtained the largest jury verdict for medical negligence in the history of El Dorado County. In June of 2007 he obtained a jury verdict of $9,424,840.00 which was the largest ever returned for paralysis in Sonoma County.

He has presented Seminars "On Suing Muni" and has deposed many of MUNI's high ranking Supervisors and Managers. He understands the engineering issues involved with operating mass transit vehicles, stopping distances, acceleration curves, and accident reconstruction.

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. 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 government negligence and vehicle collisions. He has annually been selected for inclusion among "The Best Lawyers in America," and serves as a Chapter Officer for the American Board of Trial Advocates San Francisco Chapter.

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 motor vehicle collision cases. He holds an "AV" rating (highest rating) from Martindale-Hubbell and has been favorably profiled in legal periodicals.

Noteworthy Verdicts and Settlements

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

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
(Paralysis)
$9,420,840 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