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Michael A. Kelly

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Associations & Memberships

For four decades Mike Kelly has protected Californians from corporate greed, medical mistakes, injurious consumer products, utility caused wildfires, dangerous drugs and devices, truck and auto accidents and government wrongdoing. In the course of his work he has tried, settled, and arbitrated more than 250 personal injury and wrongful death cases where the recovery by his client exceeded $1 million. In the last five years he has been at the forefront of claims against corporate giants including Amazon, Kaiser, Tesla, PG&E, Southern California Edison  and Uber. He is a co-lead liaison in the California Depo Provera litigation against Pfizer and the Paraquat litigation against Syngenta. He helped achieve the $13.5 billion resolution of the 2017 wine country wildfire lawsuits against PG&E and settled multiple wrongful death cases caused by Southern California Edison’s negligence in causing the Santa Barbara / Montecito mudslides. He currently sits on the plaintiff attorneys steering committee representing the interests of fire victims in the Los Angeles Eaton Fire litigation. A trucking safety advocate, in the last 5 years alone, he has recovered over 100 million dollars for the victims of negligent trucking companies.

He is a sought-after speaker and teacher, having presented more than 200 invited lectures, tutorials, seminars, and advocacy demonstrations across the United States, Asia, South America, the United Kingdom, and Eastern Europe.

Since 2020, Mike has been chosen among the northern California “Top Ten” Super Lawyers, ranking as the number one vote-getter four times. In 2023 and 2024, he was singled out by Best Lawyers as the Personal Injury “Lawyer of the Year”  for San Francisco. A member of the prestigious Inner Circle of Advocates, he was inducted into both the National Trial Lawyers Hall of Fame and the LawDragon Hall of Fame in 2022. He has been appointed by the Chief Justice of the California Supreme Court to membership on the statewide CACI jury instruction task force for nearly 20 years.

He devotes much of his time to lawyer education, having presented more than 200 invited lectures, tutorials, and advocacy demonstrations across the United States. He is a founding executive board member of Trial School, a not-for-profit skills training organization that teaches trial techniques to lawyers who represent injured victims. He annually teaches a seminar for lawyers who represent medical malpractice victims injured by Kaiser and the Permanente Medical Group.

Client Testimonials

Client Testimonials
Attorney Endorsements
“Our father was killed in an accident while he was on a bike ride, and it was the worst time period of our life. Mike Kelly and team provided the best legal support we could have asked for. They navigated our case with professionalism and expertise, while communicating with us through every step of the process. You can tell that they genuinely care for their clients, and are sensitive to the fact that they are supporting you through a very difficult time in your life. If we could give them 100 stars we would!”

Confidential Client

“Michael Kelly changed my family's life forever. After a tragic incident involving my child, my wife and I called numerous lawyers only to be told that we did not have a chance to win. Feeling defeated, I called this firm as a last attempt and they immediately scheduled a meeting with my family and accepted our case. The settlement won gave my wife and I the piece of mind that my child will be taken care of forever.”

Confidential Client

“Mike Kelly was very upfront and honest about what I could achieve during the litigation process and kept me informed throughout. My particular injury was one that the risk/reward factors for many lawyers was not worth taking. He was always accessible by phone and able to address my questions and concerns. Unlike may personal injury lawyers, Mike Kelly has a very strong moral compass. He was honest, forthcoming, and tenacious in achieving a favorable outcome with my case.”

Confidential Client

"Mike Kelly is amazing! I was a pedestrian hit by a car in the middle of a crosswalk. I was referred to Mike by a friend who highly recommended him. I was in extreme crisis when we contacted Mike. Since I was bedridden, he made a house visit on the weekend a couple of days after the accident. That alone shows what a caring, sensitive person he is. He sensed how distraught I was and made every effort to calm me..."

Confidential Client

"Mike Kelly represented our family in the wrongful death a family member. I was introduced to Mike's firm (Walkup) by referral from an associate who called them the preeminent personal injury firm in Northern California. In our experience Mike and his associates more than lived up to that discreption. They were always sensitive to our feelings and were very concerned with providing excellent service in every way. Their degree of due diligence was unbelievably complete."

Confidential Client

"Mike is knowledgeable, dependable and dedicated. He is truly passionate about his clients and his work. He kept me informed and was honest about his opinions and expectations throughout the litigation process. I know that people often make fun of personal injury attorneys but Mike is no ambulance chaser, he is one of the most astute and capable legal minds in the bay area and I was lucky to have him on my side."

Confidential Client

Working with Katherine Connolly and Mike Kelly was wonderful. They’re legal experts of the highest order who execute successfully with a rare balance of professionalism, efficiency, kindness, and empathy. I will genuinely miss engaging with them and can’t adequately quantify or qualify how grateful I am for the extraordinary quality of their service and support.

Confidential Client

“We are confident we had absolutely the best representation for our wrongful death case. Our family was treated with respect, compassion, professionalism and kindness. Major steps of the process were explained, so we knew what to expect. We recommend this firm without hesitation.”

Confidential Client

“The best personal injury lawyer in the bay area! I recently referred a personal injury case that involved serious injuries, liability issues, and defendants that were well funded (a municipality and a large construction firm) to Michael Kelly. Mike Kelly and his firm not only met the challenge, "they blew the opposition away". Mike treated the client and his family with respect and compassion throughout the litigation process. Not intimidated by the opposition's constant "low ball" offers throughout the litigation process, Mike settled the case on the eve of trial for an astonishing settlement amount..."

Frank Passaglia

“I had the honor of going to trial with Michal Kelly in Santa Fe, New Mexico. He is outstanding! He cares about his clients, about their past, what they have been through, what they go through, and what they will go through in the future. When he goes to trial, he is prepared and ready. He takes command of the courtroom. He can handle a lay (regular witness) or expert witness in pre-trial depositions and during their testimony at trial. He is an outstanding trial lawyer in every way. There is no greater tribute a fellow trial lawyer can say about another trial lawyer..."

Esteban Aguilar

“I have hired Mike Kelly several times including cases for wrongful death, personal injury and wrongful termination. Mike is truly a lawyer's lawyer - I know if I ask him to look at a case for possible referral he will provide a knowledgeable and realistic assessment not only based on his extensive experience but input from consulting expert professionals in the subject field. I don't know that there aren't other great attorneys out there but I do know that if Mike commits to provide representation he is in 110%..."

Robert Smith

Representative Cases

  • PG&E NorCal Wildfire Litigation – Electrically triggered wildfires,  $13.5 Billion Dollar Settlement
  • Thomas Fire litigation v So. Cal Edison – Multiple 7 and 8 Figure Confidential Settlements
  • Husband and Children v. Company – Settlement – Negligence / Wrongful death of mother – $50,000,000
  • Suburban Mom vs. BigRig Trucker –Brain Injury,  $43,500,000 Settlement
  • Urban Tenant v. Real Estate Manager – Property Defect / Quadriplegia, $42,000,000 Settlement
  • Summer Camper v. Camp – failure to supervise /death of child,  $25,000,000 Settlement
  • Rogers v. Associated Clinics – Obstetric Malpractice / Brain Injury, $23,200,000 Jury Verdict
  • Children v. Electrical Utility  – Death of Mother, $22,000,000 Settlement
  • Child v. Any Truck – Truck v. Auto Collision, Pediatric Brain Injury, 18,000,000 Settlement
  • Goodloe v. Bell Sports, Inc. – Defective Bicycle Helmet / Brain Injury, $17,000,000 Jury Verdict
  • Recreational Cyclist v. Package Delivery Service – Bicyclist Struck by Delivery Van / Wrongful Death, $16,000,000 Settlement
  • Motorist v. Trucking Manager – Truck versus auto freeway crash,  multiple injuries,  $16,000,000 Settlement
  • Rachel K. v. Truck Line Operator – Bicycle v. Semi-Truck / Catastrophic Injuries, $15,000,000 Settlement
  • Parents v. Preschool Operator – Playground injury / Wrongful Death of Child , 15,000,000 Settlement
  • Tourist v. Tahoe Resort – Fall on Hotel Premises / Paraplegia, $14,000,000 Settlement
  • Tourist v. Sierra Resort – Fall on Hotel Premises / Paraplegia, $14,000,000 Settlement
  • Teen v. Sierra Ski Center  – Fall from unmapped hazard / Brain injury, $13,200,000 Settlement
  • Teen v. Auto Component Re-Seller – Vehicle Stability Failure / Paralysis, $12,500,000 Settlement
  • Driver v. Commercial Truck – Freeway Roll Over / Brain Injury to 37 year old, 11,900,000 Settlement
  • City Resident v CCSF Municipal Railway  – cable car strikes pedestrian/ brain injury, $11,000,000 Settlement
  • Survivors v. General Contractor – Construction Site Injury / Wrongful Death, $10,500,000 Settlement
  • Family of H. v. UpRight, Inc. – Defective Industrial Product / Wrongful Death, $10,000,000 Settlement
  • Infant v. Obstetrician – Negligent Delivery / Brain Damage – $9,950,000 Settlement
  • Neonate v. OBGYN Group – Delayed Cesarean Delivery / Cerebral Palsy, $9,500,000 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 Jury Verdict
  • Daughter v. Public Utility – Death of Father in Utility Caused Fire, $9,000,000 Settlement
  • Perry v. Budget Rent-A-Car – Automobile Accident, $8,775,000 Jury Verdict
  • Kammerer v. Alimak Hek, Inc. – Construction Site Fall / Arm Amputation, $8,350,000 Jury Verdict
  • Kransky v. DePuy Inc. – Defective Metal on Metal Prosthetic Hip, $8,300,000 Jury Verdict
  • Senior Citizen Driver v. Pedestrian – auto strikes 70-year-old pedestrian with degloving injury to lower legs, $9,250,000 Settlement
  • Estimator v. Tech Center – Fall From Dangerous Roof Structure / Wrongful Death , $8,000,000 Settlement
  • Widow v. National Package Delivery – Truck v. Auto Collision / Wrongful Death, $7,750,000 Settlement
  • Infant v. HMO – Gynecology Negligence / Birth Injury, $7,500,000 Settlement
  • Children v.Construction Company  – negligently operated truck strikes and kills mother of adult children, $7,000,000 Settlement
  • Henry V. v. PG&E – Electrocution / Utility Negligence, $7,000,000 Settlement
  • Child v. Pediatric Neurosurgeon – Quadriplegia / Surgical Error, $6,350,000 Settlement
  • Family v. S.F. Hospital – Wrongful Death / Medical Malpractice, $5,850,000 Settlement
  • Johnston v. American Honda Motor Co. – Product Liability / Wrongful Death, $5,760,000 Jury Verdict
  • Software Engineer v. Hospital Corp. – Failure to Diagnose Aneurysm / Brain Damage, $5,475,000 Settlement
  • Diana C. v. Device Maker – Defective Medical Device / Paralysis, $5,250,000 Settlement
  • Kim v. Super Shuttle – Auto Accident / Wrongful Death, $5,176,000 Jury Verdict
  • Richard L. v. HMO – Failure to Diagnose Spinal Abscess, $5,250,000 Settlement
  • Serviceman v. Foreign Auto Maker – Defective Seat Belt/ Traumatic Brain Injury , $4,850,000 Settlement
  • Olivier v. Petroleum Supplier – Loss of Leg / Motorcycle Accident, $4,500,000 Settlement
  • Student v. Valley Unified School District – Negligent School Supervision Paraplegia, $4,500,000 Settlement
  • Richard T. v. HMO – Brain Damage – Failure to Diagnose Cardiomyopathy, $4,250,000 Settlement
  • Grotenhuis v. Golden Gate Bridge Transportation District – Bus Strikes Pedestrian / Wrongful Death, $4,000,000 Jury Verdict
  • Machinist v. Industrial Machine Design – Product Liability / Brain Damage, $4,000,000 Settlement
  • Jastrab v. Kelada – Failure to Diagnose Infection / Permanent Leg Injury, $3,170,000 Jury Verdict
  • Ethier v. Poindexter – Wrongful Death of Child, $3,030,000 Jury Verdict
  • Student v. Daimler-Chrysler – Defective Seatbelt / Spinal Cord Injury, $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

Honors, Professional Affiliations & Associations

  • Martindale-Hubbell, “AV” Rating (highest rating; received annually each year since first rated in 1982)
  • Member, Inner Circle of Advocates
  • Member, The Summit Council
  • Fellow, American College of Trial Lawyers
  • International Academy of Trial Lawyers, Member
  • International Society of Barristers, Fellow; President (2012 – 2013); Member, Board of Governors (2002 – 2012)
  • Member Irish 100
  • California ABOTA, Trial Lawyer of the Year, 2014
  • San Francisco Trial Lawyers Association, Trial Lawyer of the Year, 2010 (also nominated 1999, 2001, 2008)
  • Law Dragon 500 (2014-2022; Inducted in LawDragon Hall of Fame 2021)
  • Listed, “The Best Lawyers In America” (1995 – 2024; “Lawyer of the Year”, 2017, 2023)
  • Top Ten Northern California “Super Lawyers” (2007- 2012; 2017- 2024)
  • American Board of Trial Advocates San Francisco Chapter, President (2010); National Board Member (2002 – 2014)
  • Foundation of the American Board of Trial Advocates, Member Board of Trustees (2010 -2013)
  • Recipient, CAOC Robert Cartwright Award for Teaching Trial Advocacy (2012)
  • Recipient, Robert Oliphant Award for Teaching Excellence, N.I.T.A. (2011)
  • Award of Merit, Consumer Attorneys of California, 2014, 2017
  • National Institute of Trial Advocacy, Member; Board of Trustees (2002 – 2021)
  • U.C. Hastings Foundation, Member Board of Trustees (2010 – 2022)
  • San Francisco Trial Lawyers Association, President (1996); Executive Board Member (1990-1995)
  • National Institute of Trial Advocacy, Program Director: West Coast Teacher Training (2001 – 2010); Harvard Teacher Training (2005 – 2008); Colorado Teacher Training (2006 – 2007); New York Teacher Training (2009 – 2012)
  • Judicial Council of California, Member, Commission on the Future of California Courts (2015 – 2017)
  • Judicial Council of California, Member, Jury Instruction Task Force (2000 – 2003)
  • Judicial Council of California Advisory, Member, Committee on Civil Jury Instructions (C.A.C.I.) (2004 – 2022)
  • Consumer Attorneys of California, Finalist, Consumer Attorney of the Year (2008, 2010, 2014)
  • San Francisco Superior Court Judge Pro Team
  • Bar Association of San Francisco, Member: Judiciary Committee; Litigation Section Executive Committee (2001 – 2006)
  • San Francisco Superior Court Judicial Arbitration Arbitrator Selection Committee, Member (1998 – 2008)
  • American Association for Justice, Member
  • Trial Lawyers for Public Justice, Member

Bar Admissions

  • California, 1976

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