Douglas S. Saeltzer

Douglas S. Saeltzer is a San Francisco personal injury trial lawyer who represents people seriously injured through negligence and wrongful conduct. He handles product defects, motor vehicle crashes, industrial accidents, explosions, dangerous property conditions, construction injuries, medical negligence, and wrongful death. His practice includes complex cases requiring extensive preparation and trial strategy. Since 1998, he has represented injured clients while pursuing accountability from corporations, government entities, insurers, and other defendants.

Douglas earned his J.D. from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law and his B.A. from the University of California, Los Angeles. He began his legal career as a US Army prosecutor with the 82nd Airborne Division. He was honorably discharged as a Captain and received the Meritorious Service Medal. His prosecutorial and military experience provided substantial courtroom training before he entered California civil personal injury litigation practice.

Douglas has obtained more than $250 million in jury verdicts and settlements for injured clients. His representative results include a $47.5 million trucking negligence settlement, a $37.5 million premises liability settlement, and a $16.3 million jury verdict involving vehicular negligence and dangerous property conditions. He has also successfully argued California appellate matters, including a case establishing law protecting injured workers’ ability to recover their full lost wages after workplace injuries.

Douglas S. Saeltzer was named Best Lawyers in America’s 2026 San Francisco Lawyer of the Year for Personal Injury Litigation, Plaintiffs. He previously received the San Francisco Trial Lawyers Association’s 2011 Trial Lawyer of the Year honor. He belongs to the American Board of Trial Advocates and the International Society of Barristers and serves as President of Consumer Attorneys of California. He also regularly teaches civil litigation and trial advocacy nationally.

Law Office Affiliations

• Shareholder, Walkup, Melodia, Kelly & Schoenberger
• Member, The State Bar of California
• Member, American Association for Justice
• Elect President, Consumer Attorneys of California
• Member, San Francisco Trial Lawyers Association
• Member, American Board of Trial Advocates
• Member, International Society of Barristers

Licensed State

• California

Education

• University of California, Hastings College of the Law
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• University of California – Los Angeles
  Bachelor of Arts

Awards & Badges