In his 35 year career Mr. Kelly has tried, arbitrated, mediated and settled literally hundreds of cases on behalf of individuals who have sustained brain injury or spinal cord injury. His clients have been injured in a multitude of ways - blunt force trauma, falls, near drowning, product failures, automobile defects, medical product mishaps, anoxia, automobile accidents, big-rig collisions, swimming and diving injuries, school yard tragedies, explosions, medical malpractice and toxic chemical exposure are just some of the mechanisms by which his clients have been injured. He has extensive knowledge of the anatomy involved with brain and spinal injuries and the special needs of victims who are paralyzed or cognitively disabled. Mr. Kelly has successfully prosecuted cases throughout California in both state and federal court. He has also litigated matters in Oregon, Hawaii, Colorado, Alaska, Minnesota, New Mexico and the Territory of Guam. He has obtained eight-figure jury verdicts and settlements in traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injury cases. He holds an "AV" rating (highest rating) from Martindale-Hubbell.
He is a four-time "Trial Lawyer of the Year" nominee of the San Francisco Trial Lawyers Association, most recently wining the award in 2010. In 2009 he was voted by the readers of San Francisco's Recorder legal newspaper as the "Best Personal Injury Attorney" in San Francisco, and featured on the cover of the Northern California Super Lawyers magazine. IN 2011 he was listed among the Top Ten attorneys in Northern California for the 3rd time in four years by Super Lawyers Magazine. Michael A. Kelly is one of California's top trial lawyers.
He has tried neurologic injury and paralysis cases throughout California and has been involved in more than 150 cases where his client(s) recovered $1,000,000 or more by way of trial, arbitration, mediation or settlement.
In 2010 he served as President of the San Francisco chapter of ABOTA. He is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and Vice President of the International Society of Barristers. His commitment to pro bono work and the rights of the underserved and underrepresented have been acknowledged by multiple bar organizations. In 2008 he was honored by Sonoma County Legal Aid for his commitment to the poor, and in 2007 the Bar Association of San Francisco presented him with a citation acknowledging his commitment to training lawyers for children.
He is a summa cum laude graduate of St. Mary's College of California and obtained his law degree from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law . For the last 36 years he has specialized in the resolution of complex plaintiffs' personal injury claims, including claims for wrongful death, and those arising from product liability, government negligence, obstetrical mismanagement, drug and device failure, vehicle defects and vehicle collisions.
