Melvin C Belli

Melvin C Belli

5.0
Rating: 10.0

Licensed for 42 years

Personal injury Lawyer at Mill Valley, CA
Practice Areas: Personal Injury, Landlord & Tenant, Defective and Dangerous Products ... +3 more

35 Miller Ave Ste 199, Mill Valley, CA

This lawyer was disciplined by a state licensing authority in 2001
See Details

About Melvin

Biography

Practice Areas

6

Practice Areas

Personal Injury 50%

I have handled all types of personal injury and wrongful death cases arising from auto collisions to defective products all across the United States. I have tried over 25 cases to verdict and have settlements and verdicts totaling more than 500 Million dollars. I have handled a wide variety cases of involving auto motorcycle and truck collisions, airplane crashes, medical malpractice, and injuries caused by defective products and dangerous properties.

43 years

50%
Defective and Dangerous Products 10%

These are some of the types of defective product cases I have handled. Wrongful death airplane crash from a defectively designed motor, defective airbag resulting in loss of vision in eye, improper guard on industrial machinery resulting in loss of an eye, defective design of industrial equipment resulting in loss of eye, defective medical devices mechanical heart valves.

43 years

10%
Landlord or Tenant 10%

Tenant based practice defending them from illegal evictions and defective and uninhabitable housing conditions.

19 years

10%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Contingency

25%-40%


Looking for an attorney? Avvo can help.

search module image

Search our directory

Quickly connect with top attorneys through our legal directory to get help with your legal issue.

chat module image

Avvo's live chat agents can help coordinate a consultation with a local attorney.

Chat with a live agent who can match you with the right attorney for your legal needs.

Chat with

Licenses

Licensed in California for 42 years

State: California

Acquired: 1983

Active

Lawyer disciplined by state licensing authority in 1999

Licensed in District of Columbia for 36 years

State: District of Columbia

Acquired: 1989

Suspended - Discipline

Lawyer disciplined by state licensing authority in 2001

Location

Law Offices of Melvin C Belli

35 Miller Ave Ste 199, Mill Valley, CA, 94941

Ad

Transform legal challenges into solutions.

Connect now to review your situation.

The Avvo Rating explained

display-bg

The Avvo Rating explained

Melvin C Belli's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

5.0 /5.0

4 Client Reviews

5 star (4)
4 star (0)
3 star (0)
2 star (0)
1 star (0)

Posted by Marta | September 6, 2025 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Top notch attorney

I’ve hired Melvin twice for very traumatic events in my life and he’s always been a professional, effective and very supportive. I highly recommend hiring him.

Posted by anonymous | November 1, 2016 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

LIfe saver

Melvin and his partner, Robert helped me in a very long lasting and serious and complicated case that many attorney's did not want to handle. Melvin and Robert went above and beyond their call of duty in the case and fought hard to get results in a case that was based more on integrity and what was r...ight than a financial incentive. In the end, I was able to prevail, finding peace with a difficult situation and restoring my faith in the Justice System. I am very grateful to these two attorneys and give my highest regards. Thank you Melvin and Robert, I am eternally grateful!

Posted by Marta | September 17, 2016 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Aggressive, no nonsense & a consummate professional

I was sued for the second time in 7 years by a family member for partition of a home and property that had been a family gathering place for decades and was important to the family (at least to my half of the family). It had traditionally been jointly owned with no issues that were serious, but that ...had changed. The attorney I hired for the first lawsuit had averted the forced sale of the property through mediation, however he had retired so I hired a local attorney for the second lawsuit (same partition action) and he was just was not approaching the case the way it needed to be so I let him go and desperately sought a go getter. I needed someone special who cared about the human side of our story and had empathy and that was exactly what I got when I hired Melvin Belli. Mr. Belli changed everything. He left no stone unturned and with his no nonsense manner he was aggressive in fighting every aspect of the case which was important to myself and my family. Since a partition sale is a forced sale we had few options but Melvin made sure those options were beneficial to our side. We ended up in mediation again but Melvin had prepared a surprise for them. He instituted the help of a neighboring third party adjacent to the property when they placed their offer for the property in front of the judge. The third party pushed the cost of the property to three times what they had offered for our half and to nearly the full cost of the entire appraisal. If we were going to be forced to sell Mr. Belli wanted to ensure that the beneficiaries to our half were not left with nothing. Losing the property to a family member that didn't value the sentimental attachments any of us had to the property was upsetting and the money in no way replaced the property, however in the end, the amount they did pay was a hugely satisfying as their heart was tied to money and the last thing they saw coming. Mr. Belli out lawyered them and once he sunk his teeth in he didn't let go. Mr. Belli's father was a famed attorney from Northern California whom I had heard and read about. I can tell you that those that know the Belli name shudder when they hear the name if they are up against him and with good cause. I can tell you first hand that Melvin C. Belli does not work in the shadow of his famous father but makes his own shade. I highly recommend Melvin C. Belli. He is a wonderful human being as well as an attorney.

Posted by Barry | August 26, 2016 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Saved from bad lawyer......5 times better!

I was Hit on my bicycle by a speeding car, in San Francisco, the driver sped off.....strong witnesses and they found the car and owner......he turned himself in a week later.....I hired an attorney in San Francisco that was a PI expert and recommended by a friend on facebook......he talked a good tal...k....but after a week I felt like the victim!.......for over a year.......In comes Melvin Ceaser Belli, who came recommend to me by another good friend.......we met by chance...and it took me a while to ask him.....2 days after I hire him..... He raised the total settlement by 5 times!....plus he checked the criminal side left open by the D.A. Easy to work with and sensitive to issues like hit and run, involving a bicycle....... I highly recommend this attorney......He is very good and you will not regret his service!

See All Client Reviews

Melvin C Belli's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Melvin
Roger Anthony Moss headshot
Roger Moss

Landlord or tenant lawyer | Dec 11

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Caesar Belli is an outstanding, compassionate advocate who gives generously of himself through the pages of Avvo, and other pro bono activities. He also effectively mentors many attorneys through constructive, challenging commentary. I am deeply grateful for Caesar's service to the community and the legal profession."

Robert Joseph Fordiani headshot
Robert Fordiani

Personal injury lawyer | Nov 22

Relationship: Co-worker

"Ive had the pleasure of working with Melvin throughout the years on a myriad of novel cases from auto collisions to pro bono eviction defense. He approaches each case with the same philosophy: help those in need navigate through troubled times towards resolution. With a legacy second to none, his professional reputation with other lawyers and judges throughout the country is an asset that he uses to the advantage of his clients. A creative attorney who pushes the limits of convention and believes there's no such thing as a small case."

Robert Lee Marshall headshot
Robert Marshall

Personal injury lawyer | Nov 21

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"SECOND GENERATION LEGEND What can you say after "Melvin Belli?" I've always know him as Caesar, and he followed his father, one of the best known lawyers of the twentieth century, through some of the most memorable moments in legal history. If you learn from the best, you stand above the rest. We've known each other for decades, and he's still the first guy I call for personal injury cases."

Carolyn Ava Gold headshot
Carolyn Gold

Personal injury lawyer | Nov 14

Relationship: Supervised lawyer

"Cesar Belli has done a glowing job of representing low income tenants in San Francisco through my pro bono program. He has saved countless tenancies and acts with dedication and diligence for each and every client. I am certain that if he represents pro bono clients in this manner, that he would do the same or more for his paying clients."

Thomas Kenny headshot
Thomas Kenny

Personal injury lawyer | Oct 20

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Adam Malone headshot
Adam Malone

Personal injury lawyer | Oct 08

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Maryanne Zanios Murphy headshot
Maryanne Murphy

Personal injury lawyer | Oct 06

Relationship: Co-worker

"I endorse this lawyer as a person with a quick mind who believes in social justice for those who are injured by neglect of others. He supports and is a participant in Bar activities including an annual seminar that he hosts to improve the practices of his colleagues."

Cal Johnson Potter headshot
Cal Potter

Personal injury lawyer | Oct 15

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I endorse this lawyer. I first met Caesar Belli in the MGM Fire Litigation in Las Vegas, Nevada in 1980. He was knowledgeable beyond his years. He has continued to be an attorney that I respect and person that I can trust."

View All Endorsements
Robert Joseph Fordiani headshot
Robert Fordiani

Employment and labor lawyer

Thomas Kenny headshot
Thomas Kenny

Personal injury lawyer

Experience

Rating:  10.0 (Superb)

Professional misconduct

This lawyer was disciplined by a state licensing authority in 2001.

Suspension issued in DC, 2001

updated on 10/06/2016

Suspension means an attorney lost his or her license to practice law for a period of time. The attorney typically returns to practicing law when the suspension expires.

Melvin’s comment:

“This was a result of a dispute with my sister over some family owned property almost 20 years ago. It had nothing to do with any clients or related to the law except for the fact that I am an attorney. I have resolved all my differences with my sister years ago and we are closer than we have ever been. I have not bothered to seek reinstatement as I do not have an office in DC nor practice there anymore.”

Interim Suspension issued in DC, 1999

updated on 10/24/2010

Interim suspension means an attorney lost his or her license to practice during a disciplinary investigation. The suspension typically expires when the investigation is resolved.

Melvin’s comment:

“Same incident as above”

Discipline with Actual Suspension issued in CA, 1999

updated on 10/06/2016

This sanction means the attorney lost his or her license to practice law for a period of time. The attorney typically returns to practicing law when the suspension expires.

Melvin’s comment:

“Same incident as above and I was fully reinstated over 15 years ago with no further incidents nor complaints.”

Honors

2016

Top 100 Trial Lawyers, National Trial Lawyers Association

2015

Top 100 Trial Lawyers, National Trial Lawyers Association

2015

Life Member, Million Dollar Advocates Forum

2015

Outstanding Volunteer in Public Service Award, Bar Association of San Francisco

2014

President's Award, Santa Clara Trial Lawyers Association

2014

Outstanding Volunteer in Public Service Award, Bar Association of San Francisco

2013

Outstanding Volunteer in Public Service Award, Bar Association of San Francisco, Volunteer Legal Services Program

2012

Outstanding Volunteer in Public Service Award, Bar Association of San Francisco, Volunteer Legal Services Program

2011

Outstanding Volunteer in Public Service Award, Bar Association of San Francisco, Volunteer Legal Services Program

2010

Outstanding Volunteer in Public Service Award, Bar Association of San Francisco

2009

Housing Justice Award, Bar Association of San Francisco

2009

Outstanding Volunteer in Public Service Award, Bar Association of San Francisco, Volunteer Legal Services Program

2008

VSLP Top 10% Volunteers of the Year Award, Bar Association of San Francisco

2007

VSLP Top 10% Volunteers of the Year Award, Bar Association of San Francisco

Associations

2015 - Present

National Trial Lawyers Association

Member

2006 - Present

American Association for Justice

1990 - Present

Consumer Attorneys of Marin

1983 - Present

Consumer Attorneys of California

1983 - 2006

Association of Trial Lawyers of America

Sample of Legal Cases

Dodson vs Manna Pro

Won 2.2 million dollar verdict for our client

Doe vs Roe Chemical Company

$1.2+ award for my client

Curry vs Porter

Won verdict 8 times amount offered before trial

Height vs Cessna

Won near milion dollar settlement.

See More Legal Cases

Education

1983

University of San Francisco School of Law

JD - Juris Doctor

1980

University of California - Berkeley

BS - Bachelor of Science

Speaking Engagements

2015

Belli Seminar

Moderator

2014

Belli Seminar

Moderator

2013

Belli Seminar

Moderator

2012

Belli Seminar

moderator

Publications

1986

Trial Magazine Law Office Automation

Languages

English

Activity

Avvo Rating

Our Rating is calculated using information the lawyer has included on their profile in addition to the information we collect from state bar associations and other organizations that license legal professionals. Attorneys who claim their profiles and provide Avvo with more information tend to have a higher rating than those who do not.

What determines Avvo Rating?
  • Experience & background Years licensed, work experience, education
  • Legal community recognition Peer endorsements, associations, awards
  • Legal thought leadership Publications, speaking engagements
  • Discipline
    This lawyer was disciplined by a state licensing authority in 2001
    Disciplinary information may not be comprehensive, or updated. We recommend that you always check a lawyer's disciplinary status with their respective state bar association before hiring them.
Avvo Rating Levels
10.0 - 9.0 Superb8.9 - 8.0 Excellent7.9 - 7.0 Very Good6.9 - 6.0 Good5.9 - 5.0 Average4.9 - 4.0 Concern3.9 - 3.0 Caution2.9 - 2.0 Strong Caution1.9 - 1.0 Extreme Caution