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Melvin C Belli

Personal injury Attorney at Mill Valley, CA

5.0   3 reviews

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About Melvin

Learn Melvin’s areas of practice.

5
Practice areas
  1. 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.

    40 years

  2. 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.

    40 years

  3. Landlord or tenant
    10%
    Tenant based practice defending them from illegal evictions and defective and uninhabitable housing conditions.

    16 years

  4. Transportation
    10%

  5. Trucking accident
    10%

  6. Wrongful death
    10%

I am proud to continue a family tradition that began back in 1933 of helping injured persons recover from the carelessness and negligence of others. We assess each client's individual needs, and aggressively seek an adequate award by preparing the case for trial from day one.

My firm represents clients in a wide array of personal injury cases from automobile collisions to injuries caused by dangerous products and dangerous conditions on property. We believe that an award is adequate only when it makes our client whole. We strive to recover everything our clients may be entitled to, and have successfully obtained over $1,000,000, in verdicts and judgments for our clients.

We have  expanded our firm to help people fight discrimintion and harassment in the workplace.

We also donate our time to victims of unscrupolous landlords through the San Francisco Bar Association.  As a result I have been recognoised as an outstanding volenteer for over eight years and also recieved their prestigious Housing Justice Award.

Never we never give up, we never surrunder.  Call us and let us help you.

Photos and videos

Licensed for 39 years
State CA
Status Active
Acquired 1983
Updated 12/04/2022
State DC
Status Suspended - Discipline
Acquired 1989
Updated 06/08/2022

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

Contact Melvin

Similar lawyers nearby

Melvin C Belli
35 Miller Ave Ste 199
Mill Valley, CA, 94941

Reviews

5.0 / 5.0
  3 customer reviews
5 Star
 
100%
4 Star
 
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1 Star
 
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Posted by anonymous | November 1, 2016
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired 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 right 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!
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Posted by Marta | September 17, 2016
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired 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.
Read less
Posted by Barry | August 26, 2016
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired 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 talk....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!
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Cost

Rates
  • Contingency 25%-40%

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AVVO 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.”

Education

  • University of San Francisco School of Law
  • JD - Juris Doctor
  • 1983
  • University of California - Berkeley
  • BS - Bachelor of Science
  • 1980

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
View all legal cases

Associations

  • National Trial Lawyers Association
  • Member
  • 2015 - Present
  • American Association for Justice
  • 2006 - Present
  • Consumer Attorneys of Marin
  • 1990 - Present
  • Consumer Attorneys of California
  • 1983 - Present
  • Association of Trial Lawyers of America
  • 1983 - 2006
View all associations

Languages Spoken

  • English

Honors and Awards

  • Top 100 Trial Lawyers
  • National Trial Lawyers Association
  • 2016
  • 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
  • 2015
  • President's Award
  • Santa Clara Trial Lawyers Association
  • 2014
  • Outstanding Volunteer in Public Service Award
  • Bar Association of San Francisco
  • 2014
  • Outstanding Volunteer in Public Service Award
  • Bar Association of San Francisco, Volunteer Legal Services Program
  • 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
  • 2010
  • Housing Justice Award
  • Bar Association of San Francisco
  • 2009
  • Outstanding Volunteer in Public Service Award
  • Bar Association of San Francisco, Volunteer Legal Services Program
  • 2009
  • VSLP Top 10% Volunteers of the Year Award
  • Bar Association of San Francisco
  • 2008
  • VSLP Top 10% Volunteers of the Year Award
  • Bar Association of San Francisco
  • 2007
View all awards

Publications

  • Trial Magazine
  • Law Office Automation
  • 1986

Speaking Engagements

  • Belli Seminar
  • Moderator
  • 2015
  • Belli Seminar
  • Moderator
  • 2014
  • Belli Seminar
  • Moderator
  • 2013
  • Belli Seminar
  • moderator
  • 2012
View all speaking engagements

Attorney endorsements

Received (8)
Given (2)
Endorse Melvin
Landlord or tenant Attorney | 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."
Personal injury Attorney | 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."
Personal injury Attorney | 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."
Personal injury Attorney | 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."
Personal injury Attorney | Oct 20
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer."
Personal injury Attorney | Oct 08
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer."
Personal injury Attorney | 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."
Personal injury Attorney | 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 more endorsements
Employment and labor
Personal injury
Mill Valley Personal injury Lawyer Melvin C Belli
Melvin C Belli
Personal injury Attorney
Mill Valley, CA
Licensed for 39 years
This lawyer was disciplined by a state licensing authority in 2001. See details