San Diego Truck Accident Attorney Irwin Zalkin
Irwin M. Zalkin is a Martindale-Hubbell (national directory of attorneys) AV ® Preeminent ™ litigator which means he is ranked in the top 5% of lawyers in the country. This is the highest rating an attorney can receive from fellow attorneys and judges. He has been a trial lawyer for thirty years handling cases all over the United States and internationally. He has received numerous multi-million dollar jury verdicts and settlements for his clients.
Mr. Zalkin graduated from the University of California at Los Angeles (U.C.L.A.) with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science in 1976. Thereafter, he attended California Western School of Law in San Diego, California, where he graduated with a Juris Doctorate Degree in 1979. At Cal Western he was a recipient of the American Board of Trial Advocates Trial Attorney's Award for Moot Court, and was a candidate for the prestigious International Law Journal. Mr. Zalkin was admitted to the California Bar in 1979.
While at Cal Western, Mr. Zalkin undertook a specialized area of study which included International, Admiralty and Maritime Law. His continuing education has included attending and graduating from the National Institute for Trial Advocacy in 1981. He attended and graduated from the Medi-Legal Institute at the University of California Irvine Medical School where he obtained specialized medical education for lawyers in 1983.
Additional distinctions include:
- 2008 Trial Lawyer of the Year Finalist, Public Justice Foundation, Washington D.C.
- 2008 Semi-Finalist Top Attorney of the Year, San Diego Daily Transcript
- 2008 San Diego Top Attorney Corporate Litigation, San Diego Daily Transcript
- 2009 San Diego Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers Magazine
His continuing education has included attending and graduating from the National Institute for Trial Advocacy in 1981. He attended and graduated from the Medi-Legal Institute at the University of California Irvine Medical School where he obtained specialized medical education for lawyers in 1983.
Mr. Zalkin is admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of the State of California; all California Courts of Appeal and the Superior Courts for the State of California; the United States District Court for the Southern District, State of California; the United States District Court for the Central District State of California; the United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit; Pro Hac Vice to the Utah Supreme Court; together with the District Court for the State of Utah, Fifth District and Third District. Mr. Zalkin is also admitted pro hac vice to courts in Indiana, Oregon and Colorado.
Mr. Zalkin has developed an expertise in applying legal strategy to complex medical issues in serious brain, spinal cord and amputee personal injury cases. He is a tenacious litigator, managing difficult cases over periods of years necessary to reach an acceptable resolution for his clients. Mr. Zalkin is also an extraordinary negotiator, recognizing that his clients interests are often best served by negotiations outside the courtroom.
In addition to numerous courtroom victories, Mr. Zalkin is credited with receiving several published court opinions:
McVeigh v. Web Schools
This is a published opinion by the Second district Court of Appeals in California reversing the dismissal of a case that was brought by an adult victim of childhood sexual abuse. This opinion has made important new law with respect to Certificates of Merit that are to be filed as part of the procedure in California for pursuing a lawsuit for such claims.
Quarry v. Doe 1 Diocese
This is a published opinion by the First District Court of Appeal in California reversing a dismissal of a case involving the childhood sexual abuse of six brothers who are now adults in their 40s and 50s. This case has been accepted for review by the California State Supreme Court.
Snell v. Bell Helicopter Textron
Reversed the lower court's dismissal of suit by the families of three deceased aviators in crash of Marine UH-1N helicopter manufactured by Bell. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals found that the government contractor immunity was not established by Bell as a matter of law.
Smith v. National Steel & Shipbuilding Company
Reversed the lower court's dismissal of suit brought by 24 disabled workers against their employer under the Americans with Disabilities Act. The Ninth Circuit court of Appeals found that the National Labor Relations Act does not pre-empt claims brought by union employees under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Rebelo v. California Home Brands, Inc.
Upheld the lower court's ruling that a vessel owner/employer could not seek indemnity, under the maritime law, from a crew member who caused an accident to a fellow crew member.