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Reuben J. Donig
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Reuben J. Donig
Law Offices of Reuben J. Donig
177 Bovet Road
Suite 600
San Mateo, CA 94402
Phone: (650) 638-2336 | Fax: (650) 638-2536
http://www.doniglaw.com
Legal Topic
Personal Injury
Preferred New Clients
General personal injury/wrongful death
Sub-Categories
Personal Injury
- Car/Auto Accidents
- Personal Injury Mediation/Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
- Medical Malpractice
- Slip & Fall
- Sports Injuries
- Design Defects
- Manufacturing Defects
- Dog Bites & Animal Attacks
- Airplanes
- Mass Transit - Bus, Train, Subway
- Legal Malpractice
Bar Admissions
CA, Dec 1975
Bar Number: 65659
Other Court Admissions
California Supreme Court; Federal Northern District
Association Memberships
State Bar of California; San Mateo County Bar Association
Continuing Education
Over 100 hours in personal injury specialized seminars in past four years.
Papers and Publications
1) The Perilous Waters of California Uninsured Motorist Coverage (Copyright 1995)
2) Uninsured Motorists - The Answers to Six Important Questions About Your Automobile Insurance Policy (Copyright 1995)
3) Making a Claim for Personal Injury; What is Involved (Copyright 2000)
4) After the Accident; What Should You Do? What Should You Avoid Doing? (2005)
Example Cases
Multi vehicle motorcycle accident, where client sustained numerous fractures and internal injuries, resulting in amputation of leg above the knee. Settled for $1,600,000.
Collected $400,000 on an uninsured motorist claim for a client who sustained a lawyer back injury in an accident where the other driver did not have any insurance, or any assets.
I have obtained numerous six and seven figure results for clients who have sustained injuries, or lost a loved one, in accidents: automobile, bicycle, motorcycle, pedestrian, and premises liability cases, as well as animal attack and defective product cases.
Education
Degree:
Juris Doctor
School:
University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law
City:
Sacramento
State:
CA
Year:
1975
Degree:
Bachelor of Arts
School:
University of California at Berkeley
City:
Berkeley
State:
CA
Year:
1972
Honors:
Dean's list
Number of Attorneys
1
State Licensed In
California
Firm Focus and History
During my past fifteen years of practice, I have been focusing on personal injury and emphasizing it more and more, to the point where it now comprises about 90% of my practice. Previously, I did general and commercial law with emphasis on transactions and litigation.
Previous Employment Summary
I have been practicing as a self employed attorney for over thirty years. I have past experience in business, estate planning, and real estate, including business and real estate litigation.
Activities and Awards
I am very involved in the community. I have been the past president of numerous civic, educational, religious and philanthropic organizations, including North Peninsula Jewish Community (Wornick) Day School in Foster City, CA; San Carlos Kiwanis; Temple Beth Jacob in Redwood City, CA.
What is your opinion regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues?
I support very strongly. I have written a number of articles designed for the lay person to educate and inform them about their legal rights in accident and insurance matters. I routinely supply copies of these pamphlets and booklets to clients and prospective clients. They are also available for review on my website.
Are you willing to review documents prepared by clients?
Always willing to do so.
Are you willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves?
I render assistance as appropriate to allow them to comply with the applicable statutes, so that they do not forfeit their claims. I always write a follow up letter to review the information, and to confirm how they need to comply with the basic statutory requirements.
Why did you decide to be a lawyer?
I love being a lawyer for the little guy who has to fight the big insurance company or other organization. I have always wanted to help people who find themselves in a difficult situation, where the big business or insurance company tries to take advantage of them.
My father was a lawyer in Germany, and had to give it up when, as a Jew, he was not allowed to continue his practice. He was unable to fulfill his goal of being a lawyer in the US because he had to go to work right away. He always wanted me to be a lawyer so I could fulfill his dream.
What work experience and education helps you be a better lawyer?
Thirty plus years of practicing, and successfully helping clients achieve fair results in settlements, arbitrations, and trials. The best teacher is experience, and there is no substitute for actually doing it.
Why did you decide on your primary area of practice?
I like the challenge of litigation, as opposed to the humdrum of a paperwork practice (drafting contracts, wills, trusts, tax planning, etc.). I think that litigation on a contingency fee makes lawyers affordable to the little guy, and represents the fair way of charging a fee by creating more incentive to obtain the best results for the client, and not to charge for needless work.
I love learning about medicine, and discussing cases with doctors regarding the injury, treatment, diagnosis, and prognosis process.
What do you like best about your career?
Interacting with my clients, especially at arbitration, mediation, or court sessions. The negotiation process, where I match my assessment of the case against what the other side is willing to offer.
Tell us about your law firm:
Cheryl Barrango is my primary assistant. She has been working for me for about six years. She is trained to perform administrative and secretarial duties, and light paralegal duties, such as drafting initial responses to interrogatories.
Patsy Nicklin also assists me with bookkeeping and filing.
I employ various paralegals on a contract basis to help with litigation as necessary. I engage appropriate experts with accident reconstruction and biomechanical engineering, and economic forensics. I utilize the services of orthopedists, neurologists, physiatrists, and other medical specialists as appropriate for the development and assessment of my cases, as necessary, in addition to the treating physicians.
I work closely with another attorney, primarily Robert Lubin, in reviewing, and sometimes sharing cases.
What are your strengths and style?
Willingness to work hard for the client, even if it appears that the case may not be as lucrative as initially hoped for. I also have a uniquely close and friendly relationship with many physicians which enables me to inquire about and understand the nature of a client's injury, prognosis, and the like.
Very professional, yet personal and friendly. Responsive to my clients needs. Keep client informed at all times and respond promptly to phone calls.
Personal Interests:
Family: my wife and children. Baseball, golf and tennis. Religion, politics and history. Classical music. Good friends and good conversation.
Office Manager/Assistant
Cheryl Barrango
Fax
(650) 638-2536
Office Hours
Monday through Friday
8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Emergency After Hours
Yes
Foreign Languages
None
Fixed-Price Services and Fees
Typically on a contingency fee, ranging between 33-1/3 - 40% of the net.
Hourly Rates
$400
Free Initial Consultation?
Yes.
Typical Retainer
Generally none in personal injury cases; $1500 if liability needs to be investigated; $2500 for medical malpractice.
Nolo's Licensing Check
Attorneys have passed a licensing check. Nolo has confirmed that every member attorney has a valid license and is in good standing with the applicable bar associations upon joining the directory.
Directory lawyers are required to notify Nolo immediately if they become the subject of any disciplinary action by any bar association.
