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Matthew Witteman
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Matthew Witteman
Law Offices of Matthew J Witteman
582 Market Street
Suite 1007
San Francisco, CA 94104
Phone: (415) 362-3106 | Fax: (415) 362-3316
http://www.wittlegal.com
Integrity - Experience - Tenacity - Results
Legal Topic
Personal Injury
Preferred New Clients
People who have been seriously injured or abused by wrongdoers or their insurance companies. We look for fights like these. "Make our day."
Sub-Categories
Personal Injury
- Dangerous Property
- Wrongful Death
- Motorcycle Accidents
- Truck Accidents
- Construction Site Injuries
- Jones Act
- Slip & Fall
- Sports Injuries
- Petrochemical Accidents
- Whiplash
- Felony Auto Accident
- Design Defects
- Manufacturing Defects
- Assault & Battery
- Child abuse
- Dog Bites & Animal Attacks
- Police Misconduct
- Airplanes
- Buildings
- Mass Transit - Bus, Train, Subway
- Ships & Boats
- Elder and Nursing Home Abuse
- Dangerous Drugs & Products
- Amputation
- Birth Injury
- Burn Injury
- Head/Brain Injury
Bar Admissions
CA, Dec 1989
Bar Number: 142472
Other Court Admissions
California Supreme Court; Northern District of California (Federal); and Ninth Circuit Court of Appeal (Federal).
Association Memberships
State Bar of California; Consumer Attorneys of California; San Francisco Bar Association; and Alameda County Bar Association.
Continuing Education
I regularly attend seminars in personal injury, employment, class action, and other areas of interest.
Example Cases
We like fighting for people that have been seriously injured or abused by wrongdoers of various types, particularly when the wrongdoers have been guilty of fraud, oppression, or bad faith. A good example is a recent nine day jury trial I had where the insurance company refused to settle, and dragged us through a number of trial settings and settlement conferences while repeatedly insulting us with low settlement offers. We tried the case to a jury who awarded my client a substantial six figure verdict, quintupling what was offered in mediation: a nice result for a low speed fender bender.
Another example was a franchisee fraud case where the clients were sold a bogus business opportunity and ended up making less than minimum wage while losing their investment. We got their investment back and more, including injunctive relief against the company as a whole, preventing it from continuing its crooked practices.
A third example has been a series of recent class actions changing the law of the State of California, and recovering millions of dollars for persons illegally billed by police departments for emergency service costs.
Education
Degree:
Bachelor of Arts
School:
University of California
City:
Santa Cruz
State:
CA
Year:
1981
Focus and Accomplishments:
French Literature major and Philosophy minor.
Degree:
Juris Doctorate
School:
University of San Francisco
City:
San Francisco
State:
CA
Year:
1989
Honors:
McAuliffe Honor Society and Honors Graduate.
Focus and Accomplishments:
Member of the Law Review.
Number of Attorneys
3
State Licensed In
California
Firm Focus and History
We seek to represent people who have been seriously injured or abused in personal injury, employment discrimination, and consumer class action cases. We look for fights like these. "Make our day." By the way, consumer class actions are lawsuits brought on behalf of hundreds or thousands have people have been ripped off or wronged in the same way by banks, credit card companies, or what-have-you, but their individual damages are not large enough to justify a lawsuit for a single individual.
The Law Offices of Matthew J. Witteman were established in San Francisco in 1991, and have practiced there and in the East Bay since that time.
Previous Employment Summary
Mr. Witteman's prior employment and experience included stints with a major law firm in San Francisco and with the federal and state courts in San Francisco.
What is your opinion regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues?
Clients educating themselves on legal issues can only further their understanding and ultimate satisfaction with the results in a case.
Are you willing to review documents prepared by clients?
We will review documents prepared by clients.
Are you willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves?
In small cases, we can coach clients who want to represent themselves.
Why did you decide to be a lawyer?
I enjoy an intellectual challenge where the results can be achieving justice for a client. In addition, I come from a legal tradition. My father was the chief trial counsel for a large corporation, and my two brothers are litigation attorneys.
What work experience and education helps you be a better lawyer?
I have been a trial attorney for twenty years, litigating hundreds of cases to successful resolutions by way of jury trial, arbitration, mediation, or settlement. Prior to becoming a lawyer, I drove taxis and traveled the world for years, gaining substantial "street experience." I believe this experience gives me a common sense and empathy for my clients which I bring to my work on a daily basis.
Why did you decide on your primary area of practice?
I like the challenge and freedom of a small trial practice where I can have a certain and immediate impact in areas of importance to most people: personal injury, employment discrimination, and consumer fraud.
What do you like best about your career?
I like being a lawyer because I can can have a certain and immediate impact in areas of importance to most people: personal injury, employment discrimination, and consumer fraud.
Tell us about your law firm:
My assistant, Lina, is a great problem solver and people person. My associates are similarly problem solvers and genuinely likable and down-to-earth people.
What are your strengths and style?
Integrity, experience, tenacity, results. It upsets me when people have been injured or abused by others, especially when the wrongdoers are arrogant or think they can get away with it. Cases like this "make my day." I like to bring justice to these people. As I have told opposing counsel on many occasions, I have only two speeds: off and on. When I sign onto a case, my "on" switch is flipped, and I fight to the end be it a big case or a small case. If opposing counsel is going to engage in scorched earth litigation, I am not deterred. I have been there before and have prevailed. Bring it on!
Personal Interests:
I like to spend time with my wife, my children, and our garden. I also enjoy fishing, music, and surfing.
Office Manager/Assistant
Lina Mena
Fax
(415) 362-3316
Office Hours
Monday through Friday
9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
In an after hours emergency, please call (877) 948-8529.
Emergency After Hours
Yes
Foreign Languages
We can assist you in Spanish, Cantonese, Mandarin, and French.
Additional Offices
Albany, CA
1604 Solano Avenue
Albany, CA 94707
(510) 525-3388
Fixed-Price Services and Fees
In contingency fee cases where no fee is charged unless the client recovers - the bulk of our practice - we charge between 25% and 40% of the recovery, depending largely on how much work we do. The sooner the case resolves, the smaller the fee. There can be other factors involved too, such as the size of the case. A larger case makes it possible to lower the overall fee. In hourly fee cases, we charge between $200 and $450 per hour, depending on a client's ability to pay.
Hourly Rates
$200 to $450 (although most of our practice is contingency-fee work).
Free Initial Consultation?
We offer a free 30 minute initial consultation where the client is interested in our representation.
Typical Retainer
No typical retainer.
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.
