
Don Willenburg, Appellate Attorney in San Francisco, California
Over 42 years of legal practice · focused on Appellate, Environmental, and Insurance · 5.0/5 rating from 1 verified client review
PartneratGordon Rees Scully Mansukhani, LLP
San Francisco, CA
Practicing appellate in San Francisco since 1984.
- 42+
- Years practicing
- 5.0 ★
- 1 client review
- 4
- Bar admissions
Are you Don Willenburg?
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Quick answer
Don Willenburg is a partner based in San Francisco, CA. The practice focuses on Appellate, Environmental, and Insurance. Don has over 42 years of legal experience. Currently practicing at Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani, LLP. Rated 5.0 out of 5 from 1 client review.
- Based in
- San Francisco, CA
- Experience
- over 42 years
- Known for
- Appellate · Environmental · Insurance
- Handles Appellate, Environmental, and Insurance matters from San Francisco, CA.
- Over 42 years of practice as a licensed attorney.
- Recognized with AV Preeminent.
About Don Willenburg: Don Willenburg is a partner based in San Francisco, CA. The practice focuses on Appellate, Environmental, and Insurance. Don has over 42 years of legal experience. Currently practicing at Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani, LLP. Rated 5.0 out of 5 from 1 client review.
Areas of practice
Practice areas handled by Don Willenburg
Don concentrates on appellate, environmental, insurance, litigation, and personal injury. Each area below outlines the kind of case Don handles, typical outcomes to expect, and how the intake process starts.
Appellate
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Environmental
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Insurance
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Litigation
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Personal Injury
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Product Liability
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Appellate cases in San Francisco, California
Don takes appellate matters in San Francisco, California. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Don agrees to represent you.
Environmental cases in San Francisco, California
Don takes environmental matters in San Francisco, California. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Don agrees to represent you.
Insurance cases in San Francisco, California
Don takes insurance matters in San Francisco, California. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Don agrees to represent you.
Litigation cases in San Francisco, California
Don takes litigation matters in San Francisco, California. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Don agrees to represent you.
Personal Injury cases in San Francisco, California
Don takes personal injury matters in San Francisco, California. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Don agrees to represent you.
Biography
About Don Willenburg — Over 42 years of California appellate experience
Don Willenburg is a partner based in San Francisco, CA. The practice focuses on Appellate, Environmental, and Insurance. Don has over 42 years of legal experience. Currently practicing at Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani, LLP. Rated 5.0 out of 5 from 1 client review.
Don Willenburg is a lawyer practicing environmental/toxic tort, appellate, insurance and 5 other areas of law. Don received a B.A. degree from Loyola University, Chicago in 1978, and has been licensed for 42 years. Don practices at Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani, LLP in San Francisco, CA.
Working with Don on a appellate matter
Don Willenburg is a lawyer practicing environmental/toxic tort, appellate, insurance and 5 other areas of law. Don received a B.A. degree from Loyola University, Chicago in 1978, and has been licensed for 42 years. Don practices at Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani, LLP in San Francisco, CA.
Who Don represents
Don reviews new inquiries case-by-case for appellate, environmental, and insurance matters in San Francisco and the surrounding California area.
Credentials
Don Willenburg's legal education and bar admissions
Stanford University
J.D. · 1984
Loyola University, Chicago
B.A. · 1978
Jurisdictions
Don's state bar admissions
U.S. District Court,
1992 · ACTIVE
U.S. Court of Appeal
1989 · ACTIVE
California
1984 · ACTIVE
U.S. District Court,
1984 · ACTIVE
Don studied at J.D. in Stanford University and B.A. in Loyola University, Chicago.
Law school and academic background
Don completed J.D. in Stanford University and B.A. in Loyola University, Chicago. Formal legal training is one signal of substantive knowledge — the day-to-day practice Don runs in California is where that training gets applied to real client questions.
Recognition
Awards, publications, and recognition of Don Willenburg
Don has received 1 formal recognition from bar associations, industry bodies, and peer-review services.
AV Preeminent
Legal awards and honors
AV Preeminent.
Affiliations
Don's professional memberships and bar associations
Bar Association of San Francisco
Vice-Chair, Appellate Practice Section) State Bar of California Los Angeles County Bar Association American Bar Association (Litigation Section · membership
Locations
Don Willenburg's office in San Francisco
Don's primary office is at 275 Battery St., Ste. 2000, San Francisco, CA, 94111. In-person meetings are by appointment; a phone intake usually comes first.
Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani, LLP
275 Battery St., Ste. 2000
San Francisco, CA 94111
Open in Google MapsClient feedback
Client reviews of Don Willenburg — 5.0/5 rating from 1 verified client review
Every review below is from a verified client of Don. Reviews cover communication, case outcome, and value — the three signals that matter most when comparing appellate attorneys in San Francisco.
5.0
1 client review
Client ratings are sourced from public records and editorial research. Reviews on LawyersListed are accepted from verified clients once Don Willenburg claims this profile.
Read all reviewsHiring guide
How to hire Don Willenburg — what to expect in your first consultation
Working with a new appellate attorney should feel structured. Here's how the first two conversations with Don usually go, from the moment you request a consult to the day representation begins.
Consultation formats and pricing
Don charges for the initial consult. That fee is credited toward representation if you retain Don's office.
What to bring to your first meeting
Bring any documents you already have — police reports, medical records, filed pleadings, correspondence from an insurer, a copy of the contract at issue. If you're not sure, err on the side of bringing everything; Don will tell you what matters and what doesn't.
Questions to ask a appellate attorney in San Francisco, California
A short list to run through before you commit: How many appellate matters have you handled in the last year? What's your fee structure? Who else in the office will work on this? What's your realistic estimate of timeline and range of outcomes? How do I reach you between meetings?
Fees & payment
Fees, payment methods, and consultation options for Don
Don discusses fees during intake so the arrangement fits the matter. Contingency, hourly, and flat-fee options are all common in appellate practice — ask which fits.
Hourly rates, contingency fees, and flat-fee options
Every appellate matter is priced differently. Simple document review might be a flat fee. Injury litigation is often contingency. Complex commercial disputes usually run hourly with a retainer. Don confirms the model in the engagement letter before any work starts.
Payment methods and payment plans
Don's office accepts standard payment methods. Ask about payment plans if the retainer is a stretch — many appellate practices work with clients on structured schedules.
Frequently asked
Frequently asked questions about Don Willenburg
How much does it cost to hire Don for a appellate case?
Cost depends on the type of matter, the fee model (contingency, flat, hourly), and how contested the case becomes. Don walks through the likely range during the consult so there are no surprises.
Does Don offer a free consultation?
Don charges for the initial consult; that fee is credited toward representation if you retain Don's office. Some appellate attorneys offer free consults — check Don's current terms during booking.
How long do appellate cases in California typically take?
Simple appellate matters can wrap in a few weeks; disputed cases can run 6–18 months from intake to resolution, longer if the matter goes to trial. Don gives a realistic estimate for your facts at the consult — vague answers here are a red flag.
Can Don take my case if I'm outside San Francisco?
Don is licensed in California. Matters governed by California law are the natural fit. Out-of-state matters are handled case-by-case, sometimes with local co-counsel. Ask during intake — Don will tell you if the case is a fit or refer you to someone closer to your court.
What should I bring to my first meeting with Don?
Bring every document that touches the dispute: contracts, correspondence, police or medical reports, filed pleadings, invoices, photographs, insurance letters. Also bring a written timeline of what happened, in your own words. Don will filter what matters — over-preparing at intake is always cheaper than needing a second meeting.
Is Don accepting new appellate clients right now?
Don's intake status shifts week to week. Submit the form; the office will confirm availability or refer the matter out.
Areas served
Appellate attorneys serving San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego in California
Don handles appellate matters throughout California. Each city below is a direct link into the search page for verified appellate attorneys in that community.
- San Francisco26,380 attorneys
- Los Angeles39,975 attorneys
- San Diego16,903 attorneys
- Sacramento10,561 attorneys
- Irvine6,831 attorneys
- Oakland5,709 attorneys
- San Jose5,009 attorneys
- Palo Alto4,084 attorneys
- Beverly Hills3,348 attorneys
- Newport Beach3,106 attorneys
- Pasadena2,894 attorneys
- Santa Monica2,756 attorneys
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