How much does it cost to hire Donald for a general case?

Cost depends on the type of matter, the fee model (contingency, flat, hourly), and how contested the case becomes. Donald walks through the likely range during the consult so there are no surprises.

Does Donald offer a free consultation?

Donald charges for the initial consult; that fee is credited toward representation if you retain Donald's office. Some general attorneys offer free consults — check Donald's current terms during booking.

How long do general cases in California typically take?

Simple general 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. Donald gives a realistic estimate for your facts at the consult — vague answers here are a red flag.

Can Donald take my case if I'm outside San Francisco?

Donald 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 — Donald 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 Donald?

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. Donald will filter what matters — over-preparing at intake is always cheaper than needing a second meeting.

Is Donald accepting new general clients right now?

Donald's intake status shifts week to week. Submit the form; the office will confirm availability or refer the matter out.

Unclaimed · Is this you?

Donald C. Arbitblit, General Attorney in San Francisco, California

Over 47 years of legal practice · focused on General, Litigation, and Personal Injury · 5.0/5 rating from 1 verified client review

PartneratLieff Cabraser Heimann And Bernstein Llp

San Francisco, CA

Practicing general in San Francisco since 1979.

47+: Years practicing
5.0 ★: 1 client review
5: Bar admissions

Practices in

General Litigation Personal Injury

Are you Donald C. Arbitblit?

This profile was built from public bar records and is still unclaimed. Claim it free to control your photo, bio, and fees — and get client inquiries sent straight to you.

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Quick answer

Donald C. Arbitblit is a partner based in San Francisco, CA. The practice focuses on General, Litigation, and Personal Injury. Donald has over 47 years of legal experience. Currently practicing at Lieff Cabraser Heimann And Bernstein Llp. Rated 5.0 out of 5 from 1 client review.

Based in: San Francisco, CA
Experience: over 47 years
Known for: General · Litigation · Personal Injury

Handles General, Litigation, and Personal Injury matters from San Francisco, CA.
Over 47 years of practice as a licensed attorney.
Recognized with AV Preeminent.

Areas of practice

Legal matters Donald takes on

Donald concentrates on general, litigation, and personal injury. Each area below outlines the kind of case Donald handles, typical outcomes to expect, and how the intake process starts.

General cases in San Francisco, California

Donald takes general 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 Donald agrees to represent you.

Litigation cases in San Francisco, California

Donald 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 Donald agrees to represent you.

Personal Injury cases in San Francisco, California

Donald 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 Donald agrees to represent you.

Biography

Meet Donald C. Arbitblit — general lawyer in San Francisco

Donald C. Arbitblit is a leader among plaintiffs’ attorneys in assessing the legal, medical, and scientific aspects of personal injury, mass torts, and environmental and toxic exposure litigation . Don has served on Plaintiffs’ Science/Expert Committees in several national cases and served on the Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee in the Actos bladder cancer injuries federal multidistrict litigation that settled in 2015 for $2.4 billion.

Don was a member of the trial team that won the first Actos bellwether trial in April 2014, including a $9 billion punitive damage award. Don was also Chair of the Epidemiology/Causation Subcommittee of the federal Vioxx litigation from 2005-2010, and he was a member of the trial team that won a plaintiffs’ verdict in that litigation in 2006. Between 1998 and 2014, Don has served on science and expert witness committees in the Actos, Yaz, Fen-Phen Diet Drug, Rezulin, Baycol, Vioxx, and Sulzer hip implant cases.

Since 2018, Don has served as a leader of the Plaintiffs’ Expert Witness Committee in the national Opioids Litigation MDL, working with experts in the fields of addiction medicine, psychiatry, pain management and epidemiology. Don was listed in the 2021 Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers guide, based on “submissions, journalistic research and editorial vetting from a board” of his peers.

Publications & Presentations

•Co-Author with Wendy Fleishman, “The Risky Business of Off-Label Use,” TRIAL Magazine, March 2005
•Co-Author with William Bernstein, “Effective Use of Class Action Procedures in California Toxic Tort Litigation,” West-Northwest Journal of Environmental Law and Policy, No. 3, 1996
•“Comment on Joiner: Decision on the Daubert Test of Admissibility of Expert Testimony,” 6 Mealey’s Emerging Toxic Torts, No. 18, December 1997
•“The Plight of American Citizens Injured by Transboundary River Pollution,” 8 Ecology Law Quarterly, No. 2, 1979

Honors & Awards

•AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
•Selected for inclusion by peers in The Best Lawyers in America in fields of “Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions - Plaintiffs” and “Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs,” Best Lawyers, 2012 - 2026
•“Super Lawyer for Northern California,” Super Lawyers, 2004, 2006 - 2008, 2014 - 2025
•“Lawyer of the Year for Mass Tort & Class Action Litigation,” Northern California, Best Lawyers, 2022
•“Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers in America,” Lawdragon, 2021, 2022
•Legal 500 recommended lawyer, 2013
•“Lawdragon Finalist,” Lawdragon, 2009 - 2011

In the News

•August 21, 2025
36 Lieff Cabraser Lawyers Named to 2026 Best Lawyers Listings
•June 30, 2025
28 Lieff Cabraser Attorneys Selected as 2025 Northern California Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
•August 15, 2024
38 Lieff Cabraser Lawyers Named to 2025 Best Lawyers Listings
•August 17, 2023
34 Lieff Cabraser Lawyers Named to 2024 Best Lawyers Listings
•July 5, 2023
23 Lieff Cabraser Attorneys Selected as 2023 Northern California Super Lawyers and Rising Stars

Donald's approach to general cases

Clients Donald works with

Donald reviews new inquiries case-by-case for general, litigation, and personal injury matters in San Francisco and the surrounding California area.

Credentials

Education, bar admissions, and languages

Boalt Hall School of Law, University of California, Berkeley J.D. 1979 Order of the Coif
—
Tufts University
B.S. · 1974

Jurisdictions

Donald's state bar admissions

California
1986 · ACTIVE
California Supreme C
1986 · ACTIVE
U.S. Court Of Appeal
1986 · ACTIVE
U.S. District Court,
1986 · ACTIVE
Vermont
1979 · ACTIVE

Donald studied at — in Boalt Hall School of Law, University of California, Berkeley J.D. 1979 Order of the Coif and B.S. in Tufts University.

Law school and academic background

Donald completed — in Boalt Hall School of Law, University of California, Berkeley J.D. 1979 Order of the Coif and B.S. in Tufts University. Formal legal training is one signal of substantive knowledge — the day-to-day practice Donald runs in California is where that training gets applied to real client questions.

Recognition

Recognition and thought leadership

Donald has received 1 formal recognition from bar associations, industry bodies, and peer-review services.

AV Preeminent

Legal awards and honors

AV Preeminent.

Locations

Donald C. Arbitblit's office in San Francisco

Donald's primary office is at Embarcadero Center West, 275 Battery Street, 29th Floor, San Francisco, CA, 94111. In-person meetings are by appointment; a phone intake usually comes first.

Main office

Lieff Cabraser Heimann And Bernstein Llp

Embarcadero Center West, 275 Battery Street, 29th Floor

San Francisco, CA 94111

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Client feedback

Client reviews of Donald C. Arbitblit — 5.0/5 rating from 1 verified client review

Every review below is from a verified client of Donald. Reviews cover communication, case outcome, and value — the three signals that matter most when comparing general 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 Donald C. Arbitblit claims this profile.

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Hiring guide

How to hire Donald C. Arbitblit — what to expect in your first consultation

Working with a new general attorney should feel structured. Here's how the first two conversations with Donald usually go, from the moment you request a consult to the day representation begins.

Consultation formats and pricing

Donald charges for the initial consult. That fee is credited toward representation if you retain Donald'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; Donald will tell you what matters and what doesn't.

Questions to ask a general attorney in San Francisco, California

A short list to run through before you commit: How many general 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 Donald

Donald discusses fees during intake so the arrangement fits the matter. Contingency, hourly, and flat-fee options are all common in general practice — ask which fits.

Hourly rates, contingency fees, and flat-fee options

Every general 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. Donald confirms the model in the engagement letter before any work starts.

Payment methods and payment plans

Donald's office accepts standard payment methods. Ask about payment plans if the retainer is a stretch — many general practices work with clients on structured schedules.

Frequently asked

Frequently asked questions about Donald C. Arbitblit

How much does it cost to hire Donald for a general case?
Cost depends on the type of matter, the fee model (contingency, flat, hourly), and how contested the case becomes. Donald walks through the likely range during the consult so there are no surprises.
Does Donald offer a free consultation?
Donald charges for the initial consult; that fee is credited toward representation if you retain Donald's office. Some general attorneys offer free consults — check Donald's current terms during booking.
How long do general cases in California typically take?
Simple general 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. Donald gives a realistic estimate for your facts at the consult — vague answers here are a red flag.
Can Donald take my case if I'm outside San Francisco?
Donald 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 — Donald 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 Donald?
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. Donald will filter what matters — over-preparing at intake is always cheaper than needing a second meeting.
Is Donald accepting new general clients right now?
Donald's intake status shifts week to week. Submit the form; the office will confirm availability or refer the matter out.

Areas served

General attorneys serving San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego in California

Donald handles general matters throughout California. Each city below is a direct link into the search page for verified general attorneys in that community.

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