DC

Donald C. Arbitblit, Class Action Attorney in San Francisco, California

Over 47 years of legal practice · focused on Class Action, Personal Injury, and Product Liability

San Francisco, CA

Practicing class action in San Francisco since 1979.

47+
Years practicing
2
Bar admissions

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Quick answer

Donald C. Arbitblit is an attorney based in San Francisco, CALIFORNIA. The practice focuses on Class Action, Personal Injury, and Product Liability. Donald has over 47 years of legal experience.

Based in
San Francisco, CALIFORNIA
Experience
over 47 years
Known for
Class Action · Personal Injury · Product Liability
  • Handles Class Action, Personal Injury, and Product Liability matters from San Francisco, CALIFORNIA.
  • Over 47 years of practice as a licensed attorney.
  • Recognized with Lawyer of the Year — Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Plaintiffs (San Francisco) (2022).

About Donald C. Arbitblit: Donald C. Arbitblit is an attorney based in San Francisco, CALIFORNIA. The practice focuses on Class Action, Personal Injury, and Product Liability. Donald has over 47 years of legal experience.

Areas of practice

Legal matters Donald takes on

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

Class Action cases in San Francisco, California

Donald takes class action 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.

Product Liability cases in San Francisco, California

Donald takes product liability 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 — class action lawyer in San Francisco

Donald C. Arbitblit is an attorney based in San Francisco, CALIFORNIA. The practice focuses on Class Action, Personal Injury, and Product Liability. Donald has over 47 years of legal experience.

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.

Working with Donald on a class action matter

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…

Clients Donald works with

Donald reviews new inquiries case-by-case for class action, personal injury, and product liability matters in San Francisco and the surrounding California area.

Credentials

Education, bar admissions, and languages

  • University of California Berkeley

    J.D. · 1979

  • Tufts University

    B.S. (Magna Cum Laude) · 1974

Jurisdictions

Donald's state bar admissions

  • California, The Stat

    1986 · ACTIVE

  • Vermont, Vermont Bar

    1979 · ACTIVE

Donald studied at J.D. in University of California Berkeley and B.S. (Magna Cum Laude) in Tufts University.

Law school and academic background

Donald completed J.D. in University of California Berkeley and B.S. (Magna Cum Laude) 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 10 formal recognitions from bar associations, industry bodies, and peer-review services.

  • Lawyer of the Year — Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Plaintiffs (San Francisco)

    2022

  • Best Lawyers in America — Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Plaintiffs

    2026

  • Best Lawyers in America — Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs

    2026

  • Best Lawyers in America — Awards:

    2026

  • Best Lawyers in America — AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

    2026

  • Best Lawyers in America — “Super Lawyer for Northern California,” Super Lawyers, 2004, 2006 – 2008, 2014 – 2025

    2026

  • Best Lawyers in America — “Lawyer of the Year for Mass Tort & Class Action Litigation,” Northern California, Best Lawyers, 2022

    2026

  • Best Lawyers in America — “Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers in America,” Lawdragon, 2021, 2022

    2026

  • Best Lawyers in America — Legal 500 recommended lawyer, 2013

    2026

  • Best Lawyers in America — Lawdragon Finalist, Lawdragon, 2009 - 2011

    2026

Legal awards and honors

Lawyer of the Year — Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Plaintiffs (San Francisco) (2022). Best Lawyers in America — Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Plaintiffs (2026). Best Lawyers in America — Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs (2026). Best Lawyers in America — Awards: (2026). Best Lawyers in America — AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell (2026). Best Lawyers in America — “Super Lawyer for Northern California,” Super Lawyers, 2004, 2006 – 2008, 2014 – 2025 (2026).

Locations

Donald C. Arbitblit's office in San Francisco

Donald's primary office is at 275 Battery Street, Suite 2900, San Francisco, California, 94111. In-person meetings are by appointment; a phone intake usually comes first.

Main office

275 Battery Street, Suite 2900

San Francisco, California 94111

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Client feedback

Client reviews of Donald C. Arbitblit

Donald has not yet collected verified client reviews on LawyersListed. Reviews here are all from confirmed clients; anonymous ratings are moderated out.

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Hiring guide

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

Working with a new class action 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 class action attorney in San Francisco, California

A short list to run through before you commit: How many class action 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 class action practice — ask which fits.

Hourly rates, contingency fees, and flat-fee options

Every class action 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 class action 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 class action 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 class action attorneys offer free consults — check Donald's current terms during booking.

  • How long do class action cases in California typically take?

    Simple class action 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 class action 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

Class Action attorneys serving San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego in California

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

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