Atty. Doris Cheng
Doris Cheng has been ranked as one of the top 10 lawyers in Northern California. She is listed among the Best Lawyers of America®, LawDragon 500 Leading Lawyers, SuperLawyers® and San Francisco Best Lawyers.
Medical Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs & More Attorney · Serving San Francisco, CA
Profile Summary
About Doris Cheng at a Glance
Doris Cheng is a medical malpractice, personal injury, and product liability attorney based in San Francisco, California, practicing at Walkup, Melodia, Kelly & Schoenberger. Educated at University of San Francisco (—, 1998) and University of California Davis (—, 1994). Recognitions include Best Lawyers in America — Medical Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs (2026), Best Lawyers in America — Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs (2026), and Best Lawyers in America — Product Liability Litigation - Plaintiffs (2026). Serves clients in San Francisco, CA and the surrounding metropolitan area.
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About Doris Cheng
- Doris Cheng has been ranked as one of the top 10 lawyers in Northern California
- She is listed among the Best Lawyers of America®, LawDragon 500 Leading Lawyers, SuperLawyers® and San Francisco Best Lawyers
- She was chosen as Lawyer of the Year by Best Lawyers of America for 2017
- Specializing in complex injuries caused by third-party negligence, Ms. Cheng has obtained multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts on behalf of disabled plaintiffs
- She obtained a $15,000,000 verdict on behalf of a young man who suffered brain injuries due to the delayed diagnosis of a stroke
- She completed a $19,000,000 settlement for parents whose son was crushed by a defective gate in a school yard
- She secured a $13,500,000 settlement on behalf of pilot who suffered severe brain damage due to carbon monoxide poisoning
- She obtained a $9,000,000 award to care for a severely disabled boy in a wrongful life action
- A frequent guest lecturer and adjunct professor, Ms. Cheng has trained lawyers and judges nationally and internationally
- As part of the Rule of Law Initiative, she has had the privilege of training trial lawyers and judges in Mexico, Kosovo, and Macedonia
- She has also collaborated and trained with civil practitioners in Singapore and Belfast
- She regularly directs trial skills training programs for criminal prosecution offices in Scotland and throughout the Caribbean Basin
- Ms. Cheng is the Program Director of the National Institute for Trial Advocacy’s Western Region Advocacy Teacher Training Program
- She is a past recipient of the Robert E. Keeton Award for outstanding service by the National Institute for Trial Advocacy and a past recipient of the University of San Francisco Professional Achievement Award
- She is the inaugural recipient of the American Board of Trial Advocates' Champion of Justice Award (2022)
- Ms. Cheng is involved in local bar associations and community organizations
- She was the 106th President of the Bar Association of San Francisco
- She is a past President of the San Francisco Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates, San Francisco Trial Lawyer Association, and Justice and Diversity Center
- She is a member of the American College of Trial Lawyers, American Board of Trial Advocacy, and International Academy of Trial Lawyers
- She serves on the Kaiser Arbitration Oversight Board and is a Board Trustee of the University of San Francisco
- She is a co-author of the eminent Rutter Group California Practice Guide on Personal Injury, and the trial practice guide, Mastering the Mechanics of Civil Jury Trials
Practice Areas Explained
Doris Cheng's Areas of Legal Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Doris Cheng handles, with a practical overview of what that area of law involves and how it may apply to your situation in San Francisco.
Medical Malpractice in San Francisco
Medical malpractice lawyers represent patients harmed by negligent doctors, hospitals, and other providers. Free case review, no fee unless you win.
Doris Cheng is one of 48,593 medical malpractice attorneys indexed nationally. Browse medical malpractice attorneys in California →
Personal Injury in San Francisco
Personal injury attorneys help accident victims recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain & suffering. Most work on contingency — no fee unless you win.
Doris Cheng is one of 262,557 personal injury attorneys indexed nationally. Browse personal injury attorneys in California →
Product Liability in San Francisco
Doris Cheng is one of 65,610 product liability attorneys indexed nationally. Browse product liability attorneys in California →
Jurisdictional Context
Why Local Counsel Matters in San Francisco
Practicing law in California. Legal matters in California are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in San Francisco are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate California state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in California brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this venue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in California courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.
San Francisco Courts and Legal Process
Choosing a San Francisco-based attorney means your counsel already knows the local docketing timelines, preferred filing formats, and how individual judges typically rule on procedural motions — details that only come from practicing in this jurisdiction day after day. That local familiarity can translate to better strategy, faster filings, and fewer costly surprises.
Looking for additional California attorneys? Browse all attorneys in San Francisco or all attorneys in California.
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Professional Profile
Why Clients in San Francisco Choose Doris Cheng
Selecting an attorney is one of the most consequential decisions you can make when a legal matter arises. Below are the core qualities that distinguish Doris Cheng's practice in the field of medical malpractice, personal injury, and product liability.
Broad Practice Area Coverage
Covering medical malpractice, personal injury, and product liability, Doris Cheng can address the full spectrum of a client's legal needs without requiring referrals to separate specialists for each issue.
Local Presence in San Francisco
A San Francisco-based practice means Doris Cheng attends hearings in the same courthouses, knows the local clerks, and understands the unwritten scheduling norms that affect every case filed here.
Case Types
Common Legal Issues Doris Cheng Handles in San Francisco
Below is a representative sample of the types of matters Doris Cheng has experience with under California law. If your situation involves one of these case categories, this attorney may be well positioned to help you understand your options.
This list is illustrative, not exhaustive. Contact Doris Cheng directly to discuss the specifics of your situation.
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How People Find Doris Cheng Online
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Doris Cheng's Practice Areas & Specializations
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