Atty. Michael E. Gatto
Michael specializes in prosecution of personal injury claims involving complicated medical issues and theories of liability. He handles industrial accidents, premises liability, products liability, exceptions to workers' compensation, medical malpractice, motor vehicle accidents, toxic tort and maritime cases.
Catastrophic Injuries and Wrongful Death & More Attorney · Serving Walnut Creek, CA · 32+ Years Experience
Profile Summary
About Michael E. Gatto at a Glance
Michael E. Gatto is a Member based in Walnut Creek, California, practicing at Michael E. Gatto, Attorney at Law. They have 32+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 1994. Their practice focuses on car accidents, medical malpractice, wrongful death, personal injury, and workers comp. Admitted to practice in Arizona (1994) and California (1998). Educated at Golden Gate University School of Law (J.D., 1994) and University of Arizona (B.S. Business, 1990). Serves clients in Walnut Creek, CA and the surrounding metropolitan area.
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About Michael E. Gatto
- Michael specializes in prosecution of personal injury claims involving complicated medical issues and theories of liability
- He handles industrial accidents, premises liability, products liability, exceptions to workers' compensation, medical malpractice, motor vehicle accidents, toxic tort and maritime cases
- Michael is dedicated to protecting the rights of the catastrophically injured
- For over 20 years, Michael has handled catastrophic personal injury and medical malpractice cases
- Michael began his Civil Law Career representing doctors and hospitals in medical malpractice actions
- Michael now uses his extensive medical knowledge and complex litigation experience to benefit his clients in personal injury matters exclusively
- In 2014, Michael received one of the largest medical malpractice verdicts in Contra Costa County history
- Per The Recorder, this was the largest medical malpractice verdict in California for the year 2014
- Michael gained tremendous courtroom experience as a Deputy County Attorney in Pima County (Tucson), Arizona, where he represented the State in criminal prosecutions, from arraignment to sentencing, on cases ranging from simple misdemeanors to attempted murders
- As a prosecutor, he handled nearly 100 jury trials and more than 150 bench trials
- Published Works • Maximizing Restitution Orders: How Cooperation Between Prosecutors and Civil Litigators Can Benefit All • What Are You Doing Here? - Coverage counsel in third-party litigation: When to bring them in and what to expect, Plaintiff, September, 2016 • Damages: Thinking Outside the Box to Hit it Out of the Park - A case of severe disfigurement with Prop 51 liability issues reveals why damages are limited only by facts, imagination and tenacity, Plaintiff, April, 2016 • California's Million Dollar Verdicts, Verdict Search - The Recorder, January 26, 2015 • Workers' Comp Subrogation: Don't Allow Your Client to be Extorted - If you "settle around" the employer, you may find yourself at odds with the subrogation attorney, Plaintiff, May, 2012 • Don't Get Tripped Up in Your Next Fall Case - Defense verdicts are common and comparative fault is often substantial, but careful analysis of the venue and circumstances can lead to a convincing case for liability, Plaintiff, October, 2011 • Spinal Injuries 101 - Anatomy, spinal trauma, diagnostic testing, and rebuttal of common defense arguments, Plaintiff, November, 2010 • To Cross or Not To Cross?
- A former prosecutor offers advice on how to structure the cross-exam for maximum impact, Plaintiff, April, 2013 Honors • Best Lawyers in America • Super Lawyers • National Association of Distinguished Counsel Professional Associations • Alameda Contra Costa Trial Lawyers Association - President 2018 • Consumer Attorneys of California • Contra Costa County Bar Association • Western Trial Lawyers Association
Practice Areas Explained
Michael E. Gatto's Areas of Legal Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Michael E. Gatto handles, with a practical overview of what that area of law involves and how it may apply to your situation in Walnut Creek.
Car Accidents in Walnut Creek
Hurt in a car crash? Car accident lawyers fight insurance companies for fair compensation — free consult, no fee unless you win.
Michael E. Gatto is one of 36,434 car accidents attorneys indexed nationally. Browse car accidents attorneys in California →
Medical Malpractice in Walnut Creek
Medical malpractice lawyers represent patients harmed by negligent doctors, hospitals, and other providers. Free case review, no fee unless you win.
Michael E. Gatto is one of 48,593 medical malpractice attorneys indexed nationally. Browse medical malpractice attorneys in California →
Wrongful Death in Walnut Creek
Michael E. Gatto is one of 30,932 wrongful death attorneys indexed nationally. Browse wrongful death attorneys in California →
Personal Injury in Walnut Creek
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.
Michael E. Gatto is one of 262,557 personal injury attorneys indexed nationally. Browse personal injury attorneys in California →
Workers Compensation in Walnut Creek
Workers compensation lawyers help injured workers get medical care, lost wages, and disability benefits. Free consult, no fee unless you win.
Michael E. Gatto is one of 54,932 workers comp attorneys indexed nationally. Browse workers comp attorneys in California →
Jurisdictional Context
Why Local Counsel Matters in Walnut Creek
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 Walnut Creek 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.
Walnut Creek Courts and Legal Process
Choosing a Walnut Creek-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 Walnut Creek or all attorneys in California.
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Professional Profile
Why Clients in Walnut Creek Choose Michael E. Gatto
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 Michael E. Gatto's practice in the field of car accidents, medical malpractice, wrongful death, personal injury, and workers comp.
Decade-Tested Legal Experience
Michael E. Gatto brings 32+ years of hands-on legal practice — enough to have navigated the recurring fact patterns, procedural traps, and negotiation dynamics that shape case outcomes.
Multi-State Bar Admission
Licensed in Arizona and California, Michael E. Gatto can represent clients in cases that span state lines or require counsel in multiple jurisdictions.
Broad Practice Area Coverage
Covering car accidents, medical malpractice, and wrongful death, Michael E. Gatto can address the full spectrum of a client's legal needs without requiring referrals to separate specialists for each issue.
Local Presence in Walnut Creek
A Walnut Creek-based practice means Michael E. Gatto 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 Michael E. Gatto Handles in Walnut Creek
Below is a representative sample of the types of matters Michael E. Gatto 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 Michael E. Gatto directly to discuss the specifics of your situation.
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How People Find Michael E. Gatto Online
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Michael E. Gatto's Practice Areas & Specializations
Education & Law School Background
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