Elise R. Sanguinetti

Elise Sanguinetti is a founding partner at Arias Sanguinetti Wang & Team LLP, specializing in serious injury, wrongful death, sexual assault, and product liability cases. She is recognized as one of the top plaintiff attorneys in California, with an AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell and has been named a California Super Lawyer every year since becoming eligible.

Sanguinetti’s leadership within the legal community is extensive. She has served as the past president of the American Association for Justice (AAJ), the Consumer Attorneys of California (CAOC), and the Alameda Contra Costa Trial Lawyers Association. Her commitment to the legal profession has earned her several prestigious awards, including the Joe Tonahill Award from AAJ, the Marvin E. Lewis Award from CAOC, and the Woman Consumer Advocate Award from CAOC. Other accolades include recognition as a Top 100 Attorney in California by the Daily Journal, Best Lawyers (2021-Present), and Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers (2019-2023).

Her impressive trial experience spans decades, including significant verdicts and settlements such as a $28 million settlement for a quadriplegic client and a $7.4 million verdict in a high-profile injury case. She has been involved in numerous high-impact cases that have shaped legal precedents and brought justice to victims of personal injury, wrongful death, and civil rights violations.

Sanguinetti is also known for her pro bono work, providing free legal representation to victims of the September 11 attacks and individuals seeking to remove racist language from California property titles.

She has been appointed to influential roles, including the Judicial Council of California’s Civil and Small Claims Advisory Committee and the National Judicial College‘s Board of Visitors.

Elise is a graduate of the University of San Francisco School of Law and was admitted to the California bar in 1997.

Her long-standing career reflects a commitment to justice, civil rights, and the empowerment of plaintiffs across the country.

Verdicts & Settlements

• $28 million settlement on behalf of a man who was rendered a quadriplegic after a big rig collided with his truck.
• $7.4 Million verdict with 45% comparative fault in San Francisco Superior Court in a case involving a man who was seriously injured when he fell through a sliding glass door in his apartment.
• $4.3 million settlement on behalf of a man who suffered a severe brain injury while working as a subcontractor at a refinery.
• $4 million verdict on behalf of a man who was seriously injured when he fell through a sliding glass door in his apartment.
• $2.55 million settlement on behalf of the children of a man who was killed during a trucking collision in San Joaquin County.
• $1.37 million verdict to a woman who suffered serious injuries as the result of a college student’s negligence. This case was unique in that it was an entirely virtual trial that took place in Alameda County Superior Court.

Bar Admissions

• California

Leadership Positions

• American Association for Justice, President (2018-2019)
• American Association for Justice, President-Elect (2017-2018)
• American Association for Justice, Vice President (2016-2017)
• Consumer Attorneys of California, President (2016-2017)
• Consumer Attorneys of California, President-Elect (2014-2015)
• American Association for Justice, Secretary (2015-2016)
• American Association for Justice, Treasurer​ (2014-2015)
• American Association for Justice, Parliamentarian​ (2013-2014)
• Past and Current Co-chair of the National College of Advocacy
• American Association for Justice New Lawyers Division, Chair (2006-2007), Executive Committee (2004-2008)
• Alameda-Contra Costa Trial Lawyers’ Association, President (2008) Board of Governors (1998-present), Editor of The Verdict (2003-2005), Executive Committee (2005-2009)
• Contra Costa County Bar Association, Women’s Section Board of Directors (2003-2009)
• Robert G. McGrath American Inns of Court, Executive Committee (2001-2005)

Associations Memberships

• American Association for Justice (Executive Committee member 2007-2008, 2009- 2019, 2022- 2023; New Lawyers’ Division Chair, 2006 – 2007; Board of Governor, 2007 – 2010; Chair, National Finance Council 2011-2012, Co-Chair 2014-2015, member 2008 – Present; Budget Committee member, 2007 – 2009; National College of Advocacy Board of Trustee, 2007 – 2013, Co-Chair, 2010 – 2012; PAC Board of Trustees, 2009 – 2013; Justice List Committee member, 2007-2013; Membership Oversight Committee ,Member, 2007- 2009, Co-Chair, 2009-2010, Chair, 2010 – 2011; Exchange Advisory Committee, Vice-Chair, 2008 – 2013)
• Alameda – Contra Costa Trial Lawyers Association (President, 2008; Board of Directors, 1998 – Present)
• Consumer Attorneys of California (President 2015-2016, President-Elect 2014 – 2015, First Vice-President North, 2012-2013, Executive Committee member, 2011-2012; Board of Directors, 2008 – 2009; Board of Governor, 2008 – 2012)
• Contra Costa County Bar Association (Member, 1997 – Present; Women’s Section, Board of Directors, 2004 -2009)
• Robert G. McGrath American Inns of Court (Executive Committee, 2001 – 2005)
• San Francisco Trial Lawyers Association (Member, 2008 – Present)
• Public Justice Foundation (Member, 2008 – Present)

Awards

• Los Angeles Times Consumer Attorneys of Southern California 2024
• Best Lawyers 2021-Present
• Super Lawyer, Northern California 2011 – Present
• Super Lawyer, Northern California, Rising Star 2009 – 2010
• LawDragon, 500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers 2019 – 2023
• Daily Journal, Leading Commercial Litigators – 2024, 2025
• Daily Journal, Top Plaintiff Attorney in California – 2020-2024
• Daily Journal, Top 100 Attorney in California – 2022-2024
• Daily Journal, Top Women Lawyers in California – 2019, 2020, 2022-2024
• The National Law Journal, California Trailblazers 2019
• American Association for Justice, Distinguished Service Award, 2010 & 2011
• American Association for Justice, Weidemann & Wysocki, Citation of Excellence 2004
• American Association for Justice, Weidemann & Wysocki, National Finance Counsel Award 2007, 2013
• American Association for Justice, Outstanding Contributions Award, New Lawyers Division 2003 – 2004, 2011
• American Association for Justice, Joe Tonahill Award, Outstanding and Dedicated Service Award 2010
• Consumer Attorneys of California, Woman Consumer Advocate Award 2012
• Consumer Attorneys of California, Presidential Award of Merit 2010, 2011, 2014, 2015 & 2017
• Consumer Attorneys of California, Marvin E. Lewis Award 2022
• Trial Lawyers Care, Outstanding Service Award 2004
• AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell
• Listed by Martindale-Hubbell in the Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers
• Top 50 San Francisco Women Lawyers 2013, 2014 & 2015
• Marin County Trial Lawyers Association, Trial Lawyer of the Year 2021
• San Francisco Trial Lawyers Association, Trial Lawyer of the Year Finalist 2021
• The Recorder, Women Leaders in Law 2012
• New Lawyers, Division Colton Award 2013-2014

Pro Bono

• Provided free legal representation for a surviving family and one injured victim of the September 11, 2001 terror attacks to recover through the Victim Compensation Fund of 2001.
• Provided free legal representation to individuals seeking to remove racist language from their California Real Property Title documents.

Contact Elise Sanguinetti at [email protected] or by phone at (510) 629-4877.