Daniel DeSantis, Esq.

Partner

Daniel DeSantis, Esq.

Partner

Daniel DeSantis, Esq.

Q: What types of cases do you typically handle?

Daniel Desantis handles Car Accidents, Motorcycle Accidents, Truck Accidents, Wrongful Death, Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI), and more.

Q: What industry memberships do you belong to?

Daniel DeSantis was admitted into the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA).

Partner

Daniel DeSantis, Esq. is a Partner and Senior Trial Attorney at Wilshire Law Firm where he represents injured victims in catastrophic personal injury cases while being a recognized leader in the Los Angeles legal community. In 2018, 2020, and 2021, Mr. DeSantis had the distinct honor of being nominated as the annual Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles (CAALA) Rising Star Recipient where over 1,200 Plaintiff attorneys qualify.

In 2022, Mr. DeSantis was admitted into the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) as one of its youngest members ever. In order to qualify for ABOTA’s rigorous standards, all candidates must successfully try at least 10 jury trials as first chair while upholding all ethical and technical standards of practice in the field of advocacy.

Mr. DeSantis is named on the Super Lawyers Rising Star and “Up-and-Coming 100” list since 2018, along with The National Trial Lawyers: Top 40 under 40 list.

Through thousands of cases, Mr. DeSantis has obtained more than $75 million on behalf of his clients and against insurance companies and government entities.

Some of Mr. DeSantis’ most notable trial results include:

$3,000,000 – Mid-trial settlement after Plaintiff’s case-in-chief (2023) (Espinosa v. Perris Union High School District, Case No. CVRI2101014) (Top settlement offer before trial of $25,000)
$2,250,000 – Jury Verdict (2023) (Gonzalez v. Eagle Painting, Case No. 34-2021-00294679) ($1,000,000 insurance policy, top settlement offer before trial of $350,000) (40% plaintiff comparative fault)
$1,700,000 – Jury Verdict (2015) (Estate of Ling v. Georgiou, Case No. NCU14-0001) – $1,000,000 mid-trial settlement with another co-defendant.
$1,382,000 – Jury Verdict (2020) (Stewart v. Wake, Case No. BC707130) ($250,000 insurance policy, $250,000 top offer) – $1,629,772.37 paid post-verdict.
$1,094,426 – Jury Verdict (2022) (Espinosa v. Steed, Case No. 19STCV40692) ($100,000 insurance policy, top settlement offer before trial of $85,000 ) – $1,452,251.56 paid post-verdict.
$972,363 – Jury Verdict (2023) (Campbell v. Long Beach Unified School District) (top settlement offer before trial of $500,000) – $1,070,000 paid post-verdict.
$823,045 – Jury Verdict (2018) (Garcia v. Hernandez, Case No. BC594703) (top settlement offer before trial of $350,000) – $823,045 + interest and costs paid post-verdict.
$740,060 – Jury Verdict (2021) (Arellano v. Lam, Case No. 18STCV07212) (top settlement offer before trial of $600,000) – $1,000,000 policy limits paid post-verdict.
$618,998 – Jury Verdict (2015) (Guseinov v. Jaramillo, Case No. GC049017).
$427,459 – Jury Verdict (2019) (Cardona v. Vongkavivathanakul, Case No. BC724343) – $427,459 + interest and costs paid post-verdict.
$406,025 – Jury Verdict (2022) (Awadalla v. Baros, Case No. 19STCV24636) ($100,000 insurance policy, top settlement offer before trial of $125,000) – $550,000 paid post-verdict.
$400,000 – Jury Verdict (2018) (Bagwell v. Miller, Case No. BC613634) ($100,000 insurance policy, top settlement offer before trial of $0 – $400,000 + interest and costs paid post-verdict.
$380,000 – Jury Verdict (2021) (King v. Gordon, Case No. RIC1901908) (top settlement offer before trial of $100,000) – $463,686.76 paid post-verdict.
$61,000 – Jury Verdict (2017) (King v. Tsung, Case No. BC586944) (top settlement offer before trial of $7,500) – $61,000 + interest and costs paid post-verdict.

Some of Mr. DeSantis’ notable settlements outside of a courtroom since 2020 include:

$27,000,000 (negligent hiring/supervision)
$4,000,000 (premises liability, fall)
$3,719,337.90 (automobile collision)
$3,200,000 (premises liability, fall)
$2,750,000 (automobile collision)
$2,000,000 (premises liability, burn injury)
$2,000,000 (automobile collision)
$2,000,000 (automobile collision)
$1,500,000 (premises liability)
$1,500,000 (automobile collision)
$1,500,000 (automobile collision)
$1,425,000 (automobile collision)
$1,350,000 (premises liability, fall)
$1,250,000 (negligent hiring/premises liability)
$1,250,000 (automobile collision)
$1,200,000 (automobile collision)
$1,200,000 (automobile collision)
$1,100,000 (dog bite)
$1,100,000 (automobile collision)
$1,050,000 (automobile vs. pedestrian)
$1,000,000 (automobile collision)
$1,000,000 (automobile vs. pedestrian)
$1,000,000 (horse riding incident)
$1,000,000 (automobile collision)
$1,000,000 (automobile collision)

Currently, Mr. DeSantis is serving his second year as CAALA’s New Lawyers Committee Co-Chairperson where he organizes and speaks at educational functions and events.

Since 2018, he has been an active board member of the Los Angeles Trial Lawyers’ Charities (LATLC). LATLC makes a positive difference in the quality of life for people within the greater Los Angeles Area, focusing on issues related to education, children, survivors of abuse, persons with disabilities, and homelessness, by providing financial assistance and volunteer service to groups in need.

Mr. DeSantis is admitted to practice law in California and the United States Federal District Courts in California.

Awards & Leadership Roles

2022 TopVerdict.com, Top 20 Motor Vehicle Accident Settlements in California (Anguiano‐Vagas v. Tustin)
2022 TopVerdict.com, Top 20 Personal Injury Settlements in California (Juarez v. Beltran)
2022 TopVerdict.com, Top 20 Personal Injury Settlements in Los Angeles (Auto Driver v. Auto Driver)
2022 TopVerdict.com, Top 50 Motor Vehicle Accident Verdicts in California (Espinosa v. Steed)
2022 TopVerdict.com, Top 50 Motor Vehicle Accident Settlements in California (Chevalier v. Mitchell)
2022 TopVerdict.com, Top 50 Personal Injury Settlements in Los Angeles (Auto Driver v. Auto Driver)
2022 TopVerdict.com, Top 50 Personal Injury Settlements in Los Angeles (Carrillo v. Abrams)
2022 TopVerdict.com, Top 100 Personal Injury Settlements in California (Horse Rider v. Horse Co.)
2022 TopVerdict.com, Top 50 Motor Vehicle Accident Settlements in California (Avelar‐Perez v. Black)
2022 TopVerdict.com, Top 50 Personal Injury Settlements in Los Angeles (Ainhorn v. Carabello)
2022 TopVerdict.com, Top 50 Motor Vehicle Accident Verdicts in California (Awadalla v. Baros)
2022 TopVerdict.com, Top 100 Personal Injury Settlements in California (Roque v. Mach)
2021 TopVerdict.com, Top 10 Wrongful Death Settlements in California (Lopez v. Docking Co.)
2021 TopVerdict.com, Top 20 Wrongful Death Settlements in California (Diaz, et al. v. Tanimura & Antle, et al.)
2021 TopVerdict.com, Top 100 Jury Verdicts in California (Arellano v. Avatek, Inc.)
2021 TopVerdict.com, Top 50 Personal Injury Settlements in California (Driver v. Trucking Co., et al.)
2021 TopVerdict.com, Top 50 Personal Injury Settlements in California (ML v. Bus Co.)
2021 TopVerdict.com, Top 50 Motor Vehicle Accident Settlements in California (Aragon v. Hedvat)
2021 Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles (CAALA), Rising Star Nominee
2020 Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles (CAALA), Rising Star Nominee
2018 Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles (CAALA), Rising Star Nominee
2020 TopVerdict.com, Top 100 Personal Injury Settlements in the United States (Munoz v. Hindelang)
2020 TopVerdict.com, Top 20 Personal Injury Jury Verdicts in California (Stewart v. Wake)
2020 TopVerdict.com, Top 20 Premises Liability Settlements in the United States (Minor v. Landlord)
2020 TopVerdict.com, Top 50 Personal Injury Settlements in California (Minor v. Landlord)
2019 TopVerdict.com, Top 100 Motor Vehicle Accident Jury Verdict in California (Cardona v. Vongkavivathanakul)
2019 TopVerdict.com, Top 50 Personal Injury Settlements in California (Pro Ami v. Mast)
2018 to present – Super Lawyers, Southern California Rising Star, Up-And-Coming Top 100
The National Trial Lawyers: Top 40 Under 40 Recipient
American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA), Member

Publications & Speaking Engagements

CAALA Trial Skills Seminar: Preparing for Plaintiff’s Case in Chief (2023)
CAALA Webinar: Sex Abuse Cases – Litigation & Trial Techniques and Strategies (2023)
ABOTA Trial School: Invited faculty member (2023)
CAALA Roundtable: Working Up Your TBI Cases (2023)
Advocate Magazine: “Two Important and Medically Related Depositions” (2022)
CAALA Trial Skills Seminar, moderator (2022)
CAALA Litigation Lab, Cross Examination of Defense Experts, moderator (2022)
TBI Med-Legal Webinar, Plan of Attack On A Clear Liability Case, speaker (2022)
Ontario Trial Lawyers Association: Premises Liability Case Strategy Discussion, speaker (2022)
Great Trials Podcast: “Episode 075: Daniel DeSantis and Jon Teller │Stewart v. Wake│$1.382 Million Verdict” (2021)
CAALA Webinar: Locking in Liability For Your Slip, Trip, and Fall Cases, speaker (2021)
CAALA Trial Skills Seminar: Back to Basics – Jury Selection, speaker (2021)
CAALA Las Vegas Convention: Medicine for Lawyers – The Surgical Spine, speaker (2021)
Advocate Magazine: “Plan Of Attack When The Defense Denies Liability On A Clear-Liability Case” (2019)

Attorney FAQ

What types of cases do you typically handle?

Mr. DeSantis handles motor vehicle collisions, pedestrian incidents, premises liability, wrongful death, sexual abuse, and more.

What industry memberships do you belong to?

Mr. DeSantis is a board member and/or member of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA), American Association of Justice (AAJ), Consumer Attorneys of California (CAOC), Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles (CAALA), and Los Angeles Trial Lawyers’ Charities (LATLC).

What law school did you attend?

Daniel received his J.D. from University of San Diego School of Law.

Practice Areas

Admissions

State Bar of California
US District Court for the Southern District of California
US District Court for the Central District of California
US District Court for the Northern District of California

Education

J.D., University of San Diego School of Law
B.A., University of Indiana, Bloomington

AREAS OF

PRACTICE

Motor Vehicle Collisions
Pedestrian Incidents
Premises Liability
Wrongful Death
Sexual Abuse

The information on this website is for general information purposes only. Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship.

Who We Are

Wilshire Law Firm is an award-winning personal injury, employment, and class action law firm that has been serving clients for over 15 years. Our team of over 500 legal professionals is ready to serve you!

Our Attorneys

Our experienced lawyers have received numerous prestigious awards and accolades for their legal excellence and dedicated client service. We even have attorneys who are named among the top 1% of lawyers nationwide.

Proven Results

Our law firm has helped thousands of clients, recovering more than $1 billion in verdicts and settlements on their behalf. We have a reputation for winning even the most difficult and complex cases!