San Francisco Personal Injury Lawyers

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headshot photo of personal injury attorney Dawn Hassell

Dawn L. Hassell
Managing Attorney

When it comes to personal injury cases, you need more than just a lawyer, you need a fighter, a strategist, and a champion. Dawn L. Hassell is one of San Francisco’s best-known personal injury lawyers, renowned for securing record-breaking settlements and courtroom victories. Whether you’re dealing with the aftermath of a car accident, pedestrian accident, or a catastrophic injury, Dawn is the unwavering advocate you need to maximize your chances of obtaining a successful outcome for your case.

Dawn combines legal ingenuity with genuine compassion for every client’s case at her law firm, The Hassell Law Group. Her results speak for themselves: a $12.5 million settlement for a head-on truck collision victim, a $4.67 million court judgment for a motorcyclist hit by a wrong-way driver, and countless other success stories. Dawn doesn’t just win cases—she changes lives.

With over 27 years of personal injury experience and accolades including a ten-year Super Lawyer designation, Dawn is an expert at ensuring her clients receive the justice and compensation they deserve. Every case she handles becomes a priority for her legal team.

Dawn built a reputation as a relentless advocate for injury victims by securing exceptional case results and holding negligent parties accountable. Dawn holds an undefeated record in trial and arbitration, demonstrating her ability to achieve maximum compensation for her clients.

Record-Breaking Case Results

Dawn has obtained multi-million-dollar settlements and judgments for her clients, including:

Nationally Recognized Legal Excellence

Dawn’s legal skills and dedication have earned her some of the highest honors in the legal profession:

Top Verdict Rankings in California

Dawn has consistently secured some of the largest personal injury settlements in California, earning recognition from Top Verdict.com:

  • Top 10 Personal Injury Settlements in California (2024)
  • Top 10 Wrongful Death Settlements in California (2024)
  • Top 10 Animal Attack/Dog Bite Settlements in California (2023)
  • Top 10 Motor Vehicle Accident Settlements in California (2024, 2022)
  • Top 10 Truck Accident Settlements in California (2022)
  • Top 10 Pedestrian Accident Settlements in California (2022)
  • Top 10 Premises Liability Settlements in California (2020)
  • Top 20 Personal Injury Settlements in California (2022)
  • Top 20  Motor Vehicle Accident Settlements in California (2024, 2022)
  • Top 20 Pedestrian Accident Settlements in California (2020)
  • Top 50 Personal Injury Settlements in California (2023, 2022)
  • Top 50 Motor Vehicle Accident Settlements in California (2023, 2022, 2020)
  • Top 50 Wrongful Death Settlements in California (2020)
  • Top 50 Truck Accident Settlements in California (2025)
  • Top 50 Premises Liability Settlements in California (2025)

Distinguished Leadership and Community Recognition

Dawn’s contributions extend beyond the courtroom. She served as a Distinguished Member of the Board of Directors for the San Francisco Trial Lawyers Association (2002-2012), advocating for legal excellence and the rights of injury victims.

Her firm has also been consistently recognized by Expertise.com as one of:

  • The Best Personal Injury Attorneys in San Francisco 2023-2026
  • The Best Car Accident Attorneys in San Francisco 2023-2026

Client Satisfaction and Professional Excellence

Dawn’s relentless pursuit of justice has earned her widespread praise from clients and peers alike:

  • Hundreds of 5-star client reviews on Google and Yelp, reflecting her dedication to delivering outstanding results.
  • Recognized by San Francisco Magazine for 11 consecutive years as one of the Top Women Attorneys in Northern California (2014-2024).

Education and Legal Background

Dawn was admitted to the California Bar in 1998. She earned her J.D. from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law, one of the top law schools in the country.

She completed her undergraduate studies at Binghamton University (SUNY), graduating Summa Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa, and in the top 1% of her class.

A Relentless Fighter for Injury Victims

Dawn’s legal expertise, negotiation skills, and winning record have positioned her as one of the leading personal injury attorneys in Northern California.

 

headshot photo of personal injury attorney Judy Graziano

Judy Graziano
Senior Attorney

(Of Counsel)

Judy is a highly skilled litigator and trial attorney with a long and extensive background handling serious injury and wrongful death cases. She has an undefeated record on all personal injury cases she has tried in court.

Judy joined The Hassell Law Group in 2008 as Senior Counsel and has practiced law in California for over 25 years.

Judy is a formidable adversary. She has obtained many multi-million-dollar case results for clients over the course of her highly successful career. Some of her results include:

$12.5 Million Confidential Settlement – For a woman seriously injured in a head-on collision caused by a commercial truck driver.

$5 Million for an injured woman in her 70’s and her husband who was killed in a head on collision caused by a negligent driver

$4.9 Million for a seriously injured motorist

$4.6 Million for a physician who sustained an impalement injury in a trip and fall accident

$1.75 Million for the family of a 71-year-old migrant farm worker hit and killed by a commercial vehicle

$1.5 Million for rideshare driver with a surgical collarbone injury who was hit in a near head on collision by a reckless driver driving twice the speed limit

$1.5 Million for a 73-year-old retired man who sustained a surgical femur fracture and post-surgical complications after tripping and falling on a box left in the entryway of a market

$1 Million insurance policy limit settlement for a client who tripped and fell at a commercial property and required three surgeries

$925,000 settlement for the daughter of a woman in her mid-80’s in a wrongful death case

In the last few years, a number of Judy’s case results were ranked as among the highest in California by lawsuit results ranking company Top Verdict:

  • Top 10 Personal Injury Settlements in California (2024)
  • Top 10 Wrongful Death Settlements in California (2024)
  • Top 10 Motor Vehicle Accident Settlements in California (2024, 2022)
  • Top 10 Truck Accident Settlements in California (2022)
  • Top 10 Premises Liability Settlements in California (2020)
  • Top 20 Personal Injury Settlements in California (2022, 2020)
  • Top 20 Motor Vehicle Accident Settlements in California (2024)
  • Top 20 Pedestrian Accident Settlements in California (2020)
  • Top 50 Truck Accident Settlements in California (2023)
  • Top 50 Wrongful Death Settlements in California (2020)
  • Top 50 Motor Vehicle Accident Settlements in California (2020)
  • Top 50 Truck Accident Settlements in California (2025)
  • Top 50 Premises Liability Settlements in California (2025)

Over the course of her exceptional career, Judy has successfully represented plaintiffs with serious injuries in catastrophic accident cases at some of the most prominent personal injury law firms in the Bay Area with case values exceeding $1 million. Before joining The Hassell Law Group, she litigated high value cases at top personal injury firms The Veen Firm and The Law Offices of Joseph Carcione, Jr.

Experienced in the dual representation of clients in civil and workers compensation cases, Judy holds an undefeated record in the many cases she has tried before the Workers Compensation Appeals Board.

Judy is a distinguished member of The San Francisco Trial Lawyers Association.

Judy is a Phi Kappa Phi undergraduate from San Jose State University. The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi is the nation’s oldest and most selective all-discipline honor society and standards for election are extremely high. Judy graduated from law school in 1999. She was admitted to practice law in California in 1999.

Judy is a California native. In her spare time, she enjoys dancing and watching live music performances.

 

headshot photo of personal injury attorney Sam Lasser

Sam Lasser
Senior Attorney

(Of Counsel)

Sam brings over 18 years of practicing law and courtroom experience to our legal team. Sam has tried 13 cases. Sam’s extensive courtroom experience provides his clients with a battle-tested trial lawyer capable of going the extra distance to achieve excellent case outcomes.

Sam has been recognized as a Northern California Super Lawyer. He has secured numerous 6-figure and 7-figure case results for clients in personal injury cases throughout his career. He obtained a $3.75 million result and a $1.1 million result for two separate clients injured in accidents. Sam recently obtained a $780,000 jury verdict in a car accident case he tried in San Mateo county, and a $1.05 million result in a motor vehicle accident injury case in Alameda county.

Sam was admitted to practice law in California in 2007. He received his law degree from the University of San Francisco School of Law in 2007. He obtained his undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan.

With substantial litigation and trial experience, Sam provides his clients with vigorous personal representation. Sam has also worked on both the plaintiff and defense sides of cases throughout his career. Early in his career, Sam was a defense attorney for several years. Since then he has practiced plaintiff side personal injury law, representing clients injured in motor vehicle accidents, bicycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, slip and fall accidents, and other accidents causing injury. Sam has also run his own personal injury firm, and he brings an extensive skill set to our team.

In addition to practicing in the state courts of California, Sam is admitted to practice in the United States District Court for the Northern and Eastern Districts of California.

Sam is the son of a successful personal injury attorney. He grew up around personal injury law, and helped his father in his personal injury practice over the years.

Sam speaks conversational Spanish.

Sam is a hockey player, and in his spare time you will find him out on the ice.

 

headshot photo of personal injury attorney Adely Sommier

Adely Sommier

Associate Attorney

(Of Counsel)

Adely Sommier joined our law firm in 2024. She adds an exceptionally bright mind to the firm’s top notch legal team.

Adely was admitted to practice law first in France in 2022, and in California in 2025. She has completed advanced studies in the law as part of rigorous preparation to become the best advocate possible.

Since joining the team, Adely has been heavily involved in assisting the firm’s senior attorneys with the litigation of client cases. She has taken and defended depositions and appeared in court on client matters. Adely works closely with the firm’s clients in every stage of their case, from the claims process through the lawsuit process when a favorable settlement has not been offered.

Prior to joining our team, Adely worked on litigation matters at top firms in both San Francisco and Paris. Her work included observing legal proceedings, drafting pleadings, court documents, motions, and legal agreements, doing in-depth legal research, and managing critical case filings. Adely draws on her overall experience to give clients a well-rounded, strategic approach to their cases. Adely’s strong litigation skills, careful preparation, and determination make her an exceptional advocate for our clients.

Adely earned her LL.M. in Litigation & Legal Studies from UC Law San Francisco. She completed her legal education at the Ecole de Formation du Barreau de Paris, and she also holds multiple law degrees from Paris XII University and Versailles Saint-Quentin University, where she focused on litigation law and business.

Adely guides clients through difficult personal injury cases with skill, compassion, and determination. She is passionate about protecting the rights of people injured through no fault of their own and making sure they receive the justice and compensation they deserve.

When she’s not practicing law, Adely enjoys San Francisco’s vibrant cultural scene and keeps close ties with her international community. Adely is fluent in both French and English.

Practice Areas

Bar Admissions

  • California, 2025
  • France (Paris Bar), 2022

Education

  • L.L.M, Master of Laws, University of California, College of the Law, San Francisco, Dispute Resolution and Legal Process Specialization, Graduated in May 2024
  • EFB, Paris Bar, 2020-2022
  • Universite Paris Sorbonne, 2020
  • Universite Paris, Saclay and Est Creteil- 2013-2018

Languages

  • English
  • French