“One of the most credentialed trial attorneys in Central California.”
Millions
Recognitions & Memberships
Read about each credential on the credentials page → • Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.
Now Reviewing — Confidential
Major Claims Currently Under Review
Our office is accepting confidential case reviews in three significant areas. Click any card below to read more, or call (559) 439-7500.
Institutional Abuse — Los Angeles
LA County Juvenile Hall Sexual Abuse
For adults who were sexually abused, coerced, or retaliated against while held in Los Angeles County juvenile halls or probation camps — including Central, Barry J. Nidorf, Los Padrinos, and Camp Joseph Scott. Litigation continues despite recent settlements.
Read More & Confidential Review →Institutional Abuse — CDCR
California Women’s Prison Sexual Abuse
For women sexually abused, coerced, threatened, or retaliated against at the Central California Women’s Facility (CCWF, Chowchilla) or the California Institution for Women (CIW, Chino). Active federal civil rights investigation.
Read More & Confidential Review →Environmental — Central Valley
Nitrate Well Water Contamination
For Central Valley families whose private wells or community drinking water has been contaminated with nitrate — Fresno, Kings, Tulare, Merced, and Stanislaus counties. Documented contamination tied to dairy and agricultural operations.
Read More & Talk With Us →
About Attorney David L. Milligan
Welcome. I’ve dedicated more than 25 years to helping those who’ve suffered catastrophic injuries get the justice and compensation they deserve. Throughout my career, I’ve remained focused on one goal: to serve my clients with diligence, integrity, and respect.
I’m humbled and honored to have earned the trust of people across Central California—including Fresno, Clovis, Madera, Visalia, Bakersfield, and Modesto—by standing up for their rights. If you’ve been injured and need an advocate, know that I will always fight to protect your best interests.
- Board-Certified Civil Trial Specialist
- Millions recovered for injury victims
- Highly rated by peers and clients alike
- Personalized, one-on-one attention
The Rare Stack
Credentials & Recognition
Most trial lawyers hold none of these credentials. A few hold one. David Milligan holds nearly all of them.
< 3% Nationwide
Board Certified Civil Trial Lawyer
NBTA (ABA-Accredited) · Recertified Feb 2026
< 1 in 100 CA
Civil Trial Specialist
State Bar of California
Harvard Law
ABOTA Trial College
American Board of Trial Advocates
Plus
Specialist in Civil Trial Advocacy
State Bar of California
Recognized by the State Bar after a separate examination and peer evaluation. Very few California attorneys hold this specialty.
Board Certified, Civil Trial
National Board of Trial Advocacy · Recertified 2/3/2026
Nationally recognized certification requiring extensive courtroom experience, peer review, and sustained ethical standing. Recertification every five years.
Ranked Associate, ABOTA
American Board of Trial Advocates
Invitation-only trial lawyer membership. Fewer than 10% of attorneys nationwide qualify. Judged by peers on both courtroom experience and professional integrity.
Past President, CCTLA
Central California Trial Lawyers Association
Elected leadership of the regional trial bar. A vote of confidence from the colleagues who know the work.
Practice Areas
Three pillars of work, each pursued to verdict when needed. We represent injured individuals against companies, government entities, and the people responsible.
Pillar I
Catastrophic Personal Injury
Severe, life-altering injuries — the cases where the medical record alone tells a story.
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Spinal injuries requiring surgery
- Loss of limbs / amputations
- Burn injuries
- Disfigurement and scarring
- Loss of vision or hearing
- Severe nerve damage; CRPS / RSD
- Aviation accidents (DLM is an instrument-rated pilot)
- Trucking and commercial vehicle accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Serious construction worksite injuries
- Work-related third-party civil claims
- Wrongful death and survivor actions
- Uninsured / underinsured motorist claims
- Pedestrian accidents
- Rideshare accidents (Uber / Lyft)
- Drunk driver cases
- Premises liability / slip and fall
- Dog attacks
Pillar II
Institutional Accountability
Cases against the public and private institutions whose failures or misconduct caused the harm.
- Sexual abuse in juvenile facilities and probation camps
- Sexual abuse in women’s prisons (CDCR, CCWF, CIW)
- Failure to supervise / failure to protect
- Negligent hiring and retention
- Cover-ups and institutional silence
- Government-entity liability
- Civil rights violations by public agencies (42 U.S.C. § 1983)
- Cases revived under California’s AB 218 framework
Pillar III
Environmental & Toxic Exposure
Cases where industrial or agricultural operations have damaged the environment people live in and depend on.
- Nitrate contamination of well water
- Drinking water contamination from agricultural sources
- Dairy and CAFO-related groundwater claims
- Property and health impacts of contamination
- Source identification through expert hydrogeology
- Loss of property value from contamination
- Wildfire claims (utility-caused fires, JCCP coordinated proceedings)
What we do not handle: medical or dental malpractice, or workers’ compensation claims (though we do handle work-related third-party civil claims).
What Clients Say
Five selections from more than one hundred five-star reviews on Google.
“David Milligan has generously donated his time and aircraft to transport my daughter and I to her medical appointments. My daughter’s care would not be possible without his generosity.”
“David is sharp, knows his stuff, and is willing to go the extra mile for his clients.”
“This attorney is like a pit bull, he never stops. He knows his business.”
“My case finally came to an end with a perfect win paid in full thanks to Mr. Milligan. The wait was worth it.”
“This is by far the greatest accident attorney west of the Mississippi.”