An Experienced, Dedicated, and Compassionate, Washington D.C. Metro Area Injury Lawyer
When it comes to protecting the rights of his clients, Salvatore J. Zambri is relentless and passionate. Sal has extensive experience in a wide range of practice areas, including medical malpractice, wrongful death, product liability, car and truck accidents, Metro bus and train crashes, construction accidents, food poisoning, premises liability among others. He is board certified in Civil Trial Advocacy by the National Board of Trial Advocacy, a certification that less than 1% of the Metro area lawyers have obtained. His unique and expert preparation and personal attention to each case is a testament to this distinction.
Sal’s work representing injury victims has led to numerous successful results and accolades. Sal was recently named the “2020 Trial Lawyer of the Year” for products-liability litigation by Best Lawyers. On multiple occasions he has been acknowledged by Super Lawyers as one of the “Top 10” attorneys (out of more than 80,000 lawyers) in the Metro area. Sal has also been among the “Top 1%” and one of the “Best Lawyers” in the country as noted by Best Lawyers. Washingtonian Magazine calls him a “Big Gun” as well as one of “Washington’s best — most honest and effective — lawyers” and counts him among the “Top 1%” of Metro area attorneys. He also holds an AV Preeminent® Rating by Martindale-Hubbell®
Sal is a leader in the legal community. He has served as president of the Trial Lawyers Association of Metropolitan Washington, DC—an organization that has also named him “Trial Lawyer of the Year.” Sal was elected and served for five years as president of the American Board of Trial Advocates (DC Chapter), and he is currently president and chair of DC Legal. Sal’s work had made our roads, hospitals, playgrounds, subway systems, construction sites, and our communities safer. As described by Super Lawyers, Sal is a Culture Changer.
With 30 years of civil trial experience in Washington area courts, Sal is well-versed in personal injury matters. Thus, his opinion is often sought by other lawyers, and he regularly speaks at seminars and teaches other attorneys regarding personal injury litigation. He was also an adjunct professor of law, having taught advanced federal civil practice and procedure, and he has authored numerous publications, including a renowned book on product liability litigation.
Sal is licensed to practice in Washington D.C., Maryland, New Jersey and New York. He and his family provide pro bono work for many charitable organizations in the community.
Sal feels a deep personal obligation to his clients, to listen to their stories, and to work for full justice on their behalf. If you need a personal injury lawyer, Sal will be your partner for justice.
Experience and Recognitions
• “Named 2020 Trial Lawyer of the Year” for products-liability litigation by Best Lawyers
• Recertification in Civil Trial Law and Civil Pretrial Law with the NBTA
• One of the “Top 10” attorneys out of more than 80,000 lawyers (DC Super Lawyers Magazine, 2014 and 2015)
• Among the “top 100” attorneys in the Metro area (Law and Politics, 2012 – present)
• “Trial Lawyer of the Year” selected by the Trial Lawyers Association of Metropolitan Washington, D.C. (2011)
• Recognized as among the “Top 100” attorneys out of more than 80,000 in the Metro area (Super Lawyers Magazine, 2012 – present)
• Selected as one of the “Best Lawyers in America” in both medical malpractice and personal injury law by Best Lawyers (2012 – present) – widely regarded as the definitive guide to the leading lawyers in the country
• “DC Super Lawyer“, Super Lawyer Magazine (2009 – present) – a publication that rates the best (top 5%) lawyers that practice in the DC area
• “AV Preeminent Rated” (most superior rating), Martindale-Hubbell – recognition by peers as “best in both legal ability and ethical practice”
• Past Chair, Tort Law Section of the DC Bar Association (elected by peers)
• Board-Certified Civil Trial Attorney, National Board of Trial Advocacy – recognized as an attorney with special knowledge, skill, experience, and proficiency (less than 1% of the attorneys in the country have this certification)
• Past-President, Trial Lawyers Association of Metropolitan Washington, DC
• President, American Board of Trial Advocates (2014 – present)
Articles, Publications and Seminars
• Culture Changer
By: Joan Hennessy – Washington D.C. Super Lawyers – Published: April 2014
• Lectures to doctors, medical students, lawyers and students regarding medical malpractice litigation, patient safety and medical errors
• Lectures attorneys and law students regarding “How to Litigate in DC Superior Court and Local Federal Courts”
• Authored many publications regarding civil trial practice
• Former Adjunct Professor of Law, taught Advanced Federal Practice and Procedure
• Authored chapter of nationally renowned book regarding product liability litigation
Community Activities
In addition to his active trial practice, Sal takes a leadership role in the legal community and community at large. He works to educate people about their rights and promote safety in a variety of ways, such as the following:
• Presentations to local schools and PTSAs regarding consequences of distracted driving
• Makes and delivers meals to local shelters twice each month
• Coaches sports teams for kids for past 10 years
• Actively lobbies City Council and federal government for laws that protect citizens and make communities safer
• Continuing Legal Education Seminar Presenter
• Founder, Martin Luther King Memorial Foundation
• Founding Member, National Campaign for Tolerance (co-chaired by Rosa Parks and Morris Dees)
• Founding Member, Southern Poverty Law Center
• Pro bono counsel for the elderly and underprivileged
• Pro bono counsel for victims and their families of the September 11 terrorist attack
• Awarded: “Outstanding Service Provider” by DC Church Association for Community Services
• Family devotes time to assist teen mothers and at-risk children in metropolitan areas
• Coaches several sports teams for children and promotes health and safety
Verdicts/Settlements
Nearly $10 Million Settlement
A Settlement for a woman injured in a car crash
$9.5 Million Settlement
A $9.5 Million Settlement for a man injured in an automobile collision
$19.5 Million Verdict
A verdict of $19.5 Million in a wrongful death case.
$14 Million Confidential Settlement
A $14 Million confidential settlement in a significant defective product personal injury case. This represents one of the largest cash settlements in the District of Columbia.
$14 Million Settlement
A settlement of more than $14 Million for the victims of an automobile collision.
$15.2 Million Settlement
A settlement totaling in excess of $15.2 Million for the death of a 35 year old carpenter who was crushed by a dump truck that had a defective back-up alarm. This settlement includes payments over the lifetimes of the widow and children of the victim.
$11 Million Settlement
A settlement with total payments in excess of $11 Million in a medical malpractice case against a health maintenance organization and hospital for failure to perform a pregnancy test on a patient before admitting her for heart surgery. The patient suffered a stroke and is severely disabled.
Nearly $10 Million Settlement
Nearly $10,000,000 settlement for a woman injured in a car crash.
$9.5 Million Settlement
$9,500,000 settlement for a man injured in an automobile collision.
Classes/Seminars Taught/Presentations/Publications
• Professor: Advanced Federal Practice and Procedure, Catholic University Law School, 1998 – 1999
• Obtaining Large Jury Verdicts, D.C. Trial Lawyers Association Seminar, 2000
• Advanced Workers’ Compensation Seminar, National Business Institute, 2001
• Effective Use of Day-In-The-Life Videos at Trial, D.C. Trial Lawyers Association Seminar, 2002
• Evidence: What You Need to Win, D.C. Bar Association, 2003
• Day-In-The-Life Videos: Powerful Visual Evidence, D.C. Bar Association, 2003
• Using Life Care Planners to Support Damages, D.C. Bar Association, 2003
• Ethics, D.C. Bar Association, 2003
• Obtaining Big Verdicts, Business Networking International, 2004
• Maximizing Damages, Business Networking International, 2004
• Using Life Care Planners to Build Case, Business Networking International, 2004
• Cross-Examining Defense Experts, D.C. Trial Lawyers Association Seminar, 2004
• Effective Trial Tactics, Business Networking International, 2005
• “A Day in the Life of Your Client – Videos can bring an injured plaintiff’s struggles into the courtroom”, published by Legal Times on March 28, 2005
• “Is There Really a Medical Malpractice Litigation Crisis?” – Georgetown University Medical School, February, 2006 – 2008
• “Constantly Preparing to Win,” Product Liability Litigation and Dispute Resolution, Aspatore Books, 2007
• “Maximizing Recoveries Through Settlement Videos”, Workhouse Seminar, Maryland Association for Justice, 2010
Professional & Bar Association Memberships
• District Of Columbia Trial Lawyers’ Association
- Past President since 2008 and Member since 1993; President, 2007 – 2008; President-Elect, 2006 – 2007; Executive Committee Member, 2003 – present; Member, Board of Governors, 1999 – present; Co-Chair, Membership Committee, 2001-2003
• National Board Of Trial Advocacy
- Member, 2010 – present
- Board-Certified Civil Trial Attorney
• American Board Of Trial Advocates
- President, 2014 – present
- Member, 2010 – present
- Certified member
• DC Legal
- President, 2014 – present
• District Of Columbia Bar Association, Tort Law Section
- Steering Committee, 1999-present; Co-Chair, 1999 – 2001
• District of Columbia Bar Association, Tort Law Section
- C.L.E. Coordinator, 2000; Chair of Workers’ Comp. Standing Comm., 2001
• District Of Columbia Bar Association
- Member, 1993 – present
• Maryland Bar Association
- Member 1993 – present
• New York Bar Association
- Member 1993 – present
• New Jersey Bar Association
- Member 1992 – present
• American Bar Association
- Member 1993 – present
• American Association For Justice
- Member 1993 – present; Membership Committee, 2003 – present
• Italian-American Bar Association
- Member 1995 – present
