News & Articles

JANUARY 2026 – FIRM’S NEW ATTORNEYS

We have recently welcomed two experienced attorneys, Nicole Valentine and Carlos Ambriz, to our team.

Attorney Nicole Valentine joined the firm in December 2025. She received her Juris Doctorate from McGeorge School of Law, University of the Pacific in 2005. Her practice will consist of the civil and criminal defense of licensed professionals, including medical malpractice and dental malpractice, with an emphasis on civil trial work.
Attorney Carlos Ambriz joined our firm in mid-January 2026. He received his Juris Doctorate from McGeorge School of Law, University of the Pacific in 2000. Carlos is a seasoned medical malpractice defense attorney with more than 24 years experience practicing civil litigation, employment law and business litigation.

JANUARY 2026 – PARTNER STEVEN M. MCKINLEY BECOMES ABOTA MEMBER

Steven McKinley has been accepted as a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates (“ABOTA”). ABOTA membership is by invitation only and requires the lawyer to have at least five years of active trial experience, served as lead counsel in at least seven civil jury trials and must demonstrate civility, integrity and professionalism. We congratulate Steve on this accomplishment. With his induction, he joins Donna Low, Bruce Salenko, and Ernie Washington as a part of our firm’s distinguished group of active ABOTA members.

FEB. 2025 – NEW ATTORNEY JOINS FIRM
We are pleased to announce that Nicholas “Nick” Ponce joined our firm as an Associate Attorney. Mr. Ponce received his Juris Doctorate from McGeorge School of Law, University of the Pacific. His practice will consist of the defense of professional negligence, including medical malpractice, dental malpractice, and professional licensing.

JAN. 2025 – PARTNERS, STEVEN M. MCKINLEY RECEIVES A DEFENSE VERDICT
Partner Steven M. McKinley defended a pain management physician and medical clinic in a professional negligence civil action in the Sacramento County Superior Court obtaining a defense verdict.

NOV. 2024 – PARTNER BRUCE E. SALENKO RECEIVES A DEFENSE VERDICT
Partner Bruce E. Salenko defended a medical group in a civil action for intentional misrepresentation, concealment, negligence, breach of contract and fiduciary duty in the Placer County Superior Court obtaining a defense verdict.

APRIL 2024 – PARTNER BRUCE E. SALENKO RECEIVES A DEFENSE VERDICT
Partner Bruce E. Salenko defended a doctor of osteopathic medicine in a wrongful death/medical malpractice action filed in the Yuba County Superior Court receiving a defense verdict.

OCT. 2023 – PARTNER STEVEN M. MCKINLEY RECEIVES NONSUIT
Partner Steven M. McKinley defended a colorectal surgeon in a civil rights/wrongful death action filed in the United States District Court, Eastern District of California obtaining a nonsuit judgment against plaintiff.

AUG. 2023 – PARTNER BRUCE E. SALENKO RECEIVES A DEFENSE VERDICT
Partner Bruce E. Salenko defended an OB/GYN in a medical malpractice action filed in the Butte County Superior Court receiving a defense verdict.

MAY 2023 – PARTNER BRUCE E. SALENKO RECEIVES A DEFENSE VERDICT
Partner Bruce E. Salenko defended a sports medicine physician in a breach of medical and professional obligations action filed in the Nevada County Superior Court obtaining a defense verdict.

APRIL 2020 – NEW ATTORNEY JOINS FIRM
We are pleased to announce that Spencer B. Pavelchik joined our firm as an Associate Attorney. Mr. Pavelchik received his Juris Doctorate from Seattle University School of Law. His practice consists of medical malpractice defense, hospital and surgery center liability defense, civil litigation, personal injury and professional licensing.

Apr. 2020     DONNA LOW RECOGNIZED BY DAILY JOURNAL

Donna Low was recognized in The Daily Journal as top-rated attorney in Healthcare Law.

FEB. 2015   PARTNER BRUCE E. SALENKO RECEIVES A DEFENSE VERDICT

Partner Bruce E. Salenko defended two nephrologists in an elder abuse/medical malpractice negligence/wrongful death of a 82-year old female filed in Sacramento County Superior Court.

MAR. 2013   PARTNER DONNA LOW SECURED A DISMISSAL DURING TRIAL

Partner Donna Low defended a surgical oncologist in a medical malpractice case filed in Sacramento County Superior Court.  Plaintiffs claimed the Defendants misdiagnosed a 23-year old female with osteosarcoma , resulting in unnecessary administration of chemotherapy and a spontaneous abortion.  After 6 days of trial, the surgical oncologist was dismissed.

FEB. 2013    PARTNER DONNA LOW SECURED A DISMISSAL DURING TRIAL

Partner Donna Low secured a dismissal of a medical malpractice case involving an anesthesiologist during the second day of trial.  The anesthesiologist asserted a statute of limitations defense and plaintiffs voluntarily dismissed the case after one day of testimony.

DEC. 2012    PARTNERS EARN “AV PREEMINENT” RATING

Low McKinley Baleria & Salenko, LLP is pleased to announce that partners Paul Baleria and Steven McKinley have been bestowed the “AV Preeminent” peer review designation by Martindale Hubbell.  Martindale Hubbell Peer Review Ratings are an objective indicator of a lawyer’s high ethical standards and professional ability, generated from evaluations of lawyers by other members of the bar and the judiciary in the United States.  Mr. Baleria and Mr. McKinley join the remaining partners, Donna Low and Bruce Salenko, in this honor.

Nov. 2012    PARTNER DONNA LOW OBTAINS DEFENSE VERDICT

Partner Donna Low defended a residential care facility in a wrongful death case involving an 85-year old female who choked on meat which was selected and prepared by the facility.  While Plaintiffs alleged elder abuse, various statutory violations and negligence, the elder abuse claim was eliminated by a summary adjudication motion.  After a 15-day jury trial in Contra Costa Superior Court, the jury returned a 12-0 verdict in favor of the defendant.

Oct. 2012     PARTNER STEVEN McKINLEY SECURED DISMISSAL DURING TRIAL

Partner Steven McKinley secured a dismissal after jury selection in Del Norte County Superior Court, in a case involving the alleged wrongful death of a 46-year old male following a cardiopulmonary arrest.  Plaintiff alleged the defendants were negligent in attempting to secure an airway after her husband presented to the Emergency Department with epiglottitis.

Oct. 2012     FIRM NAMED 2012 SAN FRANCISCO’S TOP RATED LAWYERS

Low McKinley Baleria & Salenko, LLP was named 2012 San Francisco’s Top Rated Lawyers by Martindale Hubbell as one of the premier law firms in Northern California, which appeared in a special supplement of The San Francisco Chronicle and The Wall Street Journal.

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