California Lawyers

Doug Ridley has experience with thousands of criminal cases. He has the voice and demeanor to handle matters cooperatively with the courts, along with the experience and savvy to be a tough defender when necessary. Doug’s job as a prosecutor started in the case file review department where he reviewed up to a hundred files per day, and led him all the way to lead prosecutor for the Special Victims Unit (The most serious crimes in the county). His background gives him an expert eye and unique ability to see the case the way the prosecutor sees it. Understanding how...

Tamara Shari Benefield is a top-notch family law litigator for over 20 years handling high asset divorces, contested custody proceedings, as well as providing aggressive and compassionate representation for all things family law from child support and spousal support hearings as well as international and interstate child abduction cases. Ms. Benefield is a highly skilled cross examiner and exceptionally gifted trial attorney. She knows the rules and laws regarding evidence and knows how to successfully raise objections and keep out certain evidence. She is a former professor at West Los Angeles College of Law and taught Civil Procedure to prepare students...

Glenn Katon is an experienced litigator who has handled numerous trials and appeals. His practice has focused on plaintiffs’ civil rights for the last ten years, preceded by over ten years of commercial litigation. He has litigated racial profiling, immigrants’ rights, police misconduct free speech, and religious freedom cases, and been quoted on civil rights law in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, and Newsweek.

Peter Depew is a veteran of the United States Army, a graduate of Pepperdine University School of Law, and a former clerk to the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Rwanda. He enjoys all things involving the Pacific Ocean.

If you've been injured or your property has been damaged in an accident or natural disaster, we can help. We fight for clients to receive fair compensation from the at-fault parties and their insurance companies, and resolve legal disputes. We also stand by individuals who have been hurt or suffered property damage in accidents, helping them navigate insurance claims and litigation to get the compensation they deserve. Besides bodily injuries, we also assist homeowners experiencing fire, water, or natural disaster damage with their insurance claims.

A large portion of my practice is devoted to the division of retirement accounts requiring Qualified Domestic Relations Orders or QDRO’s. In this unique area of law, I can bring a sense of calm and order by reviewing and offering advice as to the division of most deferred compensation plans.

I bring a diverse background with plenty of life experience to the table for my clients. Before taking the plunge into law school and the practice of law, I worked in the Kern County District Attorney’s Office, Bureau of Investigation, Kern County Employees’ Retirement Association (KCERA) and ran a successful termite...

Our tagline, "When you want your case done right the first time," evolved as a result of continued client feedback expressing frustrations with past dealings with the process. Divorce is a difficult process. We are mindful of the emotional aspect as well as the costs involved with each case. Andrew P. Johnson, APC makes every effort to apply the right resources to each task so that we can keep costs at a minimum while still accomplishing your goals.

I am a licensed California Attorney and Certified Family Law Specialist with an office located in Vista directly across from...

Robert A. Perkins, The Immigration Professor, graduated Magna Cum Laude from Beloit College in 1986 and received his J.D., Magna Cum Laude, from the University of Illinois College of Law in 1989. He then started practicing law at the prestigious international firm of Denton's (at the time called Sonnenschein Nath and Rosenthal). In 1994, he established his own law firm, focusing exclusively on immigration law, which involves visas, green cards, U.S. citizenship, and anything else immigration-related.

Mr. Perkins has represented hundreds of clients in deportation defense cases including asylum, cancellation of removal, criminal waivers, and more. He also has...

Mr. Cohen is the founder and principal of the Cohen IP Law Group, P.C. His practice involves intellectual property, business and entertainment law. Mr. Cohen is registered to practice before the United States Patent and Trademark Office as a patent attorney and is experienced in all phases of IP litigation relating to patent infringement validity and enforceability, trademark infringement, trade secret misappropriation, unfair competition, and interference with contractual relations. He specializes in matters involving UDRP proceedings, cybersquatting, and other domain name issues, and has successfully obtained preliminary injunctions against cybersquatters. Mr. Cohen is also active...

Karima is an intellectual property lawyer and registered patent attorney. Karima litigates and helps clients obtain patents and trademarks in diverse industries. She helps business owners build, strengthen, and protect their brands and ideas. She has experience in all areas of intellectual property law including trademarks, copyrights, patents, trade secrets, domain name disputes, and eBay disputes. Karima brings a unique perspective to intellectual property issues drawing on years of engineering and managerial experience.

Need help protecting or enforcing your ideas? Contact us at 949-429-0212 or email karima@kgulick.com

Since 2009, Mr. Cionca is a registered patent attorney and founder of CIONCA IP Law P.C. ("CIONCA IP"), an intellectual property law practice based in Irvine, Orange County, California. He has an extensive technical background having graduated from a five-year European engineering program, having practical engineering experience and having taught College Physics. He helps clients with patent application and prosecution matters in various technologies including, engineering, computer, software, mechanical, physics-related and medical device technologies. He also helps startups and businesses acquire and enforce their intellectual property rights in patents, trademarks, trade secrets and other IP, such as by sending cease...

San Diego Bankruptcy Attorney representing debtors in Chapter 7 & Chapter 13 Bankruptcy proceedings. Free consultations includes an analysis of the individual's situation in order to explore options such as credit consolidation, debt settlement, bankruptcy to determine best route toward managing financial obligations. Chapter 7, known as liquidation, provides discharge to honest debtors relief in about 90 days. Chapter 13, know as a restructuring, allows debtors to catch up on past due payments, prevent foreclosures, repossessions, stripping of unsecured second mortgages attached to primary residence of the debtor. This firm is a Federal Debt Relief Agency. We help individuals and businesses file...

Scottie Leming is one of our senior attorneys. She graduated from Western State University College of Law and was admitted to the California State Bar in 1995. Scottie is an extremely experienced family law attorney and represented victims of domestic violence for twelve years before joining our firm.

Since 1995, Scottie has helped thousands of clients with great success. She understands the legal issues and uncertainties surrounding divorce, child custody and support are personal issues. She knows how to provide emotional support and clearly communicate with her clients. Scottie is well known and greatly respected within our legal community. She is...

Ian M. Seruelo is a passionate and staunch advocate for worker and immigrant rights. An activist at heart, having him on your side means you have a champion who will fight for your rights and interest with intensity and dedication.

Mr. Seruelo has a long experience of activism and community organizing in the Philippines and in the United States. He has a passion for social and economic justice, and was deeply involved in various campaigns and movements that advance the interest of the marginalized. From his years in law school up to the present, he has volunteered thousands of hours...

Attorney John-Patrick Mullen-Lujan grew up in vibrant Miami, Florida, where he encountered people from all walks of life and learned to develop genuine connections in diverse communities. As the son of an Argentinian immigrant, Attorney Mullen-Lujan recognizes the struggles many Americans face in navigating our complex criminal justice system. Attorney Mullen-Lujan believes everyone deserves to have their rights protected by someone who cares about them. Attorney Mullen-Lujan attended Pennsylvania State University where he obtained a joint Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science and American Studies. In 2017, he received a Master of Science degree in American studies. In search of...

Armed with impressive qualifications from big law firms and an approachable demeanor you'd expect from a small firm, Owen uniquely bridges the often intertwining areas of Trusts, Estates, and Probates. Owen holds degrees in tax (LL.M.), law (J.D.), and business (M.B.A.), making him particularly well-equipped to guide you, whether you're crafting an estate plan for your loved ones or you're a trustee or beneficiary in need of expert counsel. At Opelon, we believe in more than just offering services - we're dedicated to building enduring relationships. With Owen, you'll find an attorney who is not just qualified but also approachable. We encourage...

Dustin MacFarlane is an estate planning and elder law attorney with a unique background which makes him uniquely qualified to serve his clients. Prior to entering practice as an attorney in Sacramento, Dustin began his career in the long-term care industry, working with skilled nursing and assisted living facilities throughout the Central Valley and Northern California. He takes pride in the work he does in helping families provide for and protect their loved ones. Outside of his work at the firm, Dustin also hosts a weekly show on Talk 650 KSTE and is actively involved with several community organizations.

Samuel Spital is the Managing Attorney at Spital and Associates. He is committed to personal service; his honesty, integrity and trustworthiness are only surpassed by his exceptionally high level of concern for his client. The law firm serves individuals and businesses in a wide array of administrative law, criminal defense and civil litigation. Sam Spital began his legal career as a Deputy Attorney General for the California Department of Justice (serving from 1970 - 1978, in both the Criminal and Civil Law Divisions). As a Deputy Attorney General, he handled over 50 appeals, in all State and Federal...

Practicing exclusively criminal defense and forfeiture seizure law since 1990. I started my career with Federal Defenders of San Diego. I was admitted to the Arizona State Bar in 1992 and have handled both state and federal matters in Arizona. Our firm is kept organized by our Spanish speaking certified paralegal, Layla Smith. We have an accomplished attorney in Jon Pettis who teams up with Dan Smith on every criminal case. Mr. Smith takes the lead on all felony federal cases and Mr. Pettis on state criminal matters which makes for a well balanced office located across the street from...

Matthew focuses on elder law, estate planning, and related practice areas. He began his career in the field of trusts and estates, and expanded into elder and probate law. He quickly realized that he enjoyed the personal nature of working in estate and elder law, and chose to continue by opening his own firm. He is passionate about taking care of his clients, and treats each of them as if they were family. Matthew was admitted to the California bar in 2006 and has practiced law in Contra Costa Country since 2006. He earned his J.D. at...

With a progressive law practice since 2007, Mr. Ali Shahrestani is a bi-coastal litigation attorney representing international and domestic clients in state and federal legal matters in CA, NY, and MA. He has been featured in print and TV news for his legal expertise, is a recipient of multiple awards and a graduate of top rated universities with honors, and has donated much effort and time to public education, legal journalism, and social justice activism. 1) Education Law - K-12, College, Graduate, Students, Teachers, Schools 2) Divorce & Child Custody - High Conflict, LGBTQ, Father's Rights 3) Business, Contracts, & Real Estate Law...

Sheryl Lam, esq. a certified specialist in workers' compensation is known as a fierce litigator and is well respected by both her clients and her peers while in deposition and in court.

Ms. Lam has experience in many areas of the law including immigration, family law, personal injury and criminal law. She currently devotes her time exclusively to representing injured workers but is able to apply her vast knowledge of the law to the many issues that cross over into workers compensation. In addition to English, Ms. Lam speaks Cantonese, Mandarin and Vietnamese, to assist our clients that speak...

John Messina maintains his reputation as one of Southern California’s top rated lawyers and has been lauded by his peers, earning Martindale-Hubbell's highest rating and its prestigious "Preeminent" distinction award. John heads the Firm’s Temecula Valley Office and is a litigation attorney with top executive-level, hands-on experience as a broker, real estate developer, and mortgage banker. Along with being a published author, John has a lengthy record litigating convoluted and difficult cases and is adept at constructing complex business and real estate transactions. John’s recent victory in the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals demonstrate the level at which he practices...

Carl Shusterman is one of the top immigration lawyers in the United States, representing corporate and individual clients across the country and around the world. He has been featured on CNN, Good Morning America, the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, the National Law Journal and dozens of other national and international media outlets. His website, https://www.shusterman.com, is a virtual encyclopedia of U.S. Immigration Laws and Procedures. Immigration Attorney Carl Shusterman has over 40 years of experience practicing immigration law. He served as a Trial Attorney for U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) from 1976 until 1982 when he entered...