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After working for ten years at The Jellins Group, APLC, a general practice law firm, I moved to Contra Costa County and decided to start my own law practice. My primary practice area is estate planning, probate and trust administration and litigation. However, I also work in the related area of real estate and landlord-tenant law. I received my J.D. from McGeorge School of Law in 2002, graduating Dean’s Honor Roll. San Francisco State University conferred a B.A. in Interdisciplinary Creative Arts in 1998 following my completion of a course focusing on audio-video and multi-media production and design. ...

Licensed California private investigator for 20 years, practicing in the San Francisco Bay Area out of Oakland, Alameda County. Tamara Thompson Investigations meets clients' information needs, providing civil trial preparation, witness interviews and research on individuals, businesses, products and circumstances affecting clients' cases. My specialty is developing deep background on individuals and companies related to assets, interests, activity, political and social associations, employment, litigation and business history, reputation and ownership through Internet, database and telephone research. In addition to due diligence analysis, I conduct genealogical investigations for real estate actions and probate and heir matters. I provide in-house trainings to law firms, financial service...

Attorney Adam M. Carlson is managing partner at Casper, Meadows, Schwartz & Cook. While he is skilled in various areas of law, he focuses the majority of his practice handling cases related to wrongful death, civil rights, and personal injury. He believes that tailoring each case to each client’s needs is key to providing aggressive and compassionate legal representation.

Before joining the firm, Carlson served as an intake assistant for our team, where he was responsible for fielding calls from potential clients. It was at this time that Carlson decided he wanted to do more. He found that he was passionate...

Alexandra Danielle Wilson is a Calfornia State Bar member and a Contra Costa County Bar Association member. She is a passionate member of the National Lawyers Guild (NLG) and American Immigration lawyers Assocation (AILA). She volunteers at several Bay Area non-profit organizations. Alexandra graduated from University of California, Hastings College of the Law.

Alexandra is fluent in Spanish and passionately advocates for immigrant's rights.

While in law school, Alexandra focused almost exclusively in the area of immigration. She participated in the Refugee and Human Rights Clinic during which she travelled to Guatemala on a fact-finding trip to gather information...

John Runfola is a highly experienced and effective criminal defense attorney. His cases have at times drawn international attention, and he has succeeded in winning favorable results for clients both at trial and through skillful pre-trial work. He is listed in Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers and has earned the highest rating from the national lawyer registry Martindale Hubbell. Prior to starting his own practice, Mr. Runfola served as a Public Defender in San Francisco, where he gained invaluable courtroom experience. He is a seasoned trial lawyer, yet is equally adept at the behind-the-scenes work that often proves critical to a...

Ms. Henderson has been representing clients in criminal and juvenile cases since 1997. Her clients have been found not guilty on all counts in over half of her trials. The focus is always to understand the personal needs of the client (obtaining employment in the future, licensing, how the case impacts the client personally, professionally, legally and emotionally.) Often times success is gauged in reducing time,protecting the client's record for the future (avoiding strikes, priors, prison) and looking at alternative sentences. The approach to criminal defendants in most counties in California is very impersonal and often times...

Hallie has actively practiced law since 2006.

Hallie’s practice focuses on family law matters, where she is dedicated to navigating her clients through the legal challenges of separation to a fresh start. Hallie’s extensive litigation, negotiation and settlement experience lends itself well to all types of family law matters. Recognizing that no two matters are alike, Hallie provides her clients with well-tailored representation, which perfectly suits their particular circumstances.

Hallie has previously worked on disputes arising from residential and commercial real property transactions and complex construction defect matters.

She has also managed two California litigation operations for multi-state law firms, handling...

The Pakneshan Firm is dedicated to representing clients accused, investigated or charged in state and federal criminal and administrative matters. The Pakneshan Firm is a Bay Area criminal, DUI and Civil Rights law firm which has the experience, expertise and resources to handle all phases of your case. Our firm represents clients in Alameda, Contra Costa, San Francisco, Marin, Napa, Sonoma, Solano, Santa Clara, and San Mateo counties. The Pakneshan Firm has established itself as one of the Bay Area’s premier criminal defense firms. We have a proven track record for getting the best possible results for our clients.

As...

Daniel T. Quane manages Doyle Quane's Trusts and Estates practice. Dan is a Certified Legal Specialist in Estate Planning, Trusts and Probate Law. He has advanced legal degrees in Taxation (LL.M.) and Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Law (LL.M.) and he was named Super Lawyer’s Rising Star in 2015 and 2016. He works with a diverse range of clients, from those of average means to wealthy families requiring complex advanced estate tax planning strategies. Dan has experience guiding families through the complex legal process required upon death in the most efficient manner possible, whether it’s through trust administration or...

Attorney John Fetto was born in New York, and received his Bachelor of Arts degree with honors in Philosophy from the University of California, Los Angeles. He then went on to earn his Juris Doctorate degree from the University of California, Hastings, where he specialized in trial advocacy. Mr. Fetto is a member of the Consumer Attorneys of California, the San Francisco Trial Lawyers Association, and the Contra Costa Trial Lawyers Association. It did not take Attorney Fetto long to realize that his passion was personal injury law, and he has been representing clients for 26 years. During this time,...

I am a former police officer and deputy district attorney in Contra Costa County. I received my Bachelor's Degree from California State University Sacramento and a Juris Doctor from John F. Kennedy University, School of Law. As principal attorney of this firm, I guide the firm’s staff and manage major cases and matters on behalf of individual and business clients. I have tried numerous cases to verdict and have appeared before the California Court of Appeal, and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeal. Our firm practices real estate, labor and employment, and business litigation. Our firm also drafts wills, trust...

NEIL HALLINAN is a third-generation trial attorney in the San Francisco Bay area, with offices in San Francisco and Oakland. Prior to founding the Hallinan Law Firm, Mr. Hallinan spent a decade as a public defender, mostly in Oakland, CA, during which time he represented thousands of clients in matters ranging from high-stakes felony prosecutions, including murder and white collar fraud, to low level misdemeanors, including hundreds of DUI cases, more than fifteen of which he tried to verdict. His victories include full acquittals in 3-strikes prosecutions as well as a discharge of a murder case at preliminary hearing.

In...

Joseph A. Motta was born and raised in the East Bay. He attended St. Mary’s College and graduated in 1984. He graduated from McGeorge School of Law in Sacramento in 1987. Joe’s legal career started as a Deputy District Attorney in Contra Costa County; from 1988 to 2004. There, he handled thousands of cases. He was a trial attorney on every team including Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, and Homicide. He supervised the Misdemeanor, Domestic Violence, and Sexual Assault Teams; as a supervisor, he maintained his own load of serious cases. As a deputy D.A., Joe prosecuted a number of high...

Tammy J. Mercado has a passion for helping her clients achieve their desired result. She listens and she personally responds to your text, email, or phone call promptly. She offers real solutions to your legal matters. Tammy will carefully evaluate the legal issues in your case, provide you sound advice, and offer you the pros and cons of each possible scenario so you can meet your legal objectives. She encourages clients to participate in their own matters. Tammy believes that client participation is key to a positive result and to keep attorney fees as low as possible. You can be...

Alia Khan practices Bankruptcy Law in Alameda County, Contra Costa County, San Joaquin County and Stanislaus County. Our firm has a 100% discharge rate for Chapter 7 cases. Alia went to New College of California School of Law, where her legal education focused on helping and representing people who are being taken advantage of by larger banks and institutions. She was admitted to the State Bar of California in June 2007 and has been practicing since. Alia is also admitted to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, Northern District of California, Eastern District of California and Central District of California....

Jennifer A. Navalle’s law practice concentrates on the areas of divorce, custody, support, and domestic-violence restraining orders. In addition to Whipple, Mercado & Associates, she previously worked as a paralegal for Hyden-Zakheim, LLP in San Ramon, where she gained extensive experience assisting attorneys in the areas of family law, civil matters, immigration, estate planning, and trust administration. She has deep knowledge of family court procedures and a commitment to providing effective and efficient representation for her clients. A San Ramon native, Jennifer earned her Juris Doctor from John F. Kennedy University College of Law, obtaining certifications in Children, Families, and the...

Michael Hulshof graduated Cum Laude from California State University of Fresno with degree’s in History, and Sociology. He went on to attend the University of La Verne College of Law. During his time at La Verne College of law Michael made the Dean’s List on multiple occasions and became an editor for the school’s Business Law Journal. As a student, Michael worked in NBC-Universal’s legal department in Universal City. After graduating from Law School and passing the California bar exam, Michael was hired by The Law Office of Christian Schank as a family law attorney. Michael handled over 200...

Laura W. Patton is married and has three adult children. She enjoys hiking, skiing, cooking, and traveling. Laura has volunteered her time with the Orinda Arts Council, local schools, and her church congregation, LOPC, in Lafayette, California. After college at Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana, where she graduated summa cum laude as a member of Phi Beta Kappa, she earned her J.D. from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law in San Francisco, California, and passed the California state bar exam the same year. After practicing law with a small law firm in Pleasanton, California, she started her solo...

Criminal Defense and DUI attorney Richard A. Madsen, Jr. (a former Contra Costa County Deputy District Attorney) has represented thousands of first-time offenders who have been arrested or charged with driving under the influence throughout the Bay Area and Northern California. Mr. Madsen's impeccable reputation speaks for itself. Recognized as a highly skilled trial lawyer and negotiator, and well seasoned in the intricacies of the Department of Motor Vehicles, Mr. Madsen works tirelessly to protect his clients' rights and achieve superior results. Mr. Madsen knows the system. For nearly twenty years, Mr. Madsen has utilized his reputation and long-standing relationships...

At Abronson Law Offices, we take the time to understand each unique situation presented to us by a client in need of assistance. We make certain that our clients understand their options and can make informed decisions regarding the progress of their case. Together with our clients, we work toward the best result available, whether through trial or settlement, arbitration or mediation, litigation or dialogue. We strive to be approachable to our clients, and seek to make them comfortable in entrusting us with their legal needs. What really distinguishes our firm is the ease with which our clients...