Vernalis Business Lawyers

As an attorney, Matthew Grech began his career as a civil litigator. From there Mr. Grech transitioned into estate planning and probate & estate administration. As an estate planning/administration attorney Mr. Grech has assisted numerous clients manage trust and estate administrations from inception to closing, as well as guiding and facilitating the planning process. It was during this time that Mr. Grech realized that a number of his clients’ family members and friends were facing mounting financial troubles in the wake of The Great Recession. It was this realization that motivated Mr. Grech to begin practicing bankruptcy law, which...

Ms. Rome-Banks has over 20 years of bankruptcy and related experience. Ms. Rome-Banks’ practice focuses on representing individual debtors in Chapter 11 cases, representing landlords in all chapters of bankruptcy, and in all types of bankruptcy litigation. Ms. Rome-Banks has considerable experience representing landlords in all aspects of bankruptcy, and has represented landlords in a number of well-known bankruptcies, including Round Table Pizza, Circuit City, Chevy’s, Fresh Choice, Mervyn’s, Crown Books, Hollywood Video, Napster, Levitz, Tower Record, Jennifer Convertibles, and Lionel Trains bankruptcies. Ms. Rome-Banks also has substantial experience handling complex stay relief motions and defending private lenders and bona...

Michel J. Rouhani received his Doctor of Jurisprudence (J.D.) degree in 1992. He was licensed to practice law in California in 1992. He is licensed to practice before the Supreme Court of California and all Courts of the State of California, the Supreme Court of the United States of America, the United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces, the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, and the United States District Court for the Eastern District of California. For the past 30+ years,...

Jean Claude (JJ) B. Mallein Jr. is an experienced business, tax and trusts and estates attorney. Dedicated to wealth preservation, he has focused his education and practice on helping California residents secure their estates and prepare for the future. As a partner at boutique tax and estate planning firm in the Silicon Valley, Mr. Mallein gained valuable experience in wealth management, estate planning, tax planning, business succession planning, trust and estate administrations, tax controversy, real estate transactions and like-kind exchange cases. He is fully prepared to tackle complex business and estate planning cases. Mr. Mallein is a Dual Certified...

Michael Malter is an accomplished California attorney, advocating for clients in Bankruptcy, Business, Intellectual Property, Landlord Tenant, Real Estate and Tax Law matters. With over 40 years of experience, he has been recognized as a Certified Specialist in Bankruptcy Law by the California State Bar. Michael is committed to providing comprehensive and personalized representation focused on attaining the best possible outcomes.

Michael, a native of Long Island, New York, has been a resident of California since 1977. He currently lives in Saratoga with his two daughters and labradoodles. Outside of work, Michael can be found hiking and traveling. Additionally, he deems...

Since 1989, Lori has been practicing civil litigation throughout Northern California. She is experienced in civil litigation, professional malpractice, employment discrimination, labor and employment, personal injury, wrongful termination, and general business and contract disputes. Lori is licensed to practice law in both state and federal courts in California. With more than 25 years of experience, Lori Costanzo has engaged in a broad range of complex civil actions; she has handled jury and bench trials in both state and federal courts, and has served as a fierce advocate for her clients in mediation and arbitration. Her experience extends to the judicial level...

Stephen Wu is a shareholder with Silicon Valley Law Group. He advises business clients on information governance matters, focusing on information security, privacy, mobile computing, ediscovery preparedness, records management, and computer-related investigations. He reviews and writes sophisticated information security policies for large enterprises, and assists in data security regulatory compliance, incident response, breach notifications, and establishing secure electronic commerce systems. He drafts privacy policies for clients, including ones for U.S. companies with European and Asian operations. He assists clients with European Union General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) compliance. Steve assists clients in managing enterprise mobile device programs, including writing bring...

Bernie Vogel is a shareholder and the CEO and President of Silicon Valley Law Group. His practice emphasizes complex corporate transactions, investment financings, mergers and acquisitions, as well as the formation and maintenance of partnerships and limited liability companies. He provides ongoing business counseling to a variety of entities, ranging from venture capital firms and start up high tech and biotech companies. Advices on directors & officers liability, corporate governance, stock option plans, licensing, and contracts, as well as advice on complex tax issues with respect to transaction structuring, entity formation, reorganizations, and business succession planning. Before practicing law, Bernie...

Kathryn E. Barrett is a member of Silicon Valley Law Group’s Business Litigation, Employment and Financial Services Group. Her areas of expertise include complex commercial disputes involving fraud, misappropriation of trade secrets, unfair competition, partnership, corporate and shareholder disputes, breach of fiduciary duty, derivative claims, alter ego; claims under the Convention for International Sale of Goods (CISG), employment, and real estate. Kathryn's litigation experience also includes adversary proceedings in the bankruptcy courts.

Kathryn is also an experienced, U.C. Berkeley-certified mediator of business disputes. She serves as a mediator and arbitrator for the Santa Clara County Bar Association Fee Arbitration Panel and...

I am an accomplished Business, Employment, Personal Injury, Medical Malpractice, Arbitration & Mediation attorney. I represent plaintiffs and defendants throughout the East Bay, in a vast array of civil litigation matters.

With 40 years of experience I have an excellent track record both in mediation and in the courtroom. I am dedicated to obtaining the best possible outcomes for your legal disputes. Contact me today for a free consultation.

I am also a Certified Public Accountant and have been doing tax work in the Bay Area for 30 years. I specialize in helping people and businesses pay as few taxes as possible without getting audited. In the estate planning area I help people preserve their property for their families and pay as few estate taxes as possible. I also am the Probate Doctor who can help fix impossible situations when estates are stuck in the quagmire of California Probate.

Mr. Harris’ practice focuses on representing businesses and individuals in Chapter 11, both as debtors and creditors, as well as in bankruptcy litigation, state court assignments for the benefit of creditors (ABCs), receiverships, execution sales and various other bankruptcy and collection matters. Mr. Harris has substantial experience in a number of bankruptcy areas, including real estate restructurings, sales and reorganizations of high tech and general manufacturing companies, dealing with intellectual property rights in bankruptcy, and handling alleged securities laws and Federal Trade Act violations.

Mr. Harris frequently lectures and writes on bankruptcy topics and has authored numerous articles, case analyses, and...

Kent P. Tierney has been practicing law for over 20 years. He specializes in the areas of Family Law, Real Estate, Civil Litigation, and Business Law. Mr. Tierney formed what is now Tierney Law Group in 2012 following more than 15 years of practice with several Bay Area law firms specializing in Civil Litigation. Mr. Tierney brings his unique personal experiences to the representation of his clients and is known for his no nonsense approach to cases. Mr. Tierney’s clients often compliment him for his straightforward demeanor and candid review of cases. His strengths are his knowledge of the law,...

Mr. Tormey has over 20 years of experience in product development, marketing and intellectual property protection. As a company startup veteran, Mr. Tormey brings a unique perspective on the value of intellectual property to a small and growing business. As such, he also speaks to entrepreneurs and business executives on how to protect and leverage IP assets. Mr. Tormey is the author of the "Startup Guide to Intellectual Property." As a patent attorney, Mr. Tormey has drafted over 100 patent applications covering software, electronics, wireless, radio, mobile applications, encryption and automation controls. Besides intellectual property law, ...

Our office provides legal services in matters involving business law, real estate, construction, employment law, contracts, and litigation. With over 20 years of experience we are highly skilled and experienced in the various legal issues that involve our clients. We represent business owners, brokers, landowners, developers, contractors, subcontractors, sellers, and purchasers. Our clients include both businesses and individuals. We represent clients throughout the State of California. In addition, Mr. Jacobs provides top-notch mediation and arbitration services.

Sam graduated from the University of Utah with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Accounting in 2008 and his Juris Doctor from UNLV in 2011. He went on to receive a Masters of Law (LL.M.) in Taxation from Georgetown University in 2012. Sam’s practice includes estate planning, asset protection, trust administration, probate, guardianship, and business organization. Sam has established a strong reputation within the Las Vegas legal community for his expertise and provides continuing legal education courses in his areas of practice. Sam is fluent in Spanish and is licensed in both Nevada and Utah and is a member of the Southern...

James Cai founded SAC Attorneys, LLP after serving as in-house legal counsel for Yahoo! Inc. His practice focuses on corporate law, immigration, employment and estate planning. Mr. Cai believes in relationship lawyering and has a client-driven practice. He practices law the old fashioned way - giving each client this full attention with prompt responses, thorough research and analysis, aggressive representation and careful attention to details, in both transactional and litigation matters. As a result, most of his clients are repeat and long term clients, including individuals, small businesses, non-profit organizations and public companies. Before founding SAC Attorneys, LLP,...

As a lawyer for over 30 years, on a daily basis, John Teter has assisted thousands of clients in achieving their business and personal goals. He draws on this wealth of real-world experience, coupled with interaction with colleagues and a lifetime commitment to continuing education, to provide his clients the best legal representation possible. It is a great source of personal pleasure to apply these tools to assist others. Mr. Teter considers each case to be a personal challenge to achieve what is best for each of his clients.

As an experienced taxation law attorney, he has the knowledge and resources...

Michael Stebbins is a shareholder with Silicon Valley Law Group and the Chair of its Business and IP Litigation and Employment Groups. His practice focuses primarily on employment, intellectual property and commercial disputes. He has extensive litigation and trial experience in matters involving trade secret theft, employee solicitation, technology licensing, IP infringement, false advertising, earn-out issues, unfair competition, shareholder disputes, breach of fiduciary duty, trade libel, harassment, discrimination, wage and hour issues, and wrongful termination. He has also litigated complex matters involving real estate leases, construction contracts and insurance coverage.

A significant portion of Michael’s practice also involves...

I am a startup business lawyer and litigator practicing in Silicon Valley as head of a 4-lawyer boutique firm, George Grellas & Associates. We are business lawyers with a specialty in early-stage tech startups. Since 1984, we have helped small to medium-sized businesses, startups, entrepreneurs, and executives - several thousand in all. We help form companies - fund them - sell or merge or acquire them - sell their assets - do their corporate work, employment work, contracts, leases, and standard terms - licensing, trademark, and IP work - founder and equity incentive structures - commercial deals of all types. We...

Ken is a transactions attorney, arbitrator and mediator with 29 years of experience in intellectual property licensing, litigation, and technology transactions. He practiced at leading US law firms and served as Senior Vice President at Samsung Electronics as the head of the Silicon Valley IP Office from 2011 to 2021. Ken has handled more than two hundred IP litigation matters, negotiated numerous patent licenses including three of the largest patent cross license agreements, and helped clients to acquire companies ranging from startups to a multibillion dollar company. He was also extensively involved in SEP and FRAND disputes...

Seasoned corporate and transactional lawyer specializing in vendor and supplier contract terms and conditions, software licensing, machinery purchasing, franchising, website terms and conditions/privacy policies etc. I also have a MBA and have lived in the start up world and know the pain points of entrepreneurs. Not only I can be a great legal advisor, I can also advise on a multitude of business issues, from procurement, to program management, HR, team building and more!

I am Senior Counsel at Nopar & Associates Attorneys at Law. My practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Business Purchases & Sales, Business Organizations, Corporate Law, and Intellectual Property Law.

I obtained my B.S. at the Wharton School of Business, University of Pennsylvania. I earned my J.D. at Stanford Law School. I am admitted to practice law in the State of California.

I have extensive experience in a broad range of business law matters. I am dedicated to providing skilled and knowledgeable counsel for your legal needs.

I represent individuals and small to medium sized businesses in bankruptcy, foreclosure defense and debt consolidation matters. For individuals, I represent clients in Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy proceedings, including adversary proceedings, including 2nd home mortgage lien stripping, redemption of vehicles and student loan reductions. For businesses, I provide services related to the winding down of a business, board and management consultations and bankruptcy debt consolidation in Chapter 11. In conjunction with my bankruptcy practice, I also provide estate planning, probate and trust administration representation. The best way to avoid probate is to plan properly by drafting...

Mr. Binder has over 35 years of experience representing businesses and individuals as debtors or creditors in all types of bankruptcy matters and corporate restructuring. In addition to his considerable bankruptcy experience, Mr. Binder frequently represents businesses and individuals in real estate and business matters, collection and collection defense, and commercial law disputes. Mr. Binder’s practice also includes asset protection planning, creditor negotiations and workouts, debtor-creditor rights, tax disputes, bankruptcy appeals, and representing under-insured defendants in settlement negotiations and mediations.

Mr. Binder is active in the local Silicon Valley community, frequently lecturing on bankruptcy and related topics such as asset protection...

I have a passion and love for what I do. At Castaneda & Company, we represent individuals and small businesses in the areas of business law, contracts, employment, fraud, and real estate. After I filed a lawsuit in October 2007 against Apple™ and AT&T over the iPhone™, I was featured on websites around the world including Businessweek.com, Forbes.com, MSNBC.com, and the USAToday.com.

We have gone up against Stanford University, Google, Adobe, and Bank of America. Despite these big names, the majority of our clients are ordinary people and small business owners. We like representing the underdog and we like beating the...

I am a determined California attorney practicing Bankruptcy, Business, Real Estate and Construction Law, with a particular focus on insolvency, debtor-creditor rights and real estate matters. With years of experience, my goal is always providing exceptional legal service and representation to achieve the best possible outcomes.

At Structure Law Group, I am part of a dedicated legal team providing skilled and knowledgeable advocacy for business and real estate law matters. For more information visit my website or call for a consultation.

Private Practice in real estate and business law for 40 years. Court and private mediator for 25 years. AV Rated and Northern California Super Lawyer.

Since starting Varlack Legal Services in 2009, I have been on the front lines of litigation as a trial attorney. Valuable experience in the courtroom was gained as a member of the Alameda County Bar’s CAAP program and Lawyer Referral Service. These programs helped me grow my practice as a young attorney while allowing me to grow as a litigator. As a graduate of Howard Law School, I chose to become “a social engineer” rather than a “parasite on society.” After law school, I served on the Charles Houston Bar Association’s Board of Directors, as membership...

Fred W. Schwinn is a licensed attorney admitted to practice in the States of California and Kansas. Fred is the shareholder and owner of the Consumer Law Center, Inc. His practice is dedicated exclusively to representing consumer debtors in bankruptcy, stopping predatory and abusive consumer lending practices, and protecting consumers from illegal debt collection activity.

In 1997, Fred graduated from Washburn University School of Law in Topeka, Kansas where he organized and volunteered at the law school's Volunteer Income Tax Assistance site. While other law students were training in the law school's legal clinic, Fred began his legal career in...

Ed Kraus is a shareholder with Silicon Valley Law Group. For over 20 years he has represented individuals, small and large companies in a variety of civil and criminal litigation matters. Ed has successfully handled litigation involving employment issues, real estate, construction, commercial disputes, contract issues, unfair competition and Americans with Disabilities Act claims on behalf of businesses. Ed also handles a wide variety of criminal litigation including representing individuals and corporations accused of grand theft, embezzlement, real estate fraud, insurance fraud, environmental, trade secret violations, driving under the influence, other driving related charges and other general criminal matters.

Ed believes...

Real Estate & Business Planning and Litigation: Multi-unit Residential, Commercial, R&D and Industrial projects. Litigation regarding interest in, and preparation of Condominium Projects. Planning and Litigation regarding Manufactured Homes. Litigation and planning for contractors.

As founder of the Anthoor Law Group, APC, Swampa Anthoor guides Fremont residents through the estate planning process. She has law licenses in both India and California, and can assist with legal concerns involving both jurisdictions. Her firm also provides legal representation in matters of family law and business law. Attorney Anthoor is a member of the California State Bar and Bar Council of India. In addition to English, she can aid clients in Malayalam, Hindi and Tamil. To learn more, please contact her firm today and receive a free consultation

I maintain offices in San Jose and Sacramento where I run a general practice with a focus on bankruptcy. Call for a chapter 7, 13 or 11 bankruptcy consultation, or contact us with your issues related to small business, real estate, or personal injury.

I’ve been an attorney for going on 20 years in the greater bay area of California. When you call me, you will talk to me directly. You won’t get assigned to a paralegal or another attorney. I have a passion for practicing law and helping my clients to the best of my ability. I like talking to people and getting to the heart of the matter through direct and clear talk.

Zachary Rayo brings experience, efficiency and empathy to estate planning. Mr. Rayo’s approach is people-centered. He recognizes that the legal needs and special issues differ from client to client, that each person is unique, with unique needs that must be met with efficiency, active listening and care. Mr. Rayo knows the importance of social responsibility which manifests not only in ethical decisions and practices but also in involvement in socially important causes.

John joined Ferrari Ottoboni Caputo & Wunderling in 1999 in the tax, trust, and estate division. He completed his law degree from Gonzaga University School of Law and earned his LL.M in Taxation from the Golden Gate University School of Law in San Francisco. He primarily handles cases in the areas of income, estate, gift taxation, wealth transfer, post-death trust administration, and probate. He is well-versed in many state and federal tax matters and implications regarding estate planning tools and business structures. John frequently presents in legal seminars regarding tax law.

I am an estate planning and business law lawyer practicing in East Contra Costa County California. I take pride in providing value minded legal services to area families and businesses.

Jim Erickson received his Juris Doctor from Santa Clara University School of Law in 2004 (having transferred from Wisconsin Law School in Madison). Jim graduated in the top 10% of his law school class and was on the Dean's List from 2002-2004, while also serving as a research assistant for two professors. He was the Book Review Editor and Ethics Editor for the Santa Clara Law Review, where he published two articles. After graduating he received an unsolicited Fellows Scholarship, and was awarded membership in the prestigious Order of the Coif.