Mission Viejo Appeals & Appellate Lawyers

Certified by the California State Bar as a Criminal Law Specialist. Over 20 years trial experience. Practice devoted to criminal defense. Top-Rated Los Angeles Criminal Defense Lawyer (Rated Superb 10/10 by Avvo.com; Rated A.V. by Lawyers.com.) The law firm of Eisner Gorin LLP is Rated a Top 5% US Law Firm.

Tate represents clients in Child Abuse Central Index (CACI) grievance proceedings throughout California.

Scott Tillett co-founded Pine Tillett Pine LLP in 2016 where he handles civil appeals, specializing in plaintiff-side appeals with an emphasis on employment matters. Mr. Tillett is recognized as a Certified Appellate Law Specialist by the State Bar of California and he has been named to the Super Lawyers Southern California Rising Stars list consecutively since 2016. He was selected as one of five finalists for the Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles's (CAALA) Appellate Attorney of the Year Award in 2019. Along with his partner, Norman Pine, Mr. Tillett was a recipient of the Daily Journal's 2020 California Lawyer...

Mr. Hermansen focuses his law practice on state and federal criminal trials, appeals, and habeas corpus. He's been a Board Certified Criminal Law Specialist by the California State Bar Board of Legal Specialization since 2009, and he's been recognized as a Super Lawyer in criminal law in San Diego every year from 2008 to the present. In addition to representing criminal defendants at state and federal felony jury trials, he frequently argues before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and the California Court of Appeal. He's also argued before the United States Supreme Court, the California Supreme Court, and en...

Aaron R. Gott focuses on challenges to government conduct, business and competition litigation, and appeals.

Floyd J Fernandez is founder and managing attorney of Pacifica Legal Services. His breadth of experience in this field has included individual visa applications, family-based and employer-based, non-immigrant work, travel, and study visas (both domestic adjustment of status and consular applications), deportation defense and appellate work (before BIA, AAO, U.S. 9th & 7th Circuits, and U.S. Supreme Court). My clientele has included individuals both from within all of Southern California, several other U.S. states, and several additional nations.

He has strong writing and research skills from his work in appellate law along with a rich cultural experience...

Michael Semanchik is the Managing Attorney at Semanchik Law Group. He comes to the team with nearly a decade of experience working for the California Innocence Project (CIP). Michael began as a student at CIP while in law school and found himself as a staff attorney several years later. In 2013, California Lawyer Magazine named him Attorney of the Year for his work on the Brian Banks case. Several months after receiving the award, he embarked on a 712 mile walk to deliver clemency petitions to Governor Brown for 12 innocent clients.

In the fall of 2013,...

Dennis Temko provides exceptional representation in appellate matters in California State Courts in San Diego, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and elsewhere. His appellate practice is focused on family law matters including custody, property division, child and spousal support, stock options, high income earners, Ostler Smith (bonus support orders), domestic violence restraining orders, and imputation, among other issues. Most of his practice has been devoted to family law appeals and writs since his 2013 admission to the California State Bar. Super Lawyers Magazine recognized Mr. Temko as a rising star in 2017, and again in 2018.

Mr. Temko has...

Attorney Caitlin Dukes is a former prosecutor who handles criminal appeals, writs, and other post-conviction relief for the criminal appeals firm Spolin & Dukes P.C. She has a wide array of experience in state and federal courts. Besides having served as a Deputy District Attorney, her background includes work for multiple judges and government entities (including Federal District Court Judge James Knoll Gardner and the United States Department of Homeland Security) as well as private sector experience defending clients wrongfully accused of crimes. Ms. Dukes’s primary goal on any given case is to identify the strongest arguments, clearly and succinctly present...

Spolin Law P.C.’s founder, Aaron Spolin, is a former prosecutor and award-winning criminal appeals attorney. He has achieved successful outcomes on hundreds of criminal cases, including numerous dismissals of major felony cases; non-criminal resolutions to complex fraud and insurance fraud defense cases; successful appellate outcomes from various appellate courts; and multiple not-guilty jury verdicts at trial. Innocent Spolin Law clients wrongfully accused of murder and other serious crimes are now free because of his work. Aaron is the recipient of various awards for his advocacy, including the American College of Trial Lawyer’s Medal for Excellence in Oral Advocacy as well as...

A skilled attorney with litigation, appellate, and transactional experience in areas such as real property, contracts, business and corporate governance, business entity formation, and bankruptcy. Currently counsels Common Interest Developments on a wide range of matters, including operational issues, corporate governance, interpretation of governing documents, corporate matters, dispute resolution, litigation, and general transactional matters. Obtained very favorable outcomes for clients as both plaintiffs and as defendants, and is also one of the few attorneys knowledgeable of the unique issues surrounding homeowner associations as bankruptcy creditors. Obtained Juris Doctor degree from Pepperdine University School of Law. Licensed to practice...

Van Dyke & Associates, APLC is a boutique probate litigation law firm providing sophisticated legal services to clients nationwide facing complex trust, estate and related tax matters in State or Federal Courts in the Southern California area. The firm is based in San Diego, CA and appears regularly in courts throughout California.

William Markham received his law degree from Harvard Law School in 1987 and has practiced law in California for the past thirty-one years. He is an accomplished, successful trial attorney who has tried dozens of matters, including several significant matters. He has obtained jury verdicts and bench verdicts in difficult trials of highly contentious matters. He has also handled several appeals that arose from his trial work, obtaining a reversal of a dismissal and various affirmances of his pre-trial and trial work.

Mr. Markham devotes most of his practice to litigation, particularly the litigation of claims for antitrust offenses, false...

I am a trusted and well respected immigration attorney, dedicated to helping those immigrating to the United States. I have experience in assisting clients with immigration visas, deportation defense, immigration appeals, bond hearings, asylum and USCIS applications.

I am a proud member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association. Let me fight for your rights! Call today!

Ilona Antonyan is a Founding Partner of Antonyan Miranda, a litigation trial attorney, and a Certified Family Law Specialist. Ms. Antonyan became the youngest person in California to become a Certified Family Law Specialist, after achieving the rigorous requirements in only five years of practice.

Having immigrated to the United States in 1992 as an Armenian refugee, Ms. Antonyan is fluent in English, Russian, and Spanish, and is collaterally licensed as a real estate broker, and also obtained Series 7 and 66 securities licenses. Ms. Antonyan focuses her practice exclusively on family law matters, specializing in high-net worth cases and those...

Steven Brunolli works in the appellate department at one of San Diego's oldest firms, Higgs, Fletcher & Mack. Steven is an accomplished appellate attorney with a passion for writing and a keen eye for detail. He has brought and defended writs and appeals in diverse areas of the law, including Family Law, Probate, Business Law, and Employment Law. Some of those matters have resulted in published decisions from the California Courts of Appeal. Appellate law requires a certain skillset and an entirely different knowledge of procedure than litigation in the trial courts. As such, trial attorneys often refer appeals...

I am a successful Intellectual Property, Patent, Litigation and Appellate Law attorney. Based in California, my experience includes trademark matters in more than 150 countries.

I provide aggressive advocacy for a full range of intellectual property and patent law issues. I am committed to achieving the best possible results with efficient and effective representation.

I received my B.A. from Yale University, where I played Varsity Lacrosse. My J.D. is from the University of Southern California Gould School of Law.

For more than twenty five years I have represented investors and consumers in class-action litigation, focusing primarily on federal civil appeals. I have briefed and argued appeals before all but two of the thirteen federal circuits, and was intimately involved in briefing the merits in three cases before the United States Supreme Court. My pro bono work has included writing and filing amicus curiae briefs on behalf of religious organizations and faith leaders opposing discrimination and supporting religious liberty and equal rights for all.

Jarod Bona's practice is focused on antitrust, business litigation, appellate, real estate, and challenges to government conduct. He practiced at DLA Piper and Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher for a dozen years before starting his own firm. He also clerked for Judge James B. Loken of the Federal Court of Appeals for the Eight Circuit. Mr. Bona won a bench trial, as first chair, for a client involving fraud claims and up to US$2.5 million at stake. In 2012, Mr. Bona played a major role in achieving summary judgment and a Federal Trade Commission dismissal with no action for his...

Phil Israels graduated from the University of California at Berkeley where he studied Economics. He then attended the University of San Francisco, School of Law, where he received the American Jurisprudence Award. After graduating in 1975, he worked for the Los Angeles City Attorney's Office for four years as a prosecutor. In 1979, he decided to work as a criminal defense attorney. He is now a Board Certified Specialist in the field of Criminal Law During his tenure as a defense lawyer, he has successfully defended his clients against a wide range of criminal charges, including drunk driving, domestic violence, sexual related...

I have been licensed to practice law in the State of California since 1999. I am the managing shareholder of Century City Law Group, a Professional Corporation (Century City Law Group, APC). I studied accounting at the University of Southern California, and obtained my law degree from Loyola Law School. While attending Loyola Law School, I became a Production Editor of the Loyola Entertainment Law Review, and was also placed on the Dean's Honor List. I have received Martindale-Hubbel's distinguished "AV Preeminent" peer-review rating. I was named to Super Lawyer Magazine's Southern California Rising Stars...

Top 40 Under 40, Rising Star in California, Best Criminal Trial Attorney! Aggressive, young, and hungry. Sally does not shy from a fight, she comes prepared with a history of success, honors and awards recognizing her ability to win for her clients. Not one unhappy client- check the reviews. Sally is driven for success, in creating her own law firm to helping each and every one of her clients, she shows the same unyielding commitment.

The courtroom is more than arguing, there are numerous motions that are filed. You want an attorney with skills in research and writing so that...

A tough, fearless and savvy federal criminal defense attorney since 1970. Forged in the trenches of the largest U.S. District Court in the U.S. – Los Angeles, California. Hardened by the toughest federal judges, Nixon appointees. Unrivaled credentials. 44 years of daily fighting against U.S. Attorneys. Recognized legal scholar with federal trial and appellate expertise. Proven by experience to be “par excellence” by judges, prosecutors and attorneys through Martindale-Hubbell's ratings and 35 published opinions in successful appeals. Joseph Shemaria graduated from U.C.L.A. Law School in 1969 with the most prestigious academic honors. He was a Senior Editor of the...

I represent a wide range of clients in civil appeals and in writ proceedings, including business owners, property owners, insurers, employers, public entities, film finance lenders, film producers, bankruptcy creditors, and trademark holders. I also regularly provide assistance to trial counsel in proposing jury instructions and verdict forms and drafting dispositive motions and oppositions—all with a keen eye toward helping trial counsel to preserve the record for any future appeal.

I am proud to be one of a handful of attorneys in the state of California to have been awarded 40 consecutive years as a “Certified Specialist by the State Bar of California” in criminal law. I have also been awarded Super Lawyer for over 11 years and AV Lawyer for over 20 years. From citizens to Hollywood celebrities, my ability to successfully represent a wide range of clients has contributed to achieving an “AV” rating* endorsed by my peers and judges in the legal profession. My practice has been with the United States District Courts, Habeas Court, and Federal Court of...

Paul Neuharth has been practicing criminal and administrative law exclusively for 25 years. Considered a top State, Federal Criminal defense and DUI attorney in San Diego, Mr. Neuharth has worked his way through College and Law School as a California State Law Enforcement Officer for almost 7 years. As an award winning trial attorney, he zealously fights for the best possible outcome for every client – regardless of the criminal charges. He has been recognized as a leading DUI and criminal defense lawyer in greater San Diego, by the legal community.

Attorney Leif Kleven founded his own practice in 2013 with a commitment to provide individualized, one-on-one representation to each of his clients. Since then, Mr. Kleven has represented clients in San Diego and throughout Southern California. The Law Office of Leif Kleven intentionally maintains a small practice so that each client works directly with Mr. Kleven. Leif Kleven is a passionate attorney and advocate. He began his career representing individuals charged with committing crimes in federal court (both in the Southern District of California and Central District of California) and in San Diego County Superior Court. He gained valuable courtroom experience...

Ms. Benedict is an appellate attorney in California and in federal courts. Ms. Benedict additionally provides legal writing services for fellow attorneys.

Ms. Benedict's litigation background included both defense and plaintiff representation. As a defense attorney, Ms. Benedict had a good working relationship with several insurance carriers advocating for their insureds in automobile liability, premise liability, and business liability matters. As a plaintiff's attorney, she was passionate about fighting for the rights of cyclists and motorists who sustained injuries in accidents. Working on both the plaintiff's side and the defense side provided Ms. Benedict with a unique objective view of...

Kristen J. Mason is an attorney with Criminal Appeal Advocates whose focus has been criminal defense matters and appellate representation. Based in Los Angeles, California, Ms. Mason brings dedicated advocacy to clients navigating the criminal justice system. Ms. Mason was selected to Rising Stars for 2024-2025, a peer designation awarded to a select number of accomplished attorneys in each state. The Rising Stars selection process recognizes peer recognition, professional achievement in legal practice, and other significant factors. Having represented criminal clients throughout California, in both Federal Court and State Court, she has committed her practice to protecting clients' rights through both trial-level...

I help clients by protecting the positive results they achieve in court or – when a trial has gone against the client – vindicating the client’s rights and getting them a second chance. High stakes litigation is like chess played in three dimensions. While the trial team works to win the case at trial, I focus on what will happen afterwards. Beginning even before the jury is chosen, I work to ensure that the clients’ themes and points are presented in the best way to persuade an appellate court, and that the client’s objections to any adverse decisions have...

I zealously counsel clients with an array of Financial, Business and Commercial Law matters. Licensed in California since 1976, I am an experienced mediator and also a veteran trial attorney.

My expertise lies in helping companies solve problems and seize opportunities. I am dedicated to aggressive advocacy focused on my clients' specific goals and objectives.

Visit my website for more information and representative cases. Contact me to see how I can assist you in resolving difficulties and creating opportunities.

Joseph F. Klatt is a veteran California litigator with demonstrated expertise representing individual and institutional clients in complex civil litigation matters. He is skilled in handling all facets of litigation, including initiating and planning a case, managing discovery, drafting dispositive motions and briefs, conducting depositions, trying and resolving cases, handling complex writs and appeals, and negotiating significant settlements in high stakes cases. He is recognized for handling complex, unique, and troublesome cases, providing innovative litigation strategies, looking at legal issues from multiple and unorthodox angles, and cost-effectively achieving his clients’ objectives.

Joseph was the Valedictorian of his law school...

Personal injury lawyer with strong focus on car accidents, truck accidents, and a variety of motor vehicle collisions. Have settled dozens of cases and helped clients recover over $20,000,000 in personal injury settlements.

Fay Arfa has been awarded certifications in Criminal Law, Stat and Appellate Law by the State Bar of CA Board of Legal Specialization Certified Specialist. The National Board of Trial Advocacy (American Bar Association Accredited Organization) has certified her as a Criminal Trial Advocate,
Attorney Arfa handles all criminal cases and appeals including murders, sex crimes, trials, appeals and post-conviction matters. Because of her work on behalf of those accused of sex crimes, she has been awarded an attorney membership in the National Child Abuse Defense & Resource Center (NCADRC).
Please call her for a free telephone...

Norvik Azarian is the Managing Attorney at Tact Law Firm, APC.  His practice focuses on assisting individuals with long-term disability and short-term disability ERISA claims, personal injuries, and appellate matters. While advocating for his clients, Norvik draws on his past experiences to provide unique insights to their cases and level the playing field.  Prior to starting Tact Law Firm, Norvik worked at two prestigious defense firms in Los Angeles, where he defended major insurance companies, ERISA benefits administrators, managed care entities, and Fortune 500 corporations. During his time as a defense attorney, Norvik represented many ERISA benefits lawsuits involving claims for long-term...

Luis Blanquez is an antitrust and compliance attorney with 15 years of experience at the European Commission and major international law firms in the European Union. Luis joined Bona Law PC in 2016 in San Diego, and qualified as a US attorney in the state of California in 2018.

His experience includes work for French legal chambers and judges as part of the “Leonardo da Vinci” European traineeship program. Furthermore, he worked as a trainee at the Directorate General of Information Society of the European Commission in Brussels, before moving to the former Merger Task Force (“MTF”) at the Directorate General...