Sacramento Appeals & Appellate Lawyers

I am an Appellate Law Specialist certified by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization and I spearhead my firm’s Appeals and Writs group. I have handled appeals and writs in anti-SLAPP, civil-rights, commercial-litigation, employment, ERISA, family-law, personal-injury, probate, real estate and trust cases. I have briefed and orally argued writs and appeals before all manner of appellate courts, from the California Court of Appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. I have also successfully settled multiple cases in appellate mediation. As judicial clerk for both state and federal appellate courts, I have reviewed and analyzed literally hundreds of...

David E. Mastagni is a partner with the law firm of Mastagni Holstedt, APC, who specializes in labor and employment law representation of public safety employees, including trial and appellate litigation in California and federal courts. In particular, he handles complex civil, class action and collective action litigation, claims arising out of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), the U.S. and California Constitutions, the California Public Records Act (CPRA), the Public Safety Officers Procedural Bill of Rights (POBR), the California Labor Code, the Meyers-Milias-Brown Act, and other statutes protecting the rights of employees.
Among his other legal activities, David is an...

Sacramento attorney Timothy Kassouni founded Kassouni Law on the belief that property rights and personal freedom are intertwined. He passionately considers it his duty and mission to rigorously defend property rights against government and private abuse. Mr. Kassouni has many years of experience litigating against private and public entities at all levels of court, including the United States Supreme Court, the California Supreme Court, the California Court of Appeal, and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals to name a few. His litigation expertise in land use, appeals, business, and property rights law has led to legal victories and the setting...

Gloria Martinez-Senftner heads up the Martinez Law Group, a bilingual Professional Law Corporation. with main offices at 1600 Sacramento Inn Way, Suite 116, Sacramento, CA 95815. The law firm engages in general practice, including trial and appellate work in State and Federal courts with a concentration in the areas of Immigration, Criminal Law, Personal Injury, Corporate, and Commercial Law.

Law School: University of Chicago Law School, JD
College: University of Texas-El Paso, BA.

Professional Memberships: State Bars of California, New York, Texas, Massachusetts, Iowa, and South Dakota; Member American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) and the Immigrant Legal Research...

RECENT JURY AND COURT TRIAL SUCCESSES*
Domestic Violence: Penal Code 242, 243, 243, 273.5 + Great Bodily Injury enhancement: Not guilty on all Four counts. Client walked.
DUI Jury Trial--Hung Jury: .18, running red light: hung jury 4-12, case dismissed.
0.01 DUI Probation (court trial),
0.05 DUI-THC, Opiates, gore point violation, drifting: Hung Jury 6-6 case dismissed,
.22 DUI Hung Jury 6-6 case dismissed,
.20 DUI Hung Jury 11-1 case dismissed,
.20 DUI Stipulated Acquittal;...

At Montgomery & Wetenkamp, we understand the sleepless nights and stress that flows from dealing with tax and legal matters. While working directly with Montgomery & Wetenkamp, we will lead you on a course to a resolution of your tax and legal issues. We offer affordable legal representation with a focus on IRS tax relief nationwide. Pure tax attorney representation! No middlemen. Attorneys Montgomery & Wetenkamp will personally handle every aspect of your tax relief case. Speak with a tax relief attorney today by calling (800) 454-7043 for your free consultation.

I am a founding partner at Lewellen Family Law Group P.C., where our practice is devoted entirely to family law. As a trial attorney and mediator, I handle cases that involve high conflict situations and complex legal challenges in family law litigation. I am recognized by the State Bar of California as a certified family law attorney. Throughout my career, I have advised clients ranging from straightforward divorces to those entangled in intricate financial and custody disputes. My deep-seated experience in complex family law litigation and premarital agreements equips me to guide my clients through difficult times to secure favorable results....

I consult on a broad range of Federal and California state and local tax issues, including franchise tax, income tax, property tax, sales and use tax, employment / payroll tax, fuel tax and business license tax matters, as well as California New Employee Credits and California Competes Credits.

LEPISCOPO & ASSOCIATES has extensive experience in advising and representing clients as OUTSIDE GENERAL COUNSEL and, if needed, LITIGATION SPECIALIST (State and Federal Courts, including appeals) and in the following practice areas: • CORPORATE AND BUSINESS LAW: Form corporations and other business entities, act as general counsel, prepare corporate and business agreements, negotiate contracts and other agreements, and advise on corporate business laws. • CIVIL LITIGATION: Corporate and business litigation (e.g., contracts, commercial leases, and collections). • GOVERNMENT, ELECTION, AND POLITICAL LAW: Advise and represent government entities regarding pending legislation, statutory and regulatory compliance, general and special elections, compliance with...

Mr. Jakob earned his bachelor's degree (dual major in economics and government) from the College of Arts & Sciences at Cornell University. He earned his master's degree in economics from Duke University. After working in Washington, DC for National Economic Research Associates he earned his MBA, with a focus on finance, on a scholarship to what is now the Fisher College of Business at Ohio State University. While there he earned his law degree from what is now the Moritz College of Law. In law school he was a member of the school's ABA moot court...

David L. Axelrod began work as a teenager, selling scorecards in Dodger Stadium. After attending college, David L. Axelrod entered a career as Park Ranger and Fire Fighter, at the East Bay Regional Park District of Northern California. In 1988, David L. Axelrod graduated law school at the University of California, Berkeley, California, passed the bar, and commenced the practice of law. David L. Axelrod worked as Deputy Attorney for CALTRANS Legal Division in Los Angeles, California, and then as Deputy Tuolumne County Counsel in Sonora, California. Mr....

Practicing as a criminal trial attorney since 1987. Handles all serious and violent feloney cases. Has lengthy experience with special circumstance homicides, Three Strike Cases and mental defenses. Former Captain, Military Intelligence,United States Army Reserve

Frank has nearly 30 years of experience representing tribal governments and entities in a broad range of tribal, federal and state law matters, with an emphasis on sovereignty and jurisdictional issues. Frank’s practice includes appellate, civil and administrative litigation in tribal, federal and state courts and agencies. He has extensive experience advising tribal councils, developing tribal codes, ordinances, resolutions and policies, creating tribal governmental and economic development entities, and counseling clients in all aspects of federal Indian law, contracts, administrative law, employment issues, and environmental law, among other areas. Frank has written numerous amicus curie briefs for...

Since January 1993, the Law Offices of A. Peter Rausch, Jr., has furnished skilled legal representation and counseling to selected clients throughout California and the United States. Based in Stockton, California, the firm also maintains a satellite office in San Francisco. The firm expanded to the Central Coast of California in 2005 with an office in Aptos, Santa Cruz County. The Law Offices of A. Peter Rausch, Jr., handles a wide range of complex business and commercial disputes litigation as well as a variety of business transactions.

Leslie Prince graduated from Hastings Law School in San Francisco in 1981. While in law school, Ms. Prince was a writer and editor for Hastings Constitutional Law Quarterly. In addition, she worked as a judicial extern for California Court of Appeals Justice Sidney Feinberg, and as a research assistant for Hastings Law Professor Leo Kanowitz. Ms. Prince has been an attorney in private practice for over 20 years, and was a sole practitioner in Alameda County for over ten years before coming to Solano County in 1994 to become a principal in the Law Offices of Russo and Prince. Ms....

Peg Carew Toledo has defended and counseled manufacturers and retailers with respect to California’s unique labeling law, Proposition 65. She regularly represents companies in Proposition 65 litigation involving a variety of consumer products, foods, and dietary supplements. Peg has over 25 years of experience as a California litigator. Peg has been named in the Best of the Bar® publication of the Sacramento Business Journal from 2013 to 2018. Peg has been recognized as a Northern California Super Lawyer® from 2010 to 2022. Peg also is an AV® Preeminent rated lawyer, the highest rating given by Martindale-Hubbell for legal ability...

I assist clients and/or their trial counsel in California's appellate courts, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, and the United States Supreme Court. I am a Certified Specialist in Appellate Law, State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization. I am one of about 300 certified specialists in this practice area in the State of California.

Recent statistics published by California's Judicial Council show that civil appeals are reversed about 17% of the time. When I represent an appellant, over the course of almost 30 years of handling civil appeals my reversal rate is over 3 times that.

For almost...

Carin Johnson is a passionate defender of parents’ rights and has practiced dependency and juvenile law for over 27 years. She received her Bachelor of Arts Degree at Chico State University and is a graduate of Golden Gate University, School of Law, 1993.

In September 2010, Carin presented oral argument in the California First District Court of Appeal, involving a case where the dependency court denied her client reunification services and sought to terminate her parental rights. Carin fought hard for the mother and won a rare REVERSAL, of the lower court’s ruling. This changed California law.

Again, Carin argued a wrongfully-accused...

Konstantine "Kosta" Demiris is a partner at the law firm of Demiris & Moore, located in the heart of downtown Walnut Creek, in the center of Contra Costa County. His practice focuses on litigation involving elder abuse (financial and physical), will and trust litigation, conservatorships, guardianships, HOA's, and appeals. Kosta is actively involved in the Contra Costa County legal community. He is a member of the Board of Directors of the Contra Costa County Bar Association's Elder Law Section. He serves as court-appointed counsel in Conservatorship cases in Contra Costa County. Kosta is dedicated to helping...

If you are trying to obtain disability benefits because you are unable to do your job as a result of an illness or injury, my law firm can assist you. We can also help with any type of insurance claim that has been wrongfully denied whether it be medical insurance, homeowner’s claims, property damage or personal injury claims. Mr. Kalkin has practiced in the areas of Long Term Disability, ERISA Litigation, Personal Injury, Civil Appeals and Insurance Bad Faith for over thirty-five years. In 1989 he was elected to the Board of Directors of the San Francisco Trial Lawyers Association and...

Over his 18 years of practice in the Bay Area, Kevin Martin has developed a reputation as a fair- minded but tough negotiator representing client’s interests in intellectual property, business, real estate and personal injury actions. Kevin’s practice includes trademark, copyright and patent litigation, prosecution, licensing, business disputes, commercial litigation, personal injury claims, employer/employee disputes, trade secret and unfair competition claims, real estate litigation, contract disputes, and general advice and counsel. Mr. Martin maintains a regular blog on legal and other issues at www.landshark5000.wordpress.com. Mr. Martin regularly appears in both State and Federal Courts throughout California, before the Trademark...

Erik Christensen litigates, and provides counsel on, corporate and employment issues in California and the District of Columbia. His experience includes working as a senior associate at top-ranked global law firms, including Littler Mendelson and Greenberg Traurig. Before this, Erik externed at the California Supreme Court and the First District Court of Appeal, two of the most prestigious opportunities provided to law students in California. Erik also served as a law clerk for the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Victim Impact Program (sometimes referred to as the “Special Victims Unit.”) His experience includes years of service with the 101st Airborne’s...

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...

Bryan Schwartz is an Oakland, California-based attorney dedicated to helping employees protect their rights in the workplace. He has fought prohibited discrimination, retaliation, and harassment, obtained reasonable accommodations for disabled employees, vindicated whistleblowers' rights, and ensured that corporations pay workers all wages they are owed. He has successfully litigated individual and class action complaints nationwide, helping to recover millions of dollars for thousands of employees, forcing corporations and Government agencies to change their practices and punish wrongdoers. Bryan Schwartz is also one of the few Bay Area-based attorneys with extensive experience representing Federal employees in their unique Merit Systems...

California Civil Appeals, State & Federal

Myron Moskovitz served as law clerk to Justice Raymond E. Peters of the California Supreme Court. He is the author of Winning An Appeal (Carolina Academic Press, 4th ed.) and Moskovitz On Appeal (LexisNexis, 2015). He has handled and consulted on many appeals, both in state and federal courts. Although appellate courts reverse in civil cases only about 20% of the time, he has won reversals in more than 70% of his civil cases in which he represented appellants.

He is Professor of Law Emeritus...