Surfside Business Lawyers

Catherine D. Holmes is an accomplished Business and Securities Law attorney, concentrating on Finance and Investment Law matters. With clients all over the world, she advises on raising, investing and managing capital from both U.S. and non-U.S. investors.

Cathy has practiced law for over 40 years. With a wealth of knowledge and skill, she is dedicated to providing exceptional legal representation. Cathy has been recognized for her extensive experience and success, having been named a Southern California Super Lawyer for 10 years. In addition, Cathy was honored by EB5 Investors Magazine as among the Top 15 Corporate Attorneys in 2017 and...

Daniel F. Freedman is a Government, Land Use, Environment and Energy partner at Jeffer Mangels Butler & Mitchell, LLP. He handles a broad array of complex matters involving real estate development, zoning, land use entitlements, and compliance with local, state and federal regulations such as CEQA, NEPA, Coastal Act, federal and state housing laws, and historic designation regulations. Daniel is committed to providing skilled and knowledgeable advocacy focused on the best possible outcomes for his clients, who he has more than a decade of experience advising on residential, industrial, commercial and mixed-use developments, as well as projects involving renewable energy,...

Justin Sterling, Esq. is the Founder and Principal Attorney of The Sterling Firm, A Professional Law Corporation. Mr. Sterling is licensed by the California State Bar and the United States District Court for the Central and Northern Districts of California. He is committed to representing clients and serving the legal community with the utmost professionalism and compassion.

Mr. Sterling attended law school at the University of West Los Angeles School of Law, where he graduated Suma Cum Laude. Mr. Sterling also obtained his undergraduate degree from West Chester University, where he graduated Magna Cum Laude. Mr. Sterling has served...

I am an experienced California attorney focused on Land Use, Zoning, Environmental, Litigation and Construction Law matters.

First a licensed architect, I attended law school to further my interest in construction and development. With over 25 years of experience, I bring a depth of knowledge and unique insight to help clients achieve their goals and objectives.

Outside of work, I enjoy international travel and a new passion for 50's modernist architecture. I can often be found taking architectural tours, running by Richard Neutra houses in Silverlake, and biking along beachfront structures.

I am dedicated to outstanding representation for Tax, Business, and Trusts & Estate Planning law matters. My jurisdictions include the State of California, U.S. Court of Appeals Ninth Circuit, U.S. Court of Federal Claims and the U.S. Tax Court.

A Certified Specialist in Taxation Law, I have extensive experience and expertise providing legal advocacy for a wide range of issues. I am committed to helping clients accomplish their goals efficiently and effectively.

I have been recognized by numerous organizations, including Best Lawyers in America, Super Lawyers, Martindale-Hubbell, and Los Angeles times Magazine. Additionally, JMBM has been honored among the 2020 Best Law...

Bryan is one of a small number of attorneys in the state of California to be certified as a Specialist in Franchise and Distribution Law, by The State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization. He currently serves as a commissioner and Chair of the California State Bar's Franchise and Distribution Law Advisory Commission (FDLAC), which oversees franchise specialist certification for the State of California and is a past Chair of the State Bar's Standing Committee on Franchise Law. Much of his practice involves business law litigation, but he also represents clients in transactional matters such as entity formation, contract...

We handle many US immigration cases on behalf of clients throughout the United States and from around the world.

Our mission is to provide you with individual attention and professional service at every step on the path toward achieving your immigration goals. U.S. immigration law is extremely complex and the assistance of a professional guiding you throughout the process is absolutely essential! Whether you choose to retain our firm to assist you with your immigration needs, we highly recommend that you speak with an immigration attorney.

Scott Sheldon is a Civil Law Attorney serving clients in the Inland Empire. He represents individuals and small businesses with Civil and Probate disputes including but not limited to: business litigation, business transactions, trust administration disputes, elder financial abuse, estate litigation, and probate administration. Before becoming an attorney, Scott Sheldon completed a BA in Business and an MBA. He uses his business knowledge and experience to better represent his clients and their interests.

Calvin A. Slater has been a lawyer since 1981, with over 30 years of experience with helping clients, such as entrepreneurs, physicians, business owners and real estate investors. His legal expertise includes real estate matters, tax-deferred exchanges, trusts, estate planning, asset protection, as well as business matters such as formation, planning, and succession. He emphasizes a personal connection with each client to understand their needs and provide effective solutions. He encourages a team approach by collaborating with a client’s other professionals such as accountants and investment advisors. Mr. Slater is a certified specialist in Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Law by...

Mr. Martinez represents a wide range of U.S. and international clients in all forms of dispute resolution and business counseling, with emphasis in the areas of commercial, intellectual property, unfair competition, shareholder and class action litigation, arbitration and mediation. His clients range from individuals to start-ups to Fortune 100 companies in the real estate, retail, fashion, transportation, financial, entertainment, manufacturing and technology industries, and often include Latin-American and other foreign clients interested in developing a presence in the United States. Mr. Martinez has won a reputation for his fierce commitment to his clients’ interests and to valued legal causes. This commitment...

Amanda Rokita is an Attorney and founder of Rokita Law P.C, a boutique law firm focused on utilizing our wealth of legal experience to deliver solution based resolutions to individuals and small businesses throughout CA. Amanda has a proven track record, having represented small businesses through trial and regularly represents clients with multi-million dollar amounts in controversy. Amanda has garnered several awards, including the 2022 and 2023 SuperLawyers Recipient, which is awarded to the top 2.5% lawyers in CA and the 2022 and 2023 SuperLawyers Rising Star Recipient, which is awarded to top lawyers under 40. As an entrepreneur, Amanda...

I was inspired to become a lawyer after my family experienced work-place violence first-hand, which left us and the other victims with minimal legal remedies. Even though the desire to figure out why my family could not be helped didn't transpire into my practice area, the personal nature of my "why I became a lawyer" impacts how I work with clients dreaming of starting a business, running an established business, or buying and handling real estate on a daily basis. I'm also a Detroit area native who made the cross-country drive to Southern California four days after graduating law school. Early...

Margaret A. Sedy is an attorney at Law Office of Margaret A. Sedy and represents clients in Business Litigation, Business Disputes, Corporate Formation, Contract Drafting and Negotiation, Technology, Internet and Privacy Law, and Regulatory Compliance Margaret Sedy also counsels and represents businesses regarding Employment Litigation, Employment and Labor Law compliance, including wage and hour, wrongful termination and discrimination claims. Margaret Sedy was awarded the Rising Stars designation in 2021, 2022 and 2023 by Super Lawyers, a distinction only awarded to 2.5 percent of top-rated practicing attorneys selected through extensive evaluation. Margaret Sedy graduated in the Top 10% of her class...

Tina has dissolved Gehres Law Group to focus on building a NFP organization, YesHope.org. She is no longer taking clients. Thank you for your patronage.

Jason practices in the areas of Real Estate, Business, and Estate Planning. The State Bar of California has recognized Jason with the “Public Service Distinction” award for his work on behalf of public interest organizations and their clients. Jason provides representation to middle market, emerging growth, and individual clients in the core areas of business, litigation, and real estate transactions.

Jason K. Smith is one of the founding shareholders of MK Smith, APC. He has been admitted to practice in state and federal courts of both California and Utah. Mr. Smith focuses his practice in civil litigation and has successfully represented clients in matters involving business litigation, construction litigation, patent litigation, contract disputes, employment issues, false advertising, unfair business practices, personal injury, medical malpractice, family law, education law, and special education law.

Mr. Smith obtained his Bachelors degree in Political Science from the University of Utah, graduating Cum Laude in 2008. In 2011, he received his Juris Doctorate degree from the...

GAYLE L. ESKRIDGE, the principal of ESKRIDGE LAW, has been a litigation and trial attorney since 1988, representing individuals, corporations and partnerships, employees and employers, investors and developers, and municipalities. With broad litigation and trial experience, Ms. Eskridge has managed hundreds of cases and now dedicates her practice to employment, business and real estate litigation.

In addition to being a Super Lawyer from 2012 to the present, Ms. Eskridge holds an AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell. An AV rating identifies a lawyer or firm with very high to preeminent legal ability. The AV rating is a reflection of expertise, experience, integrity and...

Matt’s practice focuses on facilitating innovative change through legal action, and he works with private and public leaders in emerging issues and industries, ranging from internet to cannabis law. Most recently, Matt was one of the lead drafting attorneys on California’s Proposition 64, the successful ballot initiative to decriminalize and regulate cannabis for adult use. Working directly with California Lt. Governor Gavin Newsom and other state leaders to craft the policy structure, Matt directly authored key provisions in the legislation, integrating complex legislative, political and legal considerations into a balanced, comprehensive and historic reform. For over 10...

Court Admissions:

United States District Court, Central District of California, May 30, 2007
United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, October 26, 2009
United States District Court, Southern District of California, November 16, 2009
United States Tax Court, November 19, 2009
United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces, January 10, 2010
United States District Court, Eastern District of California, June 3, 2010
United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, July 13, 2010
United States Court of International Trade, January 2, 2014
United States Court of Appeals For The Federal Circuit, June 30, 2015
United States Navy-Marine Corps Court of Criminal Appeals, May 3, 2017
United States...

As a national consultant and lawyer, I focus on artificial intelligence, legal, business, and real estate matters, offering comprehensive guidance to navigate these complex industries. By utilizing AI-driven solutions, I help streamline decision-making processes, optimize business operations, and enhance real estate transactions with predictive analytics. In the legal sector, I provide strategic guidance on compliance, litigation, and policy development, ensuring clients stay ahead in a rapidly evolving regulatory landscape. My multidisciplinary approach integrates technological innovation with an in-depth understanding of market trends, enabling businesses and individuals to achieve their goals with efficiency and precision. Operating on a national scale, I...

For over 30 years, Mark Anchor Albert has consistently achieved outstanding results for his clients in complex business litigation and trials. He has been instrumental in obtaining hundreds of millions of dollars in recoveries for his clients from corporations and their insurance carriers in difficult cases involving complicated liability, damages, and related insurance coverage issues. He also has successfully defended companies and individuals facing hundreds of millions, even billions of dollars in potential liability, often succeeding in having difficult cases dismissed by motion before trial, or otherwise obtaining deeply discounted settlements on favorable terms.

Mr. Albert provides sophisticated legal services for...

Alana Yakovlev is a stellar trial lawyer with a heavy emphasis on criminal defense and civil rights. Rated one of the top trial attorneys in the country, Ms. Yakovlev's advocacy leads to immediate and effective results for her clients.

For nearly 25 years, Sa'id Vakili has represented businesses and individuals in litigation matters involving complex business and contract disputes, business torts, direct and derivative shareholder disputes, intellectual property disputes, and all forms of employment claims. He has also handled a variety of serious injury tort claims including those arising under maritime and aviation law. Mr. Vakili is admitted in California, New York, New Jersey and Washington, D.C. and has handled cases in various other jurisdictions such as Florida, Nevada, Ohio, South Dakota, and Virginia through associations with local law firms in those locations. Mr. Vakili has also served...

As one of the firm’s founding attorneys, Ching K. Chiao is a respected and prominent member of the Southern California Real Estate and Business Law community. Mr. Chiao represents various individuals and businesses, including major real estate developers in the Greater Los Angeles Area with portfolios in excess of $500,000,000. His representation includes notable deals with Home Depot, Office Depot, Food-4-Less, Rite Aid, Ross Dress-for-Less, JC Penny’s, McDonald’s, Wendy’s, Starbucks, Seattle’s Best, Foot Locker, Gymboree, AT&T, Sprint, Verizon, MetroPCS, and many more. Mr. Chiao prides himself on delivering exceptional results in a cost-effective manner. Companies who utilize...

Liliana Gallelli is an attorney since 2004 and has specialized in immigration, business and post-conviction law matters. She has represented hundreds of clients before immigration agencies, immigration courts, the Board of Immigration Appeals, federal district courts, and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Her work involves applications for business visas (L1s, E2s, H1bs, among others), family petitions, removal proceedings/deportation, asylum, and U visas, among others. She speaks Spanish fluently and conversational Portuguese, Italian and French.

Ms. Gallelli also represents clients in business law including:
Business Formation (LLC’s, S and C Corporations)
Sales Agreements
Partnerships
Applications for Alcohol License
Applications for Contractors...

Ms. Gallenberg received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California Los Angeles where she double majored in Political Science and Sociology with a minor in Public Policy. Ms. Gallenberg received a Juris Doctor degree and a Civil Litigation Certificate from the University of California Hastings College of the Law in San Francisco. During law school, she received several academic excellence awards, and was a founding member and Articles Editor for the Hastings Business Law Journal. She also served as a Judicial Extern for the Honorable Judge Sanchez Gordon in the Los Angeles Superior Court (Stanley Mosk...

My practice is focused on Patent, Trademark, Copyright, and Intellectual Property Law. Based in California, I represent national and international clients from a wide range of industries.

With nearly 40 years of legal experience, you can expect skilled, knowledgeable and zealous representation. My accomplishments have resulted in numerous honors, including recognition as being among the Best Lawyers in America, Top Intellectual Property Attorneys in California, and Top 100 Attorneys in Los Angeles.

I am a successful White Collar Defense & Business Law attorney. I defend individuals and companies facing prosecution, investigation, and complex litigation. A former criminal prosecutor, I bring unique experience, knowledge and insight to aggressively advocate for my clients. I am dedicated to exceptional representation and the best possible outcomes.

I am a skilled California Business and Tax attorney. I represent clients with complex domestic and international law matters.

With over 20 years of experience, I am knowledgeable in a vast array of legal planning, transactions and disputes. I am dedicated to providing exceptional service and representation to businesses and nonprofit groups.

Outside of the office, I am committed to community involvement, serving in government, civic, and charitable organizations. In 2017, I was honored as Hermosa Beach's Man of the Year, for "generous contributions of time and resources".

Brad Cohen's practice emphasizes business planning related to complex corporate and partnership transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, financing and business succession planning, income tax planning, and estate tax planning, all on an integrated basis.

He is a member of JMBM’s Trusts & Estates Group which is recognized by U.S. News & World Report / Best Law Firms® with a National First Tier ranking in Trusts & Estates Law.

Brad is best known for his business and tax advice related to the motion picture, television, music, emerging media and sports industries. One of the focuses of his practice is coordinating the...

I represent management in Labor and Employment Law matters. Based in California, I advise employers nationwide with a wide range of legal needs.

With 25 years of experience, I bring extensive skill and knowledge to every case. I provide aggressive advocacy focused on the best possible results in labor and employment matters. Additionally, I hold the highest possible AV Rating from Martindale-Hubbell.

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.

I am an experienced California trial attorney. My areas of expertise include Business, Trust & Estate Litigation, and Creditor Rights matters.

For over three decades, I have helped clients effectively avoid and resolve a broad array of legal disputes. With extensive understanding and skill, I am dedicated to the highest level of personal service and representation, focused on the best possible outcomes.

I have been recognized with the highest AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell, in addition to being named a Super Lawyer and among the Best Lawyers in America.

I am a Los Angeles Business attorney with expertise in a vast array of Cybersecurity and Privacy law matters.

With over 30 years of experience, I am skilled at providing practical counsel for complex legal situations. I am dedicated to clear communication and exceptional representation.

I have been honored with numerous awards, including Top 20 Cyber - Artificial Intelligence Lawyers, Most Influential Lawyers in Digital Media and E-Commerce Law, and Top Rated Lawyer in Technology Law.

I completed my law degree at the University of Southern California, Gould School of Law, where I served as a Senior Editor for the Southern California Law Review. I graduated with Dean's Honors, and was one of the four students whose Law Review Article was selected for Publication in the Journal. EDUCATION: USC Good School of Law, Dean's Honors UC Santa Barbara, Summa Cum Laude In my professional journey, I have had the privilege of working for 7 years between the global law firms of DLA Piper (US) LLC, which ranks third overall in the AMLAW listings, and K&L Gates LLP, which holds...

I am a business attorney with substantial in-house legal experience at companies involved in entertainment and communications technologies. I focus on technology transactions, contracts, trademark and copyright law, and publishing law. I have negotiated and drafted complex, sophisticated contracts involving technology, licensing, joint ventures, and asset purchases. I've also managed an extensive intellectual property portfolio (trademarks and copyrights), and have handled the prosecution of domestic and international trademarks, software licensing, domain name enforcement, and copyright registrations.

Nathan D. Wirtschafter, Corp. is a business litigation and business collection firm. We collect unpaid receivables, promissory notes and judgments. We help creditors recover owed debts. We represent clients in California’s state and federal courts, as well as in arbitration and mediation. We represent large companies, small businesses and individuals. The firm is committed to being personable, professional, and effective. We are consistent, ethical, highly skilled, and tenacious. We strive to find the best strategy to help our clients achieve their goals as quickly as possible within a budget that fits their needs. We...

Cheryl Hodgson offers a unique combination of legal expertise and practical business experience based upon years of experience in the music industry at a manager, agent, and music publisher. Expert in litigation of matters pertaining to contractual disputes, artist rights, trademarks, copyrights, Cheryl uses her courtroom expertise not only as a litigator but as a mediator in cases involving trademarks copyrights and entertainment related matters. Years in the courtroom provide her clients with strong advocacy for in business transactions, calculated to seal the deal, while minimizing future risks. Hodgson has been certified for...