Blackhawk Lawyers

Karyne T. Ghantous is a California licensed attorney with over 25 years of litigation and insurance defense experience successfully trying cases and serving as independent/ Civil Code section 2860 “Cumis” independent counsel in all Northern California counties. Ghantous Law Corporation represents contractors, property owners, and insureds facing liability claims and litigation. We prioritize the best interests of the insureds over the carrier’s while making every effort to end rather than prolong litigation disputes.

Our practice covers all aspects of family and matrimonial law in all of the Bay Area counties, primarily focusing on Contra Costa, Alameda, Solano, and San Francisco counties. We will expertly navigate you through your family law matter, whether it involves termination of a domestic partnership, paternity, custody, visitation, domestic violence, adoption, guardianship, support, an annulment, legal separation, or post-judgment issues. Regardless which of these processes you are dealing with, we understand the strain and pressure that these matters inevitably put on clients and the necessity of providing strong representation. Therefore, we strive to make the entire process as easy...

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...

Gordon Young is a 25-year litigator, specializing in financial, trust and securities litigation. Gordon tries and arbitrates cases for trustees, beneficiaries, financial professionals, investment advisors, stock brokers, Wall Street banks, and broker-dealers. These cases include civil, probate and regulatory claims based on breach of fiduciary duty, breach of trust, fraud, suitability, mismanagement of mutual funds and managed accounts, the prudent investor rule, as well as employee promissory notes, up-front loans, raiding, trade secret, unfair competition and related employment claims. Gordon has successfully assisted numerous investment professionals with FINRA related expungement actions. Gordon has been recognized eleven times...

I serve personal injury clients throughout the entire East Bay from my offices in Danville and Pleasanton. I know how devastating an injury can be. Aside from physical pain, it can also accompany financial hardship, a complete change of lifestyle and livelihood, family duress and more. I understand the full scope of what an injury can bring and has dedicated his life to helping those who through no fault of their own suffer at the negligence of others. I am a strong advocate for your rights and has fought hard for over 20 years to make our communities a...

Certified Family Law Specialist (CFLS), State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization; LLM Taxation; Member California State Bar; Hawaii State Bar; Arizona State Bar; Contra Costa County Bar Association; Family Law Section Hawaii State Bar; Family Law Section Arizona State Bar, Trust and Estates Section Arizona State Bar. The law offices of Doyle Golde Grossman Family Law Group provides family law, divorce, estate planning and trust administration services in the Contra Costa County providing the community with deep legal talent and a professional result based representation.

Jennifer L. King was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area. Curious about human development, she earned a B.A. in Psychology with departmental honors from the University of California, Berkeley. This passion drove her to commit to advocacy at the University of Illinois, where she earned her J.D. cum laude. As a law student, Ms. King took a deep interest in domestic violence. She gained experience at the University of Illinois’s Domestic Violence Clinic and the Land of Lincoln Legal Assistance Clinic and found that her investment in psychology enable her to bring a unique perspective, skill set, and...

When it comes to selecting an attorney for your legal matter, you want someone that you can trust. You want an attorney who listens to you and who becomes your teammate. You need a partner who will help you achieve your goals. You need someone that communicates well, that thinks on their feet, and that follows through. John R. Larson has been helping clients for more than 12 years through legal battles. Helping clients through periods of difficult times and turning lost clients around the corner to open new doors and new prospects for their future. Also knowing how to...

Because divorce is a problem to be solved, not a battle to be won, I focus on alternatives to the court system, through Collaborative Law and Mediation. I believe that most families and children are best served by being supported to work together in resolving their family matters. The fundamental goal in both Collaborative Divorce and Mediation is client empowerment.

With either mediation or the Collaborative process you will have control of the decisions that are made and will be firmly supported, legally and emotionally, in achieving a successful dissolution of your relationship. This not only allows but also encourages you...

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...

San Ramon Business & Real Estate Lawyer
Lubna K Jahangiri has been serving the business community of the San Francisco Bay Area for over twelve years. Attorney Jahangiri provides consultation and representation in a variety of transactional business and real property matters including:

Litigation –Represent clients in litigation, trials, arbitrations, mediations, civil writ petitions and appeals related to business, commercial, and real property disputes

Legal Experience
Ms. Jahangiri earned her J.D. (Doctor of Jurisprudence) from Golden Gate University in 2001, from where she graduated at the top of her class. While at law school, Ms. Jahangiri earned the CALI award for writing and research...

Spojmie Nasiri, principal attorney, is a first generation immigrant herself who understands through personal experience how difficult and emotionally draining American immigration process can be. Mrs. Nasiri’s education, community involvement and associations reflect her outstanding dedication in the area of immigration law. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of California, Davis and her Juris Doctorate from Golden Gate University, School of Law. Mrs. Nasiri is a member of the California State Bar and is admitted to practice before the California Supreme Court and the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California....

I graduated from Brigham Young University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management and a Minor in Korean, which I speak fluently. My firm handles all areas of practice related to estate planning, asset protection, real estate & business law. We also help people with tough immigration matters, and business owners with immigration related business matters. Our locations in Nevada, Utah and California help people throughout the Southwest and throughout the US.

Gerald R. Prettyman has been preparing and filing patents since 2001, and since 2006 has filed trademarks, copyrights and business filings, and worked to prevent and solve legal problems for his clients. Mr. Prettyman has prepared and filed over 200 patent applications for his clients and over 70 trademarks. Mr. Prettyman was previously an engineer and business manager, making him uniquely qualified to work with and protect the intellectual property of tech companies and to advise start-ups on how to make money without spending money. Mr. Prettyman is a U.S. Navy veteran.

J.R. Richards' practice focuses on developing long term client relationships representing their interests in both transactional matters and in civil litigation. He represents both plaintiffs and defendants primarily in real estate and business disputes and has successfully litigated cases through dispositive motion, trial and settlement in state and federal courts. J.R. prepares each case to achieve a favorable judgment by trial or before trial, and when in the best interest of the client leverages a favorable settlement. Community Involvement: * Coach/Manager for Pre-K/K softball team the Purple Puppies 2016. * Coach/Manager for the Danville...

You’ve spent your life building your wealth. And no matter how large or how modest – protecting your assets matters. Ivette Santaella understands that estate planning may seem daunting. You might feel uncomfortable talking about what happens after death. Or maybe you’re worried that you don’t understand the laws well enough. Santaella Law Group, APC is here to guide you through your concerns and make estate planning easy. Ivette has more than 30 years of experience talking her clients through their goals, translating and helping them navigate the law, and working with them to come up with a solid plan for...

Colby Dean LaVelle II proudly manages LaVelle Law Offices with the personal attention of a boutique law firm but with the resources of larger law firms. An honored graduate of Santa Clara University of Law, Mr. LaVelle has dedicated his career to the pursuit of justice. He began his legal career working for the San Francisco District Attorney's Office. Following his success litigating criminal matters, Mr. LaVelle started the LaVelle Law Offices. Now with eight locations across California, The LaVelle Law Offices is an incarnation of Mr. LaVelle's desire to serve the public, as he...

James H. (Jim) Gulseth was born and attended high school in Devils Lake, North Dakota and graduated with an A.B. degree from the University of California at Berkeley. Jim earned his JD degree at the University of California Hastings School of Law in San Francisco and is admitted to practice in the State of California and before the Federal District Court, Northern District of California, and the U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit. He is a member of the Corporations, Business Transactions, Securities and Tax and Intellectual Property Sections of the State Bar of California. Jim’s reported cases include...

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.

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.

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 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...

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...

Ms. Johns is a civil trial lawyer who has tried more than one hundred cases to verdict. She is the managing partner for Hillary Johns, Trial Lawyer which maintains offices in Beverly Hills, the Bay Area and New York City. She graduated from Occidental College in 1990 and Golden Gate University School of Law in 1993 where she graduated with Dean’s List and class honors. She is licensed to practice law in California, the California Southern, Central and Northern U.S. Federal District Courts, the District of Columbia, Montana, New York, and the New York Eastern and Southern U.S....

I am a divorce attorney mediator. I have created a divorce mediation program that can help you reach an agreement in as little as 90 days. After years spent in courtrooms, two truths became undeniable: getting divorced in court is too expensive and getting divorced in court takes too long. Between the cost and the time involved, most clients are disheartened and dissatisfied with the process. I knew there had to be a better way. Divorce is hard enough without adding years of expensive courtroom battles. Committed to helping separating couples find closure fast, I undertook divorce mediation training and...

Robert L. (Bob) Taylor was born near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and attended high school in Berkeley, California. Bob graduated Phi Beta Kappa and with high honors from the University of California at Berkeley in 1982 with an A.B. degree in Economics. Bob graduated from the Boalt Hall School of Law (UC Berkeley) in 1985, where he was a member of the California Law Review. In 1985, he was admitted to practice in the State of California and before the Federal District Court, Northern District of California, and the U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit. He has since also been admitted...

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,...

My law practice focuses on representing injury and death victims and their families. Many of my cases have involved personal injury, car accidents, accidental death, wrongful death, truck accidents, big-rig accidents, motorcycle accidents, products liability, defective products, dog bites, nursing home injuries, pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents, and dangerous property. I have been highly successful in favorably resolving my clients' cases and obtaining monetary compensation for my clients for over 22 years. My clients have suffered catastrophic injuries, death of a family member, serious injuries requiring hospitalization or surgery and many other types of injuries including coma, brain injuries, quadriplegia, triplegia, loss of...

Like many attorneys, before opening her own law firm, Ms. Lungu was a highly accomplished businesswoman, in various areas of management and areas of specialty. Additionally, she has a mediation and conciliation practice spanning almost two decades in California. Her unique abilities to make high level communication a safe and comfortable experience facilitated the transition to law and a career in mediation and dispute resolution. Part of her strength is in her keen awareness of the importance of each individual's particular needs and the need for individualized solutions. She provides individually tailored estate and business plans to all clients after...

Richard is a USPTO Registered Patent Attorney who loves helping creative people realize their dreams. Rich received his BA from Princeton University, then completed his Physics coursework at San Francisco State University. Rich received his J.D. with Honors & Certified in Intellectual Property from the University of Oregon School of Law. Rich has practiced in patent prosecution, patent litigation and military law, having served as an Army JAG Corps Captain stateside and overseas. Many lawyers call themselves "i.p. lawyers," but few are truly Registered with the USPTO, licensed to secure you your patent or ® Trademark. Look...

Karen S. Fenchel

Professional Biography

Karen Fenchel is a sole practitioner in Walnut Creek, CA. She is a Certified Family Law Specialist and has focused on all areas of family law. Her practice is settlement oriented and includes both family law mediation and collaborative law. Karen has a strong commitment to helping clients resolve issues without going to court. She utilizes her training in both mediation and collaborative practice to assist families in crisis and help them gain control of their lives. Through mediation, collaborative process and negotiated settlements, she works toward equitable solutions that consider the...