Blackhawk Lawyers

Otto P. Cipolla, Jr. is the founder and owner of The Law Offices of CIPOLLA, CALABA, MARRONE, WOLLMAN & SILVA. Mr. Cipolla founded the firm in 1995. He has since grown the firm from 2 attorneys to 30 attorneys. The firm now has seven offices throughout California. Mr. Cipolla has taught, lectured and given seminars in all aspects of Workers’ Compensation Law for employers, insurance carriers, brokers and third party administrators. Mr. Cipolla has been a Judge Pro-Tem not only at the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board but also in both Municipal and Superior Court. CCMW&S practice is...

Since 1990, Bob Gonser has practiced in the securities area, including representation of public investors before the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (formerly NASD), New York Stock Exchange and Pacific Exchange. He has successfully handled hundreds of cases involving losses sustained in brokerage accounts as a result of wrongdoing, mismanagement and fraud by brokers and brokerage firms. Over the years, Mr. Gonser's efforts have resulted in a multitude of awards and settlements for his clients including over $1.2 million in damages and interest for four employees of Cisco Systems in arbitration before the Pacific Exchange (Read the decision.) At Hunsucker Goodstein, he...

Mark Venardi was born in 1962 in Seattle, Washington. He was raised in Peoria, IL, a Midwest blue collar town. He enlisted in the United States Coast Guard and proudly served from 1980 through 1985. He spent the first two years on a sea going tug performing search and rescue and marine law enforcement from the Grand Banks to the Windward Passage aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Tamaroa, which was the Coast Guard vessel that performed the rescue in “The Perfect Storm.”

Legal Experience Assistant United States Attorney, Northern District of California, 1994-2005. Civil Chief, 2001-2003 Deputy Civil Chief, 1998-2001 AUSA, 1994-1998, 2003-2005 Attorney of record in cases resulting in over twenty published decisions; Litigated hundreds of cases in federal district court; Litigated over 80...

Dylan graduated from Cornell University (1986) and magna cum laude from UC Hastings College of the Law (1990). He clerked for Judge Melvin Brunetti in the Ninth Circuit and then spent a year teaching legal methods at Stanford Law School. From 1991-2001 Dylan practiced appellate law with Dennis Riordan until going out on his own in 2001. Thereafter he worked with lawyers around California on complex trials and appeals in both the civil and criminal arenas. Dylan joined Edward Kerley’s practice in 2014 and has since focused on the rights of California policyholders. He obtained two key victories on behalf...

Real estate attorney Michael Notaro has over 27 years experience in the real estate industry. His mission is to provide real estate owners, investors and developers with the finest quality legal service. Michael and his firm provide professional, âvalue addedâ legal services. Zealous and aggressive representation is balanced with negotiating the best possible client settlement. When our clients succeed, we succeed. We create lasting relationships with our clients, guided by the values of integrity, service and excellence. We are counselors as well as advocates and communicate in clear, understandable language; we believe our clients deserve to know...

Elizabeth formed her own law practice in 2011 in order to provide quality, affordable legal services to the San Francisco Bay Area. She is a graduate of the University of California, Berkeley, and received her law degree from the University of San Francisco, School of Law. While in law school, Elizabeth worked for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and clerked at several solo law practices, gaining experience in a wide array of civil law. Her overwhelmingly positive experiences with these solo practitioners led her to the decision to open her own firm. She has a...

I have worked in a dozen fields of law over my career of 44 years. Mostly I was a business trial lawyer, but now I only advise and handle transactions: no trials. I am semiretired but come to the office most days.

Andrew is a Family Law Specialist certified by the California Board of Legal Specialization. He started practicing law in 2006 as a Family Law Litigation Attorney after graduation from the University of San Francisco School of Law. After 16 years of litigation experience, Andrew recognizes and understands the challenges of navigating the California legal system. Andrew’s current law practice emphasizes conflict resolution in family law matters as an alternative to litigation. Andrew obtained a Mediation Certification and Basic Conflict Resolution Training through the SEEDS Community Resolution Center. Resolving family legal conflicts outside of court is his primary goal. Andrew holds a Bachelor...

Throughout his thirty year career Chris has been focused on assisting key executives in building their businesses, and often on preparing for and subsequently executing their liquidity event, the sale of their company, raising capital, or an IPO. As a consequence, he has developed particular expertise in Corporate and Transactional matters, Mergers and Acquisitions and with providing General Counsel Services to a wide range of business clients. Chris has represented individual executives, sole proprietorships and Fortune 500 companies. His clients have been both public and privately held, and have included LLCs and limited and general partnerships. Most clients...

Mike Krueger applies his entrepreneurial spirit and legal know-how to every aspect of the business equation. Adeptly navigating the twists and turns of the business life cycle gives him a unique perspective on bankruptcy and restructuring considerations. Well-versed in the intricacies of Chapter 7, 11, and 13 bankruptcy filings, Mike has the inside track on how to approach bankruptcy in order to liquidate, reorganize or otherwise get some breathing room. He manages complex motions, out-of-court restructurings, reorganizations, creditors’ meetings, and liquidation proceedings on his clients’ behalf. Recognizing that bankruptcy often plays a role in business ventures, Mike has handled over...

I primarily represent closely held businesses and their owners. My clients look to me to act as outside general counsel since it is unnecessary for most businesses to have a full time attorney on staff. I work with clients to resolve general business issues, whether it involves drafting and negotiating contracts, general business advice or litigation. I handle general corporate matters, contract drafting and review, merger and acquisition transactions, commercial real estate transactions, estate planning and general civil litigation services. Recent representative matters include resolution of two wage and hour class actions with one saving the client over $3,000,000; Six...

Criminal Defense and DUI attorney Richard A. Madsen, Jr. (a former Contra Costa County Deputy District Attorney) has represented thousands of first-time offenders who have been arrested or charged with driving under the influence throughout the Bay Area and Northern California. Mr. Madsen's impeccable reputation speaks for itself. Recognized as a highly skilled trial lawyer and negotiator, and well seasoned in the intricacies of the Department of Motor Vehicles, Mr. Madsen works tirelessly to protect his clients' rights and achieve superior results. Mr. Madsen knows the system. For nearly twenty years, Mr. Madsen has utilized his reputation and long-standing relationships...

We represent employees with all claims, including wrongful termination, whistleblower-retaliation, wage & hour, discrimination and harassment. Serving the San Francisco Bay Area, including Silicon Valley. Please visit our website at www.samuelrudolphlaw.com

Former prosecutor for 20 years. Experienced defense attorney in serious felony offenses, state and federal. Substantial experience with trials and other evidentiary hearings. Also familiar with civil procedure and civil trials.

Karen Landau is a specialist in civil and criminal appeals who practices in all federal circuit courts and in the California appellate courts. Ms. Landau is very experienced in federal sentencing matters and provides consulting services and representation at sentencing.

Experienced, multi-state licensed attorney specializing in Accident Injury & Employment Law. My practice is designed around this truth: 'In life, you don't get what you deserve. You get what you NEGOTIATE.'

Gary Grimm provides affordable and effective legal advice and representation on environmental regulatory matters, with a focus on water quality issues. Prior to establishing his law firm in 1996, Gary spent over 20 years in public service advising and representing multiple government environmental regulatory agencies.

Gary Grimm's extensive public and private sector experience enables him to address complex water quality issues and achieve client goals in a practical and cost-effective manner. He is currently advising and representing businesses, public agencies and individuals on all aspects of water quality regulatory matters before state, local and federal agencies. This advice and representation includes...