Diablo Lawyers

Attorney Adam M. Carlson is managing partner at Casper, Meadows, Schwartz & Cook. While he is skilled in various areas of law, he focuses the majority of his practice handling cases related to wrongful death, civil rights, and personal injury. He believes that tailoring each case to each client’s needs is key to providing aggressive and compassionate legal representation.

Before joining the firm, Carlson served as an intake assistant for our team, where he was responsible for fielding calls from potential clients. It was at this time that Carlson decided he wanted to do more. He found that he was passionate...

Mr. Poulin is experienced in the areas of real estate, business, and construction litigation. He has trial experience in both state and Federal court, and has experience in all aspects of dispute resolution. Mr. Poulin has successfully represented clients in broker disputes, foreclosures, neighbor disputes, title insurance coverage, fraud, breach of contract, breach of lease and landlord-tenant issues. Real estate issues include construction defect cases, damages on behalf of contractors, subcontractors, architects and engineers in mechanic's liens, stop notice, payment and performance bond actions. Prior to joining The Williams Firm, Mr. Poulin was an associate at the law...

Mr. Tormey has over 20 years of experience in product development, marketing and intellectual property protection. As a company startup veteran, Mr. Tormey brings a unique perspective on the value of intellectual property to a small and growing business. As such, he also speaks to entrepreneurs and business executives on how to protect and leverage IP assets. Mr. Tormey is the author of the "Startup Guide to Intellectual Property." As a patent attorney, Mr. Tormey has drafted over 100 patent applications covering software, electronics, wireless, radio, mobile applications, encryption and automation controls. Besides intellectual property law, ...

As an San Francisco Bay Area labor and employment attorney at Littler Mendelson, I represent employers in all phases and types of employment litigation (e.g., wage and hour class actions, harassment, discrimination, retaliation, misclassification, wrongful termination, etc.), provide advice and counsel to employers regarding their employment practices and policies, and create and present customized workplace trainings and presentations unique to employers' goals and company culture. My professional experiences outside of the realm of law are rooted in business, management, and accounting.

Mr. Light firmly believes in the power of empathy and humanity. His strength of empathy and unique personal experience with tragedy has allowed him to connect with clients who’ve suffered their own profound losses. Mr. Light is honored to represent and advocate for individuals and families suffering from the universe of challenges that inherently follow a traumatic brain injury.

Nobody expects or can anticipate what follows a brain injury, even a “mild” trauma. Growing up, Mr. Light was reminded on a daily basis of the strength, determination, love, patience and understanding necessary to endure the aftermath of a life-altering event....

Areas of Expertise

Business advice and counseling
Contract drafting and review
Corporate structure and transactions
Licensing and regulation
Employment and labor negotiation
Insurance coverage and claims handling
Education

B.A., Colgate University, 1991
Phi Beta Kappa, Magna Cum Laude
J.D., University of Wisconsin Law School, 1994

Martin is an experienced business attorney who facilitates transactions while minimizing the risks and pitfalls facing his clients. Martin takes a “can-do” approach to legal problems that focuses on crafting deals through an integrative and value creating process rather than conflict.

For more than 30 years, Mike Appel has devoted his practice exclusively to personal injury and wrongful death cases. He represents clients throughout California, both in State and Federal courts. Born and raised in Redondo Beach, Mike attended St. Mary’s College of California, Moraga, California, where he majored in English. He was an editor of the college’s literary magazine, "The Phoenix." He also played rugby for the Gaels, and was a member of the team that went on the first annual rugby tour of the East Coast. Mike received his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1970. At graduation he also received...

I am also a Certified Public Accountant and have been doing tax work in the Bay Area for 30 years. I specialize in helping people and businesses pay as few taxes as possible without getting audited. In the estate planning area I help people preserve their property for their families and pay as few estate taxes as possible. I also am the Probate Doctor who can help fix impossible situations when estates are stuck in the quagmire of California Probate.

Dean has advocated for employees since 2005. He is experienced in three areas of employment law: (1) wrongful termination, (2) wage and hour, and (3) leaves of absence. Dean represents employees in both the private and public sector. He has handled a variety of wrongful termination cases, including discrimination, retaliation, and whistle-blower matters. Dean also represents individuals who have claims regarding their pay (minimum wage, overtime, and unpaid wages), meal and rest violations, and sick leave violations. Dean can represent you to negotiate settlements or pursue cases in court or arbitration when you have experienced: * Race discrimination * National origin discrimination * Sex...

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.

Mr. Williams is the founder of The Williams Firm and has over 21 years of extensive experience in the areas of real estate, construction, business and corporate law. Mr. Williams' practice areas include all aspects of civil litigation and dispute resolution in all courts, government hearings, arbitrations and mediations in the areas of real estate, construction and business law. Mr. Williams also represents and advises clients in business transactions, corporate law, real property transactions, and trademark law. In real estate matters he has represented owners and developers of residential and commercial properties, including multi-million dollar properties, negotiated sales...

Local Estate Elder Law Planning Attorney
Long term Pleasant Hill resident, Jeffrey Hall, didn’t follow the traditional path to the practice of law. Indeed, attorney Hall grew up in central Los Angeles, and in a time when there was no expectation that he would attend college; and law school was simply not an option. However, after completing his bachelor’s degree in Economics from Saint Mary’s College, he volunteered with the Air Force in 1981 and served for 9 years, both reserve and active. Upon returning to California, he and his wife made Pleasant Hill their home and have...

We are dedicated to the practice of Immigration and Naturalization Law exclusively, serving the San Francisco Bay Area. Te: 925-407-2149 Services include: Family immigration law: marriage and fiance visas, family petitions, waivers of unlawful presence, green cards. Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (Original Applications and Renewals) Business Immigration law: visas to work and/or invest (HB, TN, E investor visas, employment-based green cards. Visas for athletes and entertainers. LGBT Immigration law: visas and petitions for same sex couples. Citizenship and Naturalization. Languages: English, Spanish Marcela Knaup is a bilingual Spanish-English attorney. www.knauplegal.com Marcela@knauplegal.com Te: ...

Mr. Cross is an expert in the field of criminal law. Mr. Cross will fight more aggressively than anyone to bring you the best outcome possible. He passionately cares about defending his clients and does everything within his power to help them. Having attended the University of California, Berkeley for Undergraduate studies, he received a B.A. in Legal Studies. He subsequently attended the prestigious San Francisco Law School to receive his J.D. He is a member of many associations, including the State Bar Association, the Alameda County Car Association, the San Mateo County Bar Association and the Delta Theta Phi...

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.

Mehlman Law Group is an East Bay (Walnut Creek, CA) real estate, business, and civil litigation law firm. We practice in all San Francisco Bay Area state and federal courts. I believe all clients should have access to high-quality legal services. Many of my clients see me as their "in-house" counsel or trusted personal legal advisor. For legal advice or representation, contact me at (925) 935-3575 or steven@mehlmanlawgroup.com for a free consultation. I have thirty years of experience representing small businesses and individuals. I consult with, provide guidance to, and refer clients to other professionals, including real estate and mortgage brokers, accountants,...

Joe Appel has specialized in personal injury cases for more than 30 years. He’s seen it, tried it, and won it, both in state and federal courts. Joe graduated from St. Mary’s College of California, Moraga, California in 1976 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. He also played basketball for the Galloping Gaels for four years. At graduation Joe received the Scholar Athlete of the Year Award. He then attended and graduated from University of California, Hastings College of the Law in 1979. Joe was admitted to the California and Federal Courts in the same year. He has been a member...

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...

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...

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...

Stephen offers experienced business and legal counseling to individuals and corporations throughout the Bay Area, including: (1) Business litigation and dispute resolution services involving misappropriation of trade secrets, non-compete/solicitation agreements, mechanics lien and payment bond claims, commercial leases, breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, fraudulent misrepresentation and unfair, unlawful or fraudulent business practices (Bus. & Prof. C. sec. 17200); (2) Construction contracting; (3) Intellectual Property licensing and distribution; and (4) E-commerce, website terms of use, privacy policies and data protection and security.

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...

GinnLaw, P.C. emphasizes real property and construction law. We assist clients with construction and real estate matters, including mechanic's liens, stop payment notices, payment bonds, home improvement contracts, construction contracts, payment disputes, defective work claims, delay claims, public works construction claims, private commercial and residential disputes, partition actions, easements, quiet title actions, purchase and sales, disclosures associated with sale of property, leasing, lease disputes, and assistance to small businesses. David Ginn has been an attorney for over thirty-five years. He is the President of GinnLaw, P.C., a professional corporation. Mr. Ginn is one of the authors of...

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...

I have litigated many contract disputes. I taught the law of contracts at JFK University Law School for ten years. I know contracts from the practical as well as the academic point of view.

Nick Casper is a Managing Partner at Casper, Meadows, Schwartz & Cook, where he has worked since 2007. As a plaintiffs' attorney, Nick has been an active participant in the litigation of many of the firm’s largest cases. These cases involved wrongful death, catastrophic injury, products liability, child sexual abuse, and civil rights violations. Most recently, Nick obtained settlements of $9 million in a premises liability case and $3.2 million in a truck-vs.-pedestrian death of a senior citizen. Nick has been lead trial counsel in five civil jury trials in both state and federal court. He was named to the Top 100...

In 2003, Carl R. Gustafson graduated from UCLA Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelors in History. In 2005, he was a legal intern for Global Justice in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where he drafted sections of human rights situation reports and submitted them to the United Nations and other international bodies. He also researched issues of international jurisdiction and the enforcement of international treaties. Carl went on to graduate with honors from the University of California, Berkeley School of Law in 2007, where he was also an associate editor for the Ecological Law Quarterly. It was Carl's yearning to right wrongs...

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...