Vallejo Lawyers

Steve Franco is an award-winning attorney who has dedicated his legal career toward fighting on behalf of injured workers. He is one of the few workers’ compensation attorneys in Northern California to have received part of his legal training at the prestigious California Supreme Court where he oversaw and worked on numerous labor and employment cases affecting all Californians when he served as a judicial extern for Justice Carlos Moreno. In 2018 and 2017, Steve was selected by Super Lawyers Magazine as a Rising Star in the area of Workers' Compensation Law. The attorneys selected as Rising Stars are limited...

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.

I have been in solo private practice representing plaintiffs in the areas of environmental, land use, and elections law for almost thirty years. My clients are usually local environmental groups, neighborhood associations, homeowner associations, and occasionally individuals or government agencies. In addition to my law degree (New College of Calif., 1990) have undergraduate and masters of science degrees in biology from Brown University and a Ph.D. in biochemistry and molecular biology from Harvard University. I spent ten years working as a researcher in agricultural biotechnology before doing a career change and getting my law degree.
I represent clients...

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...

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...

Shahrad Milanfar is a Trial Attorney and Mediator who has focused his career on serious personal injury, automotive, asbestos and other types of product liability, transportation/ trucking, and habitability cases. Since the beginning of his career, Shahrad has worked on catastrophic injury cases such as traumatic brain injury (TBI), serious orthopedic injuries, including quadriplegia and paraplegia.

Shahrad gained his trial and courtroom experience while working with the district attorney’s office and as a civil trial attorney. He has handled cases form inception to verdict as the primary trial attorney. Over the past 20+ years, Shahrad has managed serious personal injury and...

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...

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...

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...

Hornstein Law Offices, Prof. Corp. is a 20-year old California-based law firm concentrating in business, securities, intellectual property and related transactions and litigation. We have served clients across the country and in abroad. Our client base ranges from individuals. start-up companies to multi-national corporations in all fields of business. Mr. Hornstein has been in practice for 30-years. Prior to HLO, he was with large international law firms and in-house corporate counsel. Please call to discuss any questions in these areas.

I help clients with their employment, business, and start-up needs. I also represent clients involved in civil litigation. Please contact me to find out how I can help you with your legal needs.

OLIVER GREENWOOD is the principal of the Law Offices of Oliver Greenwood in Pleasant Hill. He is the author of chapters 1, 4, 12, 16, and 17 in the CEB Guardianship Handbook. Mr. Greenwood received his B.A. degree from the University of California, Berkeley, and his J.D. from Golden Gate University in San Francisco. A frequent speaker regarding probate matters and a member of the Judicial Council's Probate & Mental Health Advisory Committee. Mr. Greenwood is also a contributing author to CEB's conservatorship and powers of attorney and health care directives books. Mr. Greenwood's areas of practice include conservatorships, guardianships,...

We are a boutique Immigration Law Firm based in Berkeley, CA. We provide personalized and efficient U.S. Immigration legal services to Individuals, Families, Startups, Entrepreneurs, and Small Businesses throughout the United States.

Eloy I. Trujillo is a DUI defense attorney with over 21 years of experience as a criminal defense lawyer. His mission is to provide quality representation tailored to clients’ individual needs and resources. Before entering private practice, Mr. Trujillo worked as a Deputy Public Defender, legal aid lawyer, and as a staff attorney with the statewide non-profit impact litigation firm, Prison Law Office. During his career he has worked in a variety of practice areas, including criminal defense, correctional mental health and parole suitability. With a practice focused exclusively on DUI (drunk driving), we provide representation in courts throughout the entire...

Andre Khansari is an accomplished Southern California attorney. He represents individuals and businesses in Bankruptcy, Real Estate, Business, and Personal Injury matters. With nearly 20 years of experience, peers and clients alike have recognized Andre as an exceptional attorney.

Andre is committed to providing large firm advocacy with small firm prices. Call today to schedule a consultation to learn how he can help you.

A resident of Oakland, Len spent much of his legal career with prestigious, top-ranked, San Francisco law firms. Mr. Watkins brings the same level of expertise, and standard of excellence, to his practice in the East Bay. Focusing on consumer bankruptcy and business law, Mr. Watkins’ depth of experience and training include: A Masters of Business Administration, concentrating on finance, from the University of California, at Davis A stock brokerage license (inactive) from the National Association of Securities Dealers A California Real Estate Broker’s license Previous Experience Business Attorney Norris & Norris (now...

My goal is always to achieve the best possible outcome for the client. My current practice focuses on live musical and theatrical entertainment, and general civil litigation in federal and state courts. Other practice areas include alternative dispute resolution, copyright and trademark consultation, licensing and protection of intellectual property rights, employment issues, internet law, and appellate work. I also have substantial prior business experience in internet, alcoholic beverage distribution and entertainment industries. I am fluent in Hebrew.

I am a former police officer and deputy district attorney in Contra Costa County. I received my Bachelor's Degree from California State University Sacramento and a Juris Doctor from John F. Kennedy University, School of Law. As principal attorney of this firm, I guide the firm’s staff and manage major cases and matters on behalf of individual and business clients. I have tried numerous cases to verdict and have appeared before the California Court of Appeal, and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeal. Our firm practices real estate, labor and employment, and business litigation. Our firm also drafts wills, trust...

Born and raised in Northern California, Mr. Brayton graduated from Shasta High School in Redding, California before attending the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He was commissioned a second lieutenant upon graduation, and spent the next twelve years on active duty in the USAF, serving in a variety of jobs both in the United States and overseas, including seven years as a Judge Advocate. Upon leaving the Air Force he entered private practice in Novato, California, concentrating initially on asbestos litigation and aviation cases. Early in his career, Mr. Brayton won one of the first...

A San Francisco Bay Area native, James Nevin received a bachelor of arts from Boston College (majoring in International Studies), a master of arts in Asian Studies from Stanford University, and a law degree from University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), where he was an editor on the UCLA Law Review. Mr. Nevin is a partner and trial counsel with the firm. He has been with Brayton Purcell since March 2002. His legal practice focuses on all litigation and trials representing personal injury and wrongful death plaintiffs, specializing in toxic torts, such as asbestos and mesothelioma, artificial stone silicosis, benzene-caused diseases,...

I am an attorney with over 18 years of experience representing consumers and businesses in bankruptcy and debt resolution, real estate, probate (i.e. Wills, Trusts, and Conservatorships), criminal, and general civil matters. I pride myself in providing personal service to each of my clients. Complimentary consultations are available at any of my offices throughout Northern California and the Bay Area, and I am available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Please feel free to contact me to discuss your legal matter. It would be my pleasure to assist you. I can be reached by phone at (916) 337-8066, (415) 971-2524, or...

Mr. Crawford established The Crawford National Immigration Law Firm in 2019. He started this firm because he wanted to make a difference in the lives of his clients while providing them with tailored, convenient service.

Having grown up in the Southwest, and having lived in the incredibly diverse Bay Area, he has become familiar with the struggles faced by immigrants and their families and the positive effects that immigration has on our communities, both culturally and economically. He decided that he wanted to use his education and legal experience to help people and businesses by assisting them in navigating the...

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.

During my nearly two-decade career with the California Attorney General's Office, I conducted numerous corporate fraud investigations under the California False Claims Act. I also have extensive experience representing health and welfare agencies – including the California Department of Health Care Services, Department of Public Health, and Department of State Hospitals – in state and federal court. I want to help small and medium-sized business navigate the challenges of government investigations and regulatory compliance. I also understand how costly and disruptive California Invasion of Privacy ("CIPA") cases can be for B2B enterprises, and can provide tailored, cost-effective representation.

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...

Erich Keefe is a former social worker, whose immigration practice is an extension of those values and goals. His practice focuses on asylum seekers, VAWA self-petitioners, U Visa applicants, green card applicants, and others facing immigration court proceedings.

Eric Sternberger is a partner of Ragghianti Freitas LLP. Mr. Sternberger acts as outside general counsel to corporations, LLC's and partnerships with an emphasis on business and corporate transactions including entity selection, succession planning, joint ventures, contracts, mergers and acquisitions, buy-sell agreements, secured financing, licensing, and real estate matters. His representative clients include technology and intellectual property driven companies, shipping, construction, advertising/branding, web based, and the real estate and healthcare industries. Mr. Sternberger's business counseling also includes advising directors, officers, and managers regarding business strategies, consensus building and corporate governance. Additionally, he advises shareholders and LLC interest holders regarding...

Mr. Donadio was raised in Concord, Massachusetts, where he graduated in the top 10% of his high school class. In 1985 he graduated with a bachelor's degree in philosophy from the University of Pennsylvania. After moving to California, Mr. Donadio went to the University of San Francisco Law School (USF), where he was president of the Environmental Law Society. After graduating from USF, Mr. Donadio spent a summer clerking for the White House's Council on Environmental Quality and obtained a masters degree in law, with a concentration in environmental law, from Vermont Law School. Mr. Donadio began work...

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...

Alexandra Danielle Wilson is a Calfornia State Bar member and a Contra Costa County Bar Association member. She is a passionate member of the National Lawyers Guild (NLG) and American Immigration lawyers Assocation (AILA). She volunteers at several Bay Area non-profit organizations. Alexandra graduated from University of California, Hastings College of the Law.

Alexandra is fluent in Spanish and passionately advocates for immigrant's rights.

While in law school, Alexandra focused almost exclusively in the area of immigration. She participated in the Refugee and Human Rights Clinic during which she travelled to Guatemala on a fact-finding trip to gather information...

Todd Wenzel has been practicing law since 1992, first as a litigator in Los Angeles for 8 years, and then as a real estate and business transactional and litigation attorney in San Francisco for 14 years. In 2014, Mr. Wenzel shifted the base of his real estate law practice to Napa, CA where he resides.

Having represented all sides in real estate and business transactions and disputes, Todd understands the goals and strategies of his clients from all perspectives. Having worked for large and mid-sized firms, Mr. Wenzel provides a high level of sophistication to his legal services...

Eric Farber is the Founder of Pacific Workers, the Lawyers for Injured Workers. We represent injured workers in their fight for justice against the insurance companies. With a solid team of well trained, caring and compassionate professionals, it is easy to see why Pacific Workers has garnered numerous awards and accolades but more importantly, over 250 five star reviews from clients.

Mr. Prutton graduated with high honors in 1979 from Michigan State University with a B.S. in Forestry. He received his law degree in 1982 (J.D. cum laude) from one of the top schools in the country, the University of Illinois College of Law. From 1982 - 1985 he practiced law with Baxter & Hammond in Grand Rapids, Michigan representing insurance companies and corporations. From 1985 - 1987 he represented similar interests while an associate with Low, Ball & Lynch in San Francisco. In 1987, Mr. Prutton opened his own law office in the Bay Area, switched sides...