John A. Messina Jr.

John Messina maintains his reputation as one of Southern California’s top rated lawyers and has been lauded by his peers, earning Martindale-Hubbell's highest rating and its prestigious "Preeminent" distinction award. John heads the Firm’s Temecula Valley Office and is a litigation attorney with top executive-level, hands-on experience as a broker, real estate developer, and mortgage banker. Along with being a published author, John has a lengthy record litigating convoluted and difficult cases and is adept at constructing complex business and real estate transactions. John’s recent victory in the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals demonstrate the level at which he practices law. Besides John's Martindale-Hubbell® AV Preeminent® rating which is the highest possible rating for an attorney for both ethical standards and legal ability, John is AVVO rated as “Superb” with 10.0 ratings.

• Credit Cards Accepted

California

Since 1994

9th Circuit

Since 1994

Federal Circuit

Since 1994

Founding Partner

Messina & Hankin LLP

2016 - Current

Clients choose Messina & Hankin after exhaustive research and after confirmation from their most trusted sources that our lawyers will provide them with exceptional legal representation. Our Clients feel confident knowing when they retain Messina & Hankin they are getting, not one, but a team of legal professionals to tackle their most pressing and personal legal challenges. Our lawyers collaborate with one another routinely on every case; without charge to the client—this sets us apart from other firms. The Firm’s collaborative model garners effective, efficient, and scholarly work; resulting in excellent outcomes for our clients. Most of our new business derives from referrals from our existing clients and even from opposing counsel and their clients. We are respected by our peers and recognized as consummate professionals.

Founding Partner

Lytton Williams Messina & Hankin LLP

2012 - Current

John focuses his practice on complex litigation and arbitration involving business, securities, and real estate. John also serves as an Associate Judge with the Intertribal Court of Southern California.

Associate Judge

Intertribal Court of Southern California ("ICSC")

2009 - Current

John Messina, was sworn in and began hearing cases in 2009. Each tribe determines which kinds of cases it will authorize the court to hear. Currently the court hears a very wide variety of cases, including peace and security code violations, environmental issues, conservator issues, contracts, tort claims, family law including ICWA, evictions, enrollment, exclusions, and more. The court also has an in-house mediation and arbitration service and works with an outside agency when a tribe requires private mediation or arbitration services. The court hears all evictions for the All Mission Indian Housing Association (AMIHA) and handles cases for several tribes not formally part of the tribal court consortium on a case-by-case basis.

Reserve Captain

Orange County Sheriff's Department

2001 - Current

Reserve Deputy Sheriff; Reserve Captain in command of the Professional Standards Reserve Unit which is responsible for providing support to the Regular Sworn Professional Services Division (PSD). The Regular PSD provides services to the other twenty divisions of the Department that include recruiting, pre-employment background investigations, and promotional functions; processing human resource referrals, job classification issues, and receiving discrimination complaints; investigating internal and citizen-generated complaints of alleged misconduct against employees; and providing a host of clerical support and functions that ensure the Department's 4,264 sworn, reserve, and professional staff members.

Southwestern University School of Law

J.D. (1993)

1991 - 1993

Honors: Graduate of the SCALE Program

University of Redlands

B.A. (1982) | Business Management

1982

Honors: with Distinction

Top Rated Lawyers

American Lawyer

2014

Top Rated Lawyers

Corporate Counsel

2014

AV Preeminent rating

Martindale-Hubbell

2013

The Martindale-Hubbell® AV Preeminent® rating is the highest possible rating for an attorney for both ethical standards and legal ability. This rating represents the pinnacle of professional excellence. It is achieved only after an attorney has been reviewed and recommended by their peers - members of the bar and the judiciary.

10.0 Superb

Avvo

2013

Highest Possible Avvo Rating. "The Avvo Rating is [Avvo's] effort to evaluate a professional's background. The rating is calculated using a mathematical model that considers the information shown in a professional's profile, including a professional's years in practice, disciplinary history, professional achievements and industry recognition — all factors that, in [Avvo's] opinion, are relevant to assessing a professional's qualifications."

Top Lawyers in San Diego

San Diego Magazine

2013

Awarded to Lawyers who have reached the highest level of Ethical Standards and Professional Excellence.

Federal Bar Association

Active Member/Private Sector

2013 - Current

Activities: The FBA represents the Federal legal profession. The FBA consists of more than 15,000 federal lawyers, including 1,200 federal judges, who work together to promote the sound administration of justice and integrity, quality and independence of the judiciary.

Southwest Inn of Court

Master of the Bench

2013 - Current

Activities: As part of the American Inn of Court, the Southwest Inn is designed to improve the skills, professionalism and ethics of the bench and bar. Members learn side-by-side with the most experienced judges and attorneys in their community. An American Inn of Court is not fraternal order, a social club, a course in continuing legal education, a lecture series, an apprenticeship system, or an adjunct of a law school’s program. While the Inn partakes of some of each of these concepts, it is quite different in aim, scope, and effect.

Orange County Reserve Peace Officers Association (OCRPOA)

President

2009 - Current

Activities: The Orange County Reserve Peace Officers Association (OCRPOA) was formed as a non-profit IRC 501(c)(4) organization for the primary purpose of providing our sworn reserve personnel with legal defense in the event civil or criminal action is brought against them for an incident occurring while acting as Reserve Deputy Sheriffs. http://ocrpoa.org/

Coastal Family Therapy

Member, Board of Directors

2002 - Current

Activities: Coastal Family Therapy is a non-profit counseling service in Orange County, California. Coastal provides group and individual court-approved programs in alcohol and drug intervention and prevention for adults and adolescents, anger management for adults and adolescents, and co-parenting. http://www.coastalfamilytherapyservices.com/index.html

City of Industry Sheriff’s Station Youth Activities League (YAL)

Member, Board of Directors

1994 - Current

Activities: The City of Industry Sheriff’s Station Youth Activities League (YAL) began in 1991. The concept and goal of the YAL is to be proactive in dealing with the youth of the community. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department provides leadership and mentoring for the youth through a variety of programs where the children learn to make life-enhancing decisions free of drugs and gangs. The program recognizes the importance of early intervention and the need to provide alternative activities to prevent negative behavior. The YAL strengthens the relationship between the deputies and the volunteers as they work together to benefit our youth. The YAL is a positive influence on thousands of children. It has united the community through the involvement of law enforcement, parents, businesses, education, government and community service groups. All programs provided by the YAL are free to the children.

California Commercial Lease Option Purchase Agreements Line by Line: A Detailed Look at California Commercial Lease Option Purchase Agreements and How to Change Them to Meet Your Needs

Aspatore Books, a Thomson Reuters business

June, 2009

Some Tax Consequences for Homeowners Seeking Financial Relief

The Real Estate Professional, February 1996, at 74

February, 2006

Obligations and Responsibilities of Officers and Directors of Nonprofit Organizations

National Latino Peace Officer Association National Convention Las Vegas, Nevada 1999, 2000

2000

Attorney Disqualification Appellate Review: Disqualification of Family Law Attorneys, Online Webinar

May 12, 2016

California State Bar

Appellate Review: Disqualification of Family Law Attorneys. 1 Hour Ethics MCLE

Licensed Real Estate Broker

California Bureau of Real Estate