Camp Nelson Appeals & Appellate Lawyers

RECENT JURY AND COURT TRIAL SUCCESSES*
Domestic Violence: Penal Code 242, 243, 243, 273.5 + Great Bodily Injury enhancement: Not guilty on all Four counts. Client walked.
DUI Jury Trial--Hung Jury: .18, running red light: hung jury 4-12, case dismissed.
0.01 DUI Probation (court trial),
0.05 DUI-THC, Opiates, gore point violation, drifting: Hung Jury 6-6 case dismissed,
.22 DUI Hung Jury 6-6 case dismissed,
.20 DUI Hung Jury 11-1 case dismissed,
.20 DUI Stipulated Acquittal;...

Attorney Caitlin Dukes is a former prosecutor who handles criminal appeals, writs, and other post-conviction relief for the criminal appeals firm Spolin & Dukes P.C. She has a wide array of experience in state and federal courts. Besides having served as a Deputy District Attorney, her background includes work for multiple judges and government entities (including Federal District Court Judge James Knoll Gardner and the United States Department of Homeland Security) as well as private sector experience defending clients wrongfully accused of crimes. Ms. Dukes’s primary goal on any given case is to identify the strongest arguments, clearly and succinctly present...

Michael Semanchik is the Managing Attorney at Semanchik Law Group. He comes to the team with nearly a decade of experience working for the California Innocence Project (CIP). Michael began as a student at CIP while in law school and found himself as a staff attorney several years later. In 2013, California Lawyer Magazine named him Attorney of the Year for his work on the Brian Banks case. Several months after receiving the award, he embarked on a 712 mile walk to deliver clemency petitions to Governor Brown for 12 innocent clients.

In the fall of 2013,...

Criminal Defense Lawyer and Civil Litigator for over 40 years in Santa Barbara, California; Certified Criminal Law Specialist (The State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization); Past President of California Attorneys for Criminal Justice (CACJ).

Mr. Sanger has handled numerous high profile cases, death penalty and other homicide cases as well as complex criminal white collar and civil litigation in state and federal courts.

Mr. Sanger is also a Professor of Law and Forensic Science at the Santa Barbara College of Law and consults on forensic issues on a selected basis. He is an opponent of the death penalty...

I am a trusted and well respected immigration attorney, dedicated to helping those immigrating to the United States. I have experience in assisting clients with immigration visas, deportation defense, immigration appeals, bond hearings, asylum and USCIS applications.

I am a proud member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association. Let me fight for your rights! Call today!

John Runfola is a highly experienced and effective criminal defense attorney. His cases have at times drawn international attention, and he has succeeded in winning favorable results for clients both at trial and through skillful pre-trial work. He is listed in Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers and has earned the highest rating from the national lawyer registry Martindale Hubbell. Prior to starting his own practice, Mr. Runfola served as a Public Defender in San Francisco, where he gained invaluable courtroom experience. He is a seasoned trial lawyer, yet is equally adept at the behind-the-scenes work that often proves critical to a...

Latika Malkani joined Siegel LeWitter Malkani in 1996, and since then has fought to preserve and enforce the rights of women and men working in a variety of professions. Latika's advocacy has included tireless representation of employees seeking justice and improved conditions in the workplace. Latika has a proven record of successful results, and has helped hundreds of employees establish better working conditions, negotiate severance and post-separation packages, as well as obtain fair and just compensation through enforcement of state and federal laws. Latika believes that no employee should be made to suffer inequality or humiliation in order to earn...

I have been licensed to practice law in the State of California since 1999. I am the managing shareholder of Century City Law Group, a Professional Corporation (Century City Law Group, APC). I studied accounting at the University of Southern California, and obtained my law degree from Loyola Law School. While attending Loyola Law School, I became a Production Editor of the Loyola Entertainment Law Review, and was also placed on the Dean's Honor List. I have received Martindale-Hubbel's distinguished "AV Preeminent" peer-review rating. I was named to Super Lawyer Magazine's Southern California Rising Stars...

Chris M. Kiernan is the Managing Attorney of the Orange County office of Talkov Law in Irvine, California with a focus on bankruptcy, real estate, and business litigation and disputes. Prior to joining Talkov Law, Chris worked alongside Scott Talkov at Reid & Hellyer,  an Inland Empire law firm dating back to 1897. Chris also has experience at a Southern California-based law firm practicing commercial and bankruptcy litigation serving clients of regional and national prominence.

Chris obtained his law degree from Emory University School of Law in 2017, and his undergraduate degree in business administration from the University of South Carolina...

Lisa Kopelman has been a practicing criminal defense attorney for more than 30 years and has taken over 100 cases to jury trial. After graduating Suffolk University Law School in Boston, she moved to California with her husband to practice criminal law here. She worked for the Orange County Public Defender's Office where she developed an expertise in handling the most serious cases. Her practice focuses on murder, violent and serious felonies.

Bryan Schwartz is an Oakland, California-based attorney dedicated to helping employees protect their rights in the workplace. He has fought prohibited discrimination, retaliation, and harassment, obtained reasonable accommodations for disabled employees, vindicated whistleblowers' rights, and ensured that corporations pay workers all wages they are owed. He has successfully litigated individual and class action complaints nationwide, helping to recover millions of dollars for thousands of employees, forcing corporations and Government agencies to change their practices and punish wrongdoers. Bryan Schwartz is also one of the few Bay Area-based attorneys with extensive experience representing Federal employees in their unique Merit Systems...

Mike is an attorney with Bartell, Hensel & Gressley. BH&G is the premier DUI and criminal defense firm in Riverside County. We are the authors of the leading DUI defense practice and lecture across the country on DUI and criminal defense strategies.

I am a criminal defense attorney. I practice handle trial work, appeals and post conviction. I enjoy a challenge and fight for my clients.

I'm 100% defense oriented since my first internship in law school in 1999. I've always helped clients charged with crimes and protected the innocent and wrongfully accused. I've never been a cop or a prosecutor; I've never arrested people or argued to send people to prison. I've always fought for the underdog against the massive weight of the state. Now I am directing my talents and energy to assist clients charged with DUIs and related offenses who want to fight their charge and avoid the DUI conviction nightmare.

Joseph T. Rhea, J.D. (pronounced "Ray") is a criminal defense and DUI lawyer with an office located in downtown Palm Springs. He is very much a local lawyer, well known as a friendly and aggressive advocate for his clients. His practice is focused on the California desert courts of Indio, Joshua Tree, Palm Springs, Banning, and Blythe. He also accepts federal court cases that are heard in the Black Rock court.

Attorney Rhea has been ranked top Criminal Defense Lawyer or DUI Lawyer by Palm Springs Life Magazine every single year since 2010. More importantly, however, he has hundreds...

I help clients by protecting the positive results they achieve in court or – when a trial has gone against the client – vindicating the client’s rights and getting them a second chance. High stakes litigation is like chess played in three dimensions. While the trial team works to win the case at trial, I focus on what will happen afterwards. Beginning even before the jury is chosen, I work to ensure that the clients’ themes and points are presented in the best way to persuade an appellate court, and that the client’s objections to any adverse decisions have...

Mr. Gomes was raised in Siskiyou County, California. He graduated from California State University, Chico with a degree in Political Science in 1996, and obtained his Juris Doctorate and certificates in public interest and high technology law from Santa Clara University School of Law in 1999. During law school he interned in and directed the Consumer Law Program at the East San Jose Community Law Center, worked in the legal department at Computer Curriculum Corporation, and externed for Magistrate judge Patricia V. Trumbull at the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, in San Jose. After law...

Mr. Goodstein has more than 26 years experience representing corporations, individuals and municipalities in real estate, business, tort, employment and insurance litigation matters. He regularly appears in state and federal courts throughout California, and is licensed to practice before the United States Supreme Court. Published opinions include Minnesota Mutual Life Insurance Co. v. Ensley, 174 F.3d 977 (9th Cir. 1999); Stuart v. Unum Life Insurance Company of America, 217 F.3d 1145 (9th Cir. 2000); Hub City Solid Waste Management, Inc. v. City of Compton, 186 Cal. App. 4th 1114 (2010).

Mr. Goodstein is "AV" rated by Martindale-Hubbell,* a peer-review...

Attorney Jeffrey Lewis Gold is a criminal and DUI defense attorney with the law firm Gold & Witham, representing the accused throughout Southern California. Mr. Gold is a graduate of Hastings College of Law in San Francisco (1983) and was admitted to the California State Bar the same year. Throughout his educational career, Mr. Gold received a number of legal honors and accolades such as “Best Appellate Brief and Oral Argument” and graduating with Magna Cum Laude honors from his undergraduate program. Prior to forming Gold & Witham with partner Nigel Witham, Mr. Gold worked for a variety of other...

Brody McBride is an experienced civil rights attorney who fights for people who have been injured or killed by police. He handles the most serious civil rights cases, representing the families of people who have died in jail or police custody, as well as the victims of police shootings, beatings, and false arrests. His passion is obtaining justice for his clients and his goal is to fundamentally change policing in San Diego for the better.

Our operation is focused on providing cost effective solutions and expert customer service to all our clients. In addition to real estate, the firm represents clients in business litigation, construction defect problems, estate planning, arbitrations and mediations. We want our clients to fully understand the legal process and what will be involved in finding a constructive result to their legal issue. I am very active in the legal and real estate community. I continue to educate myself on the most up to date information within my field. I maintain active memberships with both local and national groups in the industry....

I have helped thousands at my free immigration clinics at dozens of churches and high schools. I have partnered with many non-profit organizations to help people for free, and I provide many services without a fee. Ask your friends or family about me - chances are I already helped them. There is no one in the Northern California Central Valley that has the training or experience in immigration that I do.

I represent corporate and individual clients in a wide range of business and real estate litigation matters.

Philip I. Moncharsh has been a litigation and trial lawyer since his admission to practice law in 1973. Mr. Moncharsh has successfully argued hundreds of cases to verdict in state and federal courts throughout California, and has also appeared before the California Supreme Court. Mr. Moncharsh's practice is focused on complex business and corporate disputes, insurance litigation and coverage issues, trust and estate litigation, real estate litigation, representation and counseling of public agencies and nonprofit organizations, personal injury, product liability, and professional negligence matters. He handles both civil trials and appeals.

Mr. Moncharsh serves as a court-appointed arbitrator for...

Phil Israels graduated from the University of California at Berkeley where he studied Economics. He then attended the University of San Francisco, School of Law, where he received the American Jurisprudence Award. After graduating in 1975, he worked for the Los Angeles City Attorney's Office for four years as a prosecutor. In 1979, he decided to work as a criminal defense attorney. He is now a Board Certified Specialist in the field of Criminal Law During his tenure as a defense lawyer, he has successfully defended his clients against a wide range of criminal charges, including drunk driving, domestic violence, sexual related...

Steven Brunolli works in the appellate department at one of San Diego's oldest firms, Higgs, Fletcher & Mack. Steven is an accomplished appellate attorney with a passion for writing and a keen eye for detail. He has brought and defended writs and appeals in diverse areas of the law, including Family Law, Probate, Business Law, and Employment Law. Some of those matters have resulted in published decisions from the California Courts of Appeal. Appellate law requires a certain skillset and an entirely different knowledge of procedure than litigation in the trial courts. As such, trial attorneys often refer appeals...

I handle bankruptcy cases, as well as litigation in state court, federal court, and the bankruptcy court. My practice is based in Sonoma County, but I also represent clients in the counties of Napa, Mendocino, Lake, and Marin. The majority of my practice is focused on matters that require extensive litigation and trials, with a particular focus on consumer financial issues, including wrongful foreclosures and debt collection practices. I am a native of Santa Rosa, and a British citizen by descent.

I have been practicing law since 1980 and as a sole practioner since 1981. My focus has been on Estate Planning, Probate, Elder Law and related litigation and appeals since the 1990's. My primary experience is with the various courts in San Diego county but have also appeared in the Los Angeles county and Orange county courts, as well. My goal is to provide personal,individualized legal services to each one of my clients.

Paul’s practice focuses primarily on complex business litigation. He was recently named one of the “Top 100 Attorneys in Southern California” by Los Angeles Magazine, has the highest AV rating in Martindale Hubbell, and is regularly listed in various publications as one of the top attorneys in his field.

His practice areas include business and commercial litigation, False Claims Act cases, corporation and partnership disputes, professional liability litigation, entertainment and intellectual property litigation, defense of non-profit and other charity-based organizations, products liability litigation and all related appellate work.

Mr. Kleven is a member of the State Bar of California, and also a member of the U.S. District Court, Southern District of California. Prior to opening his own practice in 2013, Mr. Kleven was an associate attorney at Baughman & Associates. Mr. Kleven's practice focuses on criminal defense and immigration law. Mr. Kleven earned his law degree from California Western School of Law in San Diego. He also earned a bachelor’s degree in international politics from Brigham Young University.

When individuals or businesses are involved in any form of litigation, they want an attorney who offers face-to-face contact and provides valuable legal services at competitive and reasonable costs. The Law Offices of Frank S. Moore, APC in San Francisco and Healdsburg, California, has attorneys on staff and "of counsel" that are committed and dedicated to clients and have extensive experience in the following areas of practice: • Business Litigation • Appeals and Writs • Federal and White Collar Criminal Defense • Wrongful Death • Personal Injury • Civil Rights • Disability...

I am responsible for all matters handled by my office. Paralegals, law clerks and associates may be utilized in appropriate situations, but the buck stops with me. Intentionally remaining small has enabled me to continue to provide unparalleled personal attention and confidentiality. My clients are the reason I am here, and I work hard for the best results possible. I am honored by the trust placed in me, and strive to maintain it at the highest level. You are entitled to understand the law applicable to your matter and the options available, as well as my best advice. I have...

Kate Reder is an associate attorney at Wald & Thorndal. She specializes in family formation, divorce, and dissolution for both traditional and non-traditional families. Firm practice areas include: Divorce, Dissolution & Contested Parentage Actions for all families; Custody Disputes; Mediation; Marvin Actions. Legal services provided at both the TRIAL and APPELLATE level. Assisted Reproduction; Adoptions of All Kinds; Family Contracts; Parenting Law including Surrogacy; Donor Contracts for Egg and/or Sperm Donations; Pre-Nupital Agreements; Co-Parenting Agreements; Domestic Partnership Agreements; Name Changes.