Brentwood Lawyers

Amy's approach to estate planning is to focus on each client's unique needs and objectives. She strives to design a comprehensive plan for her clients that provides the maximum protection without compromise. Her broad experience enables her to provide keen insight for her clients. She is deeply commitment to her clients and the ethical standards of her profession. Amy has lived in Brentwood since 2001 with her husband and two daughters. She is a Director for the Brentwood Chamber of Commerce and in her free time, enjoys yoga, reading and golf.

I am an estate planning and business law lawyer practicing in East Contra Costa County California. I take pride in providing value minded legal services to area families and businesses.

I have been practicing all aspects of employment law for more than 20 years, including representation of both employers and employees. I assist with all types of employment contracts, wage and hour issues, employment discrimination issues including sexual harassment, employee manuals, workplace safety, wrongful termination, discipline issues, and so on. And when a lawsuit cannot be avoided, I will also handle your litigation needs.

Mr. Wood began his legal career with the view of developing a personally rewarding practice by working directly with individuals and families. He draws upon his financial background to apply creative approaches to complex Bankruptcy issues. Mr. Wood currently provides Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 services to his clients. Prior to establishing his firm, Mr. Wood worked at a prominate Bankruptcy Law Firm counseling clients in the areas of Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 Bankruptcy and in Consumer Litigation. Mr. Wood has also worked as a project manager for Morgan Stanley Capital International and in portfolio management at Mellon...

Mr. Lederman is a Certified Specialist in Family Law by the State Bar of California, Board of Legal Specialization. He is a member of the Board of Directors of the Contra Costa County Bar Association's Family Law Section and served as Section President in 2008. He is also a past State Bar Family Law Section Legislation Chair and is the 2017 Family Law Section Chair. He frequently speaks and writes on family law issues.

Melanie is a compassionate advocate for her clients because she was a client first. After overcoming challenges of divorce and child custody, largely due to an attorney's advocacy, Melanie felt called to become an attorney herself. Her personal experience gives her an insightful perspective on what clients face while her education provides an understanding of the legal attributes of each case. Having genuine empathy, a knack for research and writing, and a tenacious spirit, Melanie aims to advocate for and empower each client by helping them navigate their case and move beyond adversity.

Over the years, Melanie grew disheartened as she...

38 years experience handling divorces of all types, both simple and complex.

Jim Price is an attorney dedicated to bringing justice to consumers who can not afford to pay an attorney at an hourly rate. He takes cases on a contingency basis, and has practiced law for over 30 years in the State and Federal courts of California. He is the owner of Delta Law Group, located on Bethel Island, CA, and serves clients in the following matters: debt collection, wrongful foreclosure, credit reporting, landlord/tenant, premise liability, insurance bad faith, real estate, and wills and trust.

He received his law degree from University of California, San Francisco
(Hastings College of...

Matthew focuses on elder law, estate planning, and related practice areas. He began his career in the field of trusts and estates, and expanded into elder and probate law. He quickly realized that he enjoyed the personal nature of working in estate and elder law, and chose to continue by opening his own firm. He is passionate about taking care of his clients, and treats each of them as if they were family. Matthew was admitted to the California bar in 2006 and has practiced law in Contra Costa Country since 2006. He earned his J.D. at...

Carin Johnson is a passionate defender of parents’ rights and has practiced dependency and juvenile law for over 27 years. She received her Bachelor of Arts Degree at Chico State University and is a graduate of Golden Gate University, School of Law, 1993.

In September 2010, Carin presented oral argument in the California First District Court of Appeal, involving a case where the dependency court denied her client reunification services and sought to terminate her parental rights. Carin fought hard for the mother and won a rare REVERSAL, of the lower court’s ruling. This changed California law.

Again, Carin argued a wrongfully-accused...

Konstantine "Kosta" Demiris is a partner at the law firm of Demiris & Moore, located in the heart of downtown Walnut Creek, in the center of Contra Costa County. His practice focuses on litigation involving elder abuse (financial and physical), will and trust litigation, conservatorships, guardianships, HOA's, and appeals. Kosta is actively involved in the Contra Costa County legal community. He is a member of the Board of Directors of the Contra Costa County Bar Association's Elder Law Section. He serves as court-appointed counsel in Conservatorship cases in Contra Costa County. Kosta is dedicated to helping...

Do you have questions about the estate planning process? Please call today for a free consultation.

Ghazal Sharif of The G Law Firm defends those accused of driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI) throughout the Bay Area, including Oakland, Richmond and San Jose. Our goal is to help people maintain their ability to drive and have their court case dismissed or reduced to a lesser offense. The time to call us is now because your driver’s license will be suspended unless a DMV hearing is requested within 10 days of an arrest. Call us for help to request a hearing and discuss the possibility of having criminal charges dismissed or reduced to a lesser offense....

Indy Colbath is a licensed California attorney who has focused the entirety of her legal career on family law issues, including: divorce, annulment, child custody, child support, spousal support, property division, and domestic violence restraining orders. Indy has a breadth of courtroom experience she relies upon when assessing her clients’ family law matters, as well as strong relationships with the local legal community and bench. Indy has effectively represented her clients in an array of complex family law litigation, many of which involving high net worth individuals. Even though Indy has a passion for courtroom advocacy, she understands that every...

The Pakneshan Firm is dedicated to representing clients accused, investigated or charged in state and federal criminal and administrative matters. The Pakneshan Firm is a Bay Area criminal, DUI and Civil Rights law firm which has the experience, expertise and resources to handle all phases of your case. Our firm represents clients in Alameda, Contra Costa, San Francisco, Marin, Napa, Sonoma, Solano, Santa Clara, and San Mateo counties. The Pakneshan Firm has established itself as one of the Bay Area’s premier criminal defense firms. We have a proven track record for getting the best possible results for our clients.

As...

Erik is rated one of California's rising stars in the field of Labor and Employment Law by the American Institute of Legal Advocates.

Erik is a graduate of UC Hastings, College of the Law, where he worked at the California Supreme Court and at the First District Court of Appeal, two of the most prestigious opportunities provided to law students in California. Erik also served as a law clerk for the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Victim Impact Program (sometimes referred to as the “Special Victims Unit.”) His experience includes years of service with the 101st Airborne’s Judge Advocate General (JAG)...

My work history has been focused in the area of family law and judgment enforcement for family law cases.

Prior to becoming an attorney in 2004, I obtained my paralegal certificate in 1979, established American Process & Courier Service in 1991. I have a broad range of experience including family law, civil litigation, probate, bankruptcy and estate planning.

I now focus on assisting self-represented litigants with document preparation services in family law and uncontested probate matters as well as enforcement of judgments.

Ethan M. Weisinger is a California State Certified Family Law Specialist working in all of the Bay Area Counties. He represents clients in all aspects of conventional family law matters, (divorce/separation, child custody, spousal/child support, etc.) as well as dissolution of same-sex marriages, including Registered Domestic Partnerships.

Ethan graduated with honors from California Polytechnic University in San Luis Obispo with a degree in English and Political Science. Ethan then went on to study law at the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law, and graduated with honors, with an emphasis in Trial Litigation in 2010.

From 2010...

Joshua D. Brysk advises clients on Business & Commercial Law, Debtor/Creditor, Estate Planning, Landlord/Tenant, Tax Law, and Wills, Trusts & Probate matters. He provides knowledgeable and skilled representation to clients in the East Bay and throughout Northern California.

With over 20 years of experience, Joshua is committed to providing unmatched personal attention and high quality legal advocacy. Helping clients avoid and solve their legal problems, Joshua's focus is always on achieving the best possible outcomes.

Outside of work, Joshua is a seasoned traveler. He has also enjoyed living and working in Australia and Israel.

Leaders In Personal Injury Litigation

In the aftermath of a life-altering injury caused by someone else’s negligent or reckless actions, you and the people you love face many challenges. You will face a grueling recovery process with no guarantee of living the life you once lived. In addition, you will need significant financial resources to compensate you for your medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and other damages.

It is important to understand that the lawyer you select in your personal injury claim matters a great deal. For many decades, individuals and families across Oakland, the Bay Area, Central Valley and...

Because divorce is a problem to be solved, not a battle to be won, I focus on alternatives to the court system, through Collaborative Law and Mediation. I believe that most families and children are best served by being supported to work together in resolving their family matters. The fundamental goal in both Collaborative Divorce and Mediation is client empowerment.

With either mediation or the Collaborative process you will have control of the decisions that are made and will be firmly supported, legally and emotionally, in achieving a successful dissolution of your relationship. This not only allows but also encourages you...

James H. (Jim) Gulseth was born and attended high school in Devils Lake, North Dakota and graduated with an A.B. degree from the University of California at Berkeley. Jim earned his JD degree at the University of California Hastings School of Law in San Francisco and is admitted to practice in the State of California and before the Federal District Court, Northern District of California, and the U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit. He is a member of the Corporations, Business Transactions, Securities and Tax and Intellectual Property Sections of the State Bar of California. Jim’s reported cases include...

Christina Weed understands the complex life demands and goals of her clients. Christina also understands that most of the time it is not possible to completely separate family life from business. Clients need an integrated plan that covers all of their family, business, tax, and estate planning concerns. Christina has dedicated the past thirteen years to the study and practice of law, taxation, business, accounting, and estate planning and uses this knowledge to consult with her clients in business, tax and estate planning matters. Christina is a licensed attorney with an LL.M. in Taxation from the...

Andrew is a senior counsel in the Oakland/East Bay office of Ericksen Arbuthnot and co-chair of the firm's Appellate Practice Group. He is AV® Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell and has been selected as a Northern California Super Lawyers Rising Star by Thomson Reuters. Andrew has extensive litigation experience representing individual and institutional clients in state and federal court. His areas of practice include insurance coverage and defense, intellectual property, personal injury, professional liability, real estate, and other commercial issues.

Andrew has B.A. degrees in Cognitive Science and History, and a minor in Philosophy, from the...

Giselle F. Guro is an associate attorney at The Law Offices of Ethan M. Weisinger, Inc. Her previous family law experience includes clerking for a family law firm in Walnut Creek and participating in her law school’s Mediation Clinic, where she helped self-represented litigants in Marin County’s family court. Giselle has appeared in both Alameda County Family Court and Contra Costa County Family Court, and is looking forward to practicing in other neighboring counties. Giselle is committed to assisting clients in reaching a better place in their lives.

Giselle graduated cum laude from the University of California, Irvine with degrees...

Michael Hassen's litigation practice spans over 30 years and emphasizes general business and commercial litigation, including class action defense and matters involving intellectual property and unfair competition.

Daniel T. Quane manages Doyle Quane's Trusts and Estates practice. Dan is a Certified Legal Specialist in Estate Planning, Trusts and Probate Law. He has advanced legal degrees in Taxation (LL.M.) and Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Law (LL.M.) and he was named Super Lawyer’s Rising Star in 2015 and 2016. He works with a diverse range of clients, from those of average means to wealthy families requiring complex advanced estate tax planning strategies. Dan has experience guiding families through the complex legal process required upon death in the most efficient manner possible, whether it’s through trust administration or...

Ivette M. Santaella is a dedicated attorney with invaluable experience in the many areas of estate planning and technology law. For the past four years, she has focused her practice on estate planning and has advised numerous families-as well as businesses-on legacy and business succession planning. Ms. Santaella also assists her clients through the analysis of strategies to minimize tax liability, as well as trust management and creditor protection. She is certified and financially trained in life and long-term care insurance, and the various types of special needs issues, which are integral in estate planning. Ms. Santaella is expanding her...

Searching for a knowledgeable Alameda County criminal defense lawyer? Karlstrom & Krebs is a team of lawyers with over 60 years of combined experience. They have handled thousands of cases in state and federal courts, including both felonies and misdemeanors. Their attorneys have taken numerous cases to court, and they are not afraid to go to trial if needed. Also, Attorney Krebs is Martindale-Hubbell® BV® Rated. Call the firm today at (925) 308-6861 and get a no-charge consultation. Se Habla Español

I represent individuals and small to medium sized businesses in bankruptcy, foreclosure defense and debt consolidation matters. For individuals, I represent clients in Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy proceedings, including adversary proceedings, including 2nd home mortgage lien stripping, redemption of vehicles and student loan reductions. For businesses, I provide services related to the winding down of a business, board and management consultations and bankruptcy debt consolidation in Chapter 11. In conjunction with my bankruptcy practice, I also provide estate planning, probate and trust administration representation. The best way to avoid probate is to plan properly by drafting...

Colby Dean LaVelle II proudly manages LaVelle Law Offices with the personal attention of a boutique law firm but with the resources of larger law firms. An honored graduate of Santa Clara University of Law, Mr. LaVelle has dedicated his career to the pursuit of justice. He began his legal career working for the San Francisco District Attorney's Office. Following his success litigating criminal matters, Mr. LaVelle started the LaVelle Law Offices. Now with eight locations across California, The LaVelle Law Offices is an incarnation of Mr. LaVelle's desire to serve the public, as he...

Ms. Benedetto has assisted hundreds of clients with the creation of their Wills, Living Trusts and other estate planning documents. She assists families with trust administration and probate procedures when loved ones pass away, and also prepares legal documents for conservatorships of elderly clients and limited conservatorships for developmentally disabled adults. In 2006, Ms. Benedetto created the Family Trust Law Center, later incorporated to Family TLC, Inc., to be a firm where families come for professional estate planning by licensed attorneys, at flat, reasonable fees. Amendment of documents and other hourly work is done as...

I spent nearly 25 years as a state court prosecutor. The majority of those years were served in Alameda County, and a few years were served in Santa Clara County. I specialized in high profile, complex felony prosecutions. I was the trial prosecutor in the case of People v. Madison, Merel, and Cazares. The case involved the prosecution of three men for the murder of Gwen Araujo, a transgender, teenaged girl from Newark, California. The famous case became the subject of a Lifetime Network movie called, "A Girl Like Me."

There is no aspect of the...

Michael J. Young is an Estate, Probate and Asset Protection Attorney in Walnut Creek, CA. Mr. Young helps his clients plan for not only "What Happens if You Die", but for "What Happens If You Don't Die And Become Ill and Need Care." He helps his clients in the design of their estate plans, to protect their assets for their senior care and to also provide a legacy for their loved ones.

Mr. Young, who has been in practice for over forty years, gives workshops every month in Walnut Creek on basic estate planning and advanced estate planning. The basic...

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....