Surfside Lawyers

Defending Orange County clients for 24 years. I am a Certified Specialist in Criminal Law as awarded by the State Bar of California. Former Public Defender who has tried approximately 95 jury trials, including numerous murder, and attempted murder cases in Orange County Superior Court. Also specializing in serious felony cases, including drug sales, robbery, assault with weapons, burglary, grand theft, domestic violence, fraud, child molestation, sex crimes, felony driving under the influence (DUI), gross vehicular manslaughter, and other felonies. Also represent clients in misdemeanors, specifically focused on driving under the influence (DUI) and other vehicle...

At The H Law Group, criminal defense is more than just a practice area—it's our passion. Our team is composed of former felony prosecutors, city-attorney clerks, and district-attorney law clerks who have experience on both sides of the courtroom. This unique insider perspective allows us to predict the government’s strategies, identify weaknesses in their cases, and outmaneuver even the most seasoned prosecutorial teams. Why do clients trust us? We have handled thousands of cases, from first-offense DUIs to complex homicide trials, and have consistently secured favorable outcomes such as dismissals, charge reductions, and "not-guilty" verdicts throughout California. From day one, we adopt...

I have thirty-eight years of legal experience. My legal practice is in civil matters involving maritime law, personal injury and business law. I have handled a wide variety of cases and have associations with other legal specialists. My goal is to represent my clients effectively and economically to produce high-quality legal services resulting in a successful outcome for my clients.

During his 30 plus years experience as an Attorney in California, Mr. Smith has handled nearly every kind of criminal case and is widely recognized by the Courts, Prosecutors and his peers as one of the area’s top Criminal Defense Attorneys. The overwhelming majority of Criminal Cases resolve through negotiation and plea bargaining. In fact, less than 3% of all criminal cases actually go on to Jury Trial, usually when the settlement offer from the prosecutor or the Court does not match the specific circumstance of the case. If you must go to trial, put Mr. Smith’s courtroom skills...

Diefer Law Group, PC provides legal representation to victims of discrimination, sexual harassment, and employer retaliation in the workplace. As former employment defense lawyers, our Orange County employment law attorneys provide clients with a unique perspective; a perspective that enables them to craft innovative case strategies for each case that they handle. Our firm offers employee-focused representation throughout Southern California, zealously fighting for the rights of our clients. While caring, our lawyers are also aggressive. We are not afraid to go to trial and take pride in our ability to find solutions to complicated employment law problems. When it...

Seth Nayowitz is an associate in the real estate department, focusing on real estate purchase and sale, financing and leasing transactions.

Roger E. Naghash is dedicated to aggressively advocating for the rights and interests of his clients in a broad range of legal matters. He provides customized legal services and representation to fit the specific needs of each client. Always with honesty and integrity, Roger is a fierce advocate who fights for the justice his clients are entitled to under state and federal laws. He is committed to keeping clients informed and involved, and pursuing the best possible outcomes with quality, hands-on, and affordable service.

Roger earned his B.S. from Western State University and his J.D. from Western State University College of...

Hannah B. Stetson graduated magna cum laude from the University of Southern California with a double major in Communication and Philosophy, Politics and Law. Ms. Stetson went on to the Chapman University Dale E. Fowler School of Law, where she served as Staff Editor and Articles Editor for the Chapman Law Review, and earned CALI awards for the highest class grade in seven courses.

During law school, Ms. Stetson clerked for private firms specializing in criminal defense and civil litigation, as well as for the Orange County District Attorney’s Office. She was also a judicial extern for...

Mary Melech is an associate attorney at Holstrom, Block & Parke, APLC. She graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles with a degree in Political Science. She went on to receive her Juris Doctor from Chapman University School of Law, which she attended on scholarship. She focuses her practice primarily on family law, with an emphasis in child custody, domestic violence, and child support. Her commitment to clients gained her a 10.0 Superb rating on Avvo. She is a member of multiple, prestigious organizations such as the American Civil Liberties Union of South California, the American Bar Association, and...

Mr. Walker draws upon his previous extensive courtroom experience with the U.S. Air Force as a Judge Advocate and as a principal of a former California law firm and now President of The Walker Law Firm, APC, specializing in civil litigation and appeals since 1970.

Jeanann Khalife, attorney-mediator is the Managing Partner at Alternative Divorce Solutions, Inc. (“ADS”). Ms. Khalife commenced her legal career in 2012 as a litigation attorney, with a primary focus in Business and Employment Law. She enjoyed the challenging nature of the litigation realm and excelled in case management and legal argumentative construction. As time passed, Jeanann noticed that she had an inclination to do more with her legal career. She desired to utilize her legal training to positively impact her community. The question was how? Divorce Mediation, was an unexpected path in Ms. Khalife's career. However, it proved to be the path...

Brian is a business litigator with over a half-decade of experience practicing in Orange County. He has represented clients across a swath of industries, including finance, commercial real estate, medical device manufacturers, internet service providers, and staffing agencies. Brian excels in complex commercial litigation, having handled cases ranging from the hundreds of thousands of dollars to the tens of millions. His representative trial experience includes defeating a complex indemnification claim and prevailing on a $375,000 fraud counterclaim, winning a motion to recover over $1.2 million in attorneys’ fees, and obtaining a judgment of over $450,000 for a...

Being born and raised in Southern California, Mr. Baskin has a deep understanding of the needs of the community which he vigorously serves.  Mr. Baskin's experience has given him invaluable insight into the legal system where he continues to make connections that help advocate for his clients to achive the best results on each case he handles. His team of professionals will work hard for on your case.

A partner of Manly, Stewart & Finaldi, Attorney Morgan Stewart has cultivated a supreme reputation of unparalleled advocacy for survivors of childhood sexual abuse and assault. He has assisted in recovering over $88 million in some of the most notorious and massive cases against abusive individuals and the institutions which protect them, including the monumental $31 million global settlement he helped obtain on behalf of young boys who were sexually assaulted by their high school wrestling coach.

Attorney Stewart is known for his inspiring work defending victims of childhood sexual abuse, assault, harassment, or molestation, as well as his relentless...

I am passionate about helping individuals, families, and business owners achieve peace of mind by developing and implementing creative cost effective plans tailored for each client. I have been a practicing attorney since May of 2011. Prior to attending law school, I was a family law and estate planning paralegal for approximately 20 years. In that time I acted as a Paralegal for several attorneys. After establishing my own practice, I used all of my skills and knowledge to develop my family law practice. I raised my three children as a single mother while working and attending...

Chatow Law is built on a foundation of Mark’s 20 years of business experience as a founder, executive, and CEO of companies across a range of industries including real estate development, technology, wellness, and consumer products.

Mark began his studies at USC Law in 1990, and earned his J.D. in 1993.

1993 – Consumer Products
Between his first and second years of law school, Mark became a founding partner of Roundhouse Products. After graduating from USC, Mark began to work full-time at Roundhouse as VP Sales & Marketing, and helped grow the company from its initial three partners to more than 200 employees,...

Allison Ross is an associate at Bick Law LLP. Before joining Bick Law, Allison was an associate in the Litigation Department at O’Melveny & Myers, where she handled matters pertaining to qui tam actions; False Claims Act litigation; derivative claims; class actions; contract disputes; intellectual property litigation; and employment discrimination. She also has arbitration, discovery, and significant motions practice experience in both state and federal trial and appellate courts. Allison graduated from the University of Southern California Law School in 2014. Prior to becoming a lawyer, Allison studied opera, performing at Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall, and at Vassar College,...

Michelle Yoshida, a full-time mediator, arbitrator, and special master since 2007, joined Phillips ADR in 2014. Previously with Judge Daniel Weinstein’s team, she has mediated over 500 disputes with billions in settlements, excelling in complex cases involving securities, insurance, professional liability, ERISA, and trustee issues. Known for quickly grasping legal and factual complexities, she manages large ADR cases with objectivity and determination, finding practical solutions for disputes ranging from personal contracts to major corporate matters. Michelle builds trust and productive relationships with mediation participants. Before becoming a neutral, she was a trial attorney handling complex business litigation, including contracts, insurance, intellectual...

I obtained my law degree from the University of Bucharest in 1998 and started as an in-house counsel for an established civil engineering company serving both Romanian and German markets. I learned a lot during that time, mostly about myself as a professional and about the ethic and beauty of a job well done. As my life changed and I immigrated to the United States in 2003, I had to start all over again and dare to hope that I can reinvent myself and do what I most liked. It started with the opportunity offered by a great mentor that...

Chuck Stevens joined Phillips ADR after a 40-year career as a litigation partner at Gibson Dunn & Crutcher, U.S. Attorney, and neutral in ADR matters. At Gibson Dunn’s San Francisco office, he served as managing partner for six years and was recognized by Lawdragon (2023 Leading Global Litigators), Benchmark Litigation (2024 Litigation Star), and Chambers (Band 1, California Litigation). He was named San Francisco’s Lawyer of the Year for Bet-the-Company Litigation (2019) by Best Lawyers. Chuck founded a boutique litigation firm, handling complex civil cases and qui tam matters. As a neutral, he mediated for the Eastern District of California’s Voluntary...

Edwin V. Woodsome, a Phillips ADR neutral, was managing partner of Dechert LLP’s Los Angeles office and head of Global Litigation at Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe. With over 35 years of trial experience, he has handled consumer fraud, False Claims Act, securities, product liability, trade secrets, employment, antitrust, and intellectual property cases in state and federal courts. He has extensive appellate, mediation, and arbitration experience, including the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California’s mediation panel. Woodsome represented major firms in transportation, banking, technology, aerospace, and entertainment, serving as U.S. national litigation counsel for a global logistics company and...

Attorney Davis founded the Law Offices of Terry K. Davis in June 1993 Bar Admissions: Admitted to California Supreme Court U.S. District Court (Central and Eastern Districts), U.S. Court of Appeals, 9th Circuit U.S. Supreme Court Reported cases: Carter v. California Dept. of Veterans Affairs (2006) 38 Cal.4th 914 Professional Affiliations: American Inns of Court, Robert A. Banyard Chapter, Orange County Orange County Bar Association, Labor and Employment Law Section Orange County Trial Lawyers Association, Board of Directors and Past Vice-President, 2010 California Employment Lawyers Association Consumer Attorneys of Los Angeles Education: Juris...

Dallis Cavallaro is a founding partner of Cayton Cavallaro, PC. She practices criminal defense in Orange County, California. She formerly practiced criminal defense at The Kavinoky Law Firm and Snyder Law, PC. Dallis has been published in the Orange County Register, Orange County Lawyer, and the ABA's GPSolo magazine. Dallis helped found the Center for Law and Military Policy and served on its Advisory Council. In 2018, she hosted “A World Apart,” a podcast from the Center for Law and Military Policy that shared the stories of military service members with a civilian audience. She is also the former Vice Chair...

I became an attorney because I wanted to help people. I want to serve my community, and I want to build lasting, meaningful relationships with my clients. I pride myself in helping people create legacies for their loved ones. We want to leave our loved ones in good hands after we are gone. As the father of two beautiful little girls, I do everything I can to provide for their care and well-being, to teach them to find happiness in life, and to prepare them for life as adults. While I hope my daughters never need to grow up without me...

Gavril "Gav" Gabriel was born and raised in Downey, California, attending the public school system in Downey from Kindergarten through High School. Soon after graduating high school, he played football at the University of Redlands, eventually becoming a Preseason All-American. He also played football in Berlin, Germany for the Berlin Adler (Eagles) while studying abroad. After graduating from the University of Redlands, Gav attended Whittier Law School, where he made the Dean's list and excelled in Legal Writing, Sports Law and International Law. While at Whittier Law School, Gav was a judicial clerk in the Orange County Superior Court and certified...

Candice Klein is a skilled and devoted personal injury attorney with a passion for helping people suffering with physical and mental anguish after suffering catastrophic injuries. Candice is known for spending a large amount of time with her clients to fully understand their needs. By doing so, she is able to better convey their losses to a jury. With this approach, Candice has recovered millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements for her clients.