Forest Knolls Civil Rights Lawyers

Ehud Appel joined the California State Bar in 2018 after graduating with honors from U.C. Hastings College of the Law. He completed his undergraduate studies at U.C. Berkeley, majoring in Middle East Studies. Before pursuing a law career, he worked in education, healthcare, and the nonprofit world. He was a union representative, union organizer, and research analyst for United Healthcare Workers – West and the National Union of Healthcare Workers, where he represented nursing home and hospital workers throughout the Bay Area in grievances and collective bargaining.

During law school, he externed for the honorable judges Mary E. Wiss and...

David L. Axelrod began work as a teenager, selling scorecards in Dodger Stadium. After attending college, David L. Axelrod entered a career as Park Ranger and Fire Fighter, at the East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD) of Northern California. In 1988, David L. Axelrod graduated law school at the University of California, Berkeley, California, passed the bar, and commenced the practice of law. David L. Axelrod worked as Deputy Attorney for CALTRANS Legal Division in Los Angeles, California, and then as Deputy Tuolumne County Counsel in Sonora, California. Mr. Axelrod established the Sierra...

Kenneth Odiwe is a skilled attorney with extensive experience in Civil Rights and Personal Injury litigation. He primarily focuses on representing clients in Civil Rights cases. Some of the areas of expertise he covers include: Police Misconduct: Mr. Odiwe is well-versed in handling cases related to police brutality, excessive force, officer-involved shootings, and custodial deaths. He also specializes in cases involving restraint asphyxia, positional asphyxia, excessive tasing, baton strikes, beanbag shotgun use, and 40mm rubber rounds. Medical Care: Kenneth Odiwe has a deep understanding of cases that involve inadequate or denied medical care, as well as interference with familial relationships. He is...

David E. Mastagni is a partner with the law firm of Mastagni Holstedt, APC, who specializes in labor and employment law representation of public safety employees, including trial and appellate litigation in California and federal courts. In particular, he handles complex civil, class action and collective action litigation, claims arising out of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), the U.S. and California Constitutions, the California Public Records Act (CPRA), the Public Safety Officers Procedural Bill of Rights (POBR), the California Labor Code, the Meyers-Milias-Brown Act, and other statutes protecting the rights of employees.
Among his other legal activities, David is an...

My clients receive an aggressive defense that only years of courtroom experience can deliver. No matter how challenging a client's case is, they can rest assured they have a powerful ally on their side. Increasingly individuals and businesses find themselves in contact with government agencies like the FBI or IRS. The consequences can be devastating, personally, professionally and financially. The government can and does form the wrong impression of targets and subjects. Correcting the government's impression requires an attorney’s involvement. Successful , self-made people have accomplished much on their own. Unfortunately, many of these useful business...

At Szeto-Wong Law, we are dedicated to protecting what matters most—your family, financial security, and fundamental rights. As an experienced divorce and family law attorney, I understand the complexities of cases involving child custody disputes, high-net-worth divorces, and asset division. Whether safeguarding investments or ensuring a fair custody arrangement, I provide strategic and compassionate counsel to guide you through the legal process. Beyond family law, our firm is committed to advocating for employee rights in cases involving workplace discrimination, wrongful termination, wage disputes, and retaliation claims. We believe in holding employers accountable and ensuring fair treatment for workers across California. With a...

Melanie is a distinguished advocate for those who have been wronged or exploited, earning the moniker "the people's attorney." Her unwavering dedication to justice fuels her tireless representation of individuals from all walks of life—consumers, employees, business owners, private members, and homeowners. If you have suffered harm due to the dishonest or unlawful actions of others, Melanie stands ready to champion your cause to restore what you've lost. While on a different life and career path, fate stepped in and the legal profession found Melanie. After overcoming her own legal challenges, largely due to an attorney's advocacy, she felt called to...

Roy Iyobosa Egbokhan is a seasoned attorney with a comprehensive legal background. After being called to the Nigerian Bar in 2007, he served as a State Counsel for the Edo State Government in Nigeria, showcasing his commitment to public service and legal excellence. Roy's pursuit of further education led him to the United States, where he obtained in 2017 a Master's in Law from McGeorge School of Law, Sacramento. His legal prowess was further demonstrated by passing the California and New York Bar exams in 2023, culminating in his swearing-in as an attorney in California. His experience includes working as...

I bring a unique combination of service, academic achievement, and practical advocacy to every case I handle. My approach is grounded in a commitment to achieving meaningful, results-driven outcomes for clients navigating civil and criminal legal matters. While in law school, I gained invaluable hands-on experience working with the Veterans Legal Assistance Clinic and interning with some of the region’s most respected defense attorneys. I also had the opportunity to assist in teaching contract and tort law, which allowed me to deepen my understanding of both the theoretical and practical dimensions of legal practice. My academic background includes a B.S. in...

Aaron J. Lodge received his BA degree and first graduate work in math. He taught math at both the high school and college level for nearly 10 years, before changing careers and going to law school. Mr. Lodge now has a general practice law firm, where he focuses on family law, mediation, civil rights, and is now affiliated with other larger firms for personal injury and other areas of law. Mr. Lodge is highly dedicated to his clients, is very personable, and excellent in both litigation (in court), and in mediation.

I am a trial lawyer based in the San Francisco Bay Area, focusing on white collar defense, federal investigations, state and local government investigations, corporate internal investigations, and business litigation. My practice spans the greater Bay Area, including Marin County, Alameda County, Sonoma County, San Mateo County, Santa Clara County, Silicon Valley, and beyond. I served as a federal prosecutor with the U.S. Department of Justice and as a Deputy District Attorney, bringing over 12 years of courtroom and investigative experience to the benefit of my clients and their high-stakes matters. Over the course of my career, I have successfully...

Christopher C. Phillips was born in Sacramento and raised in Glen Ellen, CA (the heart of Sonoma Valley). Growing up, Chris was always a good student, but was consumed with Baseball. Following his dream, Chris attended Santa Rosa Junior College and then Texas Tech University to play Baseball. After graduating with an Exercise and Sports Science degree from Texas Tech, Chris decided he had just about reached the end of the line as far as baseball was concerned, so he refocused his goals and decided on Law School. After Graduating from University of Pacific, McGeorge School of Law, Chris clerked for,...

Attorney Gustavo Magaña is a personal injury and civil rights attorney who was born in San Jose California and has been a Bay Area native his entire life. After working for prominent firms in the Bay Area, Mr. Magaña decided to open the Law Office of Gustavo Magaña to provide better service to his community. Mr. Magaña’s unique background and experience allows him to provide his clients with distinctive representation and personal service. Mr. Magaña attended Santa Clara University for both his undergraduate and law school education. Mr. Magaña graduated from Santa Clara undergraduate school with a Bachelors degree in Political Science...

I am licensed to practice law in California and have received federal admissions to practice law in the Northern and Central Districts of California. I have developed extensive knowledge and experience in the areas of Family, Juvenile, and Probate Law from the inception of a case through the appellate process. I have previous experience in both Civil and Criminal law, including I have extensive state and federal litigation experience in drafting and arguing law and motion, engaging in and defending depositions, and have engaged in dozens of hearings and Court trials. I have drafted writs and appeals in most...

Criminal defense attorney John D. Fitzpatrick fiercely defends the constitutional rights of his clients in courts throughout the state, protecting them from racial profiling, excessive force, mass incarceration, and the prison industrial complex. He has repeatedly won dismissals of all charges, earned the release of numerous clients from custody, and negotiated the most favorable terms for his clients.* John aggressively represents his clients from Arraignment through all phases of trial and will not rest until the case is dismissed or they are fully acquitted. He knows firsthand the effects that any conviction or incarceration can have on his clients and their...

At Abronson Law Offices, we take the time to understand each unique situation presented to us by a client in need of assistance. We make certain that our clients understand their options and can make informed decisions regarding the progress of their case. Together with our clients, we work toward the best result available, whether through trial or settlement, arbitration or mediation, litigation or dialogue. We strive to be approachable to our clients, and seek to make them comfortable in entrusting us with their legal needs. What really distinguishes our firm is the ease with which our clients...