Columbia Appeals & Appellate Lawyers

Joseph F. Klatt is a veteran California litigator with demonstrated expertise representing individual and institutional clients in complex civil litigation matters. He is skilled in handling all facets of litigation, including initiating and planning a case, managing discovery, drafting dispositive motions and briefs, conducting depositions, trying and resolving cases, handling complex writs and appeals, and negotiating significant settlements in high stakes cases. He is recognized for handling complex, unique, and troublesome cases, providing innovative litigation strategies, looking at legal issues from multiple and unorthodox angles, and cost-effectively achieving his clients’ objectives.

Joseph was the Valedictorian of his law school...

Ms. Benedict is an appellate attorney in California and in federal courts. Ms. Benedict additionally provides legal writing services for fellow attorneys.

Ms. Benedict's litigation background included both defense and plaintiff representation. As a defense attorney, Ms. Benedict had a good working relationship with several insurance carriers advocating for their insureds in automobile liability, premise liability, and business liability matters. As a plaintiff's attorney, she was passionate about fighting for the rights of cyclists and motorists who sustained injuries in accidents. Working on both the plaintiff's side and the defense side provided Ms. Benedict with a unique objective view of...

I am proud to be one of a handful of attorneys in the state of California to have been awarded an award for 40 consecutive years as a “Certified Specialist by the State Bar of California” in criminal law. From citizens to Hollywood celebrities, my ability to successfully represent a wide range of clients has contributed to my achieving an “AV” rating* endorsed by my peers and judges in the legal profession.

For more than twenty five years I have represented investors and consumers in class-action litigation, focusing primarily on federal civil appeals. I have briefed and argued appeals before all but two of the thirteen federal circuits, and was intimately involved in briefing the merits in three cases before the United States Supreme Court. My pro bono work has included writing and filing amicus curiae briefs on behalf of religious organizations and faith leaders opposing discrimination and supporting religious liberty and equal rights for all.

Scott Tillett co-founded Pine Tillett Pine LLP in 2016 where he handles civil appeals, specializing in plaintiff-side appeals with an emphasis on employment matters. Mr. Tillett is recognized as a Certified Appellate Law Specialist by the State Bar of California and he has been named to the Super Lawyers Southern California Rising Stars list consecutively since 2016. He was selected as one of five finalists for the Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles's (CAALA) Appellate Attorney of the Year Award in 2019. Along with his partner, Norman Pine, Mr. Tillett was a recipient of the Daily Journal's 2020 California Lawyer...

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,...

Practice Areas: Estates & Trusts, Trust and Estate Litigation, Elder Abuse, Conservatorships, Real Property, Business Litigation, Family, Divorce, Custody, Support Ms. Wickers handles clients legal needs including representing clients in trial, and appeals. In 2020, Christina Wickers obtained a Top Attorney Avvo Rating of 10/10 and was selected by Super Lawyers, Rising Stars List, for Southern California, in both 2020 and 2022 – a top rated Trusts and Estates Attorney in Southern California. No more than 2.5% of attorneys in the State of California are named to the Super Lawyers, Rising Star List. Similarly, she has...

Chapman Law Group, A.P.C. handles personal injury law, real estate and business counseling, and general litigation and appeals in state and federal courts. Attorney David Chapman is a Certified Mediator. The firm serves clients throughout Marin County, the greater San Francisco Bay Area, and Northern California. Mr. Chapman represents seriously injured victims in cases involving auto accidents, wrongful death, catastrophic injury – including brain and spine injuries - dog bites, slip & fall, medical malpractice, and elder abuse. Mr. Chapman’s real estate practice handles cases involving nondisclosure, fraud, easement and boundary issues, HOA & landlord /...

I strongly believe that every person accused of a crime is entitled to an attorney who zealously advocates and fights on their behalf. I have been a part of Wallin & Klarich for many years and I remain committed to providing each of my clients with aggressive and knowledgeable legal representation. When you hire Wallin & Klarich, you hire a team of attorneys who work together to make certain that every legal avenue is explored in the defense of your rights.

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.

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...

Mr. Hermansen focuses his law practice on state and federal criminal trials, appeals, and habeas corpus. He's been a Board Certified Criminal Law Specialist by the California State Bar Board of Legal Specialization since 2009, and he's been recognized as a Super Lawyer in criminal law in San Diego every year from 2008 to the present. In addition to representing criminal defendants at state and federal felony jury trials, he frequently argues before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and the California Court of Appeal. He's also argued before the United States Supreme Court, the California Supreme Court, and en...

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...

If you are trying to obtain disability benefits because you are unable to do your job as a result of an illness or injury, my law firm can assist you. We can also help with any type of insurance claim that has been wrongfully denied whether it be medical insurance, homeowner’s claims, property damage or personal injury claims. Mr. Kalkin has practiced in the areas of Long Term Disability, ERISA Litigation, Personal Injury, Civil Appeals and Insurance Bad Faith for over thirty-five years. In 1989 he was elected to the Board of Directors of the San Francisco Trial Lawyers Association and...

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...

A tough, fearless and savvy federal criminal defense attorney since 1970. Forged in the trenches of the largest U.S. District Court in the U.S. – Los Angeles, California. Hardened by the toughest federal judges, Nixon appointees. Unrivaled credentials. 44 years of daily fighting against U.S. Attorneys. Recognized legal scholar with federal trial and appellate expertise. Proven by experience to be “par excellence” by judges, prosecutors and attorneys through Martindale-Hubbell's ratings and 35 published opinions in successful appeals. Joseph Shemaria graduated from U.C.L.A. Law School in 1969 with the most prestigious academic honors. He was a Senior Editor of the...

For over 30 years, Mark Anchor Albert has consistently achieved outstanding results for his clients in complex business litigation and trials. He has been instrumental in obtaining hundreds of millions of dollars in recoveries for his clients from corporations and their insurance carriers in difficult cases involving complicated liability, damages, and related insurance coverage issues. He also has successfully defended companies and individuals facing hundreds of millions, even billions of dollars in potential liability, often succeeding in having difficult cases dismissed by motion before trial, or otherwise obtaining deeply discounted settlements on favorable terms.

Mr. Albert provides sophisticated legal services for...

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.

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...

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...

Admitted to the California Bar in 2001, I aggressively advocate for clients with Civil Rights, Employment, Constitutional, Personal Injury and General Civil law needs. I represent individuals, business and government entities in the State of California, the 9th Circuit, U.S. Supreme Court, as well as U.S. District Courts throughout California.

I am an accomplished attorney with proven results including settlement, trial and appellate cases. With innovative and effective litigation strategies, I aggressively pursue justice for my clients. I am dedicated to outstanding service and representation focused on the best possible outcomes.

Visit my website for more information and to see recent cases....

Floyd J Fernandez is founder and managing attorney of Pacifica Legal Services. His breadth of experience in this field has included individual visa applications, family-based and employer-based, non-immigrant work, travel, and study visas (both domestic adjustment of status and consular applications), deportation defense and appellate work (before BIA, AAO, U.S. 9th & 7th Circuits, and U.S. Supreme Court). My clientele has included individuals both from within all of Southern California, several other U.S. states, and several additional nations.

He has strong writing and research skills from his work in appellate law along with a rich cultural experience...

Fay Arfa has been awarded certifications in Criminal Law, Stat and Appellate Law by the State Bar of CA Board of Legal Specialization Certified Specialist. The National Board of Trial Advocacy (American Bar Association Accredited Organization) has certified her as a Criminal Trial Advocate,
Attorney Arfa handles all criminal cases and appeals including murders, sex crimes, trials, appeals and post-conviction matters. Because of her work on behalf of those accused of sex crimes, she has been awarded an attorney membership in the National Child Abuse Defense & Resource Center (NCADRC).
Please call her for a free telephone...

Jarod Bona's practice is focused on antitrust, business litigation, appellate, real estate, and challenges to government conduct. He practiced at DLA Piper and Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher for a dozen years before starting his own firm. He also clerked for Judge James B. Loken of the Federal Court of Appeals for the Eight Circuit. Mr. Bona won a bench trial, as first chair, for a client involving fraud claims and up to US$2.5 million at stake. In 2012, Mr. Bona played a major role in achieving summary judgment and a Federal Trade Commission dismissal with no action for his...

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...

For nearly 25 years, Sa'id Vakili has represented businesses and individuals in litigation matters involving complex business and contract disputes, business torts, direct and derivative shareholder disputes, intellectual property disputes, and all forms of employment claims. He has also handled a variety of serious injury tort claims including those arising under maritime and aviation law. Mr. Vakili is admitted in California, New York, New Jersey and Washington, D.C. and has handled cases in various other jurisdictions such as Florida, Nevada, Ohio, South Dakota, and Virginia through associations with local law firms in those locations. Mr. Vakili has also served...

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!

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...

Personal injury lawyer with strong focus on car accidents, truck accidents, and a variety of motor vehicle collisions. Have settled dozens of cases and helped clients recover over $20,000,000 in personal injury settlements.

Jeffrey Lewis has been practicing law in Southern California since 1996. Mr. Lewis' current practice is limited to handling civil and criminal appellate proceedings as well as select business litigation matters in courts throughout Southern California. Mr. Lewis is a certified appellate specialist by the California State Bar Board of Legal Specialization. California attorneys who are certified as specialists have taken and passed a written examination in their specialty field, demonstrated a high level of experience in the specialty field, fulfilled ongoing education requirements and been favorably evaluated by other attorneys and judges familiar with their...

I represent a wide range of clients in civil appeals and in writ proceedings, including business owners, property owners, insurers, employers, public entities, film finance lenders, film producers, bankruptcy creditors, and trademark holders. I also regularly provide assistance to trial counsel in proposing jury instructions and verdict forms and drafting dispositive motions and oppositions—all with a keen eye toward helping trial counsel to preserve the record for any future appeal.

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.

Jerod Gunsberg is the founder and lead attorney of the Law Offices of Jerod Gunsberg. He is a seasoned criminal law defense attorney, representing clients in all California state and federal criminal matters. He focuses his practice on many different types of criminal cases, including misdemeanors, violent offenses, complex narcotics, white collar crime, medical marijuana defense, sex crimes, elder abuse, computer crime and juvenile criminal issues. Mr. Gunsberg spent the early part of his career in the entertainment industry and even owning his own independent record label for a time. When he decided to follow his life long dream...

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.

Voted as 2018 "Attorney of the Year" by the Southwest Riverside County Bar Association. Since 1999, I have successfully represented several hundred individuals charged with Criminal Offenses including DUI and Juvenile Matters. Due to my reputation for integrity and straightforward, honest and ethical defense strategies, my negotiating tactics to dismiss or reduce charges are taken seriously by prosecutors and judges. I will do everything that is ethically possible to challenge probable cause and protect the best interests of my clients. My office is located near the Southwest Justice Center in Murrieta and I represent individuals from the surrounding cities of...

I represent clients with Products Liability, Appeals & Appellate, Consumer Law, Lemon Law, Elder Abuse, and Unfair Debt Collection disputes. I am dedicated to aggressive advocacy for California consumers facing deceptive or predatory business actions.

With nearly 30 years of trial and appellate experience, I have brought justice to thousands of clients. I have the knowledge, skill and insight needed to fight against unfair and dishonest practices. I am committed to zealously pursuing the best possible outcomes for my clients.

Luis Blanquez is an antitrust and compliance attorney with 15 years of experience at the European Commission and major international law firms in the European Union. Luis joined Bona Law PC in 2016 in San Diego, and qualified as a US attorney in the state of California in 2018.

His experience includes work for French legal chambers and judges as part of the “Leonardo da Vinci” European traineeship program. Furthermore, he worked as a trainee at the Directorate General of Information Society of the European Commission in Brussels, before moving to the former Merger Task Force (“MTF”) at the Directorate General...

Over his 18 years of practice in the Bay Area, Kevin Martin has developed a reputation as a fair- minded but tough negotiator representing client’s interests in intellectual property, business, real estate and personal injury actions. Kevin’s practice includes trademark, copyright and patent litigation, prosecution, licensing, business disputes, commercial litigation, personal injury claims, employer/employee disputes, trade secret and unfair competition claims, real estate litigation, contract disputes, and general advice and counsel. Mr. Martin maintains a regular blog on legal and other issues at www.landshark5000.wordpress.com. Mr. Martin regularly appears in both State and Federal Courts throughout California, before the Trademark...