Pacific Grove Appeals & Appellate Lawyers

Breanna Cornwall is the firm’s founder and managing attorney. Since going into private practice, she has focused on representing clients involved in family law matters including divorce, military divorce, child custody, and spousal support. She also represents clients in obtaining (and defending against) domestic violence restraining orders and civil restraining orders such as civil harassment restraining orders, workplace violence restraining orders, and private postsecondary school violence restraining orders.

Prior to starting her own firm, she had an extensive background as a business owner and entrepreneur. She started and managed a staffing agency and a real estate brokerage. Her business and...

JEANINE STRONG is a Certified Appellate Specialist by the State Bar of California, Board of Legal Specialization, a certification held by fewer than 300 attorneys in California.

Her practice focuses on writs and appeals, both civil and criminal, but her work in a case often begins at the trial court level, consulting with trial lawyers and drafting dispositive motions, motions in limine, trial briefs, and post-trial motions.

She is also a "Super Lawyer," an honor granted to only the top 5% of attorneys in a practice area.

Jeanie received her J.D. from the University of Iowa, College of Law in 1986, where...

My law practice is devoted almost exclusively to appeals and writ proceedings in civil cases. Although I can handle an appeal in any California state or federal appellate court, my law practice has focused upon appeals in the state Sixth District Court of Appeal in San Jose. The Pacific Law Journal published three of my articles on the Sixth District. In each article, I analyzed the court’s published opinions in civil cases over a three-year period. Also, as a past chair of the Appellate Courts Section of the Santa Clara County Bar Association, I had the honor to...

I have a successful business litigation and civil appellate practice. I also represent both debtors and creditors in Chapter 7, Chapter 11 and Chapter 13 bankruptcies. I represent individuals and businesses in Chapter 11 reorganizations. I also represent both plaintiffs and defendants in bankruptcy adversary proceedings in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of California and the Eastern District of California.

Alexis Haller represents clients in a wide range of complex civil and criminal matters at the trial and appellate levels. Mr. Haller’s practice areas include international law, civil litigation, and criminal litigation. As a former partner at one of San Francisco’s leading boutique white-collar criminal defense and civil litigation firms, Mr. Haller is an accomplished attorney dedicated to first-rate legal work. A graduate of Princeton University, where he was a member of Phi Beta Kappa, Alexis Haller completed his bachelor of arts summa cum laude. He subsequently earned his juris doctor at Stanford Law School.

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Phyllis Voisenat, Esq. is an attorney and counselor at law. You can retain her as your attorney to handle your case from start to finish, or you can hire her for limited matters. She can be retained for matters from Sacramento to San Jose, pertaining to fraud, real estate, contracts, business formation, operations.

Erik is rated one of California's rising stars in the field of Labor and Employment Law by the American Institute of Legal Advocates. He is now an associate at Littler Mendelson, the world's top-rated Labor and Employment Law firm.

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...

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...

California Civil Appeals, State & Federal

Myron Moskovitz served as law clerk to Justice Raymond E. Peters of the California Supreme Court. He is the author of Winning An Appeal (Carolina Academic Press, 4th ed.) and Moskovitz On Appeal (LexisNexis, 2015). He has handled and consulted on many appeals, both in state and federal courts. Although appellate courts reverse in civil cases only about 20% of the time, he has won reversals in more than 70% of his civil cases in which he represented appellants.

He is Professor of Law Emeritus...

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.

Getting her start in the trenches as a legal aid attorney, Erika has years of experience in seeking justice for employees and consumers against unfair practices. She has fought off debt collectors, obtained justice for wrongfully terminated employees, and untangled thorny credit reporting issues. She has taken on local government for refusing proper restroom access to transgender people. In 2015, she even had a federal court declare a state's garnishment statute unconstitutional for violating the rights of low-income debtors.

Whether your case is just starting, or whether you are up on appeal, Erika has the experience and...

Boris has devoted himself to a career in criminal defense and fighting for the rights of the accused—a passion that grew from his experience being erroneously arrested at age thirteen due to a misidentification. This experience left him intimately aware of the kind of anxiety and fear a criminal accusation causes in one's life. Bringing this memory to the courtroom and negotiating table alike, Boris quickly gained a reputation as a fearless and zealous advocate for his clients who fights with integrity and compassion every step of the way.

Smart & Aggressive Criminal Defense. Experienced in representing individuals accused of crimes...

"I am dedicated to my clients and work hard to achieve the results needed in every case" I have represented clients and continue to to serve the counties of San Francisco, Marin, San Mateo, Contra Costa, Alameda, Santa Clara, Napa, San Joaquin and all other Northern California Counties. No case is to big, and no case is to small. Each one has a certain value to the client and each deserves 110% effort. This is what I do! We Handle everything from: Traffic stop signs; to DMV suspensions; to DUI cases; to serious felonies.

Attorney, private practice. I handle civil litigation and also advise and counsel primarily in the areas below. Litigation * I represent clients (both defendants and corporate plaintiffs) in antitrust litigation. On the defense side, I have represented clients in private suits, class action litigation, class action opt-out litigation, and government actions. * I routinely work on claims involving pricing, price fixing, below-cost pricing, information exchanges, monopolization, attempted monopolization, and unfair competition. * I often work on cases at the intersection of antitrust and competition law and intellectual property (“IP”) law -- particularly on cases involving patents. * I have worked on the responses to numerous...

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.

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...

Loren Kieve has a demonstrated record of success in resolving challenging, high stakes disputes. He has represented and advised major U.S. and foreign companies and individuals in a broad variety of trials, appeals and settlements, including securities, insurance coverage, construction, environmental, derivative, financial services, commodities trading, antitrust, contract, RICO, insurance sales practices, products liability, defamation, personal injury, employment, discrimination, real estate, mine disaster, Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and other commercial cases.

His cases have involved complex foreign parties and issues, major government contract matters, including civil and criminal false claims act cases, and formal and informal administrative proceedings and...

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.

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...

Paul W. Thorndal is a partner at Wald & Thorndal. He specializes in divorces of all kinds with an emphasis on gay divorce. Mr. Thorndal is a Certified Family Law Specialist (The State Bar of California Legal Specialization). Wald & Thorndal's 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.

San Francisco native Gerald E. Brunn holds Martindale-Hubbell‘s AV-Preeminent rating, confirming that he has reached “the height of professional excellence…and the highest levels of skill and integrity.” He represents clients in trials and litigation; personal injury and wrongful death cases; employment law; and business and corporate law matters. Mr. Brunn has served as a Special Master for the State Bar of California and is an adjunct professor at Chapman University and Modesto Junior College. He teaches Business Law, Employment and Labor Law, Constitutional Law, Legal History, and Political Science. Mr. Brunn received mediation training from the Straus Institute for...

California Criminal Defense and Civil Rights Attorney, J. David Nick is dedicated to representing individuals charged with criminal offenses in both the California State and Federal Courts. Mr. Nick has been providing legal advice regarding California’s medical marijuana laws since their inception in 1996. Currently, he is litigating various aspects of California’s new recreational marijuana laws (Proposition 64), including business permitting, prior marijuana convictions record clearance and criminal defense. Mr. Nick accepts civil rights cases involving violation of state and federal rights, police brutality and violation of school aged children constitutional rights. Mr. Nick, a graduate of the...

For 22 years, I have devoted my career as a lawyer to helping parties resolve their conflicts efficiently, effectively and respectfully. I believe the quality of a mediated resolution, and of the mediation process, to be as important to the parties as the fact of resolution.

Peg Carew Toledo is a certified appellate specialist. She has defended her clients’ lower court victories and has won reversals for clients in the California appellate courts and Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Appellate advocacy is Peg’s craft. She transforms the many boxes of a cold trial court record into a succinct and compelling appellate brief.

Peg has defended and counseled manufacturers and retailers with respect to California’s unique labeling law, Proposition 65. She regularly represents companies in Proposition 65 litigation involving a variety of consumer products, foods, and dietary supplements. Peg has over 20 years of experience...

Eric Pierson is a practical and results-oriented generalist attorney with over twenty years of law firm and in-house experience and a proven track record of success as a strategic business partner and trusted advisor.

Prior to starting his own firm, Eric spent over twelve years in-house in New York as a corporate generalist and lead U.S. attorney supporting the Americas division of Mitsui, a Fortune Global 500 Japanese multinational conglomerate. Previously he practiced at San Francisco-based McCutchen, Doyle, Brown & Enersen and its successor firm, Bingham McCutchen, for ten years, primarily as a litigator focused on intellectual property and contract...

I am an experienced and caring family law and divorce lawyer who represents clients in high net worth and asset marital and domestic partnership dissolution. My practice includes asset and property division, child custody and visitation, child support, and spousal and domestic partner support. I have successfully litigated characterization and division of equity compensation, business and art valuations, and move-away child custody cases. I represent clients throughout the San Francisco Bay area, including San Francisco, Alameda County, Marin County, Santa Clara County, San Mateo County, and Sonoma County.