Vernalis Arbitration & Mediation Lawyers

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...

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...

Jason Horst is the Managing Partner of Horst Legal Counsel. Jason served for more than a decade as an attorney in large regional and international law firms before founding Horst Legal Counsel, serving the legal needs of businesses and individuals in California. Jason is an accomplished litigator, having successfully resolved countless disputes for his clients in a wide range of complex litigation matters, including those involving commercial contracts, partnership disputes, trademark infringement, real estate, antitrust, and more. Jason prides himself on the ability to develop and execute creative strategies to efficiently accomplish his clients’ goals. Jason is also among the...

Sonya L. Sigler is the founder of PractiGal LLC and is the creator of the WELCOME to the Next Level Process. She created this WELCOME Process to effectively sell herself when she needed to figure out a clear path forward professionally and personally. Having learned to do this work the hard way, Sonya now builds powerful storytellers who can then refine and polish their personal brand. This work empowers others to align their work and life visions and to approach both with a renewed vigor.
For the last twenty years, Sonya has worked with founders, team leaders, and their employees...

James practices in the areas of employment law for management, personal injury, estate planning, and real estate. James graduated from Arizona State University, in Tempe, Arizona, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology. He went on to earn his J.D. from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law, Sacramento, where he graduated fifth in his class, With Great Distinction, and Order of the Coif. While at McGeorge, James completed a judicial externship with the Honorable Justice George Nicholson, at the California Court of Appeal, Third Appellate District, in Sacramento. ...

Traci is certified as a Family Law Specialist by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization. She graduated from Santa Clara University in 2000 and was admitted to the bar in December of that year. During her tenure at Santa Clara, she was the Sr. Technical Editor of the Computer Technology Law Journal and received a Certificate of Excellence in Legal Research and Writing. After graduation, Traci was recruited by a top corporate law firm. She worked at Gray Cary (now DLA Piper) from 2000 - 2002 as a securities and corporate transactional attorney. She was involved in...

Jennifer is certified as a Family Law Specialist by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization. She earned a B.A. in Law and Society from the University of California at Santa Barbara and her law degree from Santa Clara University. Jennifer is a member of the Association of Certified Family Law Specialists, and member of the Santa Clara County Bar Association and is a member of the Family Law Executive Committee of the Santa Clara County Bar Association. Jennifer has lectured at multiple seminars for the Santa Clara County Bar Association, and Santa Clara University School of Law,...

I have over 35 years of experience in bankruptcy consulting, litigation, and related appeals. I am dedicated to exceptional representation focused on the practical, cost-effective solutions you need. Visit my website for more information and representative cases.

For your out of court settlement, mediation, negotiation, or transactional needs, contact Kevin Boileau, PhD, at 415.830.0065 or 858.688.4871. Specializing in complex negotiation, mediation, transactional, and int'l problem-solving. INTL LAW, divorce, business, climate change and water, design - - We handle transactions in Asia, Europe and throughout North America. ANIMAL RIGHTS MEDIATION - - We protect animals ranging from Animal Control issues, to vet malpractice, ownership, systemic abuse, and other. CLIMATE CHANGE, WATER & LAND MEDIATION - - We offer creative solutions to conflicts emerging from a changing environment. Wildfires, coastal erosion, earthquakes, land degradation, flash floods, heat, and polluted and scarce water. DIVORCE &...

Mahal is a family law attorney based in the San Francisco Bay Area. She began her practice in 2014, having spent the previous fourteen years as a law clerk, educator, and paralegal specialist for the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Her law practice integrates her passion for civil rights and her love for community. Mahal was born in Vallejo, and after a series of family tragedies enrolled herself in the tenth grade at Oakland Technical High School. She was legally emancipated as a minor the following spring. These childhood experiences inspired her to become an attorney and...

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 accomplished Business, Employment, Personal Injury, Medical Malpractice, Arbitration & Mediation attorney. I represent plaintiffs and defendants throughout the East Bay, in a vast array of civil litigation matters.

With 40 years of experience I have an excellent track record both in mediation and in the courtroom. I am dedicated to obtaining the best possible outcomes for your legal disputes. Contact me today for a free consultation.

Our practice covers all aspects of family and matrimonial law in all of the Bay Area counties, primarily focusing on Contra Costa, Alameda, Solano, and San Francisco counties. We will expertly navigate you through your family law matter, whether it involves termination of a domestic partnership, paternity, custody, visitation, domestic violence, adoption, guardianship, support, an annulment, legal separation, or post-judgment issues. Regardless which of these processes you are dealing with, we understand the strain and pressure that these matters inevitably put on clients and the necessity of providing strong representation. Therefore, we strive to make the entire process as easy...

Private Practice in real estate and business law for 40 years. Court and private mediator for 25 years. AV Rated and Northern California Super Lawyer.

Gordon Young is a 25-year litigator, specializing in financial, trust and securities litigation. Gordon tries and arbitrates cases for trustees, beneficiaries, financial professionals, investment advisors, stock brokers, Wall Street banks, and broker-dealers. These cases include civil, probate and regulatory claims based on breach of fiduciary duty, breach of trust, fraud, suitability, mismanagement of mutual funds and managed accounts, the prudent investor rule, as well as employee promissory notes, up-front loans, raiding, trade secret, unfair competition and related employment claims. Gordon has successfully assisted numerous investment professionals with FINRA related expungement actions. Gordon has been recognized eleven times...

Arlette completed her law degree from the University of Oklahoma College of Law in 2010. Prior to earning her J.D., she received a B.A. in History and a B.A. in International and Area Studies at the University of Oklahoma. She is admitted to practice law in the State of California and the State of Oklahoma.

Arlette has solely practiced family law since 2010. Her family law experience began prior to graduating from law school when she worked as a law clerk at the family law firm of Cindy Allen and Associates, PLLC. After graduating from law school, Arlette worked as an...

Andrea represents clients in all areas of family law, including divorce, legal separation, annulment, custody and visitation, support, and complex property division.

Andrea understands the impact a divorce and other family law issues can have on people’s lives and is committed to provide support to litigants with family law issues, while explaining the law to them and advocating for the best results possible.

Javed Ellahie's practice focuses on estate planning, probate, real estate law and bankruptcy. He carries a Martindale-Hubbell “AV-rating”, the highest rating of legal knowledge and ethics.
Mr. Ellahie has also served as a Trustee to the Santa Clara County Bar Association and the West-Valley Mission Community College District and on the Monte Sereno City Council.

Mr. Ellahie’s estate planning experience includes setting up estate plans such as simple and complex trusts, drafting irrevocable trusts, family limited partnership, charitable trusts and other documents that provide the maximum flexibility. Mr. Ellahie can draft wills and trusts that meet the requirements of the Islamic...

Ms. Johns is a civil trial lawyer who has tried more than one hundred cases to verdict. She is the managing partner for Hillary Johns, Trial Lawyer which maintains offices in Beverly Hills, the Bay Area and New York City. She graduated from Occidental College in 1990 and Golden Gate University School of Law in 1993 where she graduated with Dean’s List and class honors. She is licensed to practice law in California, the California Southern, Central and Northern U.S. Federal District Courts, the District of Columbia, Montana, New York, and the New York Eastern and Southern U.S....

Help small to medium size companies navigate through a wide variety of legal challenges: formation, funding, governmental impediments, operational legal planning, merger and acquisition, employee relations, and labor compliance. All with the goal of litigation avoidance. Litigation in all California state courts and the Northern and Eastern U.S. District Courts of California.

I am a divorce attorney mediator. I have created a divorce mediation program that can help you reach an agreement in as little as 90 days. After years spent in courtrooms, two truths became undeniable: getting divorced in court is too expensive and getting divorced in court takes too long. Between the cost and the time involved, most clients are disheartened and dissatisfied with the process. I knew there had to be a better way. Divorce is hard enough without adding years of expensive courtroom battles. Committed to helping separating couples find closure fast, I undertook divorce mediation training and...

Our office provides legal services in matters involving business law, real estate, construction, employment law, contracts, and litigation. With over 20 years of experience we are highly skilled and experienced in the various legal issues that involve our clients. We represent business owners, brokers, landowners, developers, contractors, subcontractors, sellers, and purchasers. Our clients include both businesses and individuals. We represent clients throughout the State of California. In addition, Mr. Jacobs provides top-notch mediation and arbitration services.

For over 20 years, Mr. Thiel has served clients in California's Central Valley in matters involving personal injury, wrongful termination & employment disputes, estate planning, probate, tax issues, and criminal law. Drawing on his knowledge and experience, he seeks to help you make informed decisions that work toward your best possible outcome. He is always upfront with you about your options and chances for success.

The depth of his experience includes recovering millions of dollars in settlements and court awards for injured victims, recovered real property wrongfully taken from unsuspecting parties, and redressed wrongs committed by employers against their employees....

Like many attorneys, before opening her own law firm, Ms. Lungu was a highly accomplished businesswoman, in various areas of management and areas of specialty. Additionally, she has a mediation and conciliation practice spanning almost two decades in California. Her unique abilities to make high level communication a safe and comfortable experience facilitated the transition to law and a career in mediation and dispute resolution. Part of her strength is in her keen awareness of the importance of each individual's particular needs and the need for individualized solutions. She provides individually tailored estate and business plans to all clients after...

Michael Stebbins is a shareholder with Silicon Valley Law Group and the Chair of its Business and IP Litigation and Employment Groups. His practice focuses primarily on employment, intellectual property and commercial disputes. He has extensive litigation and trial experience in matters involving trade secret theft, employee solicitation, technology licensing, IP infringement, false advertising, earn-out issues, unfair competition, shareholder disputes, breach of fiduciary duty, trade libel, harassment, discrimination, wage and hour issues, and wrongful termination. He has also litigated complex matters involving real estate leases, construction contracts and insurance coverage.

A significant portion of Michael’s practice also involves...

Michele Elizabeth Hales has been assisting clients with Family Law matters since her admittance to the California Bar in 1992. In addition to a successful litigation practice, she also offers Alternative Dispute Resolution services, such as Mediation, Collaboration and Unbundled Family Law Assistance. She is dedicated to providing experienced, skilled and knowledgeable representation, and pursuing the best possible outcomes for your family law needs. Michele received her B.A. from the University of California Davis in 1989. She earned her J.D. from Santa Clara University School of Law in 1992. Michele is a member of the State Bar of California, Santa Clara...

Sebastian Miller focuses on representing workers in employment litigation on a contingency-fee basis. He litigates both class actions as well as single-plaintiff cases. He has achieved excellent results for many clients. More details are available at www.sebastianmillerlaw.com. Sebastian often speaks and writes about developments in employment law. For example, his work has appeared in the California Labor & Employment Law Review and the Daily Journal. Sebastian has been quoted by Law360 and has appeared on panels hosted by the Association of Corporate Counsel, the Labor and Employment Section of the California Bar as...

Ken is a transactions attorney, arbitrator and mediator with 29 years of experience in intellectual property licensing, litigation, and technology transactions. He practiced at leading US law firms and served as Senior Vice President at Samsung Electronics as the head of the Silicon Valley IP Office from 2011 to 2021. Ken has handled more than two hundred IP litigation matters, negotiated numerous patent licenses including three of the largest patent cross license agreements, and helped clients to acquire companies ranging from startups to a multibillion dollar company. He was also extensively involved in SEP and FRAND disputes...

Judge Suzanne K. Nusbaum (Ret.) brings a wealth of experience to her ADR practice. A Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, with specialized expertise in commercial contract, employment, health care, real estate and intellectual property matters, she serves on many ADR panels, including the American Arbitration Association's National Roster of Arbitrators and Mediators, the International Centre for Dispute Resolution (ICDR), Arts Arbitration and Mediation Services (AAMS), the American Health Lawyers Association (AHLA), Kaiser Permanente, the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). Judge Nusbaum arbitrates and mediates legal fee disputes for the State...

Karen S. Fenchel

Professional Biography

Karen Fenchel is a sole practitioner in Walnut Creek, CA. She is a Certified Family Law Specialist and has focused on all areas of family law. Her practice is settlement oriented and includes both family law mediation and collaborative law. Karen has a strong commitment to helping clients resolve issues without going to court. She utilizes her training in both mediation and collaborative practice to assist families in crisis and help them gain control of their lives. Through mediation, collaborative process and negotiated settlements, she works toward equitable solutions that consider the...

Certified Family Law Specialist (CFLS), State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization; LLM Taxation; Member California State Bar; Hawaii State Bar; Arizona State Bar; Contra Costa County Bar Association; Family Law Section Hawaii State Bar; Family Law Section Arizona State Bar, Trust and Estates Section Arizona State Bar. The law offices of Doyle Golde Grossman Family Law Group provides family law, divorce, estate planning and trust administration services in the Contra Costa County providing the community with deep legal talent and a professional result based representation.

Helen has provided quality mediation services in Alameda, Contra Costa and Solano counties since 1993. Her process permits private , effective resolution of legal disputes.

Real Estate & Business Planning and Litigation: Multi-unit Residential, Commercial, R&D and Industrial projects. Litigation regarding interest in, and preparation of Condominium Projects. Planning and Litigation regarding Manufactured Homes. Litigation and planning for contractors.