Independence Business Lawyers

Ms. Katje earned her Juris Doctorate at California Western School of Law, San Diego, California, graduated Cum Laude and was a Dean's Honor List recipient. She was also a recipient of the American Jurisprudence Award in Contracts I and Contracts II. Ms. Katje was a member of the Law Review and International Law Journal at California Western School Law, where she was an Associate Editor.

Ms. Katje was admitted to the California State Bar in 2003 and is a Member of the American Bar Association and San Diego County Bar Association. Ms. Katje is licensed to practice in all courts in...

Filemon Kevin Samson is a graduate of the University of Southern California, Gould School of Law. Mr. Samson received his Bachelors degree from the University of California at Berkeley, double-majoring in Economics and Interdisciplinary Studies with an emphasis on Urban Development. Mr. Samson has a broad range of professional legal practice areas in his role as managing attorney of the Samson Law Office, including Bankruptcy, Trusts, Wills and Estate Planning, Civil Litigation and Business and Corporate law practice. Mr. Samson also enjoys teaching college courses as an Instructor of Law and Business. Mr...

I am a licensed tax attorney with an advanced degree in tax law. I have been practicing for over 16 years. I practice tax planning, international tax planning, estate and gift tax, tax controversy, corporation transactional law, and mergers and acquisitions.

Leah Larkin has been practicing law since 2004. She practices in the area of Estate Planning, Probate, Trust Administration and Business Law. Leah Larkin is a Certified Specialist in the area of Estate Planning, Probate and Trust Administration, by the State Bar of California Legal Board of Specialization.

Leah grew up in the Pass Area. She is a graduate of Beaumont High School and University of Redlands. Leah attended University of La Verne College of Law on a full tuition scholarship, graduating top of her class as Valedictorian and passing the bar on the first time in 2004. Leah is...

I have been practicing law since 1979. In that time I have gained a lot of pride in representing people who need my help to fight for their cause. I handle very complex cases including aviation disasters, brain and spine injury cases and other highly technical issues. These types of cases take knowledge and dedication in order to achieve successful results. I am a pilot and have taught Aviation Law at California State University. During my career I have helped my clients to settle their cases before they ever see a courtroom and I have...

Ms. Sarvey Askarieh, is the founder of Yevras Law Group, P.C. She is recognized as a Top Attorney in her field and has been licensed as an Attorney in the State of California since 2004. Her clients have included Fortune 500 companies, multi-national companies, insurance companies, small businesses and professionals. Ms. Askarieh provides proactive and effective legal representation and believes in running a client-focused law practice.

Andrew focuses on estate and gift tax planning, probate and trust administration. He advises individuals and business entities on a range of tax planning and estate planning matters, and he represents trustees and executors in the administration of trusts and estates.

In addition to his experiences in private practice, Andrew also brings several years of service in the Los Angeles Superior Court Probate Division as a law clerk for the Honorable Mitchell L. Beckloff, Honorable Reva G. Goetz, and Honorable Michael I. Levanas.

Jill focuses on estate and gift tax planning, probate and trust administration. She advises individuals on a broad variety of matters, including drafting living trusts, insurance trusts, qualified personal residence trusts, children's trusts and defective grantor trusts; formation of partnerships and limited liability companies; and other transfer tax techniques.

Jill also represents trustees and executors in the administration of trusts and estates. She drafts pleadings for matters before the Probate Court and appears before the Probate Court.

In addition, Jill handles a variety of property tax matters, including appearances before the Assessment Appeals Board.

Shab D. Kerendian founded the firm and started it as the Law Offices of Shab D. Kerendian. Since 1996, Shab has been practicing law and representing clients before judges in state and federal courts. Due to client satisfaction and referrals, he expanded this firm into a multi-lawyer firm known as Kerendian & Associates, Inc. Shab represented dentists, doctors, over 35 hospitals, small and large businesses, corporations, limited liability companies, partnerships, trustees, executors, non-profit organizations and individuals.

Shab has significant experience in all facets of business, real property, and dental and medical litigation, particularly trials. Shab has also given lectures to various...

Robert Mangels has more than 35 years of experience. His practice emphasizes general business and commercial litigation including complex financial fraud, professional negligence, securities, entertainment, intellectual property, bankruptcy, class actions, wrongful termination and construction matters. He has significant experience representing the owners of hotels and office buildings in international disaster recovery, including coordinating the numerous professionals required for dealing with mass disasters and complex litigation.

Caleb Gilbert is an experienced Real Estate and Business Law Attorney at Jeffer Mangels Butler & Mitchell LLP. His practice includes all facets of Real Estate and Hotel Investment and Development. Caleb represents owners, investors, developers, lenders, private equity firms, REITs, and family offices. He is committed to diligent legal advocacy focused on achieving clients' goals and objectives.

Caleb graduated with a B.A. from the University of California Davis, and a M.Sc. from the University of Oxford. In 2011, he obtained his J.D. at the University of California, Davis School of Law. He earned his LL.M. in Taxation at Georgetown...

Brandon Chock has experience in a broad array of real estate transactions, including commercial, industrial and residential acquisitions and dispositions, leasing, real-estate secured financing, joint venture formation, and hospitality. Brandon has represented private equity clients in the acquisition, financing and development of performing and distressed assets, and private and institutional lenders in making bridge, permanent, mezzanine and construction financing secured by real estate projects throughout the United States. He has also assisted investors and lenders, including regional centers, in structuring and documenting EB-5 financing. Brandon has extensive leasing experience, drafting and negotiating office, retail, industrial and high-end residential leases for...

Jeff Myers is a partner in JMBM's Real Estate Department and Global Hospitality Group®. His practice focuses on the development, financing, acquisition, and operation of hotels, resorts and other hospitality properties both nationwide and internationally.

His clients include developers, capital providers, commercial lessors, and tenants. He is experienced in representing a full range of hospitality projects including hotels, resorts, casinos, restaurants, condo hotels, and mixed-use properties.

Jeff assists his clients in negotiating management, franchise, licensing, and branding agreements. He also represents his clients in negotiating Product Improvement plans (PIPs), subordination and non-disturbance agreements (SNDAs), marketing and sales agreements, restaurant leases and...

I am committed to aggressive advocacy for Business, Stockbroker & Investment Fraud, and White Collar Defense matters. Representing clients throughout California and worldwide, I have extensive experience with complex civil litigation, with an emphasis on antitrust and unfair competition, class action defense, condemnation & eminent domain, internal investigations, and labor & employment.

Practicing law since 1985, I have a proven track record of success. My focus is always on solving problems and resolving cases, with minimal disruption to my clients. I am dedicated to developing effective strategies to attain the best possible results.

Mr. Wansor is an accomplished civil litigator. His practice is focused on personal injury, real estate, land use, hospitality, products liability, business torts, construction, and will and trust contests.

Mr. Wansor's analytical strengths allow for the accurate assessment of potential exposure and liability and the creation and implementation of sophisticated litigation strategies. Mr. Wansor's strategic sense and writing abilities lead to successful results, whether by keen negotiation or motions leading to the disposition of cases.

Prior to joining Rogers, Sheffield & Campbell, Mr. Wansor worked as a litigation partner at Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith, LLP, where he defended Fortune 500...

Braden R. Leck focuses on advising individuals and businesses on real estate and business transactions, intellectual property matters, estate planning and trust administration.

Prior to joining Rogers, Sheffield & Campbell, LLP, Mr. Leck was a partner at the Santa Barbara law firm of Seed Mackall LLP. Mr. Leck began his legal career in Los Angeles at the international law firm of Latham & Watkins LLP. Mr. Leck received his undergraduate degree from the University of California at Santa Barbara and his law degree from the University of California at Los Angeles School of Law.

Real Estate. Mr. Leck routinely counsels clients with...

Mr. Campbell has been a civil litigator for over 30 years. He has successfully represented individuals, corporations, partnerships, trustees and executors in cases involving a wide range of legal issues, including breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, will and trust contests, business torts and trade secrets. Mr. Campbell has significant experience and expertise with real estate litigation in particular, including failures to disclose, fraud, quiet title actions, easement disputes, encroachments, trespass, nuisance and safe harbor litigation.

Mr. Campbell has been awarded a Martindale-Hubbell rating of AV Preeminent, signifying the highest level of ethical standards and legal ability, for 14 consecutive...

Mr. Rogers is a founding partner of Rogers, Sheffield & Campbell, LLP. He is a leading business and real estate lawyer in Santa Barbara, representing individuals and businesses throughout California's Central Coast. During a legal career spanning almost five decades, Mr. Rogers has represented clients in a wide range of corporate, business and real estate matters, including entity formations, asset and entity purchases, sales, financings, mergers and acquisitions, complex contract negotiations, commercial transactions, real estate syndications, land use planning and development and acquisition, and leasing and licensing of oil and gas rights.

Mr. Rogers has been awarded a Martindale-Hubbell rating of...

Mark is a 20-year civil litigation attorney with a practice focusing on on business, construction, real estate, and personal injury litigation. Mark’s clients include property owners, businesses, contractors, and manufacturers that he has successfully represented in trials involving contract claims, property disputes, jobsite accidents, product liability and professional liability litigation. Mark spent the year 2003 in the record eleven-month construction defect/mold trial of El Escorial v. Santa Barbara Villas. He obtained defense verdicts for his three clients in that case. Prior to joining Christman, Kelley & Clarke, PC, Mark was a founding partner of Hardin & Coffin, LLP...

Represents and advises performers, writers, directors, creative talent, producers and entertainment professionals in motion pictures, film, television, animation, HD, CGI and 3D productions, graphic arts and design, the Internet, marketing/advertising and new media of all kinds.

Advising international and domestic motion picture studios, production companies, software/technology companies and Web-based businesses in all aspects of rights acquisition, development, financing, production, licensing and distribution in traditional and all available E-commerce, digital, telephony and wireless media delivery platforms worldwide.

Assists and counsels entertainment content and IP/technology owners in the formulation and execution of strategic global rights exploitation programs to maximize the financial performance...

Jay has represented and advised investors of public companies in shareholder derivative actions and complex class action litigation for over a decade. He helped secure millions of dollars in financial recovery and corporate governance reforms. He investigated and litigated claims involving such issues as accounting fraud, executive compensation, board entrenchment, board elections, corporate takeovers, inadequate internal controls, and violations of the False Claim Act, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, anti-money laundering laws, and vehicular and aeronautical safety regulations.

Since 2017, Jay has focused his legal practice on helping entrepreneurs successfully form and operate their businesses, representing clients in contract or business...

Gordon Firemark practices entertainment (Theatre, Film, Television, Digital Media), media and business law in Los Angeles. He helps creative industry professionals make deals that make sense, and that get their productions developed, financed, produced and distributed. His practice also covers intellectual property, cyberspace, new media, business transactions, and corporate matters for clients in the fields of media, entertainment, content and digital business. Mr. Firemark is frequently referred to as “The Podcast Lawyer™”, and is the author of The Podcast, Blog, & New Media Producers’ Legal Survival Guide. (Https://podcastlawbook.com) He is also a podcaster himself. ...

I have a passion and love for what I do. At Castaneda & Company, we represent individuals and small businesses in the areas of business law, contracts, employment, fraud, and real estate. After I filed a lawsuit in October 2007 against Apple™ and AT&T over the iPhone™, I was featured on websites around the world including Businessweek.com, Forbes.com, MSNBC.com, and the USAToday.com.

We have gone up against Stanford University, Google, Adobe, and Bank of America. Despite these big names, the majority of our clients are ordinary people and small business owners. We like representing the underdog and we like beating the...

Trial and Appellate Lawyer with 27 years of experience in handling large loss/high exposure, complex civil claims in insurance defense, insurance subrogation, business, construction, commercial, intellectual property, labor and employment matters, and estate litigation. Before founding Armstrong Law Group in 2021, John Armstrong was a founding partner of Horwitz, Cron & Armstrong, LLP, and was an equity partner with Murtaugh Meyer Nelson & Treglia, LLP (2001-2010). Before that, John was associated with prestigious insurance defense law firms, namely Mower, Koeller, Nebeker, Carlson & Haluck, LLP (1998-2001) and Demler, Armstrong & Rowland, LLP (1996-1998). John was graduated in the top of his class...

Born in Michigan, Michael J. Anderson graduated from Michigan State University with his Bachelor of Science degree. He then graduated from Thomas M. Cooley Law School, earning his Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree, followed by an LL.M. in Estate Planning from the University of Miami. In 1982, Mr. Anderson was admitted to the California State Bar and established his Sacramento estate planning practice shortly thereafter. In addition to his law practice, Mr. Anderson served as an Adjunct Professor with Golden Gate University in the MBA Taxation Program, for courses such as Estate & Gift Taxation and Estate Planning. Mr. Anderson is also...

Actively engaged insightful attorney with extensive experience resolving civil and commercial conflicts for both individuals and companies. Targeted legal and business expertise in commercial contracts, real estate, joint ventures, mergers and acquisitions, licensing, financing, and other strategic business activities. Well versed in the development and maintenance of corporate legal structure and organization; management of litigation and risk mitigation activities on a corporate level including executive control over outside counsel. Proficient in drafting, reviewing, and implementation of commercial and legal policies and procedures, bylaws, resolutions and other documents related to operations, regulatory compliance, and corporate governance. Entrepreneur who instituted and launched three...

After gaining experience at two of the region’s largest firms, I went out on my own. Two years later, I joined forces with Robert Hunt to form Hunt & Jeppson, LLP upon the vision of providing responsive, practical and personal service to our clients. In 2014, we became Hunt, Jeppson & Griffin, LLP when Tory Griffin joined the firm with his expertise as one of the best trial attorneys in the region. Since Mr. Hunt's retirement, we have recently changed the name of the firm to Jeppson & Griffin, LLP. We are headquartered in Roseville, California and serve clients throughout...

I have over 21 years experience serving Santa Cruz, Santa Clara and Monterey Counties with superior and efficient land use, real estate, and business law services – all backed by professionalism and integrity. In my current practice in Capitola, I represent individual, business and public agency clients in a wide range of real estate, land use, and public law matters (transactional and litigation), with special emphasis on: Land use permits; Zoning compliance and red tag removal; CEQA and Coastal Act compliance and litigation; Writ of mandate litigation (against or on behalf of public agencies); Real estate transactions, disputes...

John Michael Montevideo became a trial attorney to help people. He dedicates his practice to sharing his clients’ stories and bringing them justice for the wrongs committed against them. He is Founder and Senior Trial Attorney of Montevideo Law, PC.

After earning his degree in Business Management and Marketing from Loyola Marymount University, John Michael dedicated a year of service to the Jesuit Volunteer Corps (JVC) in Houston, TX. He served full-time with Vita Living, Inc., a non-profit working with those with mental and physical developmental disabilities. It was during this time of service that he became inspired to pursue his...

I am an attorney specializing in business litigation, real estate law, and bankruptcy. As both an MBA and a California Licensed Real Estate Broker, I hold specialized credentials that afford me a very comprehensive understanding of the complexities associated with real estate and business issues. I have recent experience successfully taking business litigation cases to trial, successfully taking collection claims to trial, and saving many homes from foreclosure utilizing bankruptcy protection. I have also been successful in settling personal injury claims and in negotiating several family law cases.  It has been my my privilege to gain a great deal of diverse experience. It...

Kent W. Meyer, MBA, PhD, JD, LLM, CIArb Dr. Meyer began his career as an Air Force Intelligence Collection Officer and served in Japan, Vietnam, Thailand, and Korea. He also served as a Missile Combat Crew Commander. He has had more than thirty years experience as a legal practitioner and educator. He has served as the Chief Financial Officer for biotech and software companies, as a partner in a large international law firm and as an owner of his own legal practice. He has extensive domestic and international experience in business and tax planning, mergers and acquisitions, contract negotiations,...

Christopher J. Fry was born to be an attorney. He began his career in the legal field at just 19 years old. He worked in law firms throughout his undergraduate and even law school. When he became an attorney, he was already 10 years ahead of the rest. His experience is so diverse that there aren’t many problems he can’t solve. He loves the law and loves happy clients even more.