Half Moon Bay Lawyers

Before organizing The Mlnarik Law Group, John, was the valedictorian of his graduating class at the Lincoln Law School of San Jose. While in law school, John received numerous awards and scholarships and was editor-in-chief of the Lincoln Law Review. Prior to attending law school he obtained bachelor degrees in Economics and English from Santa Clara University and worked in the legal field as a paralegal for Walkers Global in the Cayman Islands and Ericksen Arbuthnot in San Jose. John is a member of the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys, the William A. Ingram Inns of Court,...

We protect whistleblowers nationwide primarily using the False Claims Act, but also other whistleblower programs as well: SEC, CFTC, IRS, AML, NHTSA, CEPA to name a few. I formerly served as an FBI Special Agent dedicated to protecting this great country. After I left the Bureau, I handle high-end, high-profile litigation and run a firm with about 20 people in it who have the passion to fight for what is right. I have been part of several litigations that resulted in settlements and judgments in excess of $100,000,000, but past results don't guarantee future success. We represent...

Before starting my family law practice, I worked for 5 years at a non-profit, where I successfully litigated in court on behalf of survivors of domestic violence and their children. I obtained Temporary and Permanent Restraining Orders, Child Visitation and Custody Orders, as well as Child Support. Since 2007, I have offered amicable, uncontested divorce and separation options for those who want to stay out of court, including high conflict and complex cases involving domestic violence, substance abuse and mental illness. I provide services as a Mediator (neutral third party), Collaborative Divorce attorney (using a team approach),...

Having practiced criminal defense for 40 years, I have considerable trial skills and knowledge of how the system works. Before becoming an attorney, I worked seven years as a probation officer. I am very knowledgeable about people, am personable and empathetic. I have spoken Spanish for over 50 years, and many of my clients are Latino.

Gerry Goldsholle is a nationally known expert in insurance and insurance law who uses his decades of knowledge and industry "insider" experience to help his firm's clients stop being taken advantage of by insurance companies and others seeking to wrongfully delay or deny claims or pay pennies on the dollar.

An honors graduate of the College of William and Mary and the Columbia University School of Law, Gerry later completed the Senior Executive Program at Stanford University's Graduate School of Business and the coursework for a Masters of Liberal Arts at Stanford. He also served in the Army...

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.

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...

I have been in solo private practice representing plaintiffs in the areas of environmental, land use, and elections law for almost thirty years. My clients are usually local environmental groups, neighborhood associations, homeowner associations, and occasionally individuals or government agencies. In addition to my law degree (New College of Calif., 1990) have undergraduate and masters of science degrees in biology from Brown University and a Ph.D. in biochemistry and molecular biology from Harvard University. I spent ten years working as a researcher in agricultural biotechnology before doing a career change and getting my law degree.
I represent clients...

Mr. Mastro was born in Oakland, grew up around the East Bay, and has spent his life living throughout the Bay Area, from San Francisco to San Jose. Mr. Mastro graduated from the Santa Clara University School of Law in May 2006. He then passed the California State Bar Examination in July 2006 on his first attempt. Thereafter, Mr. Mastro became a Deputy Public Defender in San Joaquin County, representing clients in all manner of criminal cases, in a high-volume capacity. In 2009, Joe decided to return home to open his own law firm. Since then...

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...

Robin M. Birnbaum practices exclusively family law, having done so since 2010. Robin’s experience as a mediator, litigator and Minor’s Counsel gives her a unique perspective into the practice of family law and she is able to offer creative and strategic solutions to address the most challenging and complex family law matters, including child custody, domestic violence and support.

Robin is a Certified Family Law Specialist, having been certified by the State Bar of California, Board of Legal Specialization in July 2016. Robin is currently serving on the Executive Committee of the State Bar of California, Family Law Section...

Jenny Tiu received her B.S. degree in Physiological Science from UCLA. During her undergraduate studies, she was a research assistant at UCLA for both spinal cord injury and atherosclerosis research. Ms. Tiu then earned her J.D. degree at Golden Gate University School of Law with an emphasis in Public Interest Law. During law school, she interned for the San Francisco City Attorney's Office in the Juvenile Dependency Unit. She then went on to intern for the Solano County Alternate Public Defender's Office in the Juvenile Dependency Unit and later in the Misdemeanor Unit. After being...

Family law issues, being deeply personal, can significantly disrupt your life. I approach these sensitive matters with compassion and care. I will be straightforward in evaluating the unique aspects of your case, clearly outlining your options, and providing realistic advice on how to proceed. For over 32 years, I have committed myself to assisting families in navigating the complexities of their legal issues. I have encountered a diverse range of families and challenges, which has broadened my knowledge and allowed me to offer high-quality representation to my clients. I ensure that each client receives the focused attention they deserve and strive...

Joseph A. Motta was born and raised in the East Bay. He attended St. Mary’s College and graduated in 1984. He graduated from McGeorge School of Law in Sacramento in 1987. Joe’s legal career started as a Deputy District Attorney in Contra Costa County; from 1988 to 2004. There, he handled thousands of cases. He was a trial attorney on every team including Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, and Homicide. He supervised the Misdemeanor, Domestic Violence, and Sexual Assault Teams; as a supervisor, he maintained his own load of serious cases. As a deputy D.A., Joe prosecuted a number of high...

Mr. Poulin is experienced in the areas of real estate, business, and construction litigation. He has trial experience in both state and Federal court, and has experience in all aspects of dispute resolution. Mr. Poulin has successfully represented clients in broker disputes, foreclosures, neighbor disputes, title insurance coverage, fraud, breach of contract, breach of lease and landlord-tenant issues. Real estate issues include construction defect cases, damages on behalf of contractors, subcontractors, architects and engineers in mechanic's liens, stop notice, payment and performance bond actions. Prior to joining The Williams Firm, Mr. Poulin was an associate at the law...

My law practice focuses on representing injury and death victims and their families. Many of my cases have involved personal injury, car accidents, accidental death, wrongful death, truck accidents, big-rig accidents, motorcycle accidents, products liability, defective products, dog bites, nursing home injuries, pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents, and dangerous property. I have been highly successful in favorably resolving my clients' cases and obtaining monetary compensation for my clients for over 22 years. My clients have suffered catastrophic injuries, death of a family member, serious injuries requiring hospitalization or surgery and many other types of injuries including coma, brain injuries, quadriplegia, triplegia, loss of...

For more than 30 years, Mike Appel has devoted his practice exclusively to personal injury and wrongful death cases. He represents clients throughout California, both in State and Federal courts. Born and raised in Redondo Beach, Mike attended St. Mary’s College of California, Moraga, California, where he majored in English. He was an editor of the college’s literary magazine, "The Phoenix." He also played rugby for the Gaels, and was a member of the team that went on the first annual rugby tour of the East Coast. Mike received his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1970. At graduation he also received...

Attorney Adam M. Carlson is managing partner at Casper, Meadows, Schwartz & Cook. While he is skilled in various areas of law, he focuses the majority of his practice handling cases related to wrongful death, civil rights, and personal injury. He believes that tailoring each case to each client’s needs is key to providing aggressive and compassionate legal representation.

Before joining the firm, Carlson served as an intake assistant for our team, where he was responsible for fielding calls from potential clients. It was at this time that Carlson decided he wanted to do more. He found that he was passionate...

Seasoned corporate and transactional lawyer specializing in vendor and supplier contract terms and conditions, software licensing, machinery purchasing, franchising, website terms and conditions/privacy policies etc. I also have a MBA and have lived in the start up world and know the pain points of entrepreneurs. Not only I can be a great legal advisor, I can also advise on a multitude of business issues, from procurement, to program management, HR, team building and more!

In my early years as a financial planner, I realized that estate planning was an often-overlooked area of planning not only by clients but by their financial advisors. The reason I became an attorney was to help people make sure that their wishes are carried out during incapacity and after death. I had seen too many people impacted by the lack of estate planning or poor estate planning. I did not want to see the government or the courts take control of a person's property in a way that was not consistent with the person's wishes and intent. I am passionate...

I am an attorney with over 20 years of experience representing consumers and businesses in bankruptcy and debt resolution, real estate, probate (i.e. Wills, Trusts, and Conservatorships), criminal, and general civil matters. I pride myself in providing personal service to each of my clients. Complimentary consultations are available at any of my offices throughout Northern California and the Bay Area, and I am available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Please feel free to contact me to discuss your legal matter. It would be my pleasure to assist you. I can be reached by phone at (916) 337-8066, (415) 971-2524, or...

Areas of Expertise

Business advice and counseling
Contract drafting and review
Corporate structure and transactions
Licensing and regulation
Employment and labor negotiation
Insurance coverage and claims handling
Education

B.A., Colgate University, 1991
Phi Beta Kappa, Magna Cum Laude
J.D., University of Wisconsin Law School, 1994

Martin is an experienced business attorney who facilitates transactions while minimizing the risks and pitfalls facing his clients. Martin takes a “can-do” approach to legal problems that focuses on crafting deals through an integrative and value creating process rather than conflict.

Mr. Crawford established The Crawford National Immigration Law Firm in 2019. He started this firm because he wanted to make a difference in the lives of his clients while providing them with tailored, convenient service.

Having grown up in the Southwest, and having lived in the incredibly diverse Bay Area, he has become familiar with the struggles faced by immigrants and their families and the positive effects that immigration has on our communities, both culturally and economically. He decided that he wanted to use his education and legal experience to help people and businesses by assisting them in navigating the...

OLIVER GREENWOOD is the principal of the Law Offices of Oliver Greenwood in Pleasant Hill. He is the author of chapters 1, 4, 12, 16, and 17 in the CEB Guardianship Handbook. Mr. Greenwood received his B.A. degree from the University of California, Berkeley, and his J.D. from Golden Gate University in San Francisco. A frequent speaker regarding probate matters and a member of the Judicial Council's Probate & Mental Health Advisory Committee. Mr. Greenwood is also a contributing author to CEB's conservatorship and powers of attorney and health care directives books. Mr. Greenwood's areas of practice include conservatorships, guardianships,...

I am a former police officer and deputy district attorney in Contra Costa County. I received my Bachelor's Degree from California State University Sacramento and a Juris Doctor from John F. Kennedy University, School of Law. As principal attorney of this firm, I guide the firm’s staff and manage major cases and matters on behalf of individual and business clients. I have tried numerous cases to verdict and have appeared before the California Court of Appeal, and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeal. Our firm practices real estate, labor and employment, and business litigation. Our firm also drafts wills, trust...

Specializing exclusively in criminal law, Joseph and this team of attorneys have represented thousands of criminal defendants facing serious felony charges. He has extensive experience defending MMJ collectives, cooperatives, cultivators, and caregivers facing criminal charges for helping patients. Joseph Tully has over fifteen years experience practicing criminal law in California and has been certified as a Criminal Law Specialist by the California Board of Legal Specialization. In addition, Mr. Tully has been recognized by The National Trial Lawyers as a Top 100 Trial Lawyer in both 2013 and 2014. From Shasta to Oakland to Los Angeles,...

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...

Timothy Walton has more than eighteen years experience in litigation with senders of unsolicited commercial email.

A San Francisco Bay Area native, James Nevin received a bachelor of arts from Boston College (majoring in International Studies), a master of arts in Asian Studies from Stanford University, and a law degree from University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), where he was an editor on the UCLA Law Review. Mr. Nevin is a partner and trial counsel with the firm. He has been with Brayton Purcell since March 2002. His legal practice focuses on all litigation and trials representing personal injury and wrongful death plaintiffs, specializing in toxic torts, such as asbestos and mesothelioma, artificial stone silicosis, benzene-caused diseases,...

Born and raised in Northern California, Mr. Brayton graduated from Shasta High School in Redding, California before attending the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He was commissioned a second lieutenant upon graduation, and spent the next twelve years on active duty in the USAF, serving in a variety of jobs both in the United States and overseas, including seven years as a Judge Advocate. Upon leaving the Air Force he entered private practice in Novato, California, concentrating initially on asbestos litigation and aviation cases. Early in his career, Mr. Brayton won one of the first...

Most experienced DUI lawyer in N. California. Over 44 years in practice. Co-founder and past president of the state-wide California Association of DUI Lawyers (CDLA). Received State Bar Certified Specialist in Criminal Law designation in 1985. Awarded Lifetime Achievement Award from CDLA in 2015.

Before merging her law office with Tammy J. Mercado’s, Mary Whipple opened her own law practice in the summer of 2008. Prior to that Mary was an associate attorney at the Law Office of Cummins & Holmes, a full-service civil litigation law firm in San Ramon. The majority of her experience is in family law, which includes divorce, custody, support, prenuptial agreements, and domestic-violence restraining orders. Mary has also represented clients in a variety of non-family-law cases, including juvenile dependency, probate, breach of contract, and employment disputes, to name a few. Previously, Mary worked as a contract attorney for O’Melveny...

Ahluwalia Law Professional Corporation is a general practice law firm located in San Jose, in the San Francisco Bay Area. Striving to achieve meaningful, long-lasting relationships with our clients, we offer affordable, efficient and personalized service. Attorney Madan Ahluwalia, Managing Attorney, has been providing his clients with legal representation since 1995.

Clarence J. Ferrari is a founding partner of Ferrari Ottoboni Caputo & Wunderling. He primarily handles cases involving business and tax planning, with an emphasis on business planning and wealth transfer for families, individuals, and closely-held companies. He has extensive knowledge and hands-on experience in business transfers, generation-skipping transfers, creating sophisticated estate plans, charitable trusts, life insurance trusts, and more. Mr. Ferrari also understands the state and federal tax implications regarding estate plans and business transactions. He is a certified specialist in taxation.

Dmitry Stadlin fights for his clients, in Civil or Criminal courtrooms, and before any case is even filed. Mr. Stadlin graduated from the University of California, Davis, with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, and went on to the University of California, Hastings College of the Law where he graduated with a Juris Doctor degree. Mr. Stadlin clerked at three District Attorney’s Offices throughout the Bay Area: Alameda County, San Mateo County, and Santa Clara County. After numerous appearances for “The People” of California, Mr. Stadlin wanted to represent some actual people – real clients. Mr. Stadlin worked on...

Representing injured Californians since 1975, Dunnion Law practices personal injury law exclusively. The firm has won more than $400 million for its clients, including million dollar settlements on car accident, truck accident, dog bite and wrongful death cases.

Dunnion Law strives to assist those who have experienced personal injury due to the negligence or dangerous acts of others. In doing so, the firm offers aggressive legal representation and trustworthy legal counsel to their clients.

Although Dunnion Law practices negotiations, they do not compromise on the amount of compensation that clients should receive for their injuries and other damages. The attorneys...