Santa Cruz County Domestic Violence Lawyers

Criminal defense attorney John D. Fitzpatrick fiercely defends the constitutional rights of his clients in courts throughout the state, protecting them from racial profiling, excessive force, mass incarceration, and the prison industrial complex. He has repeatedly won dismissals of all charges, earned the release of numerous clients from custody, and negotiated the most favorable terms for his clients.* John aggressively represents his clients from Arraignment through all phases of trial and will not rest until the case is dismissed or they are fully acquitted. He knows firsthand the effects that any conviction or incarceration can have on his clients and their...

Nafiz M. Ahmed is an award-winning criminal defense attorney. He is an owner and managing partner at Ahmed & Sukaram, Attorneys at Law, a leading criminal law firm with offices in Redwood City and San Jose, CA. Nafiz attended college at UC Davis, where he served as a justice on the UC Davis Supreme Court. He wrote the court’s majority opinions for two years and knew he wanted to practice law. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in three years, graduating early to attend law school. Nafiz enrolled at Santa Clara University School of Law. He participated in Honors Moot Court competitions...

Welcome to the Law Office of James Chau. You deserve the highest quality legal representation at affordable prices for your San Jose / Santa Clara County Divorce and Family Law needs. Please call the office today to speak with an attorney.

Mr. Cvietkovich is very well-connected in the Bay Area being a 6th generation resident of San Jose. He currently works in the same building where his great-uncle had a law practice from the 1960s to the 1980s. Mr. Cvietkovich has handled over 3000 cases in his career and he uses his vast experience to aggressively defend his clients. Mr. Cvietkovich is a member of the Santa Clara County Bar Association and the California Public Defender’s Association. To find out about our flexible and affordable payment options or to receive a free consultation, please contact us today at 408-625-1130.

Gina Policastri is a Family Law Specialist as certified by The State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization, and partner at Lonich Patton Ehrlich Policastri, where she has worked since graduating from Santa Clara University School of Law. Gina was one of the firm’s first associates and, during her 21-year tenure, has been instrumental in growing the firm into one of the largest family law firms in California. Gina obtained a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Santa Clara University in 2000 and her Juris Doctorate from Santa Clara University School of Law in 2003, where she earned a place...

David Patton is a Family Law Specialist as certified by The State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization, limiting his practice to family law exclusively. He heads the firm's family law practice.

Mr. Patton has 22 years experience as a trial lawyer, spending his early years focusing on insurance defense and plaintiff's personal injury cases. After co-founding Lonich & Patton in 1994, Mr. Patton developed the firm's family law practice. Since then, he has become one of Silicon Valley's top family law attorneys. Mr. Patton is a certified family law specialist. Only attorneys certified by the State Bar of California...

Summit Defense is the Bay Area's premiere Criminal Defense Firm. We have gathered an experienced team of attorneys with over 120 years of combined and diverse experience and background that works together to get you the best results. Call to speak with an attorney now.

Ms. Seeley is a Certified Specialist in Family Law by the State Bar of California, Board of Legal Specialization. Ms. Seeley’s practice focuses on dissolution cases involving high asset and complex financial issues such as the division of interests in closely-held businesses, real estate, and equity compensation, including stock options and RSU’s. Ms. Seeley also has extensive experience with high-conflict custody matters and relocation/ move-away cases. Ms. Seeley brings over 40 years of civil litigation experience to the firm and represents clients through all phases of family law litigation before private judges and in public...

The Law Office of Matt Sullivan is dedicated exclusively to criminal defense. The office defends individuals accused of felony and misdemeanor offenses throughout the Bay Area. The office has successfully defended many clients, including small business owners, tech workers, college students, nurses, firefighters, police officers, attorneys, and regular citizens. Matt Sullivan is a University of San Francisco Law School graduate. Mr. Sullivan was selected to the 2018-2024 Northern California Super Lawyers list in the practice area of criminal defense. Prior to opening his own office he was a trial attorney in the Marin Public Defender's Office, and he also worked...

I am a top rated Criminal Defense & Immigration. I have defended 1000's of clients with great results. I have years of experience, having helped thousands of clients with every type of criminal charge, from petty theft, to drug possession, to attempted murder and sexual assault. I've handled DUIs, Domestic violence. I have taken over 30 cases to trial, and gotten cases dismissed. I am fluent in Spanish.

We help people with Immigraiton cases. Family Petitons, fighting deportation in Court, Asylum applications from all over the world. Green card applications,...

Gretchen Z. Boger began her law career as a Deputy District Attorney in San Joaquin County from 2007 – 2010. During her tenure with the D.A.’s office, she prosecuted 17 jury trials.

Ms. Boger has been practicing family law exclusively since January 2010. Ms. Boger joined Lonich Patton Ehrlich Policastri in 2013. She received her Juris Doctorate from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law. During her time at McGeorge, she received a concentration in trial advocacy.

Ms. Boger demonstrates great care and compassion in handling the complex emotional and legal issues which are unique to family law matters. Ms....

The Law Offices of Lucy S. McAllister is a California-based administrative law, licensing law and criminal law practice providing legal services for clients in California. Attorney McAllister has successfully won over 250 Superior Court trials as a Defense Attorney.With 30+ years experience as a civil and criminal attorney.

She specializes in the following areas of law:

Licensing Law :
Pre-hearing resolution of licensing issues, Administrative Hearings, Administrative Appeals, License Applications, Legal Advice, Handling License Criminal Disclosures (Applications, Renewals, Reinstatements), criminal record expungement.

Criminal Law:
Restraining orders, DUI charges and convictions, Domestic Violence, Sex Charges, Strikes Charges, Assault and Battery, Theft and Fraud,...

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...

Nancy M. Martinez is a California native. She grew up in Los Angeles and moved to the San Francisco Bay Area to attend college. Nancy is a native Spanish speaker. In her spare time, Nancy enjoys photography, traveling, cooking, and spending time with her family.

Ms. Martinez attended the University of California-Berkeley where she earned a bachelor’s degree in U.S. History. After Cal, Ms. Martinez worked as a paralegal for several years in the areas of business litigation, antitrust, class-actions, and intellectual property.

Ms. Martinez attended the University of San Francisco, School of Law where she earned a Certificate of Concentration...

Stephen W. Penn is a Certified Family Law Specialist who has been in private practice since 1991. He received a Bachelor of Science from California State University, Los Angeles and his law degree from Glendale College of Law. He also holds a Master of Business Administration from Pepperdine University, Master of Science in Taxation from Golden Gate University and Master of Arts from John F. Kennedy University in Counseling Psychology.

Prior to commencing his legal career, Mr. Penn served as Vice Chancellor of the West Valley-Mission Community College District and Director of Finance and Chief Business Officer of California State University...

Magdalena Chattopadhya practices all areas of family law, providing comprehensive legal representation for matters related to divorce, separation, child custody/support, paternity, retraining orders, and more. As a Certified Family Law Specialist, she is hands-on with her clients from the initial consultation all the way to negotiations, trials, and even appeals when necessary. Ms. Chattopadhya focuses on the big picture – the long-term impact of a case on her clients’ lives. As a certified mediator, she strives to help parties move forward from a conflict in an amicable and dignified manner. She is dedicated to pursuing the best possible result, no...

Andrew Marcellino is a seasoned lawyer who has represented many clients throughout Santa Clara County in the trial and mediation process. He fights for his clients in the courtroom, but emphasizes negotiation and mediation as alternatives whenever possible. He does this to save his clients time, money and emotional stress, and to help them retain control over their legal results.

We assist family law clients in matters of domestic violence, divorce, custody and visitation, child support, restraining orders, property division, modifications of court orders, paternity matters, and other issues related to family law. We also provide experienced representation in criminal...

100% Defense -Criminal Law Only -Award Winning Attorney -Over 30 years of experience in Santa Clara County Courts -Over 100 jury trials, everything from high profile murder cases to misdemeanor DUIs -Work has been featured on the front page of San Jose Mercury News -Bilingual (Spanish) One Dedicated Lawyer: I work hard because I want the best possible results. Sometimes a case that looked impossible at first, gets better if I work hard enough.

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,...

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...

William V. Pernik is a criminal defense attorney licensed to practice in all state courts in California. His office is located in Salinas, in a historic Austin House just minutes away from the courthouse. William Pernik practices exclusively in the field of criminal defense. Born in former Soviet Ukraine, William Pernik immigrated to the United States in 1996. He obtained an undergraduate degree in Psychology from U.C. Davis and a juris doctor degree from University of San Francisco School of Law, from which he graduated with Honors (cum laude), a certificate in Public Interest Law, and a number of...

Mr. Rabin Nabizadeh is a staunch, single minded advocate with years of experience and a proven track record in both Federal and State courts. He has represented individuals in cases ranging from Misdemeanor DUI, Theft and Domestic Violence cases to serious felonies including Grand Theft, Burglary, Sex Crimes and even Murder. While defending these clients, Mr. Nabizadeh achieved the remarkable success that Summit Defense demands from their attorneys.

John D. Cahners is a State Bar Certified Specialist in Criminal Law, who was a former senior prosecutor with the Santa Clara County District Attorneys Office. He has been defending those charged with crimes, since 1980.

He has been successful at handling all kinds of criminal defense with experience that includes every kind of crime, from DUI to Homicide. As a result of the new trend in prosecutions, he has become expert in handling Domestic Violence cases, and has devoted a substantial percentage of his practice to that area.

AV peer review rated by Martindale Hubble, he is also recognized by San...

A California State Bar Certified Specialist in Criminal Law, Jeffrey B. Hayden represents the residents of the Bay Area in California, which includes the cities in the metro areas of San Francisco, Oakland and San Jose. He focuses his practice on criminal defense, and juvenile offenses.
Mr. Hayden also hosts the program Your Legal Rights, broadcast weekly at San Francisco NPR affiliate KALW.
https://www.kalw.org/term/your-legal-rights#stream/0
Mr. Hayden graduated the University of California with a Bachelor of Arts in economics, then attended University of Southern California, Gould School of Law, earning his Juris...

San Mateo County Injury Attorney Todd P. Emanuel is the managing partner of the firm. Todd has been given the honor of being selected as a “Northern California Superlawyer” eight years in a row from 2009 through 2017 based on peer recognition and great achievements in representing personal injury plaintiffs. Todd was recently nominated for consideration as the Consumer Attorney of the Year. In 2012, Mr. Emanuel served as President of the San Mateo County Trial Lawyers Association and as a member of the Board of Governors of Consumer Attorneys of California and has been recognized by the National Trial...

Christine Pham is a San Francisco native with over 10 years of litigation experience. Her background in litigation, bankruptcy, and knowledge of California family law, combined with her creative legal strategies and sincere compassion for her clients, has made her a recognized and trusted name in and around the Bay Area.

Christine focuses her practice on helping families and couples in a range of family law and family formation matters, including child custody and support, spousal support (alimony), dissolution of marriage (divorce), legal separation, division of property, and assisted reproduction.

Christine’s dedication to her clients is reflected in the testimonials they give...

Harvey Ziff has again been honored as being listed as a "Northern California Super Lawyer" based on peer recognition and great achievements in representing personal injury plaintiffs.

Harvey Ziff attended the Wharton School of Finance, University of Pennsylvania (BS) and Stanford University School of Law. While at Stanford, Mr. Ziff served as editor on the Stanford Law Review from 1966-1967. Mr. Ziff also earned a masters of law (LLM) from Northwestern University (1969).

After graduating from Stanford University School of Law, Mr. Ziff served as a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney in San Francisco from 1968–1969 where he successfully prosecuted felony cases through...

Jessica joined Mello & Pickering LLP in January 2015. In 2011 Jessica received her undergraduate degree from Saint Mary’s College of California where she majored in political science. After graduating from Saint Mary’s, she received her law degree from Thomas Jefferson School of Law in 2014. She was then admitted to the California State Bar in December 2014, after passing the state bar exam on her first attempt. During her law school education, Jessica gained extensive experience in family law working for the Department of Child Support Services, the San Francisco Bar Association’s family law project and a solo family...

While I was always interested in a legal career as I grew up and went through my years of education, it was not until I became quite involved in the civil rights movement during the 1960’s that I really began to understand how absolutely vital it was to protect the individual rights of citizens. This is especially true for persons charged with a criminal offense. People ask how I can represent “guilty” people, or those persons accused of serious crimes. The fact is I am proud and honored to do so because I deeply believe in the principles of...

Attorney Shari Sukaram is one of the founding lawyers with Ahmed & Sukaram, Attorneys at Law, a criminal defense law firm representing clients throughout Northern California. Ms. Sukaram realized that she wanted to be a litigation attorney at a young age; she’s since achieved that goal and dedicates her legal career to standing up for the rights of others. Ms. Sukaram went to the University of California, San Diego, for her undergraduate studies. She then went on to earn her J.D. from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law, in 2007. During law school, Attorney Sukaram interned for the...

I began as a civil defense attorney for four years before working for the Santa Clara DA's office for 38 years. At the DA's office I worked with the court, police and other attorneys in prosecuting criminal cases. I tried over 150 jury trials including murders, sexual assaults, the prosecution of police officers, drugs, fraud, DUIs, and I handled thousands of other proceedings such as negotiated settlements, motions and preliminary hearings.

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.

-- Over 16 years experience in Family Law -- Certified Family Law Specialist -- Good Listener & Idea Generator -- Can Think Outside the Box to Help You Get Great Results -- Friendly Style Facilitates Settlements

Joshua Robinett Jachimowicz was admitted to the State Bar in 2011. Mr. Jachimowicz began working with his father's firm as a law clerk while attending law school. He graduated the University of California at Santa Barbara with a bachelor's degree in Physics. Like his father, he received his law degree from the Santa Clara University School of Law. While at Santa Clara, he received honors for his academic efforts in Wills and Trusts, Employment Discrimination and Trial Techniques classes. As a young attorney, he has handled numerous criminal matters, including petty thefts, drug offenses, and DUIs. Mr. Jachimowicz recently married...

CERTIFICATIONS:
Certified Family Law Specialist
State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization

BAR ADMISSIONS:
California, 1989
U.S. District Court Central District of California, 1989
U.S. District Court Eastern District of California, 1989
U.S. District Court Northern District of California, 1989
U.S. District Court Southern District of California, 1989
EDUCATION:
University of California, Hastings College of the Law, San Francisco, California, J.D.