Top General Practice Lawyers Near Me in OAKLAND Area

Steven Kazan is one of the nation’s preeminent and most experienced asbestos litigation attorneys. For the past 44 years, he and the law firm he founded have represented hundreds of injured workers suffering from asbestos-related mesothelioma in some of the most high-profile cases in history, against Johns-Manville, Fibreboard, Johnson & Johnson, and others.. Steven’s groundbreaking work has helped victims and their families redress the wrongs done to them, and his work has prompted changes in asbestos law that benefit victims. He is also active in helping to improve workplaces through education and legislative advocacy.. In 1994, Steven and his firm established the Kazan McClain Partners Foundation Inc. to support institutions that fight for the little guy and provide funding for mesothelioma research. To date, the foundation has given out more than $20 million in grant money to help make a difference in people’s lives. The foundation worked with University of Chicago researchers to fund pleural mesothelioma research, which was presented at the International Mesothelioma Interest Group conference in May 2018. The foundation also supports thoracic cancer programs at UCSF and Stanford.. In recent years, Steven has shifted his focus from trying cases to advising on the bankruptcy reorganization of asbestos companies and the management of asbestos bankruptcy trust funds. About 50 corporations have set up asbestos trust funds to remain viable in the face of massive liability for toxic asbestos exposure.. Steven has won numerous citations and awards for his pioneering asbestos litigation work. He has been named to Super Lawyers and made the Best Lawyers list 10 times; the U.S. Chamber of Commerce selected his firm as a Top Plaintiffs’ Firm for Asbestos Litigation. In 2017, Steven received the prestigious Consumer Attorneys of California Edward I. Pollock Award “in recognition of many years of dedication, outstanding efforts and effectiveness on behalf of the causes and ideals” of consumer attorneys.

Professional Background. A passion for justice drives me to fight hard for my clients' rights. Over the 25 years I have been practicing law, I have developed skills for handling many types of cases, especially cases involving personal injury (auto, premises liability and products liabilitiy), real estate (contracts, neighbor disputes, nuisances, boundary issues, disabiltiy access, etc.), construction (including design, installation, soils, mold and "indoor air quality" issues) and insurance.  I have handled cases in both State and Federal courts throughout California, achieving hundreds of favorable settlements for clients, and when needed, successfully trying cases to verdict.. Justice is based on truth, and truth is found by investigation and discovery.  When serving as an advocate, I pride myself with skillfully discovering the facts and evidence that will prove up my clients' position in the case, weaken my opponents' case, and help resolve the case. I carefully research the law applicable to the dispute, and consider the effect of the law on the evidence related to the case.  I help my clients understand the range of possible outcomes under the law and facts applicale to their case, preparing them to ultimately make an informed decision about whether to resolve the case at mediation, or take a case to trial or arbitration.. When serving as a mediator, I listen carefully to the  statements and arguments made by both sides.  I find that parties often start with "extreme" positions based on an assumption that if the matter goes to trial, they will get everything they want.  When speaking with litigants, I look for the kernels of information which might help build "common ground" on which to reach a compromise agreement.  I also help people realize potential weaknesses in their position, and possible unanticipated or unfavorable results which might occur if the matter was tried to a jury or judge.  I find that litigants often have not fully considered the "downside" which could occur if a judge or jury does not fully agree with their point of view.  By giving litigants a "neutral evalution" and pointing out possible weak points in their case, I help litigants understand how a mediated resolution which they have the opportunity to craft with the other side is usually preferable to a result which will be decided by a judge or jury over whom they have no control.. As an arbitrator, I conscientiously maintain a respectful, neutral demeanor so that parties feel comfortable that I am giving due consideration to all the arguments and evidence submitted by all sides before making a decision.  I work hard to assure that the atmosphere of the arbitration remains professional, discouraging bickering between parties and counsel which can lead to unnecessary stress and agitation.  Once the evidence is in, I promptly render an award based on my findings after considering all the evidence and arguments.. Personal Information. I am as passionate about life as I am about getting great results for my clients.. In the time when I am not working hard for my clients, I enjoy being active, including biking, tennis, kayaking, hiking with my dogs and almost any outdoor activity.  I also enjoy art, spending many quiet hours drawing, painting and writing, mostly for the enjoyment of my family and friends.. I find that taking this quiet time gives me time to reflect even more about the needs of my clients and I often incorporate "inspirations" from my personal time into the strategies I use in my clients' cases.

Jeffery B. Levi practices in the areas of estate planning and corporate and transactional law, and is certified by the California State Bar Board of Legal Specialization as a specialist in probate, estate planning, and trust law.  He is a member of the Board of Directors for East Bay Trusts & Estate Lawyers and is a past president of the organization.  Jeff has been selected by his peers and the publishers of Law & Politics and San Francisco Magazine in 2014 and 2015 as one of Northern California’s “Super Lawyers,” as well as a “Rising Star” in 2009 and 2010.. Legal Experience: Formerly with Reed Smith LLP (2003-2004) and Crosby Heafey Roach & May, P.C. (2000-2002). Estate Planning. Jeff is certified by the California State Bar Board of Legal Specialization as a specialist in estate planning, trust, and probate law and works with individuals and couples to plan and structure their estates.  Jeff prepares revocable trusts, irrevocable generational trusts, wills, durable powers of attorney, and advance health care directives.  With his corporate and transactional skills, Jeff can form and prepare the organizational and operating documents for family businesses (such as family limited partnerships and limited liability companies) to meet clients’ business and estate planning objectives.. Corporate and Transactional Law. Jeff’s experience includes forming, organizing, and counseling limited liability companies, partnerships, and corporations.  Jeff has handled major transactions, including acquisitions, financings, conversions, and dissolutions.  He has acted as outside counsel for entities on a variety of legal issues, such as buy-sell agreements, duties of directors, and family business succession.  Jeff also has substantial experience with forming, counseling, and obtaining tax-exempt status for nonprofit organizations.. Professional Memberships. California State Bar (Member, Trusts and Estates and Business Sections). East Bay Trusts and Estates Lawyers (Board of Directors, past President). East Bay Tax Club. East Bay Estate Planning Council. Education. University of San Francisco, J.D., cum laude, 2000. Pomona College, B.A., 1991

I am committed to partnering with my clients in building their businesses during both good and challenging times.  I help my clients understand risk so they feel comfortable and confident in making good business decisions.

Denise's law practice focuses exclusively on employment issues and litigation in support of the rights of employees.  As a former associate in legal defense firms, Denise defended public and private entities against discrimination, harassment. retaliation, and wrongful termination claims. As a result, Denise understands how employers work and can often achieve results before a lawsuit is filed. As a seasoned litigator, she has enjoyed an extensive law and motion practice and has chaired several state court trials and arbitrations. Dedicated to making the workplace right for everyone, Denise's practice has included developing and presenting workplace trainings on such subjects as sexual harassment and the mandated reporting laws.. While in law school, Denise was on the editorial board of Law Review and received Witkin Awards for Academic Excellence in Remedies and Community Property and a CALI Excellence for the Future Award in Appellate Advocacy. She also served as a judicial extern for the Honorable Maria-Elena James, United States Magistrate Judge for the Northern District of California. From 2010-2011, Denise served as the Director for Examinations for the State Bar of California, where she was responsible for the development of the California Bar Examination and testing accommodations for disabled applicants. Prior to starting her own firm, Denise worked as an associate at Gordon & Rees and Liebert Cassidy Whitmore where she gained invaluable experience in all aspects of employment law, in administrative and civil proceedings and through mediation and arbitration.

David De La Flor is a San Francisco Bay Area business law attorney who prides himself on the successes of his clients. David understands the importance of high-quality legal counsel to entrepreneurs and companies of all sizes, and seeks to provide each of his clients with the personalized attention they deserve.. Prior to joining SPZ, David worked as an attorney at both a top commercial law firm and a boutique technology and intellectual property law firm in South Florida. David has represented numerous companies at all stages of their development, and counsels his clients on a wide array of issues including formation, regulatory compliance, employment and labor law, financing, and dispute resolution. David counsels clients in various industries, including technology, social media, data security, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, finance, banking, building construction, hospitality, marketing and advertising.. David graduated from the University of California-Berkeley School of Law with a certificate of specialization in international law.  He was an Articles Editor for Berkeley La Raza Law Journal, a student-run law journal focused on shedding light and analyzing legal issues affecting the Latino community.  He was also a member of the International Human Rights Clinic, where he explored issues surrounding effective representation of affected communities bringing complaints against development projects funded by international financial institutions, such as the World Bank and the Inter-American Development Bank. He also interned with a prominent non-profit organization at its Quito, Ecuador office, where he helped represent clients bringing claims against a large multinational U.S. government contractor under the Alien Tort Claims Act.. David attended the University of Florida for his undergraduate studies where he obtained a B.S.B.A. with a concentration in Economics.  He also spent time studying and completing coursework at the Universidade Catolica do Rio de Janeiro in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.  After graduating, David worked for a large, prominent bank as a banker, holding his Series 7 and Series 63 securities licenses.. As is representative from his work throughout law school, David is committed to serving his community. He has participated in pro-bono matters as an attorney ad litem for Lawyers for Children, and has given back to the legal community as a board member of the Dade County Bar Association Young Lawyers Section.  Prior to going to law school, he also volunteered at Miami Children’s Hospital’s Radio Lollipop program.. David is fluent in Spanish, and has a working knowledge of Portuguese. David is admitted to practice in the State of Florida (California admission pending).

Carolyn E. Henel is a partner at Roisman Henel + Adams LLP.  She represents individuals in estate planning, probate and trust administration, family business planning and charitable giving.  In addition, she advises trustees, executors, and beneficiaries in the administration of decedents’ estates, preparation of estate tax returns, and the administration of revocable and irrevocable trusts.. Carolyn is certified by the California State Bar Board of Legal Specialization as a Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law.  She serves on the Alameda County Bar Association Volunteer Legal Services Corporation (VLSC) Board of Directors.. Carolyn has been selected to the Northern California Super Lawyers list every year since 2004 and to the Northern California Super Lawyers Top 50 Women Lawyers list in 2007, 2010, and 2011.  She was named one of “The Top 100 Attorneys in the United States” attending to affluent families by Worth Magazinein 2006 and 2007.  Carolyn has held an “AV” preeminent ranking from Martindale-Hubbell for over 15 years.. Carolyn is a contributing author to CEB and speaks to professional groups on topics relating to trusts and estates.. Professional Memberships:. State Bar of California, Trusts and Estates Section. EastBay Trusts & Estates Lawyers. Alameda County Bar Association. Education & Professional Background:. Roisman Henel + Adams LLP, Partner, May 2002 to present. Crosby, Heafey, Roach & May PC, Associate, October 1996 to May 2002. University of VirginiaSchool of Law, J.D., 1996. YaleUniversity, B.A., 1992

As an attorney and executive with extensive experience in the public and private sectors, Stephen has practiced law for over 25 years representing individuals in personal injury and mass torts cases and consumers in class action lawsuits. Stephen has received rating of AV Preeminent from Martindale Hubbell, the highest ranking of professional excellence from a lawyer's peers.. Over the course of his legal career, Stephen has represented consumers in class action lawsuits against major national banks and credit card companies for imposing improper late and overlimit fees and promoting and selling worthless add-on products. Stephen also represented home owners in litigation against the leading title insurance companies in California. Settlements in the cases brought a total of $50 million for consumers, and resulted in industry-wide changes in the providing of escrow services.. Serving as special counsel for the State of California, multiple California counties and the City and County of San Francisco, Stephen investigated a half-century of efforts by the tobacco industry to promote smoking by teenagers as part of the multi-state litigation against the tobacco industry. He deposed senior tobacco marketing executives and succeeded in obtaining the production of documents from R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. (RJR) on current marketing programs. The documents produced by RJR included its infamous "Project SCUM" campaign.. Upon the successful conclusion of the historic litigation, Stephen drafted a lengthy letter to California Attorney General Bill Lockyer calling for him to bring an enforcement action against RJR for advertising in magazines with a high teen readership. The Attorney General filed a lawsuit against RJR in 2001. Three years later, a settlement was reached requiring RJR to pay a $17 million fine and cease its advertising in magazines with a teen audience of 15% or more of its readers.. Today, Stephen serves as Of Counsel at the Dolan Law Firm. He directs the firm's marketing efforts and actively participates in the investigation and review of new cases involving serious personal injuries, bicycle, motorcycle and vehicle accidents, employment discrimination and wrongful termination, elder abuse and neglect, and fraud against the government (False Claims Act and whistleblower cases).. Stephen is a frequent speaker on topics related to legal marketing. He served as a member of the Board of Governors of the Consumer Attorneys of California from 2007 to 2015, and remains an active member of the organization. From 2010 through 2014, Stephen held elective office as the Mayor of San Leandro, spearheading the transformation of the city into a new center of innovation in the San Francisco Bay Area

Anne Bruner Nash is of Counsel to the firm of Roisman Henel + Adams LLP.  She is certified by the California State Bar Board of Legal Specialization as a specialist in estate planning, trust and probate law.  Each year since 2005, Anne has been selected by her peers and the publishers of Law & Politics and San Francisco Magazine as one of Northern California’s “Super Lawyers.”. Anne’s practice focuses on estate planning, estate and gift taxation, and probate and trust administration, including administration of special needs trusts.  She enjoys working with a wide variety of clients, and has experience planning for and administering all kinds of estates.. Anne is a fifth-generation native of the Bay Area and fourth-generation lawyer.  She previously worked with her father in a law practice begun in San Leandro in 1915 by her great-grandfather, J. A. Bruner.  Her grandfather, Judge “Watt” Bruner and her father, Lee Bruner, practiced in San Leandro for many years.  Many of her clients have been represented by two or more generations of Bruners, and Anne enjoys advising multiple generations of families.. Anne is a contributing author to several CEB publications and speaks to professional groups on a number of topics relating to trusts and estates.. Professional Memberships:. State Bar of California, Trusts and Estates Section. EastBay Trusts & Estates Lawyers. Estate Planning Council of the EastBay. EastBay Tax Club. Education:. University of California at Berkeley, BoaltHallSchool of Law, J.D., 1987.. Stanford University, B.A., with Distinction, 1984, Phi Beta Kappa.