Top best W Lawyers in ZIP 94612 | 199 available

The Vickness Law Firm is one of the leading firms in Northern California representing people injured at work. Founded by Mark Vickness, the firm is dedicated to providing the highest quality representation to injured workers. Our small firm strives to maintain a high level of personal service for our clients.. DEATH BENEFITS. When someone dies as a result of a work-related accident, illness or injury, that person’s dependents may be entitled to a death benefit. Minor children may receive the equivalent of temporary disability every two weeks until their eighteenth birthday. Claims for death benefits are routinely denied by insurance carriers. Establishing dependency can be a difficult process. Often times, a number of relatives may claim dependency. In one case, we represented a four-year-old and his mother living in Germany after his father died while working as a California Highway Patrol officer. Eight other people claimed to be dependents including an aunt and uncle living in Spain who flew to Sacramento for the trial. Ultimately, we succeeded in getting full death benefits for our client which included temporary disability payments until he reached the age of eighteen.. CATASTROPHIC INJURIES. Our firm specializes in representing people with work-related catastrophic injuries. Injuries resulting in paralysis and/or ventilator dependency require specialized knowledge and experience. Medical treatment for this type of injury is a complex issue. Nursing care, home health care, housing needs and home modification, wheelchair access, special transportation needs, and training for family members who desire to participate in providing care are just some of the issues that must be addressed. Making sure our clients have all of the treatment they need is of paramount importance. Beyond that, taking care of the family’s financial needs is critical. We have handled numerous cases involving paraplegia, quadriplegia, tetraplegia, severe burn injuries, loss of limbs and other catastrophic injuries.. PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICERS. Public safety officers (such as police and firefighters) are entitled to special benefits and protections under workers’ compensation law in recognition of the dangers they routinely deal with on behalf of the public. Mr. Vickness did his initial training in workers’ compensation with Yale Jones, Esq. (now retired), one of the pre-eminent specialists in representing public safety officers in California. As a result, Mr. Vickness has represented many public safety officers. He has a comprehensive understanding of – and sensitivity to – the issues that are critical to most police officers and firefighters such as the ability to return to work, retirement issues (city, county or PERS), and the potential for discrimination as a result of sustaining a work-related injury. In addition to workers’ compensation cases, Mr. Vickness has represented public safety officers in retirement and social security disability trials.. In one case, Mr. Vickness litigated on behalf of a police officer whose case was denied by the employer claiming that the officer’s injury had been intentionally self-inflicted. Mr. Vickness took that case to the California Court of Appeal and won, getting the denial reversed, full benefits for his client and a published, precedent setting decision that helps all injured workers in the future who face this type of denial. See Smith v. WCAB (2000) 79 Cal. 530; 65 CCC 277. In another case, Mr. Vickness represented a police officer whose case became much more complicated because the claims supervisor handling the case relentlessly tried to build a fraud case against the officer. The case ended well for the officer and very badly for the claims supervisor when Mr. Vickness turned the issue around and brought a fraud action against the claims supervisor.. DISCRIMINATION AGAINST INJURED WORKERS. There are several laws in California that prohibit employers from discriminating against people who are injured on the job. Unfortunately, despite these laws, employers frequently do just that. Mr. Vickness has brought many actions against employers in California. He has gone after the largest national employers, cities, counties and smaller companies as well successfully obtaining penalties and lost wages for his clients. Prior to specializing in workers’ compensation, Mr. Vickness litigated employment discrimination cases in superior court. Many workers’ compensation attorneys will not bother to pursue employers for discriminating against their employees because it takes a lot of effort to develop the evidence to present at trial. Mr. Vickness vigorously pursues these actions for his clients.. EXPERIENCE MATTERS. Workers’ compensation is an extremely technical area of the law. Mr. Vickness has fifteen years of experience litigating workers’ compensation cases. He has been certified by the California State Bar as a specialist in workers’ compensation law since 2002. He has lectured at numerous conferences and taken many cases to the California Court of Appeal. But expertise in the law only goes so far in this business. Workers’ compensation has its own culture and its own community. The personal relationships Mr. Vickness has developed over the years with doctors, defense attorneys, judges, translators and vocational experts is essential for getting results. A client of this firm will never be passed off to a junior associate.

Rated one of the BEST work comp lawyers by Super Lawyer Magazine, Represented Hundreds of Clients, Mr. Franco has obtained over $150 million in settlements for injured workers. And he offers a free consultation.. He received his law degree from the prestigious University of California, Hastings College of the Law and earned his college degree from UC Berkeley graduating with honors. He has practiced workers' comp law for 7+ years.. **SOME NOTABLE CASES**. *$570,000 Workers' Comp Settlement*: Represented a client who was injured on the job while driving a truck.. *$300,000 Workers' Comp Settlement*: Represented driver in a workers' compensation case who was involved in a motor vehicle accident while working.. *$350,000 Personal Injury Settlement*: Represented a client in a personal injury premise liability claim.. *He has successfully handled and litigated 25+ trials.. **PERSONAL**. Steve lives in Oakland. He represents workers' compensation and personal injury clients throughout California and the Bay Area counties of San Francisco, Marin, San Mateo, Alameda, Solano, Contra Costa, Santa Clara, Sonoma, Napa and Sacramento and the cities of San Francisco, Oakland, Berkeley, Alameda, San Leandro, San Mateo, Santa Clara, San Jose, Sausalito, Antioch, Concord, Daly City, Santa Rosa, South San Francisco, Redwood City, San Rafael, Stockton, Novato, Petaluma, Vallejo, Hayward, Antioch, Fremont, Fairfield, Pleasanton, Walnut Creek, Richmond and Sacramento.

Mr. Ratto is a local attorney, born in San Francisco and raised in Marin County. His firm has been based in Oakland since his predecessor, Frederick Duda started it in 1960. The firm now concists of six branch offices in Oakland, Concord, San Jose, Salinas, Sacramento and Stockton to serve all of Northern California.. Throughout his career , Mr. Ratto has dedicated himself to representing injured clients in civil and Worker’s Compensation cases in both jury and bench trials. He is the founder of the Ratto Law Firm. Mr. Ratto heads the Ratto Law Firm, which has become one of the most successful Worker’s Compensation law firms in Northern California and the San Francisco Bay Area, an accomplishment that results directly from the skill and dedication the firm’s attorneys have demonstrated in protecting their clients interests. Mr. Ratto has represented clients throughout California’s Superior Court’s, California Court of Appeals, United States District Court, Ninth District Court of Appeals and the Worker’s Compensation Appeals Board.. He has primarily represented people who have suffered injuries, many of the result of on-the-job injuries. He has also served as a labor union counsel. Recognizing that is injured clients must also navigate through overwhelming legal and medical issues, Mr. Ratto assists his clients find their way through the related areas of Social Security, State Disability, medical treatment, pension, employment law is and insurance claims. He has lectured before professional groups, doctors, and labor unions. He has been a member of many professional organizations, including Consumer Attorneys of California, California Applicants Attorneys Association,  American Bar Association, San Francisco Bar Association, Alameda County Bar Association, and the Italian-American Bar Association.. Areas of Practice. Workers’ Compensation. Personal Injury. Bar Admissions. California, 1983. U.S. District Court. California State Courts and Courts of Appeal. U.S. Court of Appeals 9th Circuit. U.S. District Court Northern District of California, 1983. Education. University of San Francisco School of Law, San Francisco, California. J.D. – 1982. University of California, Berkeley – 1978. Honors: With Honors. Major: Political science and Italian literature

Mr. Muñoz has over a decade of experience serving clients as an attorney. He began his career practicing criminal law as both a prosecutor and defense attorney gaining valuable jury trial experience. Armed with this experience and teamed with Mr. Franco, René Muñoz now advocates on behalf of you, the injured worker. He never forgot his roots and is extremely excited to represent your interests and fight for justice.. Since 2009, Mr. Muñoz has practiced in Workers' Compensation advocating for employers and insurance. His experience working on behalf of institutional clients gave him a better understanding of what motivates defendants in Workers' Compensation claims. Mr. Muñoz has litigated thousands of workers' compensation claims from beginning to end. He has taken hundreds of depositions of doctors, injured workers, and has tried many cases successfully. His background gives him better insight on how to approach litigation and negotiations on behalf of injured workers because he understands an insurers thought process.

Mr. Cross is an expert in the field of criminal law. Mr. Cross will fight more aggressively than anyone to bring you the best outcome possible. He passionately cares about defending his clients and does everything within his power to help them. Having attended the University of California, Berkeley for Undergraduate studies, he received a B.A. in Legal Studies. He subsequently attended the prestigious San Francisco Law School to receive his J.D.  He is a member of many associations, including the State Bar Association, the Alameda County Car Association, the San Mateo County Bar Association and the Delta Theta Phi Law Fraternity.

Most people think estate planning is simply passing wealth to your heirs tax-free.  But this makes estate planning sound as if it is for the super-wealthy when in fact it applies to everyone. Although planning for death and taxes are important, it is just one aspect estate planning.. When individuals create an estate plan their primary goals should be (1) protecting their assets; (2) ensuring their affairs (personal and financial) are efficiently managed upon their incapacity and death; (3) conflicts between beneficiaries are minimized; and (4) taxes are minimized.. As an estate planning attorney, I counsel clients on these issues. I advise them on the necessity and the method of creating a plan that will manage their financial and personal affairs in the most legally efficient way possible and I help them create a legacy for their beneficiaries.. Sometimes, however (no matter how thorough the estate plan), legal disputes arise over the disposition and administratoin of an individual's estate.  And when that happens, I represent beneficiaries and fiduciaries through all phases of litigation, including discovery through trial.  Such disputes include issues as to the validity and interpretation of a trust or will, and breach of fiduciary duty claims against an executor or trustee.

Jonathan Osder, Partner. Jonathan’s area of expertise is intellectual property law. His practice extends internationally and he is often engaged in cutting edge legal issues that involve copyrights, high technology (including computer, Internet, and new media law), trademarks, domain name disputes, patent enforcement and licensing, unfair competition, rights of publicity, and general civil matters.. Jonathan counsels diverse clients, including prominent software companies, manufacturers, musicians, universities, computer programmers, authors, artists, professors, producers, professional athletes, restaurateurs, photographers, and other entrepreneurs on how to secure, protect, license, transfer, and enforce their proprietary rights. This includes helping clients identify their valuable intellectual property assets, preparing proper documentation to memorialize their ownership rights, and facilitating recordation and registration of those rights with the appropriate government agencies. In the copyright context alone, he has worked on over 1,000 copyright registration applications for registration with the U.S. Copyright Office.. As a professional negotiator, Jonathan has substantial experience and has demonstrated his expertise through his handling of many multi-million dollar negotiations for which he also drafted complex agreements. He is an experienced and talented negotiator and drafter of various agreement types, including license, intellectual property transfer, software and website development, consultation, distribution, settlement, non-disclosure, advertising, Internet, computer-related, publishing, merchandise, synchronization, public performance, musician tour, character licensing, recording, endorsement, sponsorship, and right of publicity agreements.. Jonathan creates and co-manages IP enforcement programs, including for software license compliance, domain name enforcement, and patent enforcement conducted on behalf of clients such as Autodesk, Inc., UK-based Dyson Technology Limited, Monster, Inc., Denmark-based Sitecore Corporation, the Software & Information Industry Association, and Symantec Corporation. He has negotiated the recovery of several million dollars prosecuting civil claims of software copyright infringement on behalf of clients such as Autodesk, Intuit, and trade organizations whose members include Adobe Systems, Apple Computer, Autodesk, Microsoft Corporation, Network Associates, Novell, and Symantec.. Internationally, Jonathan provides legal support to attorneys worldwide; a couple noteworthy matters include negotiating a sponsorship deal with then Formula One racing world champion Jenson Button and, in connection with the 120th anniversary of the Eiffel Tower, clearing rights to Hollywood blockbuster films for The Société d’Exploitation de la Tour Eiffel so famous scenes featuring the Eiffel Tower could be publicly displayed there.. Jonathan earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of California, at Berkeley (B.A., 1989) and was awarded his law degree from the University of San Francisco (J.D., 1993), where he served as Comments Editor of the University of San Francisco Law Review. While awaiting his California Bar results, he worked in Melbourne, Australia for Phillips Fox Solicitors, one of Australia’s largest law firms which has since merged with DLA Piper. He then associated with Donahue Gallagher Woods LLP in 1994. He was made Partner in 2000 and served as the firm’s Chief Operations Officer from 2005-2014.

John D. Winer is recognized statewide by his colleagues as an outstanding litigation and trial attorney. He has obtained record-setting verdicts and settlements over the last 34 years, often in cases in which his client's economic survival and ability to overcome serious trauma and the death of a loved one were at stake.. Mr. Winer is frequently asked to lecture to other attorneys in his areas of specialty and emphasis including wrongful death, serious personal injury, psychological injury, employment litigation, psychotherapist malpractice, healthcare provider sexual abuse, workplace sexual harassment, elder abuse, traumatic brain injury and catastrophic injury cases.

I represent people in workers' compensation, personal injury, and Social Security Disabilty claims.  Very often these three areas of law overlap (example: a person is severely injured at work by a third party and cannot return to employment).  By becoming knowledgeable and experienced in all three areas of law, I can offer my clients the convenience of having one attorney handle all of their legal needs, rather than three separate attorneys.. I was born in Boston and grew up in Massachusetts.  I attended college at Brandeis University, double majoring and graduating with departmental honors.  I then attended Tulane University School of Law where I was the managing editor for the Tulane Environmental Law Journal and an honors graduate of the trial advocacy program.. I then moved to northern California, where I have lived and practiced law since 1992.  I have been in practice for myself for twenty-five years, but I work closely with several other experienced and exceptional trial attorneys.  I handle every case and communicate with every client personally.  I am committed to helping every client understand their rights and options, so that my clients can make the best choices for themselves and their families.. I am married and have two children. I have a dog, Archie, who comes to work with me on most days.  I enjoy following professional baseball, listening to jazz and blues, and building furniture.

I have been practicing law in California since January 2000. I began working in government, first as  Deputy County Counsel representing the various agencies of San Joaquin County, followed by a position as Deputy District Attorney in Stockton. I left to start private practice to ulitize my bilingual skills in Spanish due to the lack of attorneys capable of communicating properly with clients in legal matters that could have severe consequences for years after. In addition, I have consistently given back to my community as a volunteer with you in Mock Trials, and as a mentor to those students thinking of a career in law.. In 2012 I ran for public office, prompted by my community to step up, and won a race for School Board Trustee of Oakland Unified School District. I currently represent constituents in District 5 for a 4 year term.. Torres Law Group has received many awards as a local small business from the Contra Costa Chamber of Commerce and Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Alameda County, as well as recognition and honors from Assemblymember Susan Bonilla, Congressman George Miller and various other elected officials throughout the bay area.

I graduated from the University of Wisconsin, Madison in 1973 and the University of California, Hastings College of the Law in 1978.  Previously to helping found Bogatin, Corman & Gold in 1994, I was staff counselto the National Treasury Employees Union and subsequently staff counsel to theCalifornia School Employees Association.  In 1992, I was honored as CSEA’s Employee of the Year for my representation ofpublic sector employee plaintiffs in litigation affecting the pension rights ofCalifornia public employees.  My current practice emphasizes the representation of individuals in all forms of employment and discrimination related matters.  I also work with non-profit and small business organizations in formulating personnel policies and handbooks.  I formerly served as a judicial arbitrator forthe Alameda County Superior Court and currently work as an advisor andhearing officer in California merit system school district employeedisciplinary cases.  In 1996, Iwas the legal advisor and editorial consultant for the publication California Assembly of Local Arts AgenciesPersonnel Handbook for CaliforniaNonprofits.  In 2010, I co-authoredthe publication California Employment LawIssues in a Down Economy.  (Aspatore Publications.)  That writing is now included in California Employment Issues in an Economic Downturn, (West Publications Group).  My interests include non-fiction reading and analysis, music and baseball.

I exclusively represent workers and tenants who are wrongfully terminated, harassed, retaliated against, or otherwise treated differently because of their sex, race, ethnicity, disability, pregnancy, maternity/paternity, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, or military/veteran status. In recent years, I have obtained the following judgments or settlements for my clients: $2,950,000 in a wrongful termination case, $825,000 in a racial harassment and discrimination case, $800,000 in a sexual harassment and retaliation case, $650,000 in a disability discrimination and retaliation case, $450,000 in a sexual harassment and retaliation case, $432,000 in an age harassment and discrimination case.

I am an experienced and successful workers compensation atorney. I have a proven track record of large settlements and awards. I graduated law shool with honors. I am on the Board of Governors of CAAA, the organization of attorneys who represent injured workers. I am involved with educating workers compensation attorneys. I speak regularly at workers compensation conventions. I am down to earth. I like to ride my bicycle and garden. I love my ciients. I look forward to meeting with you to discuss your case.

Gary Gwilliam is considered one of the best consumer trial attorneys in the state. His reputation and skill in representing seriously injured plaintiffs is well known. He has tried over 180 jury cases, of which almost 150 were plaintiff civil personal injury cases. He has handled major cases in every area of consumer law, including serious automobile and construction accidents, products liability, medical malpractice, bad faith insurance, civil rights (including police misconduct), wrongful termination and employment discrimination and harassment, and has recently concentrated more in employment law.. A noted lecturer and motivational speaker, he has conducted seminars and workshops around California and the United States for many years. He is the author of numerous articles on California consumer law and is frequently called upon to serve as an expert witness on the standard of care for lawyers' conduct. He frequently lectures on the topics of substance abuse, stress reduction, improving the quality of life as well as topics related to his practice.

Deirdre is a Bay Area native and has spent her entire career in employment law, gathering significant trial and appellate experience with workers’ compensation claims. Her practice at Boxer+Gerson is focused solely on representing injured workers at the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board.. Deirdre earned her undergraduate degree from University of California, Davis, where she interned with both the Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP) and the Women’s Health Initiative national research study — engagements that have given her a unique perspective on health issues that affect today’s workers. At University of San Francisco School of Law, she sharpened her research and writing skills while serving as executive editor of the USF Law Review.

Alex has a B.S. in Finance from San Diego State University and a J.D. from John F. Kennedy School of Law.  Prior to working with Horton, West & Bowman, Alex was a solo practitioner with his firm Bowman Law Offices for three years, and worked at Trutner Law Offices in Livermore for five years. Alex enjoys helping his clients establish a new business, creating diverse estate plans, and helping his client's through a difficult time after they have lost a loved one through trust or probate administrations.

Aanand Mehtani is a founding partner at Rushovich Mehtani LLP.. Mr. Mehtani started his career at O’Melveny & Myers, one of the oldest and largest law firms in Los Angeles. At O’Melveny, Mr. Mehtani’s practice broadly included contractual and commercial/business litigation, labor and employment litigation and counseling, intellectual property litigation, and business transactions. After leaving O’Melveny, Mr. Mehtani went on to specialize in employment litigation at the international law firm of Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld, where he practiced for several years. Akin’s employment practice is widely considered to be among the best corporate practices in the United States.. Mr. Mehtani has years of experience with various types of employment law matters, including but not limited to wage and hour individual and class actions, sexual harassment, discrimination and wrongful termination suits. He also has significant experience providing employment law compliance advice and drafting agreements related to employment law matters, as well as working on personal injury cases.