Top best L Lawyers in ZIP 94595 | 16 available

Thomas M. O’Connor is a founding partner of the firm and currently focuses his practice on Criminal Defense and Personal Injury. As a partner in O’Connor, Runckel & O'Malley LLP, Mr. O’Connor regularly litigates personal injury and wrongful death actions and defends clients in all misdemeanor and felony matters.. At O'Connor, Runckel & O'Malley LLP, we are committed to the zealous representation of our clients in a wide array of criminal and civil matters.Criminal Defense: We draw upon our vast experience prosecuting misdemeanor and felony cases during our combined 35 years as deputy district attorneys. The cornerstone of our law firm’s success is the extensive criminal law experience of Tom O’Connor, Jason Runckel and Dan O'Malley. We have negotiated thousands of criminal cases and successfully tried hundreds of high profile felony and misdemeanor cases; including, murder, arson, residential burglary, torture, three strikes cases, domestic violence, driving under the influence, sex crimes, vehicular manslaughter, assault with deadly weapon, robbery, and juvenile. We have extensive dealings with state and federal judges, hundreds of prosecutors, and virtually every law enforcement agency in the bay area. In summary, our trial ability and negotiating skills are unsurpassed.Personal Injury: We represent plaintiffs in serious personal injury claims. Our firm’s goal is to bring justice to those who have been harmed by the wrongdoing of others. Our mission is to seek justice for our clients and rebuild their lives by seeking full compensation for their losses. We retain the finest experts, engineers, and physicians to obtain the highest possible recoveries. We are proud to play a role in keeping the justice system strong by protecting the rights of the individual. We are results driven attorneys who bring a strong combination of education, experience and practical knowledge to the representation of our clients.

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, from minor to serious, and from simple to complex. He was a trial attorney on the following teams: Misdemeanor, Juvenile, Law and Motion, Felony Trials, Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, Career Criminal, and Homicide. He also supervised the Misdemeanor Trial Team, the Domestic Violence Team, and the Sexual Assault Team. As a supervisor, he also maintained his own case load of serious cases. While a deputy, he also prosecuted a number of high profile homicide and sexual assault cases. He was the first in the county to qualify a detective as a gang expert, and the second prosecutor in the state to prosecute someone for assault with a dangerous virus. He has significant courtroom experience working with DNA, medical injuries, cause of death, crime and accident scenes and psychiatric/psychological issues. He co-authored new law as well as testified before the State Assembly and State Senate Committees regarding new legislation.  He was the first elected President to the County Deputy District Attorneys’ Association, he served on several committees including the County’s Advisory Committee Against Domestic Violence and he trained police, dispatchers, social workers, and several other professions in subjects such as domestic violence, report writing, and sexual assault.. Joe left the DA’s office in good standing and joined an old friend Greg Rueb in January 2004 to start Rueb & Motta. They had originally met on a rugby field in law school and later, they worked together at the District Attorney’s office. From 2004 until 2017, Joe helped hundreds to possibly thousands of people get through  some of the toughest times of their lives.  Joe’s extensive courtroom experience, trial skills and experience helping so many people, including victims of crime, have been a great asset to his clients who have been seriously injured or killed caused by the carelessness (negligence) of others. Those who suffer severe injuries need someone who can steer them through the several obstacles and hurdles often imposed by the insurance companies representing the defendants and the courts that oversee their lawsuits. It is the utmost priority to Joe, and he is not afraid of anyone, to achieve a fair and just result for his clients.  Joe has a strong sense of loyalty to  his clients and prides himself that he treats every one as if they are part of  his family.  Joe has yet to oppose someone with more jury trial experience (Joe has well over 100 jury trials under his belt), and he enjoyed so many hard fought battles to protect the rights of his clients.. Joe and his wife remain involved in the community and local charities.  Joe serves on the board and was a prior president of the 100 Club of Contra Costa, a charity that supports families of fallen police and firefighters. He serves as a Trustee, and is a Regent Emeritus of St. Mary’s College, Moraga.  He also had the privilege to coach his sons as they grew up.  Their high school rugby teams placed third in the country two years in a row, then placed first in the country two years in a row.  Joe has also been the Chair of the Alamo Police Services Advisory Committee since 2012.

I practice family law because I am dedicated to helping clients protect what matters most — their families and their financial well-being. I see my role as a supportive ally, guiding clients through the legal process with clarity and compassion.. I am a strong proponent of negotiated settlements to achieve the best possible outcomes in family law matters. When settlement is not possible, I am courtroom-ready and experienced in advocating for my clients’ rights. I approach each case as unique, favoring carefully tailored strategies to best protect and advance my clients’ interests.. I am active in the Contra Costa County Bar Association and the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. I also volunteer with The Legal Aid Society of San Mateo County and Legal Access Alameda.. Representative Matters:• Secured favorable custody rulings in two domestic violence restraining order cases by uncovering fabricated evidence, including falsified text messages and a fraudulent negative drug test.• Successfully opposed a motion for a substantial increase in child support obligations, prevailing based on case law limiting retroactive application of the court’s order.

I devote my practice to conducting workplace investigations and Title IX investigations.. Employers have a legal duty to perform a prompt and thorough investigation when certain types of complaints are made in the workplace.  I am a neutral retained by employers to conduct investigations when complaints about harassment, bullying, discrimination and other misconduct are made by employees in the workplace.  I draw on my years of experience as an employment law litigator and advisor, as well as the communication and listening skills I developed in my training and work as a mediator.  In addition, I have received many hours of specific training including the Association of Workplace Investigator's Training Institute.. I am also retained by educational institutions to conduct investigations in connection with claims made by students in the Title IX context.  I have received comprehensive Title IX investigation training (trauma informed).