Top best Personal Injury Lawyers in Walnut Creek | 87 available

With more than 40 years of legal experience, Andrew Schwartz has handled countless cases for clients ranging from serious injuries and personal injury to product liability law at Casper, Meadows, Schwartz & Cook. A 1975 graduate from the University of San Francisco School of Law, Mr. Schwartz has been admitted to the Federal and California Bars and the U.S. Supreme Court. Throughout his legal career, he’s achieved numerous multi-million-dollar verdicts and settlements for injured clients, including a $5.6 million jury verdict that was considered one of the top 100 jury verdicts in California in 2017. In addition to holding memberships to organizations like the Contra Costa County Legal Services Foundation and the Alameda/Contra Costa Trial Lawyers Association, Mr. Schwartz is also the vice chair of the Northern California section of the American College of Trial Lawyers and is consistently selected to the list of Northern California Super Lawyers.

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.

Thomas has a passion for the law as it relates to personal injury and worker’s compensation. His current practice at the Appel Law Firm LLP focuses on representing those involved in personal injury claims, as well as worker’s compensation and other related matters. These cases involved wrongful death, catastrophic injury, construction accidents, bicycle and motor vehicle accidents, dog bites, workers compensation, and more.During law school, Thomas served as a judicial extern for Judge Timothy A. Reardon of the First District of the California Court of Appeal. He was a member of the University of San Francisco Advanced Advocacy teams for two years and served as the Social Chair on the Advanced Advocacy Board. Thomas also was a member of the University of San Francisco Law Review. Before attending law school, Thomas worked for several firms that focused on personal injury and estate planning and administration. He also served as an Intern Investigator for the Mental Health Division of the District of Columbia Public Defender Service. Thomas received a B.A. in Political Science-Public Law from the University of California, San Diego and a J.D. from the University of San Francisco School of Law in May 2011.In his spare time, Thomas is an avid hiker, adventure seeker, and social media enthusiast.

Shahrad Milanfar is a trial attorney, mediator, and founder of Milanfer Law, PC, who has focused his career on serious personal injury, automotive, asbestos and other types of product liability, transportation/ trucking, and habitability cases. Since the beginning of his career, Shahrad has worked on catastrophic injury cases such as traumatic brain injury (TBI), serious orthopedic injuries, including quadriplegia and paraplegia.. Shahrad gained his trial and courtroom experience while working with the district attorney’s office and as a civil trial attorney. He has handled cases form inception to verdict as the primary trial attorney. Over the past 20+ years, Shahrad has managed serious personal injury and product liability cases involving cars, tires, motorcycles, trucks, big rigs, buses, ATVs, household and industrial products. He also has extensive experience as the primary trial attorney in these types of cases.. He has been at the forefront for the use of technology and iPads in trial presentations. He has utilized his research and understanding of human decision making and technology to effectively tell his clients’ stories in trial and mediation. Shahrad developed one of the first comprehensive courses on how to effectively utilize and iPad in trial. He has tried numerous cases to verdict utilizing an iPad with significant results. His ability to tell his clients’ stories in a compelling and human way have distinguished his approach from other attorneys.. Shahrad has designed strategies to minimize risk and maximize the chances for his clients’ success through comprehensive planning and preparation. Shahrad has significant experience advising clients on crisis management and emergency response to catastrophic events.. Shahrad is also an experienced mediator who has effectively mediated over 100 cases involving personal injury, product liability, family, guardianship, property, business and community disputes. His trial and mediation experience make Shahrad a very effective advocate who can see the case from many angles. This provides him with a significant advantage against his opponents because it allows for a much more effective approach in presenting his clients’ cases.. Shahrad was an adjunct professor at Golden Gate University School of Law between 2001-2014, where he taught trial skills and coached the Golden Gate trial teams. He is also an instructor with National Institute of Trial Advocacy (NITA) teaching in NITA’s trial and deposition training programs. Shahrad has taught mediation skills to attorneys, mediators, human resources, psychologists and other professionals. He has also taught in training programs for Rosenberg Mediation, Center for Human Development, and the University of San Francisco School of Law.

Schauman & Hubins is dedicated to helping people who have suffered severe or catastrophic injuries, or that have been harassed or discriminated against in the workplace. We have represented clients across the state recover money for medical bills, pain and suffering, and loss of wages due to the negligence of others. We also enjoy helping people who suffer severe emotional distress due to workplace harassment or violence, including pregnancy, sex, race, and disability discrimination.

Professionally. Most of all, people want a lawyer they can trust, someone that will look out for them and do whats in their best intesest - that is what I do everyday.. Personal. I am a proud father of 4 great children, all productive members of society. I enjoy horseback riding my three horses, which I keep on my horse property in Walnut Creek. Fly fishing all over the country but especially in California, Pennsylvania and Montana. But most of all, I enjoy doing all these activities with my constant companion and love, Debbie. You will talk with her when you contact me at the office.. Other interests. I play guitar and cello. Enjoy field sports. Photography. Physical fitness. Reading about philosophy, religion and politics.. Speaking and writing. I care about those less fortunate and have a strong interest in helping people improve their lives. I am an author of, Jack Vincents - The Way to Wealth and give talks around financial empowerment.

Mr. Light firmly believes in the power of authenticity and humanity. His strength of empathy and unique personal experience with tragedy has allowed him to connect with clients who’ve suffered their own profound losses. Mr. Light is honored to represent and advocate for individuals and families suffering from the universe of challenges following a traumatic brain injury.. Nobody expects or can anticipate what follows a brain injury, even a “mild” trauma. Growing up, Mr. Light was reminded on a daily basis of the strength, determination, love, patience and understanding necessary to endure the aftermath of a life-altering event. Drawing on his significant jury trial experience throughout Colorado and California, Mr. Light is a powerful and dynamic trial advocate for individuals and families coping with loss and persevering through adversity and hardship.. Widely revered for his trial advocacy, Mr. Light has quickly established himself as one of Colorado’s most accomplished trial lawyers. Selected by his peers as a Super Lawyers Rising Star, an honor that is limited to 2.5% of attorneys in Colorado, in 2019 and 2020, Mr. Light was selected as a Super Lawyers Rising Star in both California and Colorado – a very rare and unique accomplishment. Mr. Light has been recognized by the National Trial Lawyers Association as a “Top 40 Under 40” trial attorney and the American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys has selected him to their “10 Best” List. In 2019, Mr. Light and his partner, Michael Miller, were selected to attend the prestigeous Trial Lawyers College founded by Gerry Spence in Dubois, Wyoming. The Trial Lawyers College is dedicated to training and educating lawyers and judges who are committed to the jury system and to representing and obtaining justice for individuals; the poor, the injured, the forgotten, the voiceless, the defenseless and the damned, and to protecting the rights of such people from corporate and government oppression.. Mr. Light is a member of the San Francisco Trial Lawyer's Association, Colorado Trial Lawyer’s Association, Colorado Criminal Defense Bar, Colorado Bar Association and sits on the Board of Directors for the Mountain High Camp for young adults with brain injuries. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his family, exploring the outdoors, playing the piano and being a dad.. To learn more about Mr. Light’s story:

Michael Meadows is a trial lawyer with over 30 years of experience in complex litigation.  Mr. Meadows specializes in litigating serious injury cases. He acted as co-lead counsel in a toxic tort case which resulted in an $80 million settlement. A graduate of the University of California, Hastings College of Law in 1974, Mr. Meadows was admitted to the Bar in the same year. He served on the Board of Governors of the Alameda/Contra Costa Trial Lawyers Association and the Consumer Attorneys of California. Mr. Meadows has been selected to the Northern California Super Lawyers since 2004.  He is a continuing legal education lecturer.

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.

John Fetto is the leading attorney at the personal injury law firm, Fetto Law Group. Mr. Fetto is originally from New York, and earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California, Los Angeles, where he graduated with honors in Philosophy. During his time at UCLA, Attorney Fetto volunteered for Volunteers In Service to America (VISTA), where he worked with juveniles in youth homes throughout South Central Los Angeles. He then went on to receive his Juris Doctorate degree from the University of California, Hastings, where he specialized in trial advocacy. It did not take Attorney Fetto long to learn that his passion in the legal field was representing individuals who had been the victim of personal injury. To this day, Mr. Fetto has prevailed in all of his jury trials, and has always won more for his clients than the pre-trial settlement offers before trial. In addition, he has conducted numerous depositions, mediations, arbitrations, and has achieved many seven figure settlements on behalf of the injured.. Attorney Fetto is a member of the Consumer Attorneys of California, the San Francisco Trial Lawyers Association, and the Contra Costa Trial Lawyers Association. Throughout the 26 years of his legal career, Mr. Fetto has handled nearly 5,000 cases, and has won more than $15 million in verdicts and settlements on behalf of his clients. He has the ability to assist clients in filing a variety of personal injury claims including those involving vehicular accidents, elder abuse, wrongful death, premises liability, catastrophic injuries, and more. No case is too simple or too complicated for Attorney Fetto to handle, and with an office in Walnut Creek and an office in Yuba City, he makes sure that his services are as easily accessible to clients as possible. To find out more about retaining the representation of Attorney Fetto, do not hesitate to contact Fetto Law Group today.

Joe Appel, the firm’s co-founder, has specialized in personal injury and workers’ compensation cases for more than 40 years. He’s seen it, tried it, and won it, both in state and federal courts.Joe was born and raised in Redondo Beach, California. Joe graduated from St. Mary’s College of California, Moraga, California in 1976 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. He also played basketball for the Galloping Gaels for four years. At graduation, Joe received the Scholar Athlete of the Year Award. He then attended and graduated from University of California, Hastings College of the Law in 1979. Joe was admitted to the California and Federal Courts in the same year. He has been a member of the Contra Costa and Alameda County Bar Associations and the Consumer Attorneys of California organization.Joe lives in Contra Costa County with his wife and 4 children. Passionate about after school sports, Joe coached elementary and high school basketball for 18 years. His community-based service work is devoted to Christ the King Catholic Church, with a special emphasis on advocacy for the mentally ill. Joe is one of the founders of the Christ the King family support group, known as H.E.L.P (Hope, Encouragement, Love, and Prayer) for families afflicted with severe mental health issues.

Jim Larsen received his Bachelor's Degree from the University of California at Berkeley in 1982, and his law degree from the University of Oregon in 1986. He has tried numerous jury and court cases and has argued at the appellate level in California and Oregon. Each of the partners of GJEL Accident Attorneys started their careers in public service, and while their cases have gotten larger and more complex along the way, that hasn't changed the firm's focus. GJEL clients don't pay a penny unless they win.. In it's April 2010 edition, Plaintiff Magazine named GJEL Accident Attorneys "one of the area's top civil litigation firms." The firm was also featured on the cover of San Francisco Magazine's "Best Lawyers in America" August 2009 edition. With over $600 million in verdicts and settlements, the firm is on every short list of top plaintiff's auto accident and personal injury law firms in California.

Jason O. Runckel 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. Runckel regularly litigates personal injury claims, wrongful death actions, and defends clients in all misdemeanor and felony matters. As a 3rd generation Contra Costa County native, Mr. Runckel went to St. Isidore’s School in Danville and De La Salle High School in Concord.  He graduated from the University of California at Davis with degrees in Philosophy and American History.  In 1995, Mr. Runckel attended the University of Pacific, McGeorge School of Law.  Mr. Runckel made the Law Review and the Dean’s list in 1996, 97, and 98.  He graduated from McGeorge with Honors, finishing at the top of his class.  Mr. Runckel is also a published author.  While attending McGeorge School of Law, Mr. Runckel published many articles in the Pacific Law Journal, including: Comment, Abuse It and Lose It: A Look at California’s Mandatory Chemical Castration, 28 Pac. L.J. 547 (1997); Ending a Prisoner’s Right to Have Personal Visits, 28 Pac. L.J. 772 (1997); and The Road to Redeveloping California’s Military Bases, 28. L.J. Pac 861 (1997).. From 1998 to 2007, Mr. Runckel held a position as a Deputy District Attorney in the Contra Costa County District Attorney's Office.  As a Deputy District Attorney, Mr. Runckel prosecuted thousands of cases and has tried over 70 jury trials ranging from Driving Under the Influence to Attempted Murder.  In addition to Mr. Runckel’s extensive adult jury trial experience, he has also tried over 75 juvenile trials including, First Degree Murder, Attempted Murder, Torture Causing Great Bodily Injury, Drive-By Shootings, and Witness Intimidation.. As a prosecutor for nearly 10 years, Mr. Runckel has been assigned to several specialized units including the “Three Strikes Unit” (in every case the criminal offender is facing life imprisonment), Criminal Street Gang Division, Drug Unit, Felony Trial Team, and Juvenile Unit.  Having handled numerous high-profile cases during his career as a Deputy District Attorney, Mr. Runckel is highly skilled in public relations and controlling the media.  Mr. Runckel also has substantial civil experience.  As part of his assignment with the Narcotics Unit at the District Attorney’s Office, Mr. Runckel handled all asset forfeiture cases in Contra Costa County.  He was responsible for all civil discovery, litigation, and trial work.  Between 1999 & 2000, Mr. Runckel participated in seizing well over a million dollars in asset forfeiture monies.Having negotiated thousands of cases with other lawyers and judges, Mr. Runckel has developed an acute ability to quickly assess the weakness and strengths of both criminal and personal injury cases.  Mr. Runckel’s analytical skills combined with his extraordinary negotiating abilities have been an immeasurable asset to the clients of O’Connor, Runckel & O'Malley.Mr. Runckel has practiced his entire career in the bay area.  He continues to live in the bay area with his wife and children and is actively involved in the community.

In addition to my law practice, I am a husband and family man, an avid cyclist (both mountain-biking and road cycling), a runner and a musician.

I've been practicing law in the Walnut Creek area for the past 25 years.  I am a sole practitioner but have the support and associations with other, larger firms to associate on larger cases with my office when needed.  I've also handled many workers' compensation cases, and am able to handle both the client's injury case and the workers' compensation case so if they are injured on the job by a third-party, they won't need two attorneys.. My experience includes motor vehicle accidents, motorcycle accidents, bicycle accidents, pedestrian vs. auto accidents, dog bites, trip and falls and slip and fall accidents.  My practice has been 100% plaintiff representation for the past 25 years and am familiar with and can help the client obtain the proper medical care, guide them through the process and recover the best settlement possible.  If settlement isn't a possibility we are ready to go to trial.

I'm a litigator with many years experience in both State and Federal Courts throughout California. Whether I am representing a defendant, a City, or a Plaintiff in a case, I approach every case with a dedication to being thorough.  If the case is strong or weak, I will let you know. We are a team and should work as such. I am proud that many of my clients remain friends long after a case is over.

I was born in New Jersey, raised in Florida, and moved to California to go to law school.. I have been practicing in the personal injury field for over 15 years now. I enjoy personal injury cases because of the wide varierty of cases you see. I have handled everything from car accident cases to construction site accident cases.. As to my hobbies, I love the outdoors and am an avid surfer, snowboarder, and mountain biker.

I was born and raised in Northern California.  I went to Acalanes High School in Lafayette, then the University of San Diego, and finally Seattle University School of Law. While in Seattle I met my wife Tracy and convinced her to move back with me to California.  We have two beautiful daughters, Gillian and Addison, and a bulldog named Daisy.    When I am not working I enjoy spending time with my family at home, in Maui, in Tahoe (skiing or on the lake) or at a Giants, 49ers or Warriors game.

I operate a personal injury law firm as a sole practitioner. My law practice has been built on referrals. Since 1985 I have been successfully mediating, arbitrating and trying personal injury cases. As a result, I have many return clients. Many of my clients refer their friends, family members, and others to me for personal injury representation.. What makes me successful?  I produce favorable outcomes for my clients. I also promote public safety by ensuring that defective or dangerous conditions are repaired or otherwise rectified. I am known in the legal community as representing clients with personal injury claims. I am able to work well with opposing counsel in order to maximize the recovery for my clients.. I provide personal service to my clients. As a solo practitioner, my clients speak and deal with me directly. My clients are not bounced from the receptionist, to a paralegal or other attorney.. I am here to be of service to you. I typically meet prospective clients in my Walnut Creek office or in my Oakley office. I have met clients at their home, the hospital and even once met a client in jail.. I will be honest with you. I offer a free consultation to discuss your injuries and evaluate your claim. If I am unable to be of service to you I will provide you with a recommendation.

I have helped thousands of victims during my career. Going through the process of helping these victims, I have learned what tremendous hardships people are forced to undergo. This makes me a better lawyer as I have a deep understanding of what these victims must endure, which allows me to present their case more effectively to obtain the compensation my clients deserve.. In such cases, many victims and their families have an extremely hard time coping or trying to cope with their injuries, pain and suffering or the loss of a loved one and the hardships that come with it, such as lost wages and a suddenly very uncertain future - in terms of health and/or how to pay bills and make ends meet. These victims need help and I supply that help by taking on the insurance companies and those at fault to get the victim the compensation he or she deserves. This provides the victim with relief from a major source of stress, so he or she can attend to healing, physically, emotionally and mentally.. I persevere in obtaining deserving compensation for those losses, as well as for medical bills, lost wages, future earnings' impairment, pain and suffering, loss of consortium, loss of love, society, affection, and compensation for vocational rehabilitation.. Example cases. Partial paralysis case with disputed liability and victim's vehicle speeding and tailgating.  Multi-million dollar settlement.. Death case with highly disputed liability. Victim's vehicle broke down on a freeway where the victim's vehicle was in the slow lane. Witness saw victim walk into the next lane when victim was struck. Greatly over $1 million settlement. Victim driver speeding vehicle in heavy rain on two-lane roadway, loses control and slams into object off roadway. Highly disputed liability. Settlement $1 million. Car accident causes victim to sustain disc injuries requiring surgeries. Settlement $650,000. Disclaimer: These past case results are not intended to be taken as a prediction or warranty of future results as to your case. Each case depends on its own facts, liability and damages.. I  accept cases throughout California--all counties, cities, towns and unincorporated areas.. Some counties served include: Alameda, Contra Costa, El Dorado, Fresno, Los Angeles, Marin,  Monterey, Napa, Orange, Sacramento, San Bernadino, San Francisco, San Mateo, San Joaquin, Santa Clara, Sonoma, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Yolo.. Some cities served include: Alameda, Antioch, Bakersfield, Belmont, Brentwood, Castro Valley, Concord, Daly City, Davis, Dixon, Emeryville, Fairfield, Fremont, Hercules, Lafayette, Livermore, Martinez, Menlo Park, Modesto, Monterey, Moraga, Newark, Oakland, Oakley, Orinda, Palo Alto, Pittsburgh, Pleasanton,   Redwood City, Richmond,  Sacramento, San Bruno, San Carlos, San Francisco, San Jose, San Leandro, San Lorenzo, San Mateo, San Pablo, Santa Clara, Suisun, Sunnyvale, Stockton, Tracy, Walnut Creek, Vacaville, Vallejo, Visalia.. I began my own law firm in 1989, shortly after the death of my mentor and employer, Robert E. Cartwright Sr., then one of the most prominent plaintiff's attorneys in the U.S. I decided to become a lawyer to help people, generally. Early in law school, I was drawn to helping tort victims, which led me to the fields of personal injury, wrongful death, premises liability, products liability, nursing home neglect and other similar areas of study.. I am a member of Consumer Attorneys of California, American Association for Justice and the California State Bar Association.

I have been practicing law in Contra Costa County for over 36 years, focusing in the areas of estate planning, probate, trust administration, probate and trust litigation, real estate, personal injury, and construction litigation.. Free Consultation.  Please feel free to call my office.

I have been an attorney for 35 years and I enjoy working with my clients to obtain the best possible results on their cases.  I do not hand off my clients to paralegals or assistants.  I deal directly with the client and their case.. Call me to discuss your case and to discuss how we can obtain the best possible result for you, a family member or a friend.

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 the Alumni Medal for English. In 1973, Mike received his Juris Doctorate from Golden Gate University School of Law, San Francisco, California. He was admitted to the United States Supreme Court, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, the Federal District Courts for the Northern, Eastern, Central, and Southern Districts of California, the United States Court of Federal Claims, and the California Supreme Court. Mike is also a part-time teacher at De La Salle High School in Concord, California. He teaches American Studies: The Law and AP Government & Politics.

Dan O'Malley (Judge Ret.) was born and raised in the East Bay. He comes from a family of eleven, all of whom settled in the Bay Area. His practice focuses on Criminal Defense, including White Collar crime and Cal OSHA defense, Government Relations and Personal Injury. He also specializes in Mediation and Arbitration of complex and simple civil actions. He has litigated, mediated, presided over and supervised thousands of cases in these areas. Dan grew up in Contra Costa County, attended De La Salle High School and local college. He has been practicing law for the past 22 years, both as a Litigator and a Judge. Many of his family members are involved in the practice of law. His father, Bill O'Malley was the elected District Attorney, a Superior Court Judge and a Public Defender. His sister Nancy is the Chief Assistant District Attorney for Alameda County. His wife, Judge MaryAnn O'Malley is a former Deputy District Attorney and now a Judge with the Contra Costa County Superior Court. The couple was recently featured in Diablo Magazine as one of the East Bays' Power Couples.. As a Deputy District Attorney, Dan's assignments included the following: Homicide trial lawyer, Three Strikes trial lawyer, Juvenile trial lawyer as well as supervisor, Felony trial team lawyer, Misdemeanor and Felony charging deputy, Misdemeanor trial deputy as well as Supervisor, Law and Motion lawyer, Homicide Watch Search Warrant lawyer, Preliminary Hearing lawyer and supervisor, Special Operations (White Collar Crime, Civil Litigation, Environmental Crime, Consumer Fraud, Cal Osha Violations). As a Deputy District Attorney, Dan was regarded as a fierce trial lawyer. He tried many hundreds of cases including close to one hundred jury trials. He also evaluated and supervised thousands of cases, both criminal and civil. As a Judge, Department 13 (Dan's Department) presided over many civil and criminal trials. He personally mediated and settled hundreds of civil and criminal cases. He attended many educational classes with the California Judges Association as well as the Administrative Office of the Courts, California Judicial Education and Research, and the Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution (Pepperdine University). In 2005 he was one of nineteen appointed to the California Judges Association Ethics Committee.. Dan was an instructor for the California District Attorneys Association statewide homicide investigators as well as local investigators. He annually taught Coping with Defenses in Homicide Cases, Evidence and Direct and Cross Examination as well as being published in the CDAA manual. Dan was Senior Instructor for the Los Medanos Criminal Justice Training Center (Police Academy) from 1988-2000. His topics included Laws of Arrest, Criminal Law, Laws of Evidence, Search and Seizure, Homicide, Crimes of Property and Persons, Miranda and Police Ethics. Dan was also an Instructor at Los Medanos, Diablo Valley and Contra Costa Colleges in the areas of civil and criminal law. Currently, he teaches Statewide Police Officers in the Institute of Criminal Investigation in Sacramento California.. In March 2000, Dan O'Malley was elected Judge of the Superior Court in Contra Costa County. Judge O'Malley's assignments included Supervising Judge of the Pittsburg Branch, Trial and Law and Motion, Proposition 36 Drug Court Supervisor. Dan then transferred to the Martinez Branch where he became the Criminal Calendar Supervisor. He handled all felony Dan's duties and accomplishments include Supervising Judge of the Pittsburg Branch of the Superior Court, Proposition 36 Supervisor, Trial and Law and Motion Judge, Criminal Felony Calendar and Trial Judge for the Martinez Branch and Civil Calendar and Trial Judge in Martinez. Judge O'Malley was a well respected by his colleagues on the bench as well as the litigants. He was honored by Recovery Happens for his outstanding work in helping litigants struggle through the Prop 36 and Drug Court litigation. Dan's extensive and unique experience has made him an invaluable representative for his clients. He understands the value of his client's cases. His credibility with Judges, Civil Litigators and Prosecutors affords his clients the best opportunity for justice. He is completely committed to giving the best representation to his clients.

Bio“Every day I think about where I’m from and how it has felt in my own life to have people care, so I am committed to helping people from all walks of life receive justice for their injuries.”. Mark Venardi, the senior founding member of the Venardi Zurada Law firm, was born in 1962 in Seattle, Washington but was raised in Peoria, Illinois; a Midwest blue-collar town in a hardworking Italian family of 3 boys. After high school Mark followed his passion for service and the sea and enlisted in the United States Coast Guard, where he proudly served our country from 1980 to 1985.. Life at SeaDuring his military career at sea, Mark was assigned an incredible variety of challenging tours. From working on a sea-going tug performing search and rescue and marine law enforcement to sailing the Eastern seaboard in boats ranging from 37 to 205 feet. His early years were spent sailing from the Grand Banks to the Windward Passage on the famed Coast Guard Cutter Tamaroa, the Cutter that later performed the rescue in the movie “The Perfect Storm.” From the Tamaroa he then sailed the seas of Southeast Alaska aboard the Coast Guard cutter Planetree, a 180-buoy tender, a tour that also included a round trip voyage from Alaska to Hawaii. Mark’s final year in the Coast Guard was spent back in search and rescue at Group Seattle and it is from there that he received an honorable discharge in 1985 from the USCG as an E-5.. Law SchoolAfter serving our country and a short stint on an oil platform, Mark decided to pursue a career in law. He earned a B.A. in Political Science from the University of California at Berkeley in 1991 and his JD from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law in 1994. During law school, Mark was the Co-Chairperson of the Moot Court Competition Committee, a recipient of the Snodgrass Competition Outstanding Oral Argument Award, a member of the University of San Francisco Maritime Law Review, and served as a Judicial Extern to the Honorable Charles Legge, United States District Court Northern District of California. Mark was admitted to the California Bar in December 1994.. CareerAfter graduating law school Mark worked as an associate at Cox Wootton, Griffin & Hansen before joining Haight, Gardner, Holland & Knight in 1998. Mark made partner at the end of his 6th year of practice at Holland & Knight LLP, a multinational law firm with over 1,000 attorneys. In his first years of practice, one of the managing partners regularly shared his short mantra, “Be somebody.” Those words stuck with Mark and while he loved his early years of practice, he found himself wanting to do more. In 2004 he struck out on his own, deciding to serve people instead of corporations. Even with the huge move to the other side, there was no hiccup in Mark’s rapid rise to the top, and he has been serving members of the community with compassion and dogged determination ever since.. Areas of PracticeAuto AccidentsMotorcycle AccidentsBoating AccidentsTrucking AccidentsPersonal InjuryWrongful DeathMaritime Personal InjuryEmployment LawHarassmentDiscriminationWhistleblower Protection CasesRetaliationWage and HourSeverance AgreementsEmployment AgreementsExecutive CompensationInsurance Bad FaithSelect Commercial and Intellectual Property Disputes on Contingency Fee. Honors and AwardsNorthern California Superlawyers, 2009-2024National Trial Lawyers Top 100, 2013-2023Best Attorneys in California, 2012-20232023 California Top 100 Verdicts“AV” rating from Martindale-Hubbell, 2001-2024Top 10 Best of the Best Attorneys for Personal Injury, 2022America’s Top 100 High Stakes Litigator, Northern California, 2017, 2021Lawyer of Distinction, Personal Injury Law, 202010 Best Attorneys as Published By the American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys, 2019National Trial Lawyers Top 25 Brain Injury Trial Lawyers, 2019Million and Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, Lifetime Member since 2007America’s Top 100 Attorneys Lifetime AchievementRecipient, Outstanding Oral Argument Award, Snodgrass Competition, 1993. RecognitionsMark is one of the select few graduates of Gerry Spence’s Trial Lawyer’s College, the most demanding and prestigious trial lawyer program in the country.. National Trial Lawyers, an invitation-only organization has recognized Mark as a Top 100 Trial Attorney from 2013-2024, in 2012 and 2013 his peers recognized him as one of the Best Attorneys in California as featured in the San Francisco Chronicle and the Wall Street Journal. From 2009-2024 Super Lawyers magazine selected and recognized Mark with the prestigious Super Lawyers award for Northern California (only the top 5 percent of attorneys are selected).. From 2004-2024, his peers have awarded him with a Martindale Hubbell “AV” Preeminent Rating.. Throughout his career, Mark has also tried multiple cases to verdict and received multiple verdicts more than $1,000,000, entitling him to be a member of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, an organization made up of less than 1 percent of US lawyers.. What Drives HimWhen you ask Mark where he gets his drive from, he is quick to cite the example of his mother who was struck with illness at an early age and has lived her life without complaint. Her strength is one of the reasons he believes in being self-disciplined, dedicated, and above all positive. Mark is passionate about caring for people and does much of what he does to ensure that he will create a legacy of working for justice. Mark knows that the people who seek his counsel are living through the worst times of their lives, and it matters to him that those he helps have faith in him and know he can be trusted. Mark will take risks for you, he will fight for you, and he won’t give up until you are satisfied.. Mark is most proud of how he has helped clients in need, his friendships, the dedication he and his employees have to each other, and his family. Together, they enjoy anything waterborne including power boating, surfing, sailing, wake surfing, wakeboarding, fishing, and scuba diving. They also love camping, road biking, mountain biking, and his most competitive sport of all, Scrabble, which he regularly (and happily) loses to his wife, Shelley, who has lit his way for over 30 years.. Bar AdmissionsCalifornia, 1994All State Courts within CaliforniaU.S. Court of Appeals 9th CircuitU.S. District Court Northern District of CaliforniaU.S. District Court Central District of CaliforniaU.S. District Court Southern District of CaliforniaMark has also litigated cases “pro hac vice” or as a guest attorney in New Hampshire, Arizona, Minnesota, Washington, Oregon, and Hawaii.. EducationGerry Spence’s Trial Lawyers College, studied trial skills over a 5 year period and graduated from the Trial Lawyers College in August, 2013Pepperdine University, Strauss Institute for Dispute Resolution, became a certified mediator upon completion of required coursework in 2012University of San Francisco, patent law class. Earned an A in class.University of California, Hastings College of the Law, San Francisco, CaliforniaJ.D. – 1994Honors: Snodgrass Award for Best Oral ArgumentHonors: Chairman, Moot Court Competition CommitteeLaw Review: University of San Francisco Maritime Law Review, Member, 1994University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, CaliforniaB.A. – 1991Major: Political Science. Published WorksAuthor, “To Arbitrate or Not”, Silicon Valley Business Weekly, 2001. Classes/SeminarsSpeaker, “A Primer on Maritime Law”, Young Barristers’ Division Admiralty Committee, 1995“Investigating Personal Injury Claims”, California Association of Private Investigators, 1996“California Lawyer Roundtable Discussion on Employment Law”, 2002“Employment Related Records in California”, Lorman Education Services, 2003“Employment Related Records in California”, Lorman Education Services, 2004. Professional Associations and MembershipsConsumer Attorneys of CaliforniaAmerican Association of JusticeSan Francisco Trial Lawyers AssociationNational Employment Lawyers AssociationCalifornia Employment Lawyers AssociationContra Costa County Bar Association, Board Member Employment Law Section 2011, 2012, 2013American Bar Associations, MemberState Bar of California, Member. Past Employment PositionsCox Wootton, Griffin & Hansen LLP, Associate 1994-1998Haight, Gardner Holland & Knight LLP, Associate 1998-2000Holland & Knight LLP, Partner 2001-2004. VeteranUnited States Coast Guard, 1980-1985