Top California Lawyers and Attorneys

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Adam B.

Adam Binder

6 reviews
Adam Binder is a corporate attorney with almost two decades of experience. He is licensed to practice law in California and obtained his Juris Doctor degree from the McGeorge University School of Law. Adam is highly experienced in labor and employment law, and specializes in drafting and negotiating commercial contracts. Adam has been the vice president of legal operations at Percolate Industries, Inc. since June 2017.
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William M.

William Mills

5 reviews
Experienced, trusted and ethical, I've represented a variety of large and small businesses, including lawyers and law firms, non-profits, and financial institutions, in gen...
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Matt K.

Matt Kohanbash

5 reviews
I lead Solum Space Law, specializing in a broad array of legal services including land use, real estate, and business law. My legal prowess was refined at Sheppard Mullin R...
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Jody W.

Jody Winter

4 reviews
Providing expert counsel for clients in tough times, Jody Winter specializes in disputes over real estate, business contacts, and other cases involving civil litigation. Whether he is representing homeowners’ associations, landlords, or injured parties, he always strives for the best results. Mr. Winter is also on the board of directors at Central California Mennonite Residential Services.
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Tahir F.

Tahir Farukhi

4 reviews
I am a mission-focused Counselor and Legal Strategist. I offer experienced and cross-functional legal advice across leading start-up environments. I have a breadth of kn...
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Peter H.

Peter Haber

4 reviews
Peter Haber started Haber Law Firm after several years as an executive at Popcornopolis, a popcorn and snack manufacturer with sales in groceries and stadiums across the na...
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Damian G.

Damian Guzman

4 reviews
Damian Guzman is a seasoned legal professional with a wealth of experience. He is a member of both the California and New York Bars, and holds Payment Card Industry (PCI) P...
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John C.

John Cifelli

4 reviews
John is a USPTO registered patent attorney and California bar member who founded Birdrock IP as an IP and corporate boutique located in San Diego. He has a technical backgr...
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Melissa K.

Melissa Kann

4 reviews
Your California Attorney for Startup, Business, Corporate, Arts, Publishing, and Entertainment Matters Melissa is a California attorney, assisting startups with general ...
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Tabetha H.

Tabetha Hinman

3 reviews
Hi there! I have spent two decades working in Silicon Valley as a tech attorney, both in big law and in house roles. I currently work as a fractional General Counsel to tec...
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How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Lawyer in California?

California attorneys charge an hourly rate of $90 to $500 an hour on average. This can vary greatly depending on the kind of lawyer you employ and your specific legal needs.

How to Find the Best Lawyer in California?

To find California lawyers that are vetted and qualified, you might ask around or consult bar associations in your area. You could also make use of online services like UpCounsel, which make it easy to connect with top-rated lawyers that specialize in the area of law you require.

Need a Lawyer in California?

Lawyers in California are best found through UpCounsel. It’s as simple as posting a job onto the platform. Highly-qualified attorneys will submit proposals for you to look through, which you can assess based on your budget. To get started with your search for the best attorney in California, click here.

How Do I Find out if An Attorney Is Licensed in California?

Attorneys employed at California law firms should be vetted. To do so, you can visit the California State Bar’s website and use their attorney lookup tool.

FAQs about California Lawyers

What is the difference between a lawyer and an attorney in California?

While the terms are often used interchangeably, there are technical differences between a lawyer and attorney. While a lawyer can be considered an advisor or consultant, California attorneys specifically practice law in court.

Can a family member be your lawyer in California?

California lawyers can represent anyone, including family members, so representing relatives is legally permitted.

Who is eligible for legal aid in California?

To be eligible for legal aid in California, you must be at least 125% below the Federal Poverty Level. However, in the state of California, you may still qualify for assistance if you can prove that you have certain health-related issues or if you’re a senior in the following cities or counties: Kings, Madera, Merced, Fresno, and Tulare.

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This is the most recent 20 reviews out of 7398 reviews for attorneys in California

Ryan Coyne
5.0
Clear Communication
Response Time
Knowledgeable
Meets Deadlines

Self-Storage Rental Agreement Review

Ryan Coyne

"Ryan did a great job on my self storage agreement."

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Acton, CA,

Mark Mcguinness
5.0
Clear Communication
Response Time
Knowledgeable
Meets Deadlines

Commercial Litigation Consultation & Legal Assessment

Mark Mcguinness

"I can't thank Mark and his team enough. From the beginning, his proposal was straightforward, clearly communicated, and he ultimately exceeded my expectations. Mark is extremely knowledgeable and has a unique ability to explain complex legal issues in a way that's easy to understand, even without a legal background. He was patient, took the time to answer all of my questions, and never made me feel rushed. I highly recommend working with Mark and his team."

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Valley Center, CA,

Danny Minutillo
5.0
Clear Communication
Response Time
Knowledgeable
Meets Deadlines

Review Employment Agreement

Danny Minutillo

"Danny was great to work with, gave excellent advice, and made sure my documents fit legal requirements and standards. I would absolutely work with him again."

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El Cajon, CA,

Seth Wiener
5.0
Clear Communication
Response Time
Knowledgeable
Meets Deadlines

Assist with Other Lawsuits & Disputes Matter

Seth Wiener

"Very knowledgeable!"

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Los Angeles, CA,

Karen Braveheart
5.0
Clear Communication
Response Time
Knowledgeable
Meets Deadlines

Review Privacy Policy

Karen Braveheart

"Incredibly easy to work with and she provided knowledgable advice about our specific industry."

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Los Gatos, CA,

David Yamaguchi
5.0
Clear Communication
Response Time
Knowledgeable
Meets Deadlines

Lease Revision Assistance

David Yamaguchi

"I highly recommend Dave. He was responsive, efficient, and professional throughout the entire process. He communicated clearly, answered my questions promptly, and made everything as smooth as possible. It was a pleasure working with him."

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Huntington Beach, CA,

Brandon Northington
5.0
Clear Communication
Response Time
Knowledgeable
Meets Deadlines

Outside General Counsel Services

Brandon Northington

"Brandon handled the full legal foundation for my SaaS launch - Terms of Service, Privacy Policy, and Disclaimer and I'd work with him again without hesitation. What stood out was his commercial judgment: as a solo, pre-revenue founder I needed counsel calibrated to where the business actually is, not gold-plated lawyering, and that's exactly what he delivered. He flagged real gaps I'd have missed - California's auto-renewal disclosure requirements and a GDPR exposure on free-tier EEA registrations and gave practical, defensible paths forward rather than just listing risks. On the GDPR representative question he laid out a documented-exception approach with the precise elements to record and clear triggers for when to revisit it, so I could act on it immediately. Responsive to follow-up questions and consistently clear in his explanations. Highly recommended for early-stage founders who need sound, business-aware legal counsel."

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Valencia, CA,

Vincent Van Houden
5.0
Clear Communication
Response Time
Knowledgeable
Meets Deadlines

Review of Employee IP Assignment Agreement

Vincent Van Houden

"Vincent did solid, thorough work. He put together a detailed legal memo covering my invention ownership question, along with guidance on conflict of interest disclosure considerations. Clear explanations and practical recommendations throughout. Turnaround wasn't rushed, which was fine with me. Communication was easy to follow. This is my second time working with him."

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Pittsburg, CA,

Michael S Melfi
5.0
Clear Communication
Response Time
Knowledgeable
Meets Deadlines

Review Terms of Service

Michael S Melfi

"Michael was fantastic to work with. He took the time to understand both the legal and practical realities of my business instead of just making redlines in a vacuum. His feedback was thoughtful, pragmatic, and always explained in a way that made it easy to understand the trade-offs behind each recommendation. What I appreciated most was that he looked for solutions, not just problems. He helped strengthen our legal documents while also offering practical guidance on payments, risk management, and launch considerations that went well beyond the contracts themselves. I’d absolutely recommend Michael to any startup founder looking for a knowledgeable attorney who understands how to balance legal protection with building a real product."

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Thousand Oaks, CA,

Alton Hare
5.0
Clear Communication
Response Time
Knowledgeable
Meets Deadlines

Assist with General Advice

Alton Hare

"Alton did an excellent job on the project. He was very thorough and very responsive to my questions."

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Los Gatos, CA,

Ali Shalchi
5.0
Clear Communication
Response Time
Knowledgeable
Meets Deadlines

Trademark Infringement Consults Services

Ali Shalchi

"Quick turnaround at an affordable price"

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Fremont, CA,

Anthony Whittington, Jd/Mba
5.0
Clear Communication
Response Time
Knowledgeable
Meets Deadlines

Trademark Clearance Search

Anthony Whittington, Jd/Mba

"Anthony handled a two-mark trademark clearance and opinion for my software company efficiently and at a fair price. The analysis was clear and well-organized, the turnaround was fast, and he was responsive and professional throughout including promptly refining the report when I requested clarification."

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Valencia, CA,

Anna Claxton
5.0
Clear Communication
Response Time
Knowledgeable
Meets Deadlines

Draft SaaS Agreement

Anna Claxton

"We are very happy working with Anna; she helped create our MSA and SOW. We are an AI Automation/Marketing Agency based out of Newport Beach, CA, serving businesses nationwide. We just closed our first enterprise engagement and needed assistance/guidance in getting the proper legal documentation to support this size scope. Anna was the right choice. We spoke with her on a call, she listened, we messaged her, and she responded promptly and made sure we were taken care of, which is all our company can ask for. Thank you, Anna!"

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Newport Beach, CA,

Rebecca Stacker
5.0
Clear Communication
Response Time
Knowledgeable
Meets Deadlines

Consult on Corporate Restructure

Rebecca Stacker

"Rebecca worked on my timeline and budget. She was nice to work with."

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Chula Vista, CA,

Jake Siciliano
5.0
Clear Communication
Response Time
Knowledgeable
Meets Deadlines

IP Attorney Needed — USPTO Trademark Filing + China Manufacturer Agreement Review

Jake Siciliano

"Jake was exceptional to work with! His guidance on trademark strategy in particular pushed my thinking in ways that helped shape the brand direction, beyond just the legal aspect of the work. Highly recommend."

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Walnut Creek, CA,

Ryan A. Woods
5.0
Clear Communication
Response Time
Knowledgeable
Meets Deadlines

Review Equipment Lease

Ryan A. Woods

"Will be using Ryan in the future!"

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Torrance, CA,

Eric Alspaugh
5.0
Clear Communication
Response Time
Knowledgeable
Meets Deadlines

Assist with Other Trademark & Copyright Matter

Eric Alspaugh

"Eric was great - our outcome was the best-case scenario."

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Los Angeles, CA,

Joel Douglas
5.0
Clear Communication
Response Time
Knowledgeable
Meets Deadlines

File Utility Patent

Joel Douglas

"Very clear and concise, professional. Pleasure to work with. Made the process easy and a ton of experience."

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Santa Ana, CA,

Ross Brandborg
5.0
Clear Communication
Response Time
Knowledgeable
Meets Deadlines

Patent Infringement Consultation

Ross Brandborg

"Ross provided exceptional legal counsel for our recent hardware FTO and clearance analysis. We were operating under a strictly accelerated, one-week deadline, and Ross exceeded all expectations. He quickly grasped the complex mechanical geometries of our product and delivered highly detailed claim charts and a robust non-infringement opinion ahead of schedule—even while navigating a holiday weekend. His communication was consistently prompt, clear, and professional. If you need a patent attorney who combines deep technical acumen with incredible speed and reliability, I cannot recommend Ross highly enough."

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Torrance, CA,

Brent Xavier
5.0
Clear Communication
Response Time
Knowledgeable
Meets Deadlines

Trademark Risk Assessment

Brent Xavier

"Worked with Brent on a legal review for my business and would absolutely engage him again. Two things really stood out: speed — he turned around a comprehensive deliverable on a tight timeline — and framing — the entire analysis was built around enabling the business, not just flagging risk. He's sharp, knowledgeable, refreshingly practical, and treats founders as partners. Highly recommend to any founder looking for outside counsel who actually thinks like an operator."

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Wilmington, DE,


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