Our Team of Attorneys
Shawn Matian Esq.
Shawn Matian is the founder and President of The Matian Firm, APC., La Liga Defensora
Elie I. Aghabi, Esq.
Elie Isaac Aghabi graduated from California State University, Northridge, and received his Juris Doctorate from
Vanessa Franco
As a first-generation Salvadorian – American, born and raised in Los Angeles, Vanessa’s goal is
George Rosenstock
George Rosenstock received his Bachelor of Science (Major Mathematics) from the City College of New
Vanessa Gonzalez
Vanessa Gonzalez, Esq., a first-generation daughter of Cuban and Colombian immigrants, has dedicated her career
Miguel Tovar
Attorney Miguel A. Tovar is currently an Associate at The Matian firm. He’s currently the lead
Jessica Walsh
Jessica is licensed to practice in New York, California and multiple districts in federal court.
Rebecca Hockett
Rebecca Hockett is a Senior Associate Criminal Defense Attorney at The Matian Firm. She has
Daniel Sharpe
Daniel Sharpe is a Civil Litigation Attorney with over nine years of complex litigation in
Leticia Valencia
Leticia is a lawyer born in Mexico. Her great passion for immigration law came from
Janett Cardiel
Janett graduated from U.C. Santa Barbara and attended Southwestern Law School. She worked for a
James Finigan
James Finigan grew up in San Diego, California. James’ dream was to become a lawyer
Chadwick Gaines
I am a 2nd generation American. Before graduating from Rutgers School of Law – Newark
Gracie Johnson
Gracie D. Johnson is an immigration attorney who speaks Spanish and English fluently and has
Georgina Gannon
Originally from England, Georgina moved to Texas to attend law school because of her interest
Edward James Davis
Edward James Davis became a criminal defense attorney to stand up for due process, the
Yadirys Collado-Garcia
Prior to joining La Liga Defensora Yadirys worked for Community Legal Aid in Massachusetts as
Michael J. Behrens Jr.
Michael Behrens is originally from West Virginia. In 2012, he graduated cum laude as an
Robert J. Moylan
Robert J. Moylan, Esq. is an experienced immigration attorney who has made more than 1,000
Edgar J. Cervantes
Edgar J. Cervantes was born in a small pueblo outside Guadalajara, Mexico. His mother brought
Matthew Stromenger
Matthew began practicing law in Arizona in 2006. In 2008 he began working at the
Leslie Ivie
Ms. Ivie has served vulnerable communities and individuals since 1999 helping nonprofit organizations such as
Delaney Miller
Delaney is the Lead Attorney at Windsor Troy. He is an experienced litigation and trial
Yasaman (Yassi) Tehrani
Yasaman Tehrani, who goes by her nickname, Yassi, is an Associate Attorney at the Matian
Ethan S. Khalilian
Ethan S. Khalilian, Esq. is an immigration attorney who has made numerous appearances before the
Vana Karalian
Vana is an immigration attorney in our Los Angeles office. She specializes in removal (deportation)
Regina Gabuyo
Maria Regina Violeta T. Gabuyo is a Filipino immigrant who was admitted to the State
Alberto Daniel Ramos, Esq.
As a first-generation Latin-American, Mr. Ramos has first-hand knowledge of the cultural and language challenges
Mairym Medina Sanchez
Born and raised in Puerto Rico. Mairym is admitted to the State Bar of Puerto
Samantha Kate Swantek
Samantha Swantek received her J.D. from the University of Colorado where she focused on immigration
Katie Hawkins
Katie was born in central Illinois and moved to Louisiana, where she attended Louisiana Tech
Monika Zadori
Monika received her Bachelor’s from University of California, Santa Barbara. She worked in a family
Lucy Freeman
I know their struggle because they are my people. With proven experience assisting immigrants before
Mojgan Khoshvaght
Mojgan Khoshvaght, Esq. is an attorney admitted to the State of California. Mojgan received her
Jillian L. Fernandez
Meet Jillian Fernandez, a dedicated criminal defense attorney based in Los Angeles, whose passion for
Nataly Cadena
As a first generation Mexican-American, it is Nataly’s goal to empower minority communities with knowledge
Jose Alvarado
Originally from Puerto Rico, Jose has had years of litigation experience and has recently worked
Vanessa Nicole Hernandez
Vanessa is a first generation Mexican American attorney in California. Her goal to become an
Kamal Namou
Kamal is a first-generation Iraqi-American, born and raised in Boston, Massachusetts. He moved to Los
Almyr Morell
From early on in her career, Ms. Morell knew she wanted to dedicate her life
Zaira Klie
Zaira, originally from Venezuela, is a seasoned attorney with a diverse background in both her
Carlos M. Ramirez
He is a 2nd generation Mexican American. His grandparents immigrated to the United States from
Cherilynn C. Heath
Cherilynn Heath grew up in the San Fernando Valley and attended California State University Northridge
Alvaro Aguirre
Alvaro Aguirre was born and raised in South Texas along the U.S./Mexico border. As a
Gabriela Rodriguez
As a proud immigrant, my journey to becoming a lawyer was shaped by the profound
David Fernandez
David Fernandez, a dynamic and ambitious young attorney, emerged as a rising star in the
Eli Mohaghegh-Yazdi
Eli Mohaghegh-Yazdi was born and raised in the Bay Area. He is first generation, being
Silvia Serrano
I am very passionate about helping anyone who finds themselves in need of immigration representation.
Catherine Sempepos
Catherine Sempepos was born and raised in New York City, N.Y. where she received her
E.J. Montanez
E.J. Montanez has been practicing criminal defense in California for 26 years. He is highly
Giselle Santos
Giselle Santos was born and raised in Puerto Rico. She moved to New York and
Ramon Chito De Castro
Ramon Chito De Castro grew up in Daly City. California State University – East Bay
John Hale
John is a leading criminal defense attorney at The Matian Firm. He has handled cases
Marly Vivien Araujo
As a Brazilian attorney, I came to the United States to learn English. However, I
Turan T. Williams
Turan T. Williams has been a practicing attorney for over 20 years and in that
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Support Team
Gonzalo Sansores is the General Manager of The Matian Firm. Mr. Sansores was the first employee of The Matian Firm and supervised the growth of the Firm from its humble…
California Attorney FAQs
To get the justice you deserve, enlisting the help of one of the best attorneys in California can help. But, how do you find the best attorneys in California that are available to take your case? Hopelessly searching best attorneys near me is one way, but a better option is to call the Matian Firm.
What Is A Super Lawyer In California?
A super lawyer in California is a widely-regarded and highly-trusted lawyer in California that has received a high degree of peer recognition and accolades. The term super lawyer only applies to a small percentage of attorneys who have been rigorously selected by their peers in the field. They have represented clients well, and earned the respect of their colleagues across the industry. To connect with a super lawyer, contact Matian Law Firm today.
Who Is The Most Famous California Lawyer?
There isn’t one California lawyer that is the most famous. California is home to countless high-profile and highly-regarded attorneys like Robert Shapiro (worked on the O.J. Simpson case), Marcia Clark, Johnnie Cochran, Robert Kardashian and more.
What California Attorney Has The Most Case Wins?
While we don’t have the answer to this – we want to remind you that winning is not all that matters. It’s highly important and the intended outcome, but as we know, life does not always work in our favor. With that being said, for the good times and bad you’ll want a compassionate and experienced attorney by your side. Our team of 64 and counting attorneys have satisfied over 47,000 clients. We promise to keep it real and fight until you get the justice you deserve.
Who Is The Most Famous Top Female California Lawyer?
Prior to becoming Vice President, Kamala Harris served as the Attorney General for the State of California. She also was a district attorney for the City and County of San Francisco. Kamala was also the first African American and first woman elected to the San Francisco district attorney job and attorney general.
Aside from Harris, countless top female California attorneys have made their mark on history. At Matian, our team of top California attorneys includes strong females with rich backgrounds living out their dream to help others. If you prefer a female attorney, learn more about our team of female attorneys in California.
How Much Does A Top Lawyer Cost In California?
As you search for your attorney, there are several different fees structures you might pay, including an hourly fee, a retainer fee, or a contingency fee. When hiring the best lawyers in California, the cost and fees associated can range from $100 an hour all the way up to $700 or more an hour, depending on the attorney, the case, and the needs of the client. You can incur these hourly charges during a phone call, email or meeting — anytime the attorney is working on your case.
Some attorneys will also charge a retainer fee to get started on your case. A retainer fee is a sum of money paid in advance to secure the attorney’s services. You might also be required to pay an hourly fee on top of this retainer fee. Lastly, some personal injury and accident attorneys will charge a contingency fee. A contingency fee is a payment arrangement where legal fees will only be paid upon them winning the case. If they win the case, they’ll be entitled to a portion of the money you win.
Ensure you talk to your attorney upfront to understand their fee structure.
Do California Attorneys Not Take Money If They Don’t Win a Case?
If your California attorney is charging a contingency fee, it means you will be required to pay the lawyer a certain percentage or amount of the money you receive if you win the case. However, usually with a contingency fee, you will not pay any money if they lose the case. While you might not be required to pay your attorney when you work on a contingency fee, you likely will have to pay court costs which can also be expensive.
Each attorney will operate on a different fee structure, so having that information upfront can help you hire the right attorney for your situation and finances.
Why Do Attorneys In California Take Cases They Can’t Win?
As humans, we are incredibly hopeful. While hope does not win a case, it may encourage bad decisions.
Sometimes, an attorney will still try to win a case that ultimately they can’t win. As information becomes available and the case goes on, a great attorney might be able to find a way to win the case. Remember though, the case is about justice and if the evidence points justice in another direction it will be harder to win. In some cases, an attorney is confident there’s no case or they can’t win before taking the case and can respectfully turn the case down. By providing your attorney with detailed and accurate information from the first meeting, you can help them make appropriate decisions on their behalf.
What Is The Difference Between A Lawyer And An Attorney In California?
While the word “attorney” and “lawyer” are used interchangeably by most people, they are actually different designations. While all attorneys are also lawyers, not all lawyers are attorneys. Anyone that graduates from law school is a lawyer, but only someone who has passed a bar exam to become an attorney.
The American Bar Association has outlined 199 approved schools that lawyers must graduate from to be eligible to take the bar exam. Ensure your lawyer has not only passed the bar, but has also become a member of the State Bar of California.