Santa Cruz County Civil Rights Lawyers

Aaron J. Lodge received his BA degree and first graduate work in math. He taught math at both the high school and college level for nearly 10 years, before changing careers and going to law school. Mr. Lodge now has a general practice law firm, where he focuses on family law, mediation, civil rights, and is now affiliated with other larger firms for personal injury and other areas of law. Mr. Lodge is highly dedicated to his clients, is very personable, and excellent in both litigation (in court), and in mediation.

Criminal defense attorney John D. Fitzpatrick fiercely defends the constitutional rights of his clients in courts throughout the state, protecting them from racial profiling, excessive force, mass incarceration, and the prison industrial complex. He has repeatedly won dismissals of all charges, earned the release of numerous clients from custody, and negotiated the most favorable terms for his clients.* John aggressively represents his clients from Arraignment through all phases of trial and will not rest until the case is dismissed or they are fully acquitted. He knows firsthand the effects that any conviction or incarceration can have on his clients and their...

Because divorce is a problem to be solved, not a battle to be won, I focus on alternatives to the court system, through Collaborative Law and Mediation. I believe that most families and children are best served by being supported to work together in resolving their family matters. The fundamental goal in both Collaborative Divorce and Mediation is client empowerment.

With either mediation or the Collaborative process you will have control of the decisions that are made and will be firmly supported, legally and emotionally, in achieving a successful dissolution of your relationship. This not only allows but also encourages you...

Human / Civil Rights Attorney working with clients in the public and private spheres for over 25 years in over 75 countries. Significant experience serving non-profits in the public health and international development spheres assisting refugees, asylum seekers, and those suffering from various forms of trauma. Particular focus on LGBTQ and non-binary clients with legal / personal concerns related to gender expression and its effects and helping spearhead international initiatives addressing the same.

Current Director of the Gamelan Council - Asia-Pacific Public Health, Microfinance, and Development Center. Previous experience includes working as a primary care clinician / rural health officer for...

Adam Stoddard is a partner in the firm and has represented developers, general contractors and their insurance companies specializing in the representation of businesses and individuals in complex construction defect litigation, contract, and fraud-based disputes. This included representation ranging from Fortune 500 companies, to national builders and to individual board members of non-profit corporations through the initial investigation, pre-litigation process, and trial. Adam also worked for a prominent plaintiff's law firm representing homeowner's associations in complex construction defect cases. This provided Adam with a practical approach to critically evaluate construction defect claims and implement effective resolution strategies through mediation and settlement...

Mr. Tade is an experienced civil litigator specializing in personal injury, workers' compensation, labor and employment law.

Charles “Chuck” Piccuta is a founding partner of the Piccuta Law Group, LLP and has practiced law for more than forty years. He attended Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois on a full-ride athletic scholarship for football and graduated with highest honors with a major in Political Science. He then attended Northwestern University, School of Law in Chicago on an academic scholarship. He was a member of the prestigious Northwestern University Law Review and earned his law degree in 1972 graduating with honors.

After graduating from law school, Chuck made the decision to serve his country and proudly joined the U.S. Navy...

Since starting Varlack Legal Services in 2009, I have been on the front lines of litigation as a trial attorney. Valuable experience in the courtroom was gained as a member of the Alameda County Bar’s CAAP program and Lawyer Referral Service. These programs helped me grow my practice as a young attorney while allowing me to grow as a litigator. As a graduate of Howard Law School, I chose to become “a social engineer” rather than a “parasite on society.” After law school, I served on the Charles Houston Bar Association’s Board of Directors, as membership...

Though he began his career practicing Entertainment Law in Los Angeles, Mr. Fink and his wife traded the glamour of Hollywood for the San Jose area' s charms. That early exposure to big city, high-pressure civil cases has served him well, particularly when dealing with the complex issues involved in contemporary employment cases. Mr. Fink is a partner in Mesirow & Fink, a small but energetic and creative law firm founded in 1976. Mr. Fink is a graduate of the University of California, Berkeley's Boalt Hall, and he has six times been selected by San Jose Magazine as one of the...

Attorney Gustavo Magaña is a personal injury and civil rights attorney who was born in San Jose California and has been a Bay Area native his entire life. After working for prominent firms in the Bay Area, Mr. Magaña decided to open the Law Office of Gustavo Magaña to provide better service to his community. Mr. Magaña’s unique background and experience allows him to provide his clients with distinctive representation and personal service. Mr. Magaña attended Santa Clara University for both his undergraduate and law school education. Mr. Magaña graduated from Santa Clara undergraduate school with a Bachelors degree in Political Science...

At Abronson Law Offices, we take the time to understand each unique situation presented to us by a client in need of assistance. We make certain that our clients understand their options and can make informed decisions regarding the progress of their case. Together with our clients, we work toward the best result available, whether through trial or settlement, arbitration or mediation, litigation or dialogue. We strive to be approachable to our clients, and seek to make them comfortable in entrusting us with their legal needs. What really distinguishes our firm is the ease with which our clients...