Frank Terrazas brings fourteen years of combined family law experience to Garwood Attorneys. After receiving his bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of San Diego, Frank obtained a Graduate Certificate in Paralegal Studies, and quickly found himself in family law. Frank spent ten years under the tutelage of two preeminent family law attorneys in San Diego county (now retired). After gaining ten years of invaluable experience as a distinguished paralegal in family law, Frank took the natural next step, and attended law school. While in law school, Frank earned the prestigious Bonnie Reading Memorial Scholarship, awarded by the Certified Family Law Specialists Committee of the San Diego County Bar Association to a law student who shows dedication and commitment to the area of family law. Eager to commence his legal career, Frank began making appearances in Family Court as a Certified Law Student. Upon graduation from law school, Frank opened his own family law practice which took little time to thrive given Frank’s unique qualifications. Frank swiftly obtained extensive courtroom experience in contested matters and trials, successfully representing his family law litigants. Frank also negotiated countless settlements on behalf of his clients. Frank’s unique background as a family law paralegal, then attorney, coupled with his engaging personality, make him a tremendous asset to Garwood Attorneys and his clients.

"The law has always fascinated me. I told my parents when I was about 7 years old that I wanted to be an attorney and strived for that goal throughout school." Attorney Lena Ghianni is a native San Diegan. She was born and raised in East County, graduated from Granite Hills High School in El Cajon, and obtained her law degree (Juris Doctor) from the University of San Diego School of Law. The only times Lena has lived outside San Diego County was while attending the University of Southern California for a bachelor's degree in Political Science and for her first job as a lawyer in Victorville, California. During her career, Lena gained experience in the areas of general civil, criminal, family law, and probate, including but not limited to issues of real estate, contract, child custody, dissolution of marriage, guardianship, conservatorship, petitions for administration, and estate planning. She was responsible for handling a heavy caseload including all aspects of the general practice such as preparation of pleadings, motions, writs, settlement negotiations, and trial and appellate briefs. Lena successfully argued cases at mediations, arbitrations, motions, and trials. For several years now, Lena's focus has been in the areas of family law and probate. Lena has helped her clients through the very difficult and emotional hurdles that accompany divorce, child custody, support, caring for ill or disabled family, and the death of a loved one. Since passing the bar in 2002, Lena has handled a wide range of cases, including real estate and business disputes, personal injury, and criminal cases.

Jeffrey D Schreiber is a practicing lawyer in the state of California.

Michael Rogers primarily represents national and regional automotive dealership clients in a wide variety of legal matters including consumer actions and complex litigation, federal and state regulatory matters, unfair competition claims, commercial and consumer litigation, labor and employment issues and franchise disputes. He has significant experience in effectively resolving high-stakes litigation and providing counsel for litigation avoidance and regulatory compliance. In addition to automotive dealerships, his clients include automotive affiliated businesses such as finance companies, flooring lenders, automobile service centers, and surety bonding companies. In addition to his extensive understanding of the complexities of the automotive industry, Michael’s particular experience includes successfully representing individuals and business entities in complex, catastrophic personal injury matters including products and premises liability litigation; representing employers on a wide range of employment issues including discrimination, wrongful termination, harassment, and wage and hour violations; and representing clients involved in breach of contract, unfair business practices, trade secret violations, and UCC litigation. Known for his straightforward, sensible and strategic approach, Michael also works hand-in-hand with clients in business transactions including corporate, partnership and limited liability company formations as well as business stock and asset sales, real property acquisitions, and commercial leases. While in college, Michael spent his summers working for the U.S. Forest Service as a wildland firefighter, including as a Hotshot and Smokejumper, parachuting into remote wilderness fires. Now he fights battles in the legal arena instead of the forests. His clients and courtroom adversaries find that the “in the trenches” work ethic Michael acquired as a firefighter makes him an exceptional advocate. Michael earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of San Diego and his Juris Doctor degree from the University of San Diego School of Law. He is active in the automotive industry and in San Diego’s legal community and is a member of the California Independent Auto Dealers Association, the Defense Research Institute, the National Association of Dealership Counsel, the National Independent Auto Dealers Association, the San Diego County Bar Association and the San Diego New Car Dealers Association.

No one is ever prepared for an accident. They are, by technical definition, an unplanned event and there is never a "right time" for such an occasion. It's even worse when that accident has caused a serious or catastrophic injury and occurred due to the negligence or carelessness of another. Whether it's a car accident on your way to work, a fall at the local supermarket, your child was bitten by a stray dog, or a truck spill on the interstate that caused a multiple car pile-up, we know how devastating an injury and the unexpected costs of an accident can be. Especially when the injured and their families are often left to manage the cost of repairs, pay medical bills, and possibly even missing time at work. Craig F. Castle has spent over 34 years fighting for the good people of southern California in situations like yours. You will always speak directly with an attorney and receive the attention your accident case deserves to ensure your claim is properly handled and all your needs are met. We approach every case with sensitivity, strategically and aggressively. We will act quickly to identify all potential sources of compensation and aggressively pursue the retribution you deserve. If we cannot settle your claim out of court, we will bring it before a judge as a personal injury lawsuit. If you have experienced a personal injury due to an accident, please call today to schedule a free initial case evaluation. We can help explain what your injury case will involve and what you can expect as we move forward.

Puja A. Sachdev is a top-rated San Diego divorce attorney and family law mediator who focuses on family law, child support, and divorce cases and is a Certified Family Law Specialist by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization. She received her law degree from Thomas Jefferson School of Law at San Diego, graduating cum laude with her Juris Doctorate. She is admitted to practice law in California and the U.S. District Court, Southern District of California. As a Certified Family Law Specialist, Ms. Sachdev has met the rigorous requirements set by the California State Bar. Some of these include passing a written exam, demonstration of a high level of experience in family law issues, fulfilling specific educational prerequisites and receiving favorable recommendations from colleagues and the judiciary. In order to fulfill these demands and to continue to meet this benchmark, Ms. Sachdev continues to be an expert in the field. Ms. Sachdev serves on a select court-appointed panel of attorneys who are appointed to represent minor children in high conflict and complex child custody cases. Custody and visitation matters are often some of the most contentious issues in Family Law. By taking her lead, the entire team is incredibly passionate about the well-being of children in Family Law cases. Family Law is an incredibly diverse and challenging field, which frequently involves issues in tax law, real property law, contract law, and criminal law. By having a widespread professional network ensures Ms. Sachdev can connect clients with experts in their field and work with these legal experts on their cases. Ms. Sachdev is a trained family law mediator. She received her training from the renowned Forrest “Woody” Mosten of Mosten Mediation in Los Angeles, California who focuses on cutting edge approaches to skill building and creative resolutions. Ms. Sachdev is widely recognized as one of San Diego’s top attorneys receiving honors from San Diego Daily Transcript, SD Metro Magazine, San Diego Volunteer Lawyers Program and Super Lawyers. She has been featured in the Alumni Spotlight by San Diego State University College of Business Administration, as a Mover & Shaker in Mission Valley News and quoted by Divorce Magazine and Huffington Post. She has also been a panel speaker for the San Diego County Bar Association and Lawyers Club on work-life balance for new attorneys and solo practitioners and has presented Continuing Legal Education courses to the San Diego Volunteer Lawyers Program, San Diego Law Library and the Institute of Divorce Financial Analysts. Attorney Sachdev is also noted for her extensive background in the finance and business field. She received her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Nevada, Reno in Marketing and Management. She completed her Masters of Science in Business Administration in Financial & Tax Planning at San Diego State University and obtained the certificate for Personal Financial Planning. Ms. Sachdev enjoys the distinction of being the first family law attorney in the greater San Diego area who obtained the designation of Certified Divorce Financial Analyst ™.

Attorneys Jeffrey E. Estes and Alton J. Smith have been litigating personal injury cases on behalf of California residents for almost 30 years. Over the years, Estes and Smith have developed a reputation for tough litigation and a strategy for winning substantial settlements and verdicts for their clients. The firm serves all residents across the Great State of California and strives to deliver exemplary, client-focused legal advice and representation.

Richard S. Sterger is a practicing lawyer in the state of Escondido, CA handling criminal defense matters.

Thomas J. Filicia is a practicing lawyer in the state of California who handles Criminal defense cases.

Originally from Chicago, Principal Attorney Debby decided to call San Diego, California home after receiving her MBA from Loyola University in Chicago. During her last year in law school she externed at the Court of Appeal, 4th Appellate District, Division One and was a Senior Staff Advisor for the Law Review. After working with mentors in Estate Planning, Debby decided this was the perfect area for her to assist clients with something that most see as an overwhelming task. She makes planning for the future a straightforward, simple and enjoyable experience. In her free time Debby enjoys spending time with her family and friends, her Maine Coon Cat Ace, swimming, tennis and horseback riding. Always an insatiable reader, she is usually devouring everything that grabs her interest.