Awarded Super Lawyer 2017, Top OC Divorce and DUI Attorney by OC Metro Magazine, Affordable Rates
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Divorce & Family Law, Bankruptcy,
500 N State College Blvd Suite 1100
Orange, CA 92868
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Criminal, Estate, Divorce & Family Law, Trusts, Business
1100 Town and Country Suite 1250
Orange, CA 92868
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Bankruptcy & Debt, Credit & Debt, Collection, Garnishment, Consumer Protection
400 N. Tustin Ave. Suite 401
Santa Ana, CA 92705
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Bankruptcy & Debt, Consumer Rights, Contract,
400 N. Tustin Ave. Suite 401
Santa Ana, CA 92705
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Bankruptcy & Debt, Credit & Debt, Consumer Rights, Workout, Collection
400 N. Tustin Ave. Suite 401
Santa Ana, CA 92705
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Accident & Injury, Litigation, Real Estate, Business,
17541 17Th St Suite 102
Tustin, CA 92780
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Bankruptcy & Debt, Lawsuit & Dispute, Estate, Property Damage, Real Estate
17461 Irvine Blvd Suite F
Tustin, CA 92780
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Accident & Injury, General Practice,
1661 S Raymond Ave Suite 190-M
Anaheim, CA 92801
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White Collar Crime, Felony, DUI-DWI, Criminal,
695 Town Center Dr Ste 875
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
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Attorney
Core Law Group, LLP
Present
California
2010
California St Univ Hayward; Hayward CA
Bachelors
2002
Associations
Honors / Awards
Cases
Simon Budhwani - Nancy Grace on Real Houswives Divorce
T.B. v S.B.: Family law case brought to prevent wife, a reality TV Star, from putting the parties minor children on the TV Show. Successfully brought a motion resulting in a Court Order the minor children could not participate in the TV show without client's consent. Subsequently, obtained physical custody of minor daughter on behalf of client.
OC Super Lawyer - Criminal Case
People v B.H.: Dui Traffic case. Represented and obtained a reckless driving as opposed to a DUI on a 0.15 blood alcohol level. Procedurally out maneuvered the DA so as to suppress their witnesses testimony leaving them with a hampered case.
Publications
OC Lawyer Magazine July Issue Young Lawyers Dividion Leader
2012 / 2012
Journal of Juvenile Law Juvenile Court Takes Terroristic Threatening Seriously
2007
Please describe a case in the last year or two where you made a big difference.
A young man with a one year old child hired me to defend him in a domestic violence case. Wife/Mother was trying to get a strategic advantage related to custody, support and possession of the home by filing and attempting to obtain a Domestic Violence Restraining Order. If she was successful the court would have presumed 1) it was not in the best interest of the child to see the father (with him having the burden to prove otherwise), 2) he could not collect support from her (he was a stay at home dad), and 3) she would get exclusive use of the home even though he put the down payment. She even went to the extent to call federal authorities and file a false report against him. After a three day evidentiary hearing he was found not to have committed domestic violence and she was sanctioned financially for bringing a false claim. Why this one matters? He now has custody of his 1 ½ year daughter, gets support, and is able to provide the child a good home. Many men and women file false domestic violence claims in order to obtain a strategic advantage. California allows as much. Fortunately, I and my team at Core Law Group do not.
How did you build a successful practice?
The 80/20 rule. When I started my firm I bought a book by Jay Foonberg titled How to Start a Law Firm. The majority of the book was outdated and not helpful. However, the chapter on the 80/20 rule is one I live by to this day. It essentially says that when you start your firm you will not have cases to work on so you should spend 80% of your time studying the law and meeting other lawyers to build relationships. By doing so you will become a recognized expert and at some point you will be working on cases 80% of the time. When that happens you hire an additional attorney you trust to work with you and go back to 80% studying and building relationships until you find yourself working on cases 80% of the time. Basically, the idea is you repeat every year. The firm grows and you become an expert. It's the secret to my success.
What should clients look for in a lawyer?
Reviews by others. A bad lawyer cannot hide from the internet. A good lawyer earns his or her amazing Yelp, Google and Avvo reviews. They will not jeopardize their reputation with short cuts. It is cliché, but honesty is the second most important thing a client should look for. Meet the person and ask them what my worst case scenario is. If they sugar coat it, do not hire them. If they are honest then do.
How important is local knowledge to the success of your cases?
In the areas of family law and criminal defense it is important to know the Judge as well as opposing counsel. Each judge has different personalities, different likes and dislikes. Some are pro wife, some have a bias favoring military men, some are lazy and don't want to look at financials, some are hard on particular crimes such as drug crimes while easy on white collar crime, or vice versa. Hiring an attorney that knows the Judge is more important then a Harvard law degree. A client is entitled to kick one judge under CCP 170.6 without cause so long as they have not previously appeared in front of that judge. What does this mean? You get one free bee to get rid of a bad judge but you have to do it before you appear. If the attorney does not know the Judge they will not likely exercise the 170.6 and the client will be stuck with a bad Judge for their particular case.
What information can you provide in a free phone consultation?
I spend twice the time most attorneys do on a phone consult. I take notes in preparation for an in person meeting. This way I can prepare. After the consultation I email the client my notes and a gameplan/stategy as to how I would approach their particular case.
What information do you need in a free phone consultation?
The general facts, what the client is concerned about, and what the client would like to accomplish.
What differentiates you from other lawyers in your community?
Collaboration. I believe 2 minds are better than one. I have a team of very talented attorneys. We all collaborate with each other on every case without cost to the client. At times we send two attorneys to trial without additional cost to the client. We hate losing and will work hard to avoid it.
What is the most rewarding aspect of your job?
A hug in the elevator from a happy client. A thank you letter. A smile earned from a job well done.
What are your other interests in addition to law?
I am an amateur boxer and an avid Lakers fan.
Are you involved in your community?
I sit on many boards including the Young Executive Committee of Center Club and Socialite, a non profit networking group aiming to provide charitable contributions to those in need in Orange County. I am a former board member for the Orange County Bar Association - YLD Division. I am the former committee chair for the American Bar Association Committee for Family law.
Divorce, Insurance
