Top review highlights

AI generated excerpts from the customers reviews
Pros
1
Effective and successful legal representation, with the ability to get charges dismissed or receive favorable outcomes
“Sal ended up getting my case DISMISSED! One of my charges was a failure to appear at my own trial! I couldn't believe it. It was the best result I could have ever asked for.”
2
Personable and caring approach, making clients feel like their case matters
“Sal, from the moment we talked, was kind, patient and thorough. He communicated with me every step of the way and actually made me feel like my case mattered to him.”
3
Extensive experience and knowledge of the local legal system
“When you are looking for an attorney in Santa Cruz County it's important to find someone who has been around a long time and knows everyone in the county.”
4
Dedicated and committed to helping clients, going the extra mile
“Sal Gallardo was far and away the best in the courtroom and around every corner he went the extra mile. For ten years he was there and would show up in jail to visit sometimes before I was even housed, with a plan and where to go from there.”
Cons
As a result of the analysis of reviews about this lawyer, no significant cons were found.

All reviews

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02 Sep, 2017 by Aly
Sal Gallardo is one of the best intelligent and intellectually well equipped professionals when it comes to the law. He came with the background of 19 years of his own law practice and his wife who is an attorney where experience of both will get you through where someone else might not. Sal Gallardo has passion for helping people to bring the law at the level where your biography is important and good moral characters will be passed to the next level- where judge will have a chance to hear and know more about you and your case. while DA will keep flashing the titles of multiple accusations build against of you. Sal is emotionally calm and well carried person. You will need him to help you to do it together. And his help will pay you back through keeping your reputation clean again. Sal will help you to stay calm through the whole process, as its going to be a long process going up to months. All what we have to do -stay positive and keep ourselves calm as you are in hands of professional attorney. It was hard to stay positive when the charges I faced against of me appeared on a background check report as a very bad charges you can face being a manager or employee to have ;-) Not Even proved guilty Yet I looked as a true criminal facing 2 charges in one case..... Oh well it was a very well written story which some creative mistress of my ex Mr. passed to the DA office to keep me further from the boy who has all the right assets)))). Please don't hesitate to have legal help twice. And I contacted Sal to see if he can explain the fact of happening. He did. Big corporations can run macro background checks where every case which was taken by DA`s offices can appear on those reports depending on company data research provider. It`s not necessary to have conviction or misdemeanor proven when it can affect your life in a way employer won`t give you a chance to explain yourself till its actually over. Sal is the only lawyer who was able to respond on the fact of happening! Do not panic! Do not stress out. Be calm and confident in the one whom you already contacted. Because he will do it with knowledge and confidence. Finding all ins and out of the tunnel of not being a free man, and you will have the best outcome possible. that was a hard first step. Now my case is resolved and over months later.
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09 Apr, 2017 by Joeq
When you are looking for an attorney in Santa Cruz County it's important to find someone who has been around a long time and knows everyone in the county. Sal Gallardo was highly recommended to me by a large law firm who said " this guy is really good and will do a great job for you and possibly save you a little money" so the got me in touch with Sal. When i first spoke with him i knew right away he was the one i wanted to handle my case. Sal is very personable and aggressively represented me. I received a very favorable outcome and was able to avoid any jail time due to his efforts. You may want to do yourself a favor and give him a call and find out for yourself why Sal is the tight choice when hiring an attorney in Santa Cruz County. Thanks Sal !
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16 Jun, 2016 by Brianna golding
I discovered a 5 year old warrant for an old misdemeanor case out of Santa Cruz where I attended school many years ago. I called Sal in an absolute panic - I had worked so hard to turn my life around and everything was about to come to crumble because of this new case. Sal, from the moment we talked, was kind, patient and thorough. He communicated with me every step of the way and actually made me feel like my case mattered to him. It was so refreshing to have a lawyer who made me feel like I had someone in my corner. Sal ended up getting my case DISMISSED! One of my charges was a failure to appear at my own trial! I couldn't believe it. It was the best result I could have ever asked for. I am grateful he took the time to get to know me so he could properly advocate for me in court. THANK YOU SAL!
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24 Jul, 2015 by Ian
Sal was VERY helpful and always took the time to explain how everything works. He was very sensitive to how fragile the situation was and his experience really shows through during the process. He gave me great advice and took care of everything for me. I could have been in a far worse situation if my case had gone any other way. Thank you!
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08 Mar, 2015 by Sfernandes
I called Sal Gallardo on a Sunday afternoon with many questions in an old matter. He returned my call at the same day, it was extremely helpful and knowledgeable. Not only that but took the time to explain alternatives about my case. I really recommend Sal Gallardo.
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26 Jan, 2012 by Anonymous
I worked with Caleb at Baskin and Grant for a debt collection case in 2011. He kept me informed throughout the process, explained all avenues and possible outcomes and ultimately settled the issue in a way that was amenable to both parties. He, and others at the firm, approached the issue with great care, confidentiality and integrity.
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07 Aug, 2024 by Anonymous
I highly recommend John as an exceptional DUI lawyer. Before I even reached out, I received numerous positive recommendations about him. From my initial contact, John was responsive and attentive, listening carefully to my situation with genuine empathy. He was clear about what he could and couldn’t promise, providing transparent guidance throughout the process. Dealing with a DUI while managing personal crises, including my father's hospice care and my mother's dementia, was incredibly challenging. John’s sincere care and his focus on what was realistically achievable made a significant difference. He guided me through every step, from counseling to volunteer work, and his advice proved invaluable. John’s expertise was evident when he successfully handled my DMV hearing. He then achieved a remarkable result in the criminal court, securing a reduced charge that was better than expected. This outcome allows me a fresh start. John's professionalism, honesty, and dedication were beyond my expectations. His hard work has given me a second chance, and I am deeply grateful for his support and the outstanding results he delivered.
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28 Mar, 2024 by Josh
John defended me in court and went above and beyond in his duty to represent me zealously. I would recommend him a thousand times over.
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17 Dec, 2023 by Anonymous
John absolutely went above and beyond helping me with my case. He was patient, compassionate, and empathetic. It is hard to find an attorney that genuinely has your well-being and best interest at heart, but I really felt John cared about getting me the best outcome possible. His guidance and support were immeasurably helpful. Thank you!
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17 Jun, 2017 by Greg
Angela has been a fantastic partner for our legal needs, we have nothing but good things to say about working with her. In particular she helped us set up our initial legal structure and was key in working through our supplier agreements. Highly recommend working with Angela -
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04 Apr, 2017 by Anonymous
We've worked with Angela for almost a decade as an outside general counsel for our solar company. She's done everything from develop transactional agreement for our commercial and residential install projects to helping us get paid when things haven't gone so well with subs. I truly cannot say enough great things about Angela. She has an impeccable work ethic and is pleasant to talk to unlike like most lawyers.
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15 Feb, 2016 by Louis
There are several lawyers who claim to specialize in vertical industries or segments of the law but few bring true passion to their specialty. I had the opportunity to work both as Angela's colleague in the solar industry where she led legal affairs and as a lawyer for our our Cleantech marketing services firm. She is the consummate legal professional and brings passion to the work she does to elevate the cleantech industry. I'd recommend Estriatus Law without hesitation.
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What Questions Should I Ask Before Hiring a Lawyer?

Hiring the right lawyer is crucial for the success of your case. Here are some important questions to ask during your initial consultation:

  1. What experience do you have with cases similar to mine?
    Ensure the lawyer has relevant experience in the specific area of law pertaining to your case.
  2. How do you charge for your services, and what are the estimated costs?
    Understand the fee structure, including hourly rates, flat fees, retainer fees, and any additional expenses.
  3. Who will be handling my case?
    Find out if the lawyer will handle your case personally or delegate tasks to other attorneys or paralegals.
  4. What is your approach to resolving cases like mine?
    Learn about their strategy, whether they prefer negotiation, mediation, or litigation.
  5. What potential outcomes can I expect?
    While no lawyer can guarantee results, they can provide an assessment of possible scenarios based on their experience.
  6. How will you communicate with me throughout the process?
    Establish expectations for updates, preferred communication methods, and response times.
  7. What is the expected timeline for my case?
    Get an estimate of how long the process may take from start to finish.
  8. Do you have references from past clients?
    Testimonials or references can provide insight into the lawyer's professionalism and effectiveness.
  9. What challenges do you foresee in my case?
    Understanding potential obstacles helps you prepare and sets realistic expectations.
  10. Are there alternative ways to resolve my legal issue?
    Discuss options like mediation, arbitration, or settlement to resolve the issue efficiently.

Can a Lawyer Represent Me in Courts Outside of Santa Cruz, California?

Whether a lawyer can represent you in courts outside of your city or state depends on their licensure and the jurisdiction of the court:

  • Within the Same State:
    Lawyers licensed in a particular state can typically practice anywhere within that state, including all cities and counties. They can represent you in both state and federal courts located in that state.
  • Outside of Their Licensed State:
    If your case is in a different state, the lawyer must be licensed in that state to represent you. However, there are exceptions:
    • Pro Hac Vice Admission: An out-of-state lawyer can request special permission to represent a client in a specific case in another state. This requires filing a motion with the court and often working in conjunction with a local attorney.
    • Federal Courts: If your case is in federal court, a lawyer licensed in any state may be able to represent you, provided they are admitted to practice in that particular federal court.
  • International Representation:
    For cases outside the United States, different rules apply, and the lawyer may need to comply with the foreign country's legal requirements or collaborate with local counsel.

It's important to discuss your specific situation with the lawyer to determine if they can represent you in the desired jurisdiction and what steps may be necessary to do so.

How to Check the Credibility of a Lawyer

Before hiring a lawyer, it's crucial to verify their credibility and ensure they're qualified to handle your case:

  • Verify Their License:
    Check with your state's bar association to confirm the lawyer is licensed and in good standing. Most state bar websites have an online directory for this purpose.
  • Experience and Specialization:
    Ensure the lawyer specializes in the area of law relevant to your case. Review their website, professional profiles, and case history.
  • Disciplinary Record:
    Look up any history of disciplinary actions or complaints through the state bar association's records.
  • Client Reviews and Testimonials:
    Read reviews on legal directories like Avvo, Martindale-Hubbell, Google, or Yelp to gauge client satisfaction and experiences.
  • Professional Memberships:
    Membership in professional organizations or specialty bar associations can indicate a commitment to their field and adherence to high ethical standards.
  • Awards and Recognitions:
    Honors from reputable organizations reflect expertise and a positive reputation in the legal community.
  • Consultation Assessment:
    Use the initial consultation to evaluate their communication skills, responsiveness, and willingness to address your concerns.
  • Ask for References:
    A credible lawyer should be willing to provide references from past clients who can speak to their abilities and professionalism.

What Should I Prepare for My First Consultation?

To make the most of your initial meeting with a lawyer, come prepared with:

  • Relevant Documents:
    Bring all documents related to your case, such as:
    • Contracts or agreements
    • Correspondence (emails, letters, texts)
    • Legal notices or court papers
    • Financial records (if applicable)
    • Evidence (photos, videos, receipts)
  • Written Summary:
    Prepare a concise written summary of your situation, including key dates, events, and parties involved. This helps the lawyer quickly understand the context.
  • List of Questions:
    Write down any questions you have about your case, the legal process, fees, or the lawyer's experience.
  • Financial Information:
    If your case involves financial matters, bring relevant documents like pay stubs, tax returns, bank statements, or invoices.
  • Contact Information:
    Provide details of any witnesses or other parties relevant to your case, including their names and contact information.
  • Personal Identification:
    Bring a valid photo ID for verification purposes.
  • Pen and Notebook:
    Take notes during the consultation to remember important points discussed.
  • Budget Constraints:
    Be ready to discuss your budget and any financial limitations so the lawyer can provide appropriate guidance on fees and payment options.
  • Openness and Honesty:
    Be prepared to discuss your case candidly. Full disclosure allows the lawyer to give accurate advice and anticipate potential challenges.
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