Congratulations to the attorneys and law firms that were voted as the Best Attorneys in the 2024 Best of San Mateo Area contest!
The Best of San Mateo Contest, sponsored by the San Mateo Area Chamber of Commerce, allows the public to vote for their favorite businesses in a nomination round followed by a voting round in over 120 categories.
In 2024, 22,685 votes were cast by 11,959 unique voters. The program’s goal is to support our local businesses and encourage shopping locally by recognizing the best businesses, service providers and places in the greater San Mateo area. There is no cost for businesses to participate and winners are provided with an array of online and offline benefits.
Best Attorneys in San Mateo by Legal Practice Area:
- Personal Injury Law: Galine, Frye, Fitting & Frangos, LLP
- Criminal Defense: Law Office of James Dunn
- Estate Planning: Law Office of Nicole Warmerdam
- Family Law and Divorce: Laughlin Legal
- Business Law, Real Estate Law, Employment Law: Chauvel & Glatt
- Construction defects and Real Estate: Windsor, PLC
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Common Types of Lawyers in the San Mateo Area
In the San Mateo Area, the most common types of lawyers include:
Personal Injury Lawyers: These attorneys specialize in cases involving accidents, injuries, and wrongful death, helping clients seek compensation for damages caused by someone else’s negligence. If you are the victim or a car accident or other injury, these cases are often handled on a contingency basis, meaning that there is no upfront cost to you.
Real Estate Attorneys: Real estate lawyers handle legal matters related to property transactions, such as buying, selling, leasing, or disputes over property rights.
Family Law Attorneys: Family law attorneys deal with legal issues related to families, such as divorce, child custody and adoption..
Estate Planning Attorneys: These lawyers assist clients in creating wills, trusts, and other estate planning documents to ensure their assets are distributed according to their wishes after death.
Business Attorneys: Business lawyers provide legal advice and representation to businesses on matters such as contracts, corporate governance, intellectual property, and employment law. They also help startup companies with legal tasks such as establishing a legal business entity.
Criminal Defense Attorneys: Criminal defense lawyers represent individuals accused of committing crimes and work to protect their rights and achieve the best possible outcome in their cases. Typical criminal defense matters include domestic violence, restraining orders, DUI, drug-related crimes, theft, appeals and others.
Immigration Attorneys: Immigration lawyers assist clients with issues related to visas, green cards, citizenship, deportation defense, and other immigration matters.
How to Choose an Attorney in San Mateo
Choosing the best lawyer for your needs can be a crucial decision. The lawyers in this list were voted by the San Mateo public as among the best. Other ways to research lawyer include:
- Research: Start by researching law firms that specialize in the relevant area of law. You can use online directories, referrals from friends or family, or bar association websites to find potential lawyers in your area.
- Read Reviews and Testimonials: Look for reviews and testimonials from previous clients to get an idea of the lawyer’s reputation and track record. Websites like Avvo, Yelp, or Google Reviews can be helpful for this purpose.
- Check Credentials: Verify the lawyer’s credentials, including their education, experience, and any certifications or memberships in professional organizations related to their field of practice. You can research whether a San Mateo lawyer has ever been disciplined on the California State Bar website.
- Schedule Consultations: Many lawyers offer free initial consultations. Take advantage of these to meet with potential candidates, discuss your case, and evaluate their expertise, communication style, and approach to handling cases.
Courts in San Mateo County
In San Mateo County, California, here are some of the main courthouse locations. For more assistance, contact the court information line at (650) 261-5100.
- Superior Court of California, County of San Mateo – Southern Branch: Located in Redwood City, this courthouse handles a wide range of cases, including civil, criminal, family law, probate, and traffic matters.
- Superior Court of California, County of San Mateo – Northern Branch: Situated in South San Francisco, this courthouse primarily deals with criminal cases, including arraignments, trials, and other criminal proceedings.
- Superior Court of California, County of San Mateo – Hall of Justice: This facility, also located in Redwood City, houses the criminal division of the San Mateo County Superior Court.
- Superior Court of California, County of San Mateo – Juvenile Branch: Located in San Mateo, this courthouse handles cases involving minors, including juvenile delinquency, dependency, and related matters.
- Superior Court of California, County of San Mateo – Family Court Services: Situated in Redwood City, this facility provides services related to family law matters, including mediation, counseling, and evaluations.
Legal Aid in San Mateo
San Mateo Legal Aid offers support to low-income residents of San Mateo County in a range of civil legal matters such as health care, housing, public benefits, special education services, domestic violence, immigration, and elder abuse. They do not handle traffic violations or criminal cases, including DUIs. To make an appointment with a Legal Aid lawyer for a civil matter, one should call (650) 558-0915.
For legal assistance in criminal matters, individuals are advised to contact the San Mateo Bar Association Private Defenders Office at (650) 298-4000.