Mahal Rufina Montoya

Mahal Rufina Montoya

also known as Mahal Montoya

3.4
Rating: 7.3

Licensed for 11 years

Business Lawyer at San Leandro, CA
Practice Areas: Business, Tax, Landlord & Tenant

1250A Fairmont Drive #826, San Leandro, CA

About Mahal

Biography

Practice Areas

Fees and Rates

Cost

Free Consultation

$0 first 15 minutes

Hourly Rates

$ 150-350 per hour

Contingency

25%-35%

Pro bono

20 %

Retainer

Always


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check
  • Credit Card

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Licenses

Licensed in California for 11 years

State: California

Acquired: 2014

Active

No misconduct found

Location

Mahal Montoya Billingsley, Esq.

1250A Fairmont Drive #826, San Leandro, CA, 94578

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Mahal Rufina Montoya's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

3.4 /5.0

5 Client Reviews

Filter Avvo Reviews (5) Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.

Showing 1 - 5 of 5 reviews

Posted by anonymous | July 31, 2025 | Hired Attorney

Unskilled for this legal need

Ms. Montoya Billingsley operates like a novice in the legal field and is unprofessional in her approach. She lacks an eye for precision and lacks concern for details and thoroughly gathering information in her delivery of services. Rather than have conversations with her clients, she sends a series o...f generic forms, which should have flagged her limited commitment to due diligence. Further, because she does not gather the information needed to properly do her job, she relies on the client to do a surprising level of self-representation during the course of the work together. She reversed course on the services she said she would provide, likely because she knew she was unskilled to do the work effectively. In the final conversation, she raised her voice in significant defensiveness in response to calmly asked questions. Although it was probably out of frustration with her shortcomings as an attorney in this area of law, it was highly unprofessional.

Posted by anonymous | May 23, 2023 | Hired Attorney

Excellent attorney

Mahal is very knowledgeable and helpful. She is extremely skilled and familiar with the court’s procedures. I highly recommend Mahal’s legal services.

Posted by Clarence | May 08, 2023 | Hired Attorney | Landlord & Tenant

Hired Tuesday, fired Friday!!!

Mrs.Montoya came to MY OFFICE. We talked for 3hrs about prices and expectations, at the end we had an agreement. Mrs.Montoya said "she would write up the agreement". The next day she sent over a contract (a lot of blanks)with nothing we discussed over the 3hrs. She insisted it would fine. Regrett...ingly, I signed the contract and so she used my 1.5k not as we agreed initially. She claimed the tenant that I was evicting, I had the wrong name. So she conducted an unannounced investigation for $600, only to find out, I had the right tenant. Also note: Most evictions attorneys or eviction services don't charge an hourly rate UNTIL THE TENANT FILES AN ANSWER. That was our agreement which was not honored in her blank contract. Be careful.

Posted by Leon | April 27, 2016 | Hired Attorney | Litigation

Problem Solver

Ms Montoya , was very delligent in preparing and getting a judgement in my case . Her paperwork was immaculate and helped move my case to closer . I was always informed and guided through all difficult times. I'd definetly recommend Ms montoya, she works hard for her clients... Leon R

Posted by Abby | April 12, 2015 | Divorce & Separation

New Lawyer

Mahal Montoya is a sensitive, intuitive and empathic attorney. She is helping me get through a very difficult divorce as a friend and as a professional.

See All Client Reviews

Mahal Rufina Montoya's Lawyer Endorsements

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Tel Cary-Sadler

Family lawyer | Jun 05

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

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Experience

Rating:  7.3 (Very Good)

Work Experience

2014 - Present

Attorney, Law Offices of Mahal Montoya

2012 - Present

Performer/Stand-In, SAG/AFTRA

2008 - 2012

Law Clerk, Independent Contractor

2006 - 2008

English as a Second Language Teacher, Neighborhood Centers Adult School, Oakland Unified School District

2005 - 2005

Paralegal Specialist, Securities & Exchange Commission, San Francisco District Office

2005 - 2005

Administrative Assistant III, University of California Office of the President

2004 - 2005

Reading and Writing Enrichment Teacher, Alameda Adult School

2003 - 2004

Journalist, KMTP-TV San Francisco

2001 - 2003

English Teacher, Jesse Bethel High School, Vallejo Unified School District

1998 - 2000

Legal Research Assistant, University of Iowa College of Law Professor Adrien K. Wing

1998 - 2000

Clinical Legal Intern, University Of Iowa College Of Law Legal Clinic

Associations

2014 - Present

San Francisco Bar Association

Barrister

2014 - Present

Alameda County Bar Association

Barrister

2014 - Present

San Francisco Barristers Club

Member

Education

2010

San Jose State University

MLIS - Master of Library and Information Science

2000

University of Iowa College of Law

JD - Juris Doctor

1997

University of California - Berkeley

BA - Bachelor of Arts

Languages

English

Avvo Rating

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Avvo Rating Levels
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