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Daniel J. Kolodziej

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Daniel J. Kolodziej

5.0
30 reviews
This is an aggregated review score of Avvo and Lawyers.com reviews.
Rating: 7.6

Licensed for 31 years

Education Lawyer at Los Angeles, CA
Practice Areas: Education, Employment & Labor, Child Abuse ... +3 more

6300 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 1425, Los Angeles, CA

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About Daniel

Biography

We have 150+ years of experience. We can help. CALL TODAY for a FREE 30 MINUTE CONSULTATION.

Keen awareness and reliable solutions for business transactions and challenges.

Here for the falsely accused; here to help guide you through a difficult time.

A good defense is the key to keeping your freedom; get the best and get some rest.

The best defense is a good offense.

Righting wrongs is only half the battle; keep employers in line and preserve your reputation.

Protect your property and enforce your rights.

Practice Areas

6

Practice Areas

Education 30%

Teacher dismissals, discipline and credentials

21 years | 200 cases

30%
Employment and Labor 25%

wrongful termination, discrimination, breach of employment contract, disability and family leave rights

31 years | 150 cases

25%
Child Abuse 15%

Criminal defense, domestic abuse, professional employment and child care, litigation defense

21 years | 150 cases

15%
Business 10%

Litigation, transactions, distribution agreements, business entity formation and counseling, employment consulting, trademark and intellectual property rights registration and enforcement

31 years | 100 cases

10%
Criminal Defense 10%

misdemeanors and felonies, including shoplifting/petty theft, DUI, possession of controlled substance, child annoyance, child molestation, child pornography, child neglect, child abuse, domestic violence, assault, battery, statutory rape, unlawful sex with a minor, embezzlement, indecent exposure, grand theft, larceny, burglary, assault with a deadly weapon

21 years | 150 cases

10%
Trademark Application 10%

US and International trademark application/registration, prosecution, enforcement and litigation

26 years | 100 cases

10%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Free Consultation

$0 first 30 minutes

Hourly Rates

$ 295-750 per hour

Contingency

33%-45%

Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check
  • Credit Card

Awards

Client's Choice
Client's Choice
2016
Gold Client Champion

Avvo Client's Choice Awards

Client's Choice

The Avvo Client's Choice Award Badge is granted to attorneys with a significant number of 4+ star reviews in a given year.

Client's Choice
Client's Choice 2016

Gold Client Champion

Gold Client Champion

Client Champion awards recognize those attorneys who excel at service as affirmed by their clients. The awards, based on the quantity and quality of an attorney’s Martindale-Hubbell client reviews, demonstrate an ongoing commitment to delivering excellent client service.

This attorney has received at least 6 client reviews, and has an average score of 4.2 or higher.

Licenses

Licensed in Nevada for 5 years

State: Nevada

Acquired: 2020

Active

No misconduct found

Licensed in California for 31 years

State: California

Acquired: 1994

Active

No misconduct found

Location

Trygstad, Schwab & Trygstad

6300 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 1425, Los Angeles, CA, 90048

tstlawoffice.com
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Online Presence

Other places you can find Daniel online.

Daniel J. Kolodziej's Reviews

Filter Avvo Reviews (21) Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.
Star rating
5 stars 21
4 stars 0
3 stars 0
2 stars 0
1 star 0
Practice Areas
Employment & Labor (12) Lawsuits & Disputes (7) Education (4) Administrative Law (2) Contracts & Agreements (2) Wrongful Termination (2) Appeals (1) Business (1) Consumer Protection (1) Criminal Defense (1) Intellectual Property (1) Litigation (1)
What Clients Mention
Advocacy (17) Recommendation (12) Case Results (11) Professionalism (11) Character & Conduct (9) Practice Area Knowledge (9) General Knowledge (6) Trustworthiness (6) Communication Style (5) Compassion (5) Responsiveness (5) Cost of Services (2) Staff & Support (1)

Showing 6 - 9 of 9 reviews | Practice Area Knowledge

Posted by anonymous | May 09, 2016 | Hired Attorney | Education

Spectacular Lawyer

Teachers who have been told that there is no hope for their case or felt like there was no way to stop the school system from miscarrying justice should turn to lawyer who is not only well qualified but understanding of the emotional roller coaster this process causes. I was falsely accused and m...y professional character was called into question. I was removed roughly from the school where I last taught I was put into “Teacher Jail!” I was distraught and met other teachers who were put there for a variety of trivial reasons. As time progressed, my emotions regarding these false accusations continued to be those of despair and anger. It seemed to me that I was being “rubber stamped!” These were the words that my representative told me one day after a “hearing.” I consulted other lawyers who bluntly told me that I had no case inferring that my case, complete with 11 “charges”, was completely unwinnable and to just accept the inevitable that was going to happen to me and my career. There didn’t seem to be any light at the end of the tunnel for me until I met and signed up with Daniel Kolodziej to be my lawyer from the Trygstad Schwab and Trygstad Law Firm. After meeting with Daniel Kolodziej I immediately felt confident and hopeful because of the authoritative and intelligent manner in which he spoke. Never once did he express anything less than confidence in me, my innocence, and in my case. Mr. Daniel Kolodziej used every single resource available to him to investigate the outrageous claims including numerous interviews and still kept my updated on the progress of my case. His expertise in educational law was often very apparent in conversation and in his professional manner. He is very thorough, pays close attention to details and knows how to draw out the facts. He understood what an emotional time it was for me and was understanding of my frequent emails and never once was harsh to me. In court he was able to expose how the charges against me were inflated and essentially false and without merit. His demeanor is very professional and respectful towards the panel of Judges and opposing counsel. The points he made caused the district to see how wrong they essentially were in how they treated me. His expert skill and presentation was able to break through the misinformation fed by the school district and led the panel of diverse judges to reach a wise and unanimous decision. Mr. Daniel Kolodziej won my case against a school district. I am so grateful for his expertise, caring, insightful and encouraging “pep talks” to fight for my innocence and career. I am extremely appreciative that Trygstad, Schwab & Trygstad accepted my case and believed in me! In my eyes, Mr. Kolodziej is a man of strong ethics and dedication to his client. I will be eternally grateful for not only clearing my name, but most importantly for allowing me to feel vindicated and attempt to move on to a peaceful life after a torturous ordeal.

Posted by anonymous | April 18, 2016 | Hired Attorney | Contracts & Agreements

Honest & Trustable Lawyer

Trygstad Schwab & Trygstad, including Lawrence Trygstad, Daniel Kolodziej, and Shanon Trygstad, have been the rock my husband and I have leaned on when our legal rights have been threatened. Time and time again, TST has challenged those who have sought to take advantage of us and/or have violated ou...r contractual or other legal rights. They have protected us from a variety of unscrupulous characters – including charitable groups, contractors, homeowners’ associations, tenants, business competitors, employees, airlines, car dealers, dentists, doctors, and travel agents. As a result of their efforts, they have repeatedly restored our lost money, obtained additional damages and attorney fees and, most importantly, upheld our personal principles to ensure justice is done and we are treated fairly. In sum, TST has always been there for us without hesitation and with excellent results.

Posted by Michael | April 18, 2016 | Hired Attorney | Business

Highly recommended

As an owner of an industry-leading company that distributes its products internationally, having insightful, creative and, when necessary, aggressive attorneys is an essential part of our company’s success. For over ten years, our company has relied on the services of Trygstad Schwab & Trygstad and,... in particular, Daniel Kolodziej to ensure that our company complies with complex laws and to safeguard our intellectual property and business interests from assault by potential competitors. As our company has risen to the top of a very competitive industry, with the legal challenges that comes with that growth, Trygstad, Schwab & Trygstad has kept us protected. I recommend them unequivocally for anyone looking for sound advice and unrelenting legal protection, including for employment, trademark and other business concerns.

Posted by Eric | March 30, 2016 | Hired Attorney | Employment & Labor

Excellent Attorney

I hope to inspire others in similar circumstances to not give up their careers and to stop school districts from abusing their powers. Knowing the facts of my own situation, I felt the district investigation would work out for the best and trusted that the process would work in my favor. My “teac...her jail” situation proceeded with union representation, which was terribly inept. All of the thousands of dollars I paid in dues were returned with a revolving door of union volunteers that held my hand through the process with no action on my behalf. Nothing came from the procedural meetings with the district, except for stepping closer to an inevitable teacher dismissal. I then sought legal representation outside of the district. I interviewed and consulted with over 20 law firms, all coming to the same conclusion - the work required on their end would not match their potential financial investment. I then tried to take the matter into my own hands, representing myself with the assistance and support of my wife and other housed teachers. This process was exhausting, lasting over a year, resulting in me just wanting to move forward for the sake of my family and mental health. District representatives repeatedly suggested, at my dismissal meetings, that I resign, essentially offering nothing in exchange for a complete exoneration of the school district. I would never be able to hold them accountable for obliterating my career with their misactions, adding yet another blow to my weary optimism. The district is well versed to add insult to injury, wearing most teachers down who are too financially exhausted and besieged to continue to an OAH hearing. Once dismissed, there is no income, state unemployment denied, leaving many to give up at this point. But I chose to escalate my defense and appeal my case to an OAH hearing. And the district scaled up their attorneys - 3 of them at this point. I have to say that an OAH hearing is just like any other trial with loads of paperwork, deadlines, legal vocabulary, and submissions. My wife and I were in over our heads. As the trial date loomed closer, we realized that we would go down in flames not because my dismissal was merited, but because I lacked legal expertise. I chose to try once more to find an attorney who would listen to the details of my case in hopes of getting the representation I truly deserved, or simply go ahead with the resignation. I made an appointment with Dan Kolodziej, at Trygstad, Schwab & Trygstad. Finally, I encountered a professional with the skill and aptitude to quickly internalize the facts and subtle idiosyncrasies of my case. I left him boxes of paperwork, relevant to my case, to review. My determination would soon be rewarded by his years of legal experience. During the hearing, Mr. Kolodziej quickly established a positive rapport with the presiding judge, while tactfully marginalizing the opposing counsel’s endeavors. He was truly masterful at dissecting the opposition’s witnesses with precision and foresight, most of whom stood little chance when faced with his revealing and relentless questioning. The increasing number of charges against me didn’t give me hope that my case would ever see the light of day. However, Mr. Kolodziej clearly was wise to the district’s strategies and knew how to prepare and mitigate any damages. We spent many hours over many days preparing for the hearing, and long hours at the courthouse. Over the 13 day hearing, Dan was on his game - professional and considerate of my needs as a client as well as the concerns of my wife. I am eternally grateful to Mr. Kolodziej and his firm for fiercely defending my rights in and out of the courtroom. Because of him, I am able to bring closure to an especially painful chapter of my life. I unequivocally recommend anyone considering legal representation to consult him first because of his profound knowledge regarding employment and education related law.

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Daniel J. Kolodziej's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Daniel
Mehrshad Mirkhan headshot
Mehrshad Mirkhan

Unknown lawyer | Dec 15

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. I had the opportunity to observe Mr. Kolodziej's legal work in a complicated case. Mr. Kolodziej is very precise, detail-oriented, and comprehensive in his legal work. He leaves no stone unturned in support of his clients and is truly a zealous advocate. I certainly recommend Mr. Kolodziej and his firm for any complex legal matters that require zealous advocacy."

View All Endorsements
Mehrshad Mirkhan headshot
Mehrshad Mirkhan

Bankruptcy and debt lawyer

Experience

Rating:  7.6 (Very Good)

Honors

2019

Top-Rated (Client Reviews, 5-stars), Martindale-Hubbell® (AVVO.COM)

2018

Top-Rated (Client Reviews, 5-stars), Martindale-Hubbell® (AVVO.COM)

2017

Top-Rated (Client Reviews 5-stars) (FIRST YEAR OF RATING), Martindale-Hubbell® (AVVO.COM)

Work Experience

2005 - Present

Partner/Member, Trygstad Schwab & Trygstad

2003 - Present

General Counsel, Trigg Laboratories, Inc.

Associations

1995 - Present

Beverly Hills Bar Association

Member

1995 - Present

Los Angeles County Bar Association

Member

1995 - Present

American Bar Association

Member

1994 - Present

State Bar of California

Member

Education

1993

University of California at Los Angeles School of Law

JD - Juris Doctor

1990

University of Michigan

BA - Bachelor of Arts

Speaking Engagements

2011

California Teachers Association Group Legal Conference

Current Education and Employment Law Issues

Publications

2017

Languages

French

German

English

Spanish

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