I am first and foremost a trial attorney. I value and work towards settlement but if a jury or a bench trial is needed, this is where twenty-five years of training and hard work is put in play. My commitment to public service is deeply rooted in my immigrant background.
My father was a civil engineer who was recruited to work in an engineering firm in New York City. He had a solid life in the Philippines and a young family. But an opportunity arose—one he could not decline. His work took him to Indianapolis, Albuquerque and Los Angeles, California. Through hard work, my parents were afforded the opportunities to send their three children to good schools.
I dabbled in finance working with Shearson & Lehman the summer before attending UCLA. In college, I worked with the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office and witnessed attorneys, present a case from picking jurors to closing arguments.
Public service piqued my interest, so I attended the University of California, Hastings College of the Law in San Francisco. While there, I broadened my international studies of criminal and business law at the University of Leiden in the Netherlands.
After Hastings, I worked for Judge Dickran Tevrizian at the United States Ninth District in Los Angeles, researching and drafting judicial orders and gained valuable experience in federal civil and criminal practice. Afterwards, I joined the City of Los Angeles, Mayor’s Office, as an Appeals Analyst for the Office of the Economic Development evaluating business applicants for MBE/WBE/DBE certification.
Missing the courtroom, I went back and joined the District Attorney’s Office but now as an attorney, prosecuting felony and misdemeanor cases from arraignment to trial. My work with the Department of Child Support and Services fostered my interest in children’s issues, where I established and enforced child support orders.
As an attorney, working with families is a priority, litigating all issues in a dissolution matter which may involve restraining orders, asset division, domestic and international custody orders, child and spousal support. As the managing partner of my firm, I have the ability to pick and choose the cases I take in the criminal and family law area, and most are complex. I have a team of professionals from forensic accountants, private investigators, jury selection advisors, real estate consultants, and dynamic attorneys and staff that provide efficient and effective legal representation.
My background and training in law is diverse, exciting and comprehensive. I am lucky to be immersed in the legal world while managing a personal life surrounded by family and friends. I am a California girl with a deep love for the island mentality. Philippines after all, is an archipelago of more than 7,100 islands. Traveling the world is my idea of a lucky life combined with work that is always challenging and relevant.
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31 years
31 years
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Chat withState: California
Acquired: 1995
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1230 Rosecrans Avenue Suite 300, 3rd Floor, Manhattan Beach, CA, 90266
9701 Wilshire Boulevard Suite 1000, 10th Floor, Beverly Hills, CA, 90212
41 Client Reviews
Showing 6 - 10 of 41 reviews
Posted by Yolanda | April 20, 2022 | Hired Attorney | Alimony
Great job!
I hired this atty to take care of my Spousal Support Court. I am very satisfied with her performance. Thank you Carina
Thank you Yolanda. Your spousal support modification was post-Judgment so there are nuances that made it a bit more "tricky." I enjoyed working with you and your sister and a very gracious judge in Riverside County. As I said many times, I do enjoy meeting new colleagues and judicial officers outside of Los Angeles County. Stay safe and be well. Carina
Posted by Client | February 09, 2022 | Hired Attorney | Domestic Violence
Carina Castaneda is a phenomenal attorney
Carina is absolutely amazing. She has been a guiding light through a difficult process. She is thorough, knowledgeable, attentive, and supportive. She is quick to respond to questions and takes the time to clarify processes and timelines. Carina gave me the direction and assurance I needed to move fo...
Thank you for your kind words. Domestic violence restraining orders are complex and it is a very frightening situation for many, especially the children involved. I am grateful for your full confidence and following my guidance throughout the process.
Posted by anonymous | September 12, 2021 | Hired Attorney | Child Support
5 years too long (got all that I requested)
I would recommend Carina as the father of my son had gotten away with paying little to nothing of child support ($317) to be exact. For almost 7 years I had been fighting myself filing paper work in two different states with no success. I finally got to the point that I couldn't deal with not recei...
Thank you! Dealing with 2 states (Texas and Florida) along with California now took a lot of courage. You were determined and rightfully so. Keep in mind, while it is frustrating to not get the payments on time or even at all, it is accruing at a 10% interest rate, non-dischargeable, and cannot be waived by the court (only you). So good luck and best wishes. Carina
Posted by anonymous | July 05, 2021 | Child Support
What's a Mother to Do?
What's a mother to do when a deadbeat dad doesn't pay the custodial parent what is rightfully due to their child under a court order support agreement? Call Carina Castaneda! Carina walked me through the process of opening a claim to enforce collection through the County of Los Angeles Department o...
Thank you for the review. Department of Child Support Services can assist custodial parents in establishing and enforcing current child supports as well as arrears. Good luck and I hope you collect all the monies owed plus the 10% legal interest rate! Carina
Posted by anonymous | November 07, 2020 | Hired Attorney | Domestic Violence
#1 Lawyer
I had a case going for a couple of years, I needed an attorney for my 5yr restraining order renewal, I was searching for an attorney but having a difficult time. A friend gave me Ms. Castaneda information and there was immediate contact. Ms. Castaneda did not make promises or paint of pretty picture ...
Thank you! It was an emotional roller coaster for me too. A pleasure to work with you and everyone involved. Stay safe and healthy. Talk soon. Carina
"I am an immigration attorney, and Carina worked with one of my clients on a sentence reduction that was crucial for my client's immigration case. She was professional, persistent, and patient. I highly recommend her for similar cases!"
"I endorse this lawyer.This attorney has a strong reputation, is a zealous advocate for her clients and is a credit to the legal community."
"I endorse this lawyer. Attorney Castaneda is an outstanding attonrey with an exceptional reputation. She is a strong and zealous advocate for her clients and a credit to the legal profession. I highly endorse her."
"I endorse this lawyer. She is very knowledgeable about her field having been a deputy district attorney. I have referred numerous criminal cases to her and have only heard glowing reviews."
"Carina is one of the best family and criminal defense attorneys I know. Her combination of genuine care for her clients and tenacity in court is respected by both judges and attorneys alike. I endorse Ms. Castaneda without any reservations."
Immigration lawyer
Criminal defense lawyer
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Family lawyer
Employment and labor lawyer
Personal injury lawyer
Criminal defense lawyer
Criminal defense lawyer
2019
Client's Choice, Avvo
2009
100 Most Influential Filipina Women in the United States, Filipina Women's Network
2006 - Present
Managing Partner, The Law Offices of Carina Castaneda
1996 - 2006
Deputy District Attorney, Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office
1995 - 1996
Small Business Enterprise/MBE/WBE Certification Analyst, City of Los Angeles (Mayor's Office) Office of Contract Compliance
1994 - 1994
Judicial Extern, The Honorable Dickran Tevrizian
2003 - 2004
Philippine American Bar Association of Los AngelesBoard Member
2002 - 2003
Philippine American Bar Association of Los AngelesBoard Member
1994
JD - Juris Doctor
1994
International Law
1989
BA - Bachelor of Arts
2012
2006
English
Tagalog
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