Carina Castaneda

Carina Castaneda

5.0
Rating: 10.0

Licensed for 30 years

Family Lawyer at Manhattan Beach, CA
Practice Areas: Family, Criminal Defense

1230 Rosecrans Avenue Suite 300, 3rd Floor, Manhattan Beach, CA

About Carina

Biography

Practice Areas

2

Practice Areas

Family 70%

31 years

70%
Criminal Defense 30%

Federal and State Crimes.

31 years

30%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Retainer

Always


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check
  • Credit Card

Looking for an attorney? Avvo can help.

search module image

Search our directory

Quickly connect with top attorneys through our legal directory to get help with your legal issue.

chat module image

Avvo's live chat agents can help coordinate a consultation with a local attorney.

Chat with a live agent who can match you with the right attorney for your legal needs.

Chat with

Licenses

Licensed in California for 30 years

State: California

Acquired: 1995

Active

No misconduct found

Location

LAW OFFICE OF CARINA CASTAÑEDA

1230 Rosecrans Avenue Suite 300, 3rd Floor, Manhattan Beach, CA, 90266

LAW OFFICE OF CARINA CASTAÑEDA - BRANCH

9701 Wilshire Boulevard Suite 1000, 10th Floor, Beverly Hills, CA, 90212

Ad

Transform legal challenges into solutions.

Connect now to review your situation.

The Avvo Rating explained

display-bg

The Avvo Rating explained

Carina Castaneda's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

5.0 /5.0

41 Client Reviews

Showing 11 - 15 of 30 reviews | Case Results

Posted by Victoria | October 14, 2019 | Hired Attorney

Dedicated, Amazing, Laborious Lawyer

I hired Carina Castaneda as my lawyer for a complicated divorce with many properties and assets. I could not have made a better decision. Carina Castaneda has made several discoveries to help with my case and has shown her skill set several times during trial dates for my divorce. She is the only re...ason I still have a roof over my head, she made the judge see the circumstances of my divorce and thanks to her hard work has made it possible for me to continue to be able to cover expenses while this divorce continues. She has been very caring and supportive during this very arduous divorce and I could not be more grateful for the amount of hard work that she has put into my case.

Carina Castaneda

Replied last October 14, 2019

Thank you Victoria and Family! It is a very complicated case and against 2 lawyers so we will do all the best we can. I have enjoyed working with you and your family and I know going through this is not easy. Our team is focused and committed to this case and we will get to the end. It is 3 years and going but resolution is near. Carina

Posted by Ela | September 18, 2019 | Hired Attorney

She gave me life

Yes, she really gave me my life back. Carina helped me with a overseas move away case, helped me bring light to a prior custody agreement I’ve signed being ignorant on California family’s law. Being already away, comunicating in my poor English, she totally understood my entire situation. I recomm...end her with all my heart, I believe she’s great in her job and she works hard in every case she may have. Always available, gently and professional. Thank you very much . We are happy today because of you!

Carina Castaneda

Replied last September 18, 2019

Thank you very much Ela for your very kind words. Your move away case like most custody cases are always legally and emotionally challenging especially for the client. I wish you and your daughter happiness and good health. Your review is a very unique one, since it involves a move away from the United States to Europe added a "twist" to an already complicated scenario. Be well and keep in touch. Carina

Posted by anonymous | September 18, 2019 | Hired Attorney

Remain Silent and call Carina before you let the Police interview you

My family got caught in an administrative nightmare loop that involved LAPD and DCFS. We made a huge mistake and acquiesced to a police interview. We then retained Carina and her team, who helped resolve our situation before anything got filed. I cannot emphasize this enough...it is critically impo...rtant that if the police ever want to interview you or a family member, politely defer the interview, remain firm on this and REMAIN SILENT, then immediately call Carina....she is a true Gem.

Carina Castaneda

Replied last September 18, 2019

Thank you for your very gracious review. Yes, I have a team for each specific case--whether it is an appeal, trial, or settlement. I do "lead" the team of specialist but I am a firm believer that in some cases, a team of experts is needed. A strategy needed to be developed ASAP and this was done in a very short amount of time and resolved very quickly because it needed to be! Be well, all of you. Carina

Posted by kayla | August 26, 2019 | Hired Attorney

DUI Defense

Carina is very personable, but also very professional. She has extensive knowledge and experience in this area of law, and made me feel very comfortable that she would be able to handle my case effectively and efficiently. She had a complete understanding of all the issues that surrounded my situat...ion, and knew exactly what steps to take at all times. She was able to communicate complex procedures to me very clearly and was always available to respond to my many questions and concerns. She defended me expertly and was able to obtain the best result possible. I was extremely satisfied with Carina's representation of me and I highly recommend her for any engagement in this area of law.

Carina Castaneda

Replied last August 26, 2019

Hello Kayla and of course BG: Thank you very much for your review. Having to navigate both the DMV administrative hearing and the criminal court with DUI cases is overwhelming. I was very pleased with the dismissal of the DMV case and the criminal outcome. I know you were referred to me by another attorney and since I do very little advertising (my preference), the "word of mouth" type of ads are invaluable and always my preference. Kayla: you will do "big" things --I know. So I look forward to keeping contact and again many thanks. Carina

Posted by rex | August 23, 2018

citizenship denied

i applied for citizenship but was denied due to history of previous arrests, i don't know what to do until i found carina castaneda's ads in the philippine news. i tried my luck at least that's what i thought. but the moment i talked to her on my consultation i know i have someone on my side. she pre...pared all the legal documents that the immigration was requesting which seems to be impossible for me to acquired. she also prepared me through coaching for the day of the interview. she went with me in the immigration office on my day of interview, which made me confident that i have a knowledgeable defender in my side for support and i'm thankful everything turn out successful. on nov. 19, 2012, i passed the immigration interview for us citizenship.

Carina Castaneda

Replied last August 23, 2018

Rex, Being a U.S. citizen is an honor. I am especially grateful that I was able to clarify and assist you in obtaining this after you have worked so hard to get it. I wish you and your family much success and keep me posted. Carina

See All Client Reviews

Carina Castaneda's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Carina
Sabrina Rachel Damast headshot
Sabrina Damast

Criminal defense lawyer | Jan 02

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"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!"

Aaron Philip McAllister headshot
Aaron McAllister

Family lawyer | Feb 19

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Bryce A. Fetter headshot
Bryce Fetter

Criminal defense lawyer | Jul 28

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Herbert Ira Ellis headshot
Herbert Ellis

Unknown lawyer | Dec 07

Relationship: Other

"I endorse this lawyer."

Howard Robert Roitman headshot
Howard Roitman

Immigration lawyer | Oct 07

Relationship: Other

"I endorse this lawyer."

Christian K. Lassen II headshot
Christian Lassen

Unknown lawyer | Dec 20

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Angela I. Green headshot
Angela Green

Unknown lawyer | Oct 22

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"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."

Howard M Lewis headshot
Howard Lewis

Criminal defense lawyer | Aug 03

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in 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."

Manny Ibay headshot
Manny Ibay

Criminal defense lawyer | Aug 03

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"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."

Ryan Taiji Okabe headshot
Ryan Okabe

Unknown lawyer | Aug 02

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"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."

View All Endorsements
Sabrina Rachel Damast headshot
Sabrina Damast

Immigration lawyer

Ryan Joseph King headshot
Ryan King

Criminal defense lawyer

Brian Allen Newman headshot
Brian Newman

Criminal defense lawyer

Manny Ibay headshot
Manny Ibay

Family lawyer

Christina Alexandra Djernaes headshot
Christina Djernaes

Employment and labor lawyer

Lowell Hale Steiger headshot
Lowell Steiger

Personal injury lawyer

Decio Cedric Rangel Jr headshot
Decio Rangel

Criminal defense lawyer

Ryan Taiji Okabe headshot
Ryan Okabe

Criminal defense lawyer

Experience

Rating:  10.0 (Superb)

Honors

2019

Client's Choice, Avvo

2009

100 Most Influential Filipina Women in the United States, Filipina Women's Network

Work Experience

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

Associations

2003 - 2004

Philippine American Bar Association of Los Angeles

Board Member

2002 - 2003

Philippine American Bar Association of Los Angeles

Board Member

Education

1994

University of California, Hastings College of the Law

JD - Juris Doctor

1994

Leiden University, The Netherlands

International Law

1989

University of California - Los Angeles

BA - Bachelor of Arts

Speaking Engagements

Publications

2006

Philippine News Law & Order

Languages

English

Tagalog

Activity

Avvo Rating

Our Rating is calculated using information the lawyer has included on their profile in addition to the information we collect from state bar associations and other organizations that license legal professionals. Attorneys who claim their profiles and provide Avvo with more information tend to have a higher rating than those who do not.

What determines Avvo Rating?
  • Experience & background Years licensed, work experience, education
  • Legal community recognition Peer endorsements, associations, awards
  • Legal thought leadership Publications, speaking engagements
  • Discipline Disciplinary information may not be comprehensive, or updated. We recommend that you always check a lawyer's disciplinary status with their respective state bar association before hiring them.
Avvo Rating Levels
10.0 - 9.0 Superb8.9 - 8.0 Excellent7.9 - 7.0 Very Good6.9 - 6.0 Good5.9 - 5.0 Average4.9 - 4.0 Concern3.9 - 3.0 Caution2.9 - 2.0 Strong Caution1.9 - 1.0 Extreme Caution