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 1 - 5 of 10 reviews | General Knowledge
Posted by SR | August 27, 2020 | Hired Attorney | Family
Thorough and comprehensive work
The family law judgment and orders were vague. The work Carina did was complex, well-planned and executed to get to an outcome that should have been better defined by the courts the first time the orders were made. Carina has the experience with family law post judgment issues related to support and ...
Hello SR: As you know, I had to "undo" prior court orders and make sense of numerous orders that date back many years. Thank you for your commitment to the case since it took many hearings and your unequivocal trust in my abilities. Always interesting to go outside the LA County jurisdiction. I am very happy that the result you wanted was exactly what the court ordered!
Posted by Cuong | June 22, 2020 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation
Best decision I made this decade hiring Carina!
I hired Carina for what was supposed to be a simple divorce case back in 2011, but my ex-wife and her lawyer made it difficult and the case dragged on until we finally reached a settlement 9 years later. Because my marriage was over 10 years, the 1 year alimony at a reduced rate was an outcome I did...
Thank you very much. Yes, it was suppose to be a "simple" divorce. Cuong, it is clear that it is best to resolve disputes in a reasonable manner. I wish you well in all your endeavors! Carina
Posted by kayla | August 26, 2019 | Hired Attorney | Lawsuits & Disputes
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...
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 | Immigration
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...
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
Posted by anonymous | June 09, 2017 | Family
Enforcement /Establishment of International Support Order
I consulted with Carina regarding enforcement of international support order from out of US that DES AG's office was trying to enforce in AZ US. She provided expert guidance and is extremely knowledgable in all matters related to International Support orders and also possible establishment in US. C...
Hello, Having your rights evoked especially against a government office is daunting--to say the least. I am very happy to have guided you through your rights, including but not limited to, your right of due process (notice and opportunity to be heard). Jurisdiction, especially in international child support cases are critical and in cases where parent and child/children reside outside of the United States, it is overwhelming and complex. It was and still is a very complicated case but having a legal team that is prepared and have a great deal of experience and knowledge in international child support laws are very important.
"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."
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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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