Vanessa Celeste Deniston

Vanessa Celeste Deniston

5.0
Rating: 10.0

Licensed for 15 years

Personal injury Lawyer at San Francisco, CA
Practice Areas: Personal Injury, Employment & Labor, Sexual Harassment, Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect

1438 Market Street, San Francisco, CA

About Vanessa

Biography

Practice Areas

4

Practice Areas

Personal Injury 40%

Catastrophic injury, auto accidents, bicycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, common carrier accidents, slip and falls, sexual assault and sexual violence, premises liability, dog bites, and other negligence-related injuries.

40%
Employment and Labor 35%

Harassment, discrimination, retaliation, wrongful termination, whistleblowers and workplace safety complaints.

15 years

35%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Free Consultation

$0 first 30 minutes


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Licenses

Licensed in California for 13 years

State: California

Acquired: 2012

Active

No misconduct found

Licensed in Rhode Island for 14 years

State: Rhode Island

Acquired: 2011

Resigned

No misconduct found

Licensed in Massachusetts for 15 years

State: Massachusetts

Acquired: 2010

Inactive

No misconduct found

Location

Dolan Law Firm, PC

1438 Market Street, San Francisco, CA, 94102

Dolan Law Firm, PC

1498 Alice Street, Oakland, CA

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Vanessa Celeste Deniston's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

5.0 /5.0

26 Client Reviews

Filter Avvo Reviews (26) Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.

Showing 1 - 4 of 4 reviews | Compassion

Posted by anonymous | April 07, 2017 | Hired Attorney | Sexual Harassment

Amazing!

My case was a sexual harassment case. I wasn't too sure if I wanted to hire an attorney and take the case further, but so glad I did. In doing so met Vanessa and she put in so much time and dedication into my case. She showed compassion and became so involved in my case that I knew right away I had m...ade the right choice. My case was an on the job sexual harassment and when I felt like I wasn't being heard or taken seriously i decided to take things further before there were anymore victims. I knew what was going in with my case at all times. My questions were responded to rather quickly. She guided me and helped me through the extremely emotional process by making me feel confident and hopeful that justice would be served. She was very knowledgeable and was very quick at getting any and all evidence and witnesses together. I felt very at ease and very confident with Vanessa having my case in her hands. I'm so glad I got to work with Vanessa and absolutely very happy With the ending results .

Posted by anonymous | March 21, 2017 | Hired Attorney | Wrongful Termination

Superb Litigator With Profound Compassion For Her Clients

In 2013, I was wrongfully terminated from my job working for giant corporation after being happily employed for nearly a decade. Sadly, due to my high risk pregnancies and coupled with health complications resulting from my childbearing years, I was pushed out of the company. Devastated and in grave ...pain, my life change the very day that I meet Ms. Vanessa Deniston. She approached my matter with a full commitment and displayed the energy and passion that I had only hoped to receive. When my body was weak and I was consumed in pain, she helped me with my case with extra care and impeccable competence to help me meet our deadlines. Throughout the process she was prompt in returning my calls or emails, and I knew she has my best interest in mind. Being involved in a lawsuit is no easy task. She literally held my hand throughout the process and encouraged me to remain strong. She spent countless hours listening to the details of my case. Even when I would cry, I could feel her compassion and the love she has for justice. Ms. Deniston is an expert in employment litigation cases ranging from discrimination on the basis of disability, age, race, gender, pregnancy, etc. she is ethical, fair, honest and makes working with her a pleasure. If you need an attorney who takes a personal interest in your matter and not just from a business interest standpoint then you will want nothing less and no one other than Vanessa. I was very fortunate to have met Vanessa who had the ability and the heart to change my life for the better. Whilst, my review may never be enough of a thank you, I hope that my eternal gratitude will suffice.

Posted by anonymous | February 17, 2017 | Hired Attorney | Employment & Labor

Like Family

Gosh where do I begin. I’ve had to retain an attorney several times over the course of my life and you always want to find one that takes your case with heart and compassion. Let me say this and emphasize, there are good lawyers are out there, but very, very FEW great lawyers. Vanessa is without a d...oubt one of those attorneys. This is what Vanessa did for me. She took a case involving a hostile work environment that took a huge toll on me emotionally and mentally. Prior to hiring the Armstrong Law Firm, I literally spoke with 6 very reputable law firms. All 6 firms wanted my case, but for my situation, I wanted a law firm that wasn't going to say I had a great case and take a quick settlement. I wanted more than that. Justice for how I had been treated. When I spoke to Kelly at the Armstrong Law Firm, I knew I had the right firm.....absolutely no doubt. Vanessa was put on my case and immediately I felt she had a deep understanding and empathy for what I had been through. This was Vanessa. She would answer all my ridiculous questions and concerns no matter how many or what time of day or night. She would actually answer my emails at midnight. What person, let alone attorney, does that? I truly felt that she was not only invested in my case from an attorney’s standpoint, but she made me feel as if I was family....a little brother so to speak. She was very protective of me, my case and the outcome. Yes, I’m a full grown man and even I needed to feel protected. Vanessa was very intelligent and remembered all aspects of my case. Even the little details I sometimes forgot. To say she was thorough would be an understatement. You can be smart, articulate and detailed when it comes to a case as Vanessa was with mine, but what I realized is that Vanessa was just as invested in the case mentally and emotionally as I was. In my case, I felt I was standing up to a "bully" and Vanessa was going to war FOR me! I'm sorry but you just don't find law firms or attorneys like this often. All I can say is that any client that retains Vanessa is absolutely privileged to have her. I have given one other review in my life for a non-legal matter, mostly because I don't think many deserve it. Vanessa deserves it! I hope this review will help others realize there are actually law firms and attorneys out there that truly care about, not only the case, but the well-being of their client. This is Vanessa. You’re in great hands, I promise! Thank you Vanessa!

Posted by Allison | January 30, 2017 | Hired Attorney | Employment & Labor

Professional, Intelligent and Compassionate

Vanessa strikes that wonderful balance of professionalism and truly caring about her clients. She is intelligent and compassionate and very easy to work with. I hired her to work on my employment agreement and succession planning documents that I was negotiating with the company I work for (a buy se...ll agreement, stock option agreement, and succession plan). She was incredibly patient and committed during what became a drawn out process on the company's part and she helped expedite in many ways. Vanessa did a great job reviewing the documents and red-lining to ensure that my needs were being met but, more importantly, she approached them proactively rather than merely being reactive, anticipating a future in which these documents would not just protect me but also serve me.

See All Client Reviews

Vanessa Celeste Deniston's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Vanessa
Cortney Simone Shegerian headshot
Cortney Shegerian

Employment and labor lawyer | Nov 15

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Vanessa is an extremely talented and tenacious attorney. Anyone who works with her or is lucky enough to have her as their attorney, will quickly see how incredible and relentless she is at fighting for her clients. She's the best of the best."

Mari Bandoma headshot
Mari Bandoma

Unknown lawyer | Nov 13

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"Vanessa is a smart and dedicated advocate. She is a tenacious attorney and fights hard for her clients and I am fortunate to work with her."

Cristina Garcia headshot
Cristina Garcia

Employment and labor lawyer | Oct 31

Relationship: Co-worker

"Vanessa is a strong and passionate advocate. I would recommend her to anyone seeking an employment attorney."

Megan R Irish headshot
Megan Irish

Employment and labor lawyer | Oct 30

Relationship: Co-worker

"I endorse this lawyer. When I have friends or family with employment concerns, I send them to Vanessa. She is thoughtful and thorough. She knows the law and fights hard for her clients."

Maria Ann Bourn headshot
Maria Bourn

Employment and labor lawyer | Oct 25

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"Ms. Deniston is one of the most talented, diligent, and outright best attorneys I have worked with. If my best friend or family member was looking for an attorney she would be the attorney I would require them to seek counsel from."

Matthew J. Wayne headshot
Matthew Wayne

Employment and labor lawyer | Apr 06

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"Vanessa is a tenacious and caring attorney who seeks justice for employees. I personally worked with her on multiple different matters and she always put the clients' interests first and made them feel at ease as they navigated the legal process. She works hard to achieve the best results for her clients."

Jennifer Ann Brody headshot
Jennifer Brody

Employment and labor lawyer | Nov 02

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Dedicated and highly skilled civil litigator with significant employment and labor law experience."

Kristina Unanyan headshot
Kristina Unanyan

Employment and labor lawyer | Oct 07

Relationship: Co-worker

"Vanessa's dedication to her clients and work is unparalleled. Her clients are first and foremost in her mind, as exemplified through her hard work, dedication, and work product. I have had the pleasure of seeing, firsthand, Vanessa's ability to handle a variety of difficult situations in a timely, organized, and efficient manner. Vanessa is a compassionate and trusted advocate, colleague, and mentor. I highly recommend her."

View All Endorsements
Mari Bandoma headshot
Mari Bandoma

Unknown lawyer

Cristina Garcia headshot
Cristina Garcia

Personal injury lawyer

Megan R Irish headshot
Megan Irish

Personal injury lawyer

Matthew J. Wayne headshot
Matthew Wayne

Employment and labor lawyer

Maria Ann Bourn headshot
Maria Bourn

Employment and labor lawyer

Cecilia S. Son headshot
Cecilia Son

Employment and labor lawyer

Monica Emad Boutros headshot
Monica Boutros

Employment and labor lawyer

Kristina Unanyan headshot
Kristina Unanyan

Employment and labor lawyer

Nare Avagyan headshot
Nare Avagyan

Employment and labor lawyer

Experience

Rating:  10.0 (Superb)

Honors

2021

Rising Star, SuperLawyers

2020

Rising Star, SuperLawyers

2019

Rising Star, SuperLawyers

2018

2018 Northern California Rising Star, Super Lawyers

Work Experience

2017 - Present

Senior Associate Attorney, Dolan Law Firm, PC

2016 - 2017

Senior Litigation Counsel, The Armstrong Law Firm, P.C.

2015 - 2016

Associate Attorney, Shegerian & Associates

2013 - 2015

Associate Attorney, Law Office of Virgil L Roth, P.C.

2011 - 2013

Contract Attorney, Wilmer Hale

Associations

2022 - Present

Consumer Attorneys of California (CAOC)

Education Chair of Diversity Committeee

2022 - Present

Bay Area Lawyers for Individual Freedom (BALIF)

Member

2017 - Present

Consumer Attorneys of California (CAOC)

Member

2017 - Present

San Francisco Trial Lawyers Association (SFTLA)

Member

2016 - Present

California Employment Lawyers Association (CELA)

Member

2016 - Present

American Association for Justice (AAJ)

Member

2021 - 2022

Consumer Attorneys of California (CAOC)

Membership Chair of Diversity Committee

Sample of Legal Cases

Age/Disability Discrimination Case

Confidential Settlement - $1,350,000

Disability Discrimination/Wrongful Termination Case

Confidential Settlement - $800,000

Sexual Harassment/Joint Employer Case

Confidential Settlement - $700,000

FMLA Violations and Wrongful Termination Case

Confidential Settlement - $650,000

Sexual Orientation/Disability Discrimination Case

Confidential Settlement - $499,500

See More Legal Cases

Education

2010

Suffolk University Law School

J.D.

2007

University of Massachusetts, Amherst

B.A., Magna Cum Laude

Speaking Engagements

2018

Speak out and Speak Loud: Discrimination in the Legal Field

Gender Wage Gap

Publications

2007

University of Massachusetts Library The Evolution of Abolition: A Comparative Analysis of Capital Punishment in Great Britain and the United States

Languages

English

Activity

Avvo Rating

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  • Experience & background Years licensed, work experience, education
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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