Charles Marriott Kagay

Mr. Kagay represented me on two appeals involving a civil case and a bankruptcy case in my effort to collect the judgment from the civil case. I was satisfied with the effort that he put into the case and the skill he demonstrated in representing me. Although we were not ultimately successful in ou...r appeals, I believe he did a good job for me. I would hire him again and recommend him to my friends and family if they had a legal issue.

I'm an attorney, and I go to Charles Kagay when I need help on an appeal, a motion, a complicated legal issue, or just sound advice. Mr. Kagay has represented me personally on a number of matters. I am writing this as a client, because I'm truly fortunate to have him as my attorney. He is really... smart. In general, a lawyer has to have some intellectual ability to pass the bar, so as a population most lawyers are smart. But, Mr. Kagay is brilliant smart. Some lawyers make simple issues complicated. He makes the most complicated issues simple. He is able to distill down complicated messes into simple questions, usually with a direct remedy. His hourly rate is not low, but he makes up with that by efficiency. Representation by Mr. Kagay proves the maxim: "you get what you pay for. " His billing is detailed, so you understand what you are paying for. His billing practices are regular, so you don't get a big surprise. Through the years that he has represented me, I've watched his winning appeals appear in the law books. He doesn't often lose. He handles such a diverse set of cases, whether it is First Amendment matters, the California anti-SLAPP law, Constitutional law, physician writ review of hospital decisions, price fixing involving multi-national corporations, contract matters involving international transactions, or complicated bankruptcy disputes, there is not a pigeon-hole for his skill set. His writing is elegant, but easy to read. It is able to grab the readers attention early, and hold on to that attention throughout the brief. Likewise, his oral advocacy is engaging and crisp. He prepares and delivers his oral presentations, which I have had the pleasure of watching on multiple occasions, like a professor giving a faculty seminar. The judges know about him, and treat him with respect, if not deference. To best describe his personality, think of a physician that treated you really well when you were a child. He has a demeanor that is like a kindly pediatrician, and when you are concerned about a problem, he's able to say in a lawyer manner: let's get to the bottom of this problem and fix it. He is a kind person. His respectful demeanor is consistent. Even with the worst, most obnoxious adversary, his writing style avoids inflammatory attacks. Mr. Kagay is a gentleman. Despite success and renown, he is humble and modest. Rudyard Kipling described one test for accomplishment as "if you can walk with kings, but not lose the common touch . . . ". That describes Mr. Kagay. You can call him up and ask him a question, briefly chat with him. Mr. Kagay is pleasant. It is clear from my dealings with him and my observations of how he interacts with the courts and those around him that he loves law, he enjoys the process, the research, the writing, and finds it rewarding helping people. He was the successful appellate lawyer in a number of California Supreme and Appeals Court decisions, which is really his forte. He wins. Mr. Kagay is a good negotiator as well. He doesn't try to trick the counter-party, he is direct, and has some techniques that I've seen him use to get the adversary to talk about the dispute in the abstract. Sometimes people get emotionally attached to their case. He is able to get them out of that place through his negotiating method. Mr. Kagay is honest. Not every case is going to work out in a client's favor. But, I can say without reservation, the best possible outcome in a case will come to pass if Mr. Kagay is on your side. Whether it is an appeal that you have, or just setting the case up so that you are going to succeed at the litigation stage, his involvement is worth the investment.

Mr. Kagay has perfected four appeals for me and won both appeals that have been heard , one of which was immediately published. Kagay mastered the details and the big picture in each case. Mr. Kagay epitomizes the competent professional, commanding the respect and attention of both the appellate ...bench and opposing counsel. His briefs were a pleasure to read and instructive even for a layman. His oral arguments so far have been worth the price of admission. He is the top of his class. He is also a genuinely descent person. I would recommended Mr. Kagay without hesitation or qualifications for complex appellate litigation.

I have been involved in a complicated litigation over the past 8 years. Mr. Kagay came highly recommended when a need arose for appellate counsel approximately 5 years ago. Since then we have sought his analysis and advice on various connected matters. His analyses have been spot-on, bringing us v...arious successful results. Having worked with several attorneys, I can say without reservation that Mr. Kagay's professionalism, knowledge of the law and ability to analyze and apply the facts is unequalled in my experience. He has been extremely fair in his billing practices. Having worked in the legal profession and having had exposure to many attorneys beyond those with whom I have worked on our own case, I can state without reservation that Mr. Kagay is an honorable and decent man -- a true credit to his profession.