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I came to law after UC Berkeley. I spent that year traveling in Europe, and what stayed with me was how much of a person's situation can turn on whether anyone is willing to speak for them. I came home and started where that was most immediate - volunteering at legal clinics around the Bay Area, which taught me more about practicing than any classroom did.
Through law school I worked full time at law firms, moving across practice areas rather than settling into one. That range is why I was able to open my own office as soon as I was licensed, and it is still the most useful thing I bring to a case.
Clients rarely arrive with a problem that stays in one courtroom. A domestic violence allegation can run through criminal court, a restraining order, and a custody calendar at the same time, and what is said in one of them becomes evidence in the next. A personal injury recovery can arrive in the middle of a dissolution, where how it is characterized decides how much of it my client keeps. Before I choose a strategy, I map the whole of a client's exposure - because in litigation the order in which you do things is often worth more than any single argument.
From there my approach is straightforward. I start with an honest valuation of a case: risk assessment, benefits to litigation, and what the other side believes about both. That assessment drives everything after it - what to concede early, what to hold, when a negotiated resolution is genuinely the best result available, and when a case needs to be built for a judge or a jury instead. I would rather give a client an unwelcome assessment at the start than an unwelcome surprise at the end.
I have argued in front of family court judges hundreds of times and taken criminal cases to jury verdict, including homicide. I worked the same way in the clinics, for free, and that is the part I am proudest of - the analysis does not get shorter because the fee does. If you are deciding what to do next, I am glad to talk it through.
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Chat withState: California
Acquired: 2011
No misconduct found
420 3rd Street, Ste 250, Oakland, CA, 94607
42 Client Reviews
Showing 1 - 5 of 7 reviews | Cost of Services
Posted by Melissa | July 18, 2019 | Hired Attorney
Regrettable experience
I hired Guarav Bali for a child support modification. This process took a year and it was not completed. Guarav Bali was often unresponsive, would not make scheduled phone calls, or would do work that was unnecessary to the modification - i understand mistakes and accidents happen but this was so fre...
Dear Melissa, I'm surprised to see that you are writing a review now since we have not worked together since Jan 2018 (1.5+ years ago). My office strives for client satisfaction and continues to be a valuable resource for the community in family, criminal, and civil law. I am sorry that you have a negative opinion of what my staff and I accomplished in your case. I'd like to address some of your feedback directly. First, you did not spend "thousands of dollars" at my office; your total bill was $1,710 and I refunded the balance of your retainer. Next, for the modest billing for my legal services, I successfully registered an interstate support order, assisted with the out-of-state support issues and related legal services. Finally, I responded to all of your questions and made time to speak with you in and outside of working hours to suit your schedule, even for issues unrelated to the case at hand. Your characterization of our interaction and end result is simply untrue. I wish you all the best. -Gaurav
Posted by matthew | November 13, 2014
highly recommend
I highly recommend mr. bali. He was very helpful and aswered all my questions whenever I didnt understand something. He helped me get the best deal possible!
Posted by Brandon | December 09, 2013
Excellent Job!!!
I never thought that I would find myself thrown in jail for being in the company of someone who had a history of being in trouble. I actually didn't even have the heart to call my family to let them know where I was I felt so bad. But while I was there I met an inmate who recommended Gaurav Bali. He ...
Posted by anonymous | May 09, 2013
The man with a plan
I was referred to mr.Bali by a friend who had hired him in the past. I've delt with many lawyers and this was not my first rodeo unfortunately. I had a drug related case with two felony counts against me. As stressed and upset as I was he kept me calm and made me feel comfortable the way an attorn...
Posted by anonymous | March 29, 2013
best outcome possible!
I was facing two felony counts of embezzlement and grand theft of $8,700. This was a very tough situation for me to face seein as ive never been introuble before. I had no idea what to do or what i was going to face but Mr. Bali kept the situation under control. He helped me every step of the way and...
"Mr. Bali clearly cares deeply about his clients and making sure they get the best representation possible!"
"I have known Mr. Bali for a number of years. I have referred criminal law cases to him, and have heard him praised for his work on behalf of his clients. Mr. Bali represents his clients with knowledge, vigor and passion, and has their best interest in mind at all times representing them."
Family lawyer
2012
Academic Excellence - Evidence, Dean of LLS
2011 - Present
Owner, Bali Law Offices
2012 - Present
Los Angeles County Bar AssociationMember
2011 - Present
Alameda County Bar AssociationCourt Appointed Attorney
2011 - Present
Alameda County Bar AssociationGuardianship Clinic Volunteer
Not Guilty
Not Guilty
Case Dismissed
N/A
JD - Juris Doctor
N/A
BA - Bachelor of Arts
2013
Real Estate & Family Law
2021
2021
English
Hindi
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Is there pro bono lawyers that aid in child support and custody in my area?
18 Jul 2019