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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
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420 3rd Street, Ste 250, Oakland, CA, 94607
41 Client Reviews
Showing 1 - 5 of 10 reviews | General Knowledge
Posted by Manuel Orozco | December 17, 2025 | Hired Attorney
You Matter — Steady Support During Divorce
I am extremely grateful for the support and guidance I received from my attorney (Gaurav)during one of the most difficult periods of my life. Divorce is emotionally overwhelming, but during moments when stress and uncertainty could have taken over, Gaurav consistently helped me step back, focus on lo...
Posted by Brian | January 17, 2024 | Hired Attorney
Gaurav Bali. Call him. The BEST.
Gaurav Bali is the best. Professional, patient, caring, and a straight shooter. Gaurav is incredible when it comes to navigating through the legal/court system. My son was given another chance to become a productive law abiding member of society due to Gaurav's meticulous, relentless, 'never give u...
Posted by Cameron | June 06, 2022 | Hired Attorney
Brilliant & Empathetic
Gaurav Bali is a brilliant legal mind who can handle your case. My Family Court case was complicated and emotionally draining. It was really reassuring to have Mr. Bali there to guide me through the process. I would describe Mr. Bali as : Confident, professional, with true equanimity. If I need leg...
Posted by Amelia | March 17, 2020 | Hired Attorney
I cannot recommend Gaurav enough. I think he must be one of the finest attorneys in the world!
Attorney Gaurav Bali was recommended to me by one of his former law school classmates for my family law case. His classmate said to me, “I know the best attorney for your case, I have worked with him and I know he is great at resolving complicated disputes and cases.” At the time I received this reco...
Posted by ADCW | February 22, 2015
A great attorney
Mr. Gaurav was a recommendation from another exemplary attorney in SF. He is highly responsive, respectful, generous, easy going, smart, intuitive and works with you to get things worked out in the best manner possible. My brother was (is) going through an incredibly stressful divorce. Mr. Bali has ...
"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
Legal Answers
Can I go to Tijuana if I’m on bond?
06 Mar 2020
I was charged with driving with out a license, can It be dropped if I do now have a valid drivers license before my court date?
06 Mar 2020
Is there pro bono lawyers that aid in child support and custody in my area?
18 Jul 2019