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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 9 reviews | Practice Area Knowledge
Posted by anonymous | November 07, 2025 | Hired Attorney
Best Trial Lawyer
Gaurav handled my family law matter in 2023. He supported me through a very tough time and guided me in the right direction. I have relied on him for other legal matters since as well. He fights fair but hard. Best attorney to have in your corner during a contentious case.
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 Nitin K | March 09, 2020 | Hired Attorney
He didn't let me down one bit and I am finally divorced!!
I hired Mr. Bali for my DV and family law case. He litigated every issue, was well prepared, and helped me defeat the false allegations made by my former spouse. The DV case was eventually dismissed after a mistrial. Mr. Bali spent considerable time and effort in my family law case. Based on his hard...
Posted by Tisha | January 20, 2017 | Hired Attorney
Heaven Sent
Gaurav was able to see me through a trial with one weeks notice! My original attorney had a schedule conflict and was able to bring Mr. Bali in to fill in for him. Words can not explain the gratitude I have for Gaurav! He was very easy to talk to, very understanding, and showed me nothing but Love! H...
Posted by Peggy | February 18, 2015
A lawyer who is both professional and a pleasure to work with.
I have worked with Gaurav Bali, Attorney at Law, on two separate cases and have been very pleased with his professionalism, his accurate explanations of the laws that applied to these cases, his clear suggestions on how best to move forward for the best outcome and his success in getting expected out...
"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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