Free Consultation
$0 first 15 minutes
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.
3
Practice Areas
Free Consultation
$0 first 15 minutes
Quickly connect with top attorneys through our legal directory to get help with your legal issue.
Chat with a live agent who can match you with the right attorney for your legal needs.
Chat withState: California
Acquired: 2011
No misconduct found
420 3rd Street, Ste 250, Oakland, CA, 94607
41 Client Reviews
Showing 1 - 5 of 9 reviews | Responsiveness
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 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 ...
Posted by M Delgado | January 24, 2015
Very thorough and by the book....
Even though my daughter's case was not that complicated, Mr. Bali took no shortcuts and left no stone unturned. He was fair and very honest and kept us apprised of our case every step of the way. Thanks for representing us. :)))
Posted by Kiran | May 05, 2014
Mr. Gaurav S Bali
I retained Mr.Bali as my lawyer and have been exceptionally pleased with his services. He is supportive, efficient, and extremely knowledgeable. He understood exactly what occurred. He was clear and precise in identifying what course of action we needed to take. He systematically followed the st...
Posted by anonymous | November 15, 2013
Professional and Knowledgeable
Mr Bali handled my DUI case this past year. He was extremely professional and was always accessible to any questions that I had during my case. He demonstrated his knowledge immediately in our initial conversation by explaining the various defenses that were possible to me, including the strategies...
"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