Jonathan Charles Dunten

Jonathan Charles Dunten

4.8
Rating: 8.6

Licensed for 21 years

Immigration Lawyer at Oakland, CA
Practice Areas: Immigration, Criminal Defense

212 9th Street, Suite 316, Oakland, CA

About Jonathan

Practice Areas

Fees and Rates

We have not found any cost information for this lawyer


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Licenses

Licensed in California for 21 years

State: California

Acquired: 2004

Active

No misconduct found

Location

Law Offices of Jonathan Charles Dunten

212 9th Street, Suite 316, Oakland, CA, 94607

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Jonathan Charles Dunten's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

4.8 /5.0

25 Client Reviews

5 star (24)
4 star (0)
3 star (0)
2 star (0)
1 star (1)

Posted by Rahul | February 28, 2025 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Unprofessional

Unprofessional, Incompetent, and Misleading – Avoid This Law Firm I had a terrible experience with Jonathan Dunten and his team, particularly Isaac, who worked on my case. Jonathan will speak to you nicely at first, making you feel like he knows what he’s doing, but in reality, he lacks proper kno...wledge and experience in handling complex immigration cases. I hired him for my VAWA case, trusting that he would handle everything professionally. Instead, he submitted incorrect documents to USCIS, left out crucial evidence, and made careless mistakes that put my entire case at risk. Isaac, who was supposed to assist with my case, was no better. He seemed inexperienced and unorganized, failing to properly review my paperwork and making errors that could have easily been avoided. The lack of attention to detail and professionalism from both of them made my immigration process much more stressful than it needed to be. When I confronted them about their mistakes, instead of taking responsibility, they tried to justify their negligence with misleading excuses. When I requested a refund, Jonathan initially refused, then provided an inflated invoice full of questionable charges to justify keeping my money. After extensive back-and-forth, he only agreed to return a partial refund. If you are looking for an attorney who truly understands immigration law and cares about your case, DO NOT go to Jonathan Dunten or work with Isaac. They are careless, unprofessional, and will waste your time and money while jeopardizing your case. I strongly recommend finding a lawyer who is experienced, detail-oriented, and genuinely cares about your success. Avoid this firm at all costs.

Jonathan Dunten

Replied last March 1, 2025

Dear Rahul, Thank you for your feedback. We highly value client input and sincerely regret that we were unable to meet your expectations in this instance. Client satisfaction and peace of mind throughout a long and sometimes worrisome process, is just as important to us as obtaining a favorable outcome. We strive for excellence, but we do occasionally make a mistake. Fortunately, our mistakes are harmless or correctable. We never deny a mistake or fail to correct it, when given a chance. While I would like to address your concerns more specifically, I am unable to respond in detail due to attorney-client confidentiality. As always, I wish you the best with your case. Sincerely, Jonathan

Posted by anonymous | January 13, 2023 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Great law

We are very happy that we chose Jonathan Dunten. He was very calm and easy to talk to in our language (Spanish). from the first appointment he was very honest about every detail of the process. For us as a family he was a great help and made the process less stressful for us. His instructions ...were very clear and simple. We appreciate his work, his professionalism together with his great team that he has in his office, always very willing to talk, very flexible and understanding. Jonathan Dunten will definitely always be our choice if we ever need his professional help. Thank you for all your help blessings always.

Posted by anonymous | October 28, 2018 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Tricky Naturalization case

Jonathan handled a naturalization case with a tricky criminal background really well. During the interview he knew what he was doing, and offered his advice at all stages of the process based on his knowledge of the law and experience. His office was also very helpful and handled paperwork very wel...l. They were well organized and responsive. This is the second time I worked with Jonathan and highly recommend his services to anyone!

Jonathan Dunten

Replied last October 29, 2018

Thank you for your trust! During these trying times with immigration it is especially helpful to keep patience and optimism alive and you did so all the way across the finish line. I am especially pleased you are satisfied with how our staff supported us along the way. Thanks!

Posted by Ayumu | August 23, 2018 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Jonathan and his team are great!

ジョナサンは最も信頼のおける弁護士です。 ジョナサンの多岐にわたる弁護士経験、豊富な知識、親しみをもてる人柄、そしてチームワークのとれた彼の優れたスタッフの方々の充実した対応は、費用以上の価値があると思います。 私の場合、K−1ビザ申請からグリーンカード取得までの全ての工程をジョナサンに依頼しました。かたことの英語しか話せない私にはもちろん、ネイティブスピーカーである主人(アメリカ国籍)にとっても、専門用語が飛び交う書類作成や法に則った過程を適切に処理していくことは、不安と緊張が伴う作業となるということは明らかでした。しかし、ジョナサンの的確な助言と迅速な対応のおかげで、全ての工程を円滑...に進めることができました。 彼ほど信頼のおける弁護士、彼のスッタッフほどチームワークの取れた弁護士事務所はありません。

Jonathan Dunten

Replied last August 29, 2018

Thank you Ayumu! you were a pleasure to work for. A model client. Best of luck for you in the future!

Posted by anneke | March 8, 2018 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

The Best Lawyer

Great Lawyer! He helped my mother with the impossible. My mother had been trying to have legal documents here in the US for the past 15 years or so. Five years ago, her political asylum had been denied and was told to leave the US. She only had 20 days before she had to leave the US when she found Jo...nathan. Jonathan helped my mother appeal her case and fought for her and was able to have her case approved February 2018. My mom was told she had an 80% chance she would get deported, but Jonathan did not let it happen! He is a great lawyer and we recommend him 100%.

See All Client Reviews

Jonathan Charles Dunten's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Jonathan
Javed John Brenden Church headshot
Javed Church

Immigration lawyer | Jan 11

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Jonathan Dunten's commitment to the practice and development of immigration law has always struck me as exemplary. I've known Jonathan for over 10 years and during this time I've seen him volunteer his time in order to educate the public and further the interests of the immigrant community. He's perfectly bilingual, he's a straight shooter, and will definitely give clients their money's worth."

Joshua Mark Surowitz headshot
Joshua Surowitz

Immigration lawyer | Jan 05

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I have maintained a close professional relationship with Jonathan Dunten since 2003. He is well known in the field of immigration as an expert in subject matter law, and as having the very highest ethical standards. Any person would be very fortunate to have him as their attorney. He is also a great, and very nice guy!"

Jakob Seth Lipman headshot
Jakob Lipman

Immigration lawyer | Apr 08

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse Jonathan Dunten. He is a committed and professional lawyer."

Michael J. Thomas headshot
Michael Thomas

Immigration lawyer | Feb 03

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Jonathan is not only an expert in immigration but also a valued member of the Bay Area legal community. He has built his practice from the ground up with passionate advocacy for his clients in an area of law with a lot on the line. I wholeheartedly recommend and endorse him."

Robert K D'Andrea headshot
Robert D'Andrea

Immigration lawyer | Jan 14

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I endorse this lawyer. Jonathan is an expert in the immigration field. He fights for the best possible result in all of his cases. I would have no hesitation recommending him to anyone in need of immigration counsel."

View All Endorsements
Joshua Mark Surowitz headshot
Joshua Surowitz

Unknown lawyer

Experience

Rating:  8.6 (Excellent)

Honors

2013

Certificate of Appreciation, La Red Latina

2012

Certificate of Appreciation, Coalition of Concerned Legal Professionals

2010

Community Service Award, Foothill Elementary

2009

Volunteer Honor, AIDS Legal Referral Panel

2008

Certificate of Recognition, American Immigration Lawyers Association

Work Experience

2007 - 2008

Professor, East Bay Law School

Associations

2004 - Present

Phi Delta Phi legal fraternity

Province President

2004 - Present

American Bar Association

member

2008 - 2009

American Immigration Lawyers Association

Media Coordinator

Sample of Legal Cases

FRANCISCO JAVIER OREA-BARBOSA, Petitioner, v. ERIC H. HOLDER, Jr., Attorney General, Respondent.

PETITION FOR REVIEW DENIED.

RONALD RITESH PRASAD, Petitioner, v. MICHAEL B. MUKASEY, Attorney General, Respondent.

PETITION FOR REVIEW DENIED

See More Legal Cases

Education

N/A

Golden Gate Univ SOL

law

N/A

Univ of California Santa Barbara

undergraduate

Speaking Engagements

2015

Latino Programs

Immigration + Criminal Law intersect

2013

III Conferencia Anual Liderazgo Contra La Violencia

2012

Informational Session and Call to Action to Stop Deportation of DREAM Act-Eligible Youth Deferred Action

2011

Immigration roundtables- Consulate of Mexico

U visa requirements and benefits

2010

Univision's Ask The Lawyer Dream Act Legislation

2010

platica de Inmigracion- Latin American Church of Christ

Immigration Law fundamentals

2010

Cultural Healthcare Week- La Clinica

Family Immigration Law fundamentals

2009

Boys and Girls Clubs Pittsburg- Immigration workshop

Family Immigration Law fundamentals

2009

"Healthy, United Families" - Peninsula Interfaith Action Cancellation of Removal

Publications

2009

Verdict The Criminal Character of the Civil Immigration Law System

2008

Verdict Fencing Out the Constitution

Languages

Spanish

English

Activity

Avvo Rating

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