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Gerald Barry Dorfman

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Avvo Rating9.1
  • Mill Valley, CA
  • Licensed for 38 years
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About Gerald

Reach me at 415-389-9590. See: DorfmanLawOffice.com  I am responsible for all matters handled by my office. Paralegals, law clerks and associates may be utilized in appropriate situations, but the buck stops with me. Intentionally remaining small has enabled me to continue to provide unparalleled personal attention and confidentiality. My clients are the reason I am here, and I work hard for the best results possible. I am honored by the trust placed in me, and strive to maintain it at the highest level. You are entitled to understand the law applicable to your matter and the options available, as well as my best advice. I have served hundreds of satisfied clients over the years and look forward to continuing to serve with determination, skill and integrity. 

In accordance with standards adopted by the State Bar pursuant to California Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 1-400(E), please note that the skills and endorsements below do not constitute a guarantee, warranty, or prediction regarding the outcome of your legal matter.

Practice areas

OtherReal estateLitigationBusinessLawsuits and disputes
  1. Lawsuits and disputes: 15%

    38 years

  2. Business: 15%

    Advice, contracts, strategy, litigation avoidance, sales.

    38 years

  3. Litigation: 15%

    Areas covered include: real estate, business disputes, product liability, malpractice, employment, administrative, trade secret, commercial litigation, contracts, bankruptcy, civil rights, mass torts and landlord/tenant.

    38 years

  4. Real estate: 15%

    Sales, contracts, leases, contractor disputes, renewable energy, nuisance, boundaries, adverse possession, eminent domain.

    38 years

  1. Probate: 12%

    Matters involving both estates probated through the court system and those utilizing alternate procedures.

    38 years

  2. Personal injury: 10%

    Serious injuries or death caused by the fault of others.

    37 years

  3. Landlord or tenant: 8%

    All types of landlord tenant transactions & disputes.

    38 years

  4. Appeals: 5%

    Civil appeals of trial and appellate court actions, as well as administrative appeals.

    26 years

  5. Estate planning: 5%

    38 years

Contact

P.O. Box 1056
address map

Dorfman Law Office

P.O. Box 1056
Mill Valley, CA, 94942

Resume

License
StateStatusAcquiredUpdated
CAActive198302/06/2021
We have not found any instances of professional misconduct for this lawyer.
Avvo Contributions
Legal answers911
Legal guides0
Awards
Award nameGrantorDate granted
Top ContributorAvvo2021
Rated AttorneyLead Counsel2020
Top ContributorAvvo2020
Lead Counsel VerificationLead Counsel2020
Top ContributorAvvo2019
Lead Counsel RatedLead Counsel2019
Top ContributorAvvo2018
Best AnswersAvvo2018
Lead Counsel RatedLead Counsel2018
Top ContributorAvvo2017
Best AnswersAvvo2017
Lead Counsel RatedLead Counsel2016
100 Trust RatingLawGives2014
Lead Counsel RatedLead Counsel2014
Work Experience
TitleCompany nameDuration
OwnerDorfman Law Office1983 - Present
Associations
Association namePosition nameDuration
United States District Court for the Southern District of CaliforniaAdmitted to Practice2010 - Present
United States District Court for the Central District of CaliforniaAdmitted to Practice2008 - Present
Los Angeles County Bar AssociationAttorney Member2005 - Present
United States District Court for the Eastern District of CaliforniaAdmitted to Practice1984 - Present
United States Court of Appeals For the Ninth CircuitAdmitted to Practice1984 - Present
United States District Court for the Northern District of CaliforniaAdmitted to Practice1983 - Present
State Bar of CaliforniaMember1983 - Present
Education
School nameDegreeGraduated
University of California, Hastings College of the LawJD - Juris Doctor1983
Columbia UniversityBA - Bachelor of Arts1980
Speaking Engagements
Conference nameTitleDate
Adjunct ProfessorLegal Writing1991
Adjunct Professor - Legal WritingLegal Writing & Research1990
Legal cases
Case nameOutcome
Cross v. Cooperconfidential settlement
Confidential v. Confidential$320,000
Confidential v. Confidential$1.2 Million
Grimani v. Green$100,000

Reviews

(2)
5 Star
100%
4 Star
0%
3 Star
0%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Review Gerald Dorfman

Great consultation with very experienced attorney

Posted by

I had a phone consultation with Mr. Dorfman on a landlord & tenant notice to vacate issue. I had called him after hours and left a voicemail. I was honestly not expecting a call back until the next business day. However he called me back within a half hour. He was very informative, clearly listened to my situation, then provided me with sound advice. I felt that he cared about me & that he wanted to help. I feel much better moving forward on my situation.
This review is from a potential client who consulted with this attorney.
Consulted attorney

Outstanding attorney

Posted by

Mr. Dorfman is an outstanding attorney. I was his client in a complex landlord-tenant dispute. His superb legal expertise, along with his communication skills, attention to detail, and compassion, were instrumental in us resolving the matter with a successful outcome.
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney

Attorney endorsements

(14)
Are you an attorney? Endorse this lawyer

Dallas Norton, Personal injury Attorney on Jul 1, 2020
Relationship: Other

I don't know Mr. Dorfman but have seen his answers to questions and he seems more than qualified to provide competent legal advice.

Omid Afati, Probate Attorney on Jul 10, 2019
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I have reviewed a number of Mr. Dorfman's answers to probate questions on Avvo. I have found his advice to be sound and practical. I endorse this lawyer.

Leonard Boyer, Litigation Attorney on Apr 12, 2019
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer. Mr. Dorfman is an excellent attorney. He is a very knowledgeable and effective advocate for his clients.

Roger Moss, Lawsuits and disputes Attorney on Jul 29, 2018
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

Gerald Dorfman provides exceptionally direct and practical answers in the Avvo forum across many fields of law. He demonstrates the wisdom of a generalist with deep experience in practice, while showing acute compassion for clients and their needs. He also is remarkably accessible - see the first line under About Gerald: "Reach me at 415-389-9590." Gerald's practice practice reflects the ancient idea of lawyer as healer, and I am grateful for his contributions to the community and the legal profession.

Rosemary Meagher-Leonard, Estate planning Attorney on Jun 22, 2018
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

Among those of us who regularly respond to questions on Avvo, Mr. Dorfman stands out with his insightful and legally sound advise. This is an attorney who knows the law and who is able to communicate in a way that everyone understands. His clients are very fortunate to have him in their corner.

Robert Kopelson

I endorse this lawyer. Mr. Dorfman has extensive experience in a wide range of legal matters. As a solo practitioner, he maintains a direct, hands on approach to his clients and cases.

Frank Chen, Litigation Attorney on May 22, 2018
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

Gerald Dorfman demonstrates extensive knowledge and experience in a wide variety of legal matters. His responses on Avvo are remarkably thoughtful, articulate and accurate. I have tremendous respect for his sound legal knowledge and ability to communicate that knowledge. He is a true asset to our legal community. It is my pleasure to endorse him.

Robin Mashal, Landlord or tenant Attorney on Mar 15, 2018
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

Mr. Dorfman has made a substantial number of contributions on AVVO. I have read several of his contributions and have found them to be thoughtful, informative and practical.

Agavni Tulekyan

I endorse this lawyer.

Michael Doland, Business Attorney on Aug 25, 2017
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

The answers of Mr. Dorfman are consistently accurate, analytic, and customized to the needs of the Avvo asker. These are exactly the qualities that every client would look for when hiring an attorney.

Gordon McAuley, Litigation Attorney on Mar 25, 2014
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

I endorse this lawyer. Mr. Dorfman is very smart and hard working. A good choice as a litigator and general problem solver.

John Strouss, Litigation Attorney on Feb 7, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer. He is a smart and tenacious litigator.

Neal Kuvara, Litigation Attorney on Jan 28, 2014
Relationship: Worked together on matter

I endorse this lawyer. He is an experienced litigator.

William Campbell

I endorse this lawyer.

Cost

RATES
  • Hourly Rates$450-$450/hour
    RATES
    • Contingency A contingency fee is the percent of the final award a lawyer will receive as compensation. For some of these cases, lawyers will only be paid if there is a successful outcome.15%-45%
    • Pro-bono Many lawyers provide free legal help to low-income clients. The percent listed indicates how much of a lawyer's practice is pro bono work.20%
    PAYMENT METHODS

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