Vi Katerina Tran

I joined the Law Offices of Stephen Benda in 2003 as a paralegal while attending law school.  Upon passing the California Bar Exam in December 2006, I became a litigation associate.  Since 2009, I became a trial attorney at that office.

Recognizing the need of many individuals who cannot afford legal services with quality, I found the POLARIS Law Foundation in 2010 and works in conjunction with the POLARIS Group Legal Services, hoping to be able to provide low-income individuals with legal access and services.  Currently, the POLARIS Group provides low cost or pro-bono services on a case by case basis.  I hope I will be able to obtain funding, grants, and donations to provide more legal services for those that need them the most, yet unable to obtain them.  

I am now practice under my own law office because I wish to spend more time to work with the low-income individuals to bring them the promise of equal access to the law.  Many recent immigrants do not understand the US legal system and they are afraid to approach an attorney, fearing they cannot afford the services.  Unfortunately, many of them became victims of fraud. 

I focus my practice in bankruptcy, collections and enforcement of judgment law, representing businesses and individuals located locally, as well as out-of-state and overseas in litigation and collection.  I also litigate personal injury cases as well as medical malpractice and elder abuse cases.  Occasionally, I also assist with misdemeanor criminal matters, family law cases involving highly disputed custody issues due to my background in working with children as an undergraduate at UC Davis.  I also attended immigration hearings with Vietnamese clients on a limited representation.  I value the relationships I have with my clients and give each of my client the personal attention that they deserve.