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Tahj Emmanuel Gomes
also known as Tahj Gomes
About Tahj
Biography
Mr. Gomes was raised in Siskiyou County, California. He graduated from California State University, Chico with a degree in Political Science in 1996, and obtained his Juris Doctorate and certificates in Public Interest and High Technology Law from Santa Clara University School of Law in 1999. During law school he interned in and directed the Consumer Law Program at the East San Jose Community Law Center, worked in the legal department at Computer Curriculum Corporation, and externed for the Hon. Patricia V. Trumbull at the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, in San Jose. After law school Mr. Gomes worked for three years at Bergeson & Eliopoulos in downtown San Jose, where he specialized in business and intellectual property litigation and licensing. During this time he also taught High Tech Moot Court classes at Santa Clara University School of Law and served on the advisory boards for the law school's High Tech Law Program and the East San Jose Community Law Center. In late 2002 he returned to Chico and joined the Law Office of Michael T. Shepherd, where he practiced insurance defense, personal injury, and general civil litigation before joining Washington and Heithecker in September of 2004.
Mr. Gomes left Washington & Heithecker and started his own law firm in May of 2016, focusing on criminal defense of felony and misdemeanor cases pursuant to a subcontract with a local (contract) Public Defender, along with civil litigation and some family law (which he had been doing for several years prior). He appeared weekly on the Public Defender felony calendar in Butte County for one year, during which he tried both jury and bench trials, and represented hundreds of clients. During the same time period - and through the prewsnt - he was also Special Counsel for the Butte County Public Guardian, Public Administrator, and Behavioral Health, handling LPS and Probate Conservatorships, Capacity Hearings, Habeas Corpus hearings, and 5150 hearings, among others.
In May of 2017 Mr. Gomes started handling DUI and Criminal Defense cases through the Law Office of John Joseph ("Joe") VanDervoot, a local Criminal Defesne and DUI lawyer of long standing who is known as the "DUI KING." Mr. Gomes continues to maintain his own office, however, and handles civil litigation and some family law matters. He may be contacted through either office.
Mr. Gomes' law practice presently includes DUI and Criminal Defense, Personal Injury and general Civil Litigation, and some business litigation and contract drafting, in addition to Conservatorship hearings and related matters.
Mr. Gomes is admitted to practice in the U.S. District Courts for the Northern and Eastern Districts of California, and the U.S. Court of Appeal, for the Ninth Circuit. He is a member of the State Bar of California, the Butte County Bar Association, and others. He is ranked 10.0 out of 10.0 (“Superb”) by the Avvo Lawyer Ranking System, and was selected as one of The Top 1% Trial Counsel for Medical Malpractice – 2012 by , an independent website that is “dedicated to educating the public about their rights and role in medical malpractice litigation.”
Practice Areas
8
Practice Areas
DUI and DWI
50%
9 years | 200 cases
Litigation
10%
25 years | 200 cases
Appeals
3%
25 years | 8 cases
Fees and Rates
Cost
Hourly Rates
$ 180-300 per hour
Contingency
33%-40%
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in California for 26 years
State: California
Acquired: 1999
No misconduct found
Location
Law Office Of Tahj Gomes
315 Wall Street, Suite 2, Chico, CA, 95928
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Tahj Emmanuel Gomes's Reviews
Showing 1 - 5 of 12 client reviews from Avvo
Posted by Jericka Elaina | March 16, 2022 | Consulted Attorney
This review is from a potential client who consulted with this attorney.
Mr. Gomes goes above and beyond for you.
Not Once but Twice this man has went to bats for me and won. The second time he wasn’t even appointed to me and I had came to him and he still took me on with ZERO hesitation. Mr. Gomes goes above and beyond for ALL his clients. His assistant Simone is just a blessing as Mr. Gomes is in providing the...
Posted by Linda | September 2, 2020 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Exceptional
Mr Gomes recently represented me in two old cases. I was so pleased to speak with an attorney who was open, personable and funny. I was even more pleased with the resolution of my cases. Mr. Gomes skillfully worked with the Court, the D.A. and the Judge in securing the best possible outcome. In my...
Posted by Deana | April 11, 2018 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
DUI case
Thanks for doing awesome job and being so considerate and taking the time always return my calls and answering all my questions and concerns and i truly appreciate all your work and time you put in on my case thank you so very much anyone thst needs snd attorney i will definitely be recomending you
Posted by anonymous | November 17, 2017 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
He went above and beyond
If you want an ethical down to earth attorney that fights for what's right; you have hired the right one. He went above and beyond to do the right thing for me in a trying time, not only was he always prompt on our appointments he led me into the right direction at all times. He works on ethics and t...
Posted by anonymous | November 3, 2017 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Awesome Job
I hired a law firm to handle an issue for me in which Tahj was assigned to my case. He was extremely helpful , knowledgeable and attentive to my needs. Any time I needed to speak with him he was available or returned my call in a timely fashion. He also settled my case( I call him ,” The Closer”) I w...
Tahj Emmanuel Gomes's Lawyer Endorsements
"Tahj Gomes is an expert defense attorney that is a scholar on many finer points of law. He is one of most sincere and genuine lawyers I know and he goes above and beyond to win his client’s case."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I have had the pleasure of working with Tahj in multiple settings. As opposing counsel in a matter, Tahj was intelligent and aggressive in representing his client in court and during settlement negotiation. I also represented a former client of Tahj's regarding enforcement issues and was impressed with the precision and thoroughness of the settlement agreement that he drafted. His attention to detail created all-around protection for his client."
"I endorse this lawyer. Mr. Gomes has a great reputation within the local legal community and deservedly so. He is incredibly knowledgeable and more than willing to share his valuable insight with others."
"Mr. Gomes is a sincere attorney whose Avvo answers are consistently accurate, analytic and customized to the needs of the Avvo askers. These are precisely the qualities a client would be looking for in hiring an attorney."
"I endorse this lawyer. I have worked on a number of cases with Mr. Gomes over the last 10+ years. He is a zealous advocate for his clients and an excellent attorney. He is an experienced litigator and I have no questions about his skills and professionalism. He does his clients and the profession proud!"
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I have known Mr. Gomes for over 10 years and strongly endorse him. He is a great lawyer, with outstanding written and verbal skills."
"I've known Mr. Gomes for several years and have had the opportunity to observe his talents as a lawyer. Mr. Gomes is very thorough and detail oriented. He has a strong foundation in both procedural and substantive law and is dedicated to vigorously advocating for his client. You will receive competent and effective representation should you hire him. I endorse Mr. Gomes."
"I am proud to have Tahj as a fellow alum of Santa Clara School of Law and member of the Chico legal community. His knowledge of the law is vast, authoritative, and shared generously. Clients should feel confident knowing they are in good hands with Tahj handling their case."
"I endorse this lawyer. I have known Tahj for about two years. He is very knowledgeable and professional. You are in good hands if you haveTahj as your attorney on any matter whether it is civil, family, or criminal."
"Tahj was an associate at my former law firm in San Jose for several years in the early 2000s, where our practice involved business and intellectual property litigation. He is a terrific lawyer. He's very bright, technology-savvy, personable and hard-working. I wholeheartedly endorse him."
"I endorse this lawyer. I have known Tahj Gomes since 1999. He is fearless, prepared and knowledgeable in the law and politics of the Butte County area. I endorse him on ANY: Criminal, DUI/DMV or civil matter of any kind. Joe Vandervoort www.duiking.com"
"I endorse this lawyer. I have known Mr. Gomes for many years and have been in many cases with him. I believe he is an excellent lawyer with great writing and communication skills."
"Tahj Gomes is well-known locally as a knowledgeable and skilled attorney. In addition, he is friendly, thoughtful, and easy to communicate with. His credentials and experience confirm that he is a lawyer with superior analytical ability. Overall, Tahj is a great choice if you are looking for an effective litigation practitioner."
"I endorse this lawyer. Mr. Gomes is reliable and resourceful."
David Krugler
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Matthew Evans
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Dan McCrary
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Brandon Williams
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Jennifer Ishimoto
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Donald Gagliardi
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Keith Wattley
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George Washington
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Experience
Honors
2012
Top 1% Trial Counsel for Medical Malpractice – 2012, Medical Malpractice Lawyers
1999
High Technology Law Certificate, Santa Clara University School of Law High Technology Law Institute
1999
Public Interest and Social Justice Law Certificate, Santa Clara University School of Law Center For Social Justice and Public Service
1999
Second Place Team - Western Region, Saul Lefkowitz Moot Court Competition
1999
Pro Bono Award, Santa Clara County Bar Association
1998
Pro Bono Award, Santa Clara County Bar Association
1997
Pro Bono Award, Santa Clara County Bar Association
1997
Legal Writing Award, Santa Clara University School of Law
1996
Public Law Community Service Award, California State University, Chico Public Law Program
Work Experience
2017 - Present
Attorney, Law Office of John Joseph VanDervoort
2016 - Present
Principal, Law Office Of Tahj Gomes
2004 - Present
Attorney, Washington & Heithecker, Chico, CA
2006 - 2007
Adjunct Professor, California State University, Chico
2002 - 2004
Attorney, Law Offices of Michael T. Shepherd, Chico, CA
2000 - 2002
Adjunct Professor, Santa Clara University School of Law, Santa Clara, CA
1999 - 2002
Attorney, Bergeson & Eliopoulos, LLP, San Jose, CA
1999 - 1999
Contract Administrator, Computer Curriculum Corporation, San Jose, CA
1998 - 1998
Judicial Extern, United States District Court, Northern District, San Jose, CA
1998 - 1998
High Technology Law Coordinator, Santa Clara University School of Law High Technology Law Institute
1998 - 1998
Legal Intern, Peninsula IP Group, Morgan Hill, CA
1998 - 1998
Legal Intern, Computer Curriculum Corporation, Sunnyvale, CA
1997 - 1998
Student Director - Consumer Law Program, East San Jose Community Law Center
1996 - 1997
Intern, East San Jose Community Law Center
1995 - 1996
Director, Chico Community Legal Information Center, Chico, CA
1994 - 1995
Intern, Chico Community Legal Information Center, Chico, CA
Associations
2012 - Present
Weyka Heritage TrustSecretary
2011 - Present
State Bar of California, Litigation SectionExecutive Committee
2011 - Present
Diamond Distillery, Chico CaliforniaMember, Blue Ribbon Tasting Panel
2011 - Present
State Bar of California, Litigation SectionExecutive Committee, Legislation & Rules Subcommittee
2004 - Present
Association of Defense CounselMember
2003 - Present
Butte County Bar AssociationMember
2003 - Present
CSU Chico Annual Moot Court CompetitionMoot Court Judge
1996 - Present
Golden Key International Honor SocietyMember
1995 - Present
Pi Sigma Alpha - The Political Science National Honor SocietyCharter Member of Chico Chapter
1999 - 2002
San Jose Preservation Action Committee - Continuity MagazineTechnical Support
1998 - 2002
East San Jose Community Law Center Advisory BoardBoard Member
1998 - 2002
Santa Clara University High Technology Law Institute Advisory BoardBoard Member
1997 - 1998
La Raza and Native American Law Students AssociationVice President
1994 - 2009
National High School Mock TrialMoot Court Judge
Sample of Legal Cases
Green v. Morston
Permanent (3 year) injunction granted client.
Molen v. County of Butte
Demurrer sustained with prejudice.
Bray v. County of Butte
Demurrer sustained with prejudice
Nickelson
Association dropped the issue.
Johnson v. Johnson
Dissolution granted per stipulated judgment.
Service v. Gentry
Settled
Gerlach v. Wright
Temporary injunction vacated.
Plaintiff v. John Doe, M.D.
Affirmed by Court of Appeals; Review denied by California Supreme Court
Plaintiff v. James Doe, M.D.
Settled on very favorable terms.
Hoodoo v. Dodson, et. al.
Permanent Injunction in favor of my client.
Plaintiff v. Frank Doe, M.D.
Defense verdict
In re C. C.
The Trial Court was reversed on Appeal
People v. Scarbrough
The client ultimately plead to a lesser offense.
Education
1999
Santa Clara University School of Law
JD - Juris Doctor
1996
California State University, Chico
BA - Bachelor of Arts
1993
Butte Community College
Transfer Degree
Speaking Engagements
2011
Trial and Appellate Advocacy - POLS 491G
Rules For Oral Argument
Publications
2012
Top 1% Trial Counsel for Medical Malpractice – 2012
California's Top 1% Medical Malpractice Lawyers – Defendants
2012
State Bar of California Web Page
2011-2012 California State Bar Litigation Section Executive Committee
2009
Appeal Democrat
Text Messages Not Criminal, State Court Rules
2007
Metropolitan News Enterprise
California Appeals Court Rules Vulgar Language In Text Messages Not Obscene
2001
Santa Clara Computer and High Technology Law Journal
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. v. Samara Brothers, Inc.: The Supreme Court Steps Back From Two Pesos and Requires Secondary Meaning In All product Design Trade Dress Cases
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Guides
Legal Answers
Q&A
What does "proceedings held" and "further arraignment" mean?
27 Aug 2013
Q&A
Received a letter from superior court. Nature of proceedings: Non Appearance Case Review It also saids that court finds it
29 Oct 2011
Q&A
Motion granted/sustained
22 Oct 2011
Legal Guides
Legal Guide
Brief Summary Of Statutory Law Governing The Termination of Parental Rights In California
28 Nov 2012
Legal Guide
A Brief Overview of Written Discovery Requests (California)
06 Mar 2011
Legal Guide
The Discovery Rule and the One-year Statute of Limitations for Medical Malpractice Actions.
06 Mar 2011