06/21/2026 NEWSLETTER

Work Life Balance Means So Much These Days 💛

Holiday Office Closure: Dec. 19th - Jan. 4th

As the year draws to a close, we want to express our sincere gratitude for the trust you’ve placed in us during some of life’s most challenging moments. Our office will be closed from Friday, December 19, 2025 through Sunday, January 4, 2026. During this time, our team will be stepping back to rest, spend time with our families, and return recharged and focused for the year ahead.

If you have an urgent legal matter or anticipate needing assistance before the break, please contact us by Thursday, December 18th, so we can ensure you’re fully supported in advance of our closure. Thank you for allowing us to stand by your side this year.

We wish you peace, safety, and strength through the holiday season and look forward to continuing to serve you in the new year.

AYYYYYYE! 🙌 GO LLO! 👯

Our team secured double wins for our clients recently!

Closed mouths don’t get fed and our paralegal, Justine Collier-Mendez, took initiative recently, sending key research and attorney-provided info to the DMV on behalf of our client—leading to a full dismissal. Congratulations to our superstar paralegal for going the extra mile!

Attorney Givelle Lamano won a recent hearing for our client after using an expert witness to testify on the case. This was a great example of her tenacity. A long, drawn out battle ended in a win for our client saving him time, energy, and financial resources. Bravo LLO!

LLO Outside The Office

Family Adventures

Attorney Givelle Lamano and and her husband, Adam, went on a mini vacation to chase waterfalls and explore nature in the Pacific Northwest. They have been cheering on the Niners despite all the injuries this football season and Givelle loves to tell her husband, “Go Sports!”

LLO Loves Art!

One of our friends, Daniel Panko, offers murals and artwork to the Bay Area and you can check out his work here.

Mr. Panko collaborates with nonprofits, educational institutions, businesses and shares mural art and airbrush skills with at-risk youth. “For me, art is a way of life and a healing tool. Through practice, observation, self-expression, and creation art has the power to bend light, bring beauty, consciousness, and awareness.”

Happy Birthday, Justine!

Please join us in celebrating our amazing paralegal, Justine Collier-Mendez! A valued member of our firm since 2017, Justine recently returned after serving as a legal evaluator for the California Board of Parole—and it feels like she never left. Her calm, focused, and no-nonsense approach makes her an essential part of our team. Outside the office, she’s a devoted animal lover and enjoys cozy moments with her husband. Wishing Justine a wonderful birthday and a year full of happiness and success!

Happy Birthday, Manjula!

It’s also our Managing Attorney, Manjula Martin’s birthday! Did you know Manjula makes a mean cocktail? She used to bartend which is how we met her — through mutual friends in the hospitality and service industry in San Francisco.

That partially explains why she is so good at client relations, reading the room and reading people. Outside of work, Manjula is an avid surfer, skateboarder, and snowboarder depending on the season. Happy birthday to a rock star attorney and athlete!

**Not All Lawyers Have Common Sense... Oops! 😧**

CA Courts hit this attorney with a $10,000 fine

Have you heard this? A California attorney filed an appeal with 21 of 23 quotes fabricated (yes, you read that right) via ChatGPT—and the California Court of Appeal, Second District didn’t buy it. This opinion piece blasts the risk of AI-driven ghostwriting in the legal profession, and issues a wake-up call to all litigators going forward as the use of AI grows throughout the legal industry. A GREAT read for attorneys and anyone else interested.

We've heard all the stories...Here's what you need to know

We’ve all heard the stories — a night out in Oakland turns into blue lights in the rearview. Getting arrested for a DUI can feel like waking up from a bad dream with paperwork instead of a hangover. From that first ride downtown to your court date and license drama with the DMV, our latest blog breaks down what really happens after a DUI arrest — and how to keep your cool (and your car keys).

Check out what our clients are saying about our work

A common misunderstanding we find with our clients is that they think they have to speak to a police officer and answer questions. Often times giving a statement will hurt you and the best thing to do is consult with an attorney. We got your back and want to make sure your rights aren’t violated.