Legal Solutions for You,
Your Family & Your Business
Bruce Abel
Abel Law Offices
11400 W. Olympic Blvd.
Suite 1510
Los Angeles, CA 90064
Phone: (310) 601-6160 | Fax: (805) 496-0774
http://www.bruceabel.com
Established 1982 - Integrity - Dedication - Results
Legal Topic
Business Law
Preferred New Clients
Personal Injury, Business and Employment.
Sub-Categories
Business Law
- Mediation/Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
- Business Successions
- Buying & Selling
- Closely Held Businesses
- Corporations
- Directors' & Officers' Liability
- Joint Ventures
- Limited Liability Companies (LLCs)
- Partnerships
- Shareholders' Rights
- Trade Associations
- Breach of Contract
- Contract Disputes
- Contract Drafting & Review
- Employment Contracts
- Non-Compete Contracts
- Secured Transactions
- Uniform Commercial Code
- Warranties
- Commercial Construction Contracts
- Construction Defects
- Construction Disputes
- Dangerous Property
- Government Construction Contracts
- Mechanics' Liens
- Art
- Communication & Media
- Gaming
- Music
- Sports
- Tourism, Travel, & Leisure
- Literary Arts
- Publishing
- Television
- Defense Contracts
- Defense Procurement
- Federal Contracts
- Government Construction Contracts
- State & Municipal Contracts
- Bad Faith
- Casualty Insurance
- Commercial Insurance
- Directors' & Officers' Liability
- Errors & Omissions
- Fidelity, Guarantee, & Surety
- Health Insurance
- Insurance Subrogation
- Life Insurance
- Motor Vehicle Insurance
- Property Insurance
- Creditor's Rights
- Garnishees
- Judgments
- Locating Funds
Bar Admissions
CA, Dec 1982
Bar Number: 105236
Other Court Admissions
State of California, U.S. Central District Court for California, U.S. Southern District for California, U.S. Eastern District Court for California and 9th Circuit Court of Appeals for the United States.
Association Memberships
State Bar of California, Orange County Bar Association, Los Angeles County Bar Association, Ventura County Bar Association and Consumer Attorneys of Los Angeles.
Continuing Education
I attend and take online continuing education courses. I always exceed the minimum required by the State Bar of California.
Papers and Publications
Co-Editor of "Business Law in California", 12th Edition, published by General Educational Publications, a textbook used in Community Colleges throughout California.
Example Cases
1. Recovered $2.5 million for victims of race discrimination.
2. Recovered $2.7 million for partner in Partnership Dissolution.
3. Recovered $1.2 million for auto accident victim.
4. Argued cases in California Court of Appeal and California Supreme court that changed California law regarding settlement agreements, recovery of attorney fees, and insurance law.
Education
Degree:
Juris Doctorate
School:
Southwestern University School of Law
City:
Los Angeles
State:
CA
Year:
1982
Honors:
Dean's List, Awards for Exceptional Achievement in Insurance Law and also for Intellectual Property.
Focus and Accomplishments:
Moot Court.
Degree:
B.A.
School:
UCLA
City:
Westwood
State:
CA
Year:
1970
Degree:
Master's of Art - Creative Writing
School:
San Francisco State University
City:
San Francisco
State:
CA
Year:
1974
Number of Attorneys
1
State Licensed In
California
Firm Focus and History
I have 26 years of successfully handling business, employment and serious personal injury cases. I have tried, arbitrated, and mediated in excess of 500 cases. I have argued before the California Supreme Court and California Court of Appeals and acted as Judge Pro Tem, Superior Court Settlement Referee, Moot Court Judge. I have been a Guest Lecturer at Whittier Law School and a Co-Editor of "Business Law in California", 12th Edition, published by General Educational Publications. I am a Member of the Editorial Board of the Ventura County Bar magazine "Citations".
Abel Law Offices was established in 1982. I started by sharing an interior office with no windows with another attorney. He had the office from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and I had the office from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. I world take down his diploma and pictures and put up my mine. Then he would follow suit the next day. After about 6 months we graduated to sharing a window office which I kept when he moved on to the Public Defender's office. Over the years my practice has grown to 4 offices and I have the privilege of handling very interesting cases.
Previous Employment Summary
Throughout the course of my legal career I have distinguished myself as a tenacious and competent advocate at all stages of a case, from early settlement, to trial, to appeal. I have taken and defended over 1,200 depositions and settled in excess of 1,000 cases ranging in value from thousands of dollars to millions of dollars. I have experience representing both plaintiff and defendants in all aspects of civil litigation. This broad range of experience and success is one reason that I have also been retained by other lawyers to represent them in their legal matters.
Activities and Awards
• Judge Pro Tem for Los Angeles Municipal Court
• Settlement Referee for Superior Court of Los Angeles
• AVVO rating 10 out of 10 - Superb
• Community College law lecturer
• Guest Lecturer at Whittier School of Law in Appellate Advocacy
• Tutor for Exam Performance for first year law students at Whittier School of Law
• Moot Court Judge, Pro Bono for Reseda Senior Citizens, Hope for Life, Jewish Home for the Aged, and Adoptions
• Dean's List Southwestern University School of Law
• Award for Exceptional Achievement in Insurance Law- Southwestern University School of Law
• Award for Exceptional Achievement in Intellectual Property
• Highest grade in Professional Ethics
• Tied for Book Award Business
What is your opinion regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues?
I believe it is very important for clients to educate themselves on the law of their case. I make it a point to provide information to my clients and explain the statutes and cases that are applicable to their case. Clients should be active participants. Being informed and educated about their case, clients can make sound decisions about the course of the litigation.
Are you willing to review documents prepared by clients?
I will review documents prepared by clients. I believe this can be of great service to clients.
Are you willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves?
It is a client's right to represent himself or herself in litigation. Throughout my career, I have advised and coached clients who want to represent themselves; however, I generally also caution clients on the risk of self-representation.
Why did you decide to be a lawyer?
I wanted to be a lawyer from the time I was a child, which was encouraged by my parents. Arguing and debating issues came naturally to me. I thought that by being a lawyer, I could make a difference in people's lives. As a young man, before I went to law school, I was injured at work. My lawyer paid little attention to my case and didn't follow my instructions. This ignited my early interest in law and how I thought I would handle clients and their cases if I was an attorney.
As an adult, I wanted to become a lawyer because of the impact lawyers can have on people's lives and the ability to be a positive force in the life of the community and nation. Many people don't have the resources or the education to stand up against powerful entities - that's where I want to step in to help.
What work experience and education helps you be a better lawyer?
I ran my own contracting business for 10 years before becoming a lawyer. This helped me understand the world of business, contracts, employees, and finance. I also developed the curriculum and ran my own traffic school for five years which gave me the opportunity to interact with thousands of ordinary people.
I began working when I was 14 years old. I had numerous jobs and small businesses including a pool service, a gardening service, a paper route, and a job at a car wash. When attending graduate school, I worked part-time cleaning a furniture store including vacuuming, dusting and cleaning the restrooms. I know what it is like to earn a living and take care of oneself and one's family.
Why did you decide on your primary area of practice?
I have three areas of practice - business, employment discrimination and personal injury. I like business and have a business background, so it was natural to handle cases in this area. I find cases involving business interesting and challenging. I have practiced in the area of employment discrimination since I became a lawyer.
My grandparents fled the "progroms" in Russia. Progroms were vicious attacks on Jewish people's homes and businesses. Their homes and businesses were vandalized and burned to the ground. Property was damaged and stolen. People were victims of attack, abuse and ridicule. My father grew up next to a park that had a sign that read "No dogs or Jews." My parents taught me that all people should be treated with respect. Handling employment discrimination is a part of who I am as a person as well as a lawyer. It is an area of law that allows me to try to right wrongs.
I handle personal injury cases because I want to help people who would not ordinarily have the resources to stand up for their rights. Also, I have enjoyed a passion for learning about medicine, the human body, physiology and anatomy, which is part of personal injury cases.
What do you like best about your career?
There are four things that I especially like about my professional career:
1) I enjoy working with and helping people.
2) I love being in court arguing cases, examining witnesses and thinking on my feet.
3) I have a passion for researching and writing.
4) Practicing law gives me the opportunity to learn new things, new views, perspectives, and various areas of knowledge such as medicine, architecture, engineering, the environment and cultures.
Tell us about your law firm:
I am a sole practitioner, so all of my clients deal directly with me. My secretary has worked with me for 26 years and is an outstanding professional.
What are your strengths and style?
My strengths as an attorney include composure, dignity, integrity and tenacity. I work hard to get answers and protect my clients' rights. If a client wants an attorney to work as hard on the client's case as he would on his own, I am that kind of attorney. I will stay up late at night, work the weekends and do whatever it takes to get the job done and get it done to the best of my ability. When I take a case, I take it personally and give it my all.
My style can be somewhat disarming because I am very polite and relaxed in the office. I try to bring some humor into office visits unless to do so would be distasteful. Some clients think that is the way I will be when I am in court.
However, in court, while still maintaining my professional composure, I am an aggressive, unrelenting, quick and zealous advocate. Clients often remark about the contrast. For me it is natural. In both settings, I am myself. There are some lawyers who feel uncomfortable in court. When I am in court, I feel that is where I belong and that I am my best self.
Personal Interests:
• I love music and I play and study the flute. I study with a world-renowned flutist who is also my client. Although I love all genres of music, for flute, I prefer classical works.
• I am an animal lover and spend time every day playing with my dog, Ike, who is a Jack Russell Terrier. He is my constant companion - always ready to go. Ike prefers interacting with people more than other dogs. His particular activity of choice is playing catch.
• I am an avid reader. History and medicine are two of my favorite subjects.
• I enjoy the outdoors.
Fax
(805) 496-0774
Office Hours
Monday through Friday
9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Emergency After Hours
Yes
Additional Offices
Westlake Village, CA
2625 Townsgate Rd.
Suite 330
Westlake Village, CA 91361
(805) 796-8297
Woodland Hills, CA
5850 Canoga Avenue
Suite 400
Woodland Hills, CA 91367
(818) 536-8635
Irvine, CA
18622 MacArthur Blvd.
Second Floor
Irvine, CA 92612
(949) 870-8337
Fixed-Price Services and Fees
Fees are determined by the specific nature of the legal task and the extent and time of representation.
Hourly Rates
$350.
Free Initial Consultation?
Telephone consultations are free. We offer a free in-person consultation for cases that would normally be on a contingency fee basis, such as personal injury cases. Otherwise, I charge $350 per hour for an in-person office consultation.
Typical Retainer
Retainers vary depending on the legal issue and the estimate of fees likely to be incurred. Initial retainers range from $1,000 to $15,000.
Nolo's Licensing Check
Attorneys have passed a licensing check. Nolo has confirmed that every member attorney has a valid license and is in good standing with the applicable bar associations upon joining the directory.
Directory lawyers are required to notify Nolo immediately if they become the subject of any disciplinary action by any bar association.
