Legal Solutions for You,
Your Family & Your Business
Find a Lawyer >
Real Estate lawyers serving San Francisco County, CA >
Sterling Johnson
Back to Search Results
Sterling Johnson
Law Offices of Sterling C. Johnson
4040 Civic Center Drive
Suite 200
San Rafael, CA 94903-4187
Phone: (415) 457-1214 | Fax: (415) 457-1324
Helping Clients to Make Good Choices
Legal Topic
Real Estate
Preferred New Clients
I focus primarily on construction contract issues (breach of contract, liens, construction defects),and I prefer to work with clients who want to actively participate in the process of the dispute resolution to help the results better match their needs.
Sub-Categories
Commercial Real Estate
- Building Codes
- Construction Contracts
- Construction Defects
- Mechanics' Liens
- Mold Claims
- Building Codes
- Construction Contracts
- Construction Defects
- Construction Financing
- Mechanics' Liens
- Mold Claims
Legal Topic
Family Law
Preferred New Clients
I help clients to make intelligent and realistic choices to implement their own values, so that the result can match their needs, and I prefer to work with clients who want to take significant responsibility for the process and outcome.
Sub-Categories
Family Law
- Mediation/Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
- Name Changes
- Restraining Orders
- Child Abuse
- Domestic Violence
- Adoptions
- Child Support
- Children's Rights
- Custody
- Paternity
- Visitation
- Living Together/Cohabitation
- Marriage
- Power of Attorney
- Prenuptial & Postnuptial Agreements
Legal Topic
Divorce
Preferred New Clients
I help clients to make intelligent and realistic choices to implement their own values, so that the result can match their needs, and I prefer to work with clients who want to take significant responsibility for the process and outcome.
Sub-Categories
Divorce
- Alimony/Palimony/Spousal Support
- Annulment
Bar Admissions
CA, Jun 1977
Bar Number: 74598
Other Court Admissions
California, Federal
Association Memberships
State Bar, Marin and Alameda County Bars
Continuing Education
I have continued to seek updates of my skills in a variety of areas of the law, so I can better advise clients regarding their real needs, even if outside my specialties.
Example Cases
Family law: a wide variety of divorces, community property issues, child custody and support, representing about equal numbers of men and women; Construction: disputes primarily between owners and contractors (and subcontractors) around the whole spread of issues that arise in construction.
Education
Degree:
B.S. Industrial Engineering
School:
Purdue University
City:
W. Lafayette
State:
IN
Year:
1968
Focus and Accomplishments:
I maintained a B average in engineering, participated in a wide variety of student activities (honor societies, acting, interfraternity government), but mostly I learned what is important to me personally, and to remember that engineering is not the solution to most problems in life (and law school taught that the law is also not the solution to most issues: finding out what is the solution, and how that interacts with the law is what most of my practice is about).
Degree:
Juris Doctor
School:
Northeastern U. Law School
City:
Boston
State:
MA
Year:
1975
Focus and Accomplishments:
I focused on a broad education for a civil practice; Northeastern has a co-op program, so I worked in various legal settings to better acquaint myself with general practice.
Number of Attorneys
1
State Licensed In
California
Firm Focus and History
I am a solo practitioner, specializing in family law and construction issues. I also see myself as a "general practitioner" serving to help people, like a family doctor, figure out what their needs are and who can best help them meet those needs.
Previous Employment Summary
I've been a solo practitioner for 23 years. Prior I worked as an associate for four years for McInerney & Dillon (construction law firm in Oakland).
Activities and Awards
I have been an instructor at the Building Education Center (in Berkeley) for 20 years. I also participate in a variety of county bar activities (including the design of programs to help extend legal self-help to people who cannot afford lawyers).
What is your opinion regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues?
It is vital, in working with me, that the client take a significant role in gathering information, in choosing the steps we will take and making the larger choices that come up in any legal setting. A key role for me in the process is helping the client to become well-informed on the issues and procedures.
Are you willing to review documents prepared by clients?
I love it. Client-produced documents will best reflect who they are. I need to be sure that the document will accomplish the result, but I totally support the client being an active partner in every step of the process.
Are you willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves?
I am happy to coach people who wish to represent themselves. I will tell the client if I think the task is too big (it is easy for a layman to make mistakes, and some people are not well-suited to preparing documents, speaking for themselves in court, etc.).
Why did you decide to be a lawyer?
I found engineering to be too limiting, and discovered (doing court martial work in the army) that the law provided a way for me to use more of my skills.
What work experience and education helps you be a better lawyer?
25 plus years of practice, seeing all kinds of clients, and I hope some wisdom with age.
Why did you decide on your primary area of practice?
Construction law was my early experience out of law school, and I sought out family law cases to provide an opportunity to use some of my people skills (e.g., empathy).
What do you like best about your career?
Knowing/seeing that I can make a difference for my clients.
Tell us about your law firm:
I am a solo practitioner, but seek the advise of other attorneys, psychologists, contractors and other professionals, so I am able to give well-rounded advice.
What are your strengths and style?
The ability to help clients understand their situation and make clear choices; empathy; patience (usually).
Gentle, respectful, focused on both the legal needs of the clients and how that impacts on other issues in their life.
Personal Interests:
Music, stage performance (I do some), physics, and a wide variety of things.
Office Manager/Assistant
None
Fax
(415) 457-1324
Office Hours
Monday through Friday
9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Emergency After Hours
Yes
Foreign Languages
None
Fixed-Price Services and Fees
I can negotiate that with the client; Usually I charge by the hour.
Hourly Rates
Presently $225/hour
Free Initial Consultation?
I do some free consultation, often by phone, to see if there is a good fit in personalities between client and attorney and to give the client choices.
Typical Retainer
Depends on the case.
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.
