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Samantha Berryessa
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Samantha Berryessa
Samantha Berryessa, Attorney at Law
43537 Ridge Park Dr.
Suite 101
Temecula, CA 92590
Phone: (951) 693-0053 | Fax: (760) 723-1488
http://www.berryessalaw.com
A Tenacious Fighter for Justice
Legal Topic
Personal Injury
Preferred New Clients
I prefer to help families or people who have lost loved ones to severe injury on wrongful death.
Sub-Categories
Personal Injury
- Dangerous Property
- Wrongful Death
- Motorcycle Accidents
- Truck Accidents
- Construction Site Injuries
- Slip & Fall
- Petrochemical Accidents
- Whiplash
- Felony Auto Accident
- Design Defects
- Manufacturing Defects
- False Charities
- Frauds, Scams, Hoaxes
- Pyramid Schemes
- Assault & Battery
- Child abuse
- Dog Bites & Animal Attacks
- Domestic Violence
- Sexual Assault
- Airplanes
- Buildings
- Mass Transit - Bus, Train, Subway
- Asbestos Mesothelioma
- Chemicals & Cosmetics
- Dangerous Drugs & Products
- Hazardous Waste
- Medical Products & Devices
- Pesticides
- Amputation
- Birth Injury
- Burn Injury
- Head/Brain Injury
- Paralysis
Legal Topic
Family Law
Preferred New Clients
I prefer to do step-parent or independent adoptions.
Sub-Categories
Children
- Adoptions
Bar Admissions
CA, Jun 1997
Bar Number: 187987
Other Court Admissions
State Court of California, Federal: Southern and Central District
Association Memberships
San Bernardino County Bar Association, San Diego County Bar Association, Southwest Riverside Bar Association
Continuing Education
2001 graduate of Gerry Spence's Trial Lawyer's College.
Papers and Publications
Author: Review of California Law & Motion Authorities
Author: Volcanoes of Expression - The Evergreen State College
Example Cases
1. Wrongful Death: Semi Truck vs. Harley Rider - Father died with meth in his system, no license to drive motorcycle, had not worked in 1 1/2 years, but was still a great dad; received $425K.
2. 15 year-old girl killed in car as passenger in collision with careless driver; received $1,425,000.
3. Opened up adoption records all over the country for Indian children taken from their homes as infants. I helped them reunite with their tribes and their families.
Education
Degree:
B.A.
School:
The Evergreen State College
City:
Olympia
State:
WA
Year:
1976
Focus and Accomplishments:
Social Anthropology; Fabric Design
Degree:
B.S.
School:
California Southern Law School
City:
Riverside
State:
CA
Year:
1993
Focus and Accomplishments:
Law
Degree:
Law
School:
Gerry Spence's Trial Lawyer's College
City:
Dubois
State:
WY
Year:
2001
Focus and Accomplishments:
Trial Work
Degree:
J.D.
School:
California Southern Law School
City:
Riverside
State:
CA
Year:
1995
Focus and Accomplishments:
I went to night law school and graduated in my 40s. This is a second career for me.
Number of Attorneys
1
State Licensed In
California
Firm Focus and History
The firm focus of Samantha Berryessa, Attorney at Law is wrongful death cases; serious personal injury burns and loss of limbs; blindness; and any serious injury. We also handle adoptions and guardianships.
Previous Employment Summary
I worked for Eugene Madngal from the Cahuilla Band of Indians. Otherwise, I have always worked for myself as an attorney.
Activities and Awards
I travel with Dax Cowart, retired Texas Lawyer, and we speak about ethics. Help other attorneys prepare their clients for trial and deposition.
What is your opinion regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues?
I think that a client educating themselves on legal issues is great.
Are you willing to review documents prepared by clients?
I will review documents prepared by clients but I will not review pleadings.
Are you willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves?
I will coach clients who want to represent themselves on a case-by-case basis. If there is the possibility of a misunderstanding, I will not coach someone.
Why did you decide to be a lawyer?
I became a lawyer because I wanted to help people. I did not want to be bored and I wanted to make a good living.
What work experience and education helps you be a better lawyer?
I worked in Chiapas, Mexico and Guatemala as a fabric designer and lived among the tribal peoples, all of which helps make me a better lawyer.
Gerry Spence and his staff have helped me to understand myself more, which enables me to understand you better.
Why did you decide on your primary area of practice?
Personal Injury chose me. I have worked with so many poor people and they are usually the victims in our society.
What do you like best about your career?
I like helping secure a future for my clients.
Tell us about your law firm:
I consult with Dax Cowart who is a retired Texas trial attorney. I take a limited number of cases per year in order to give my clients my complete attention, and do a thorough job. The goal is to win.
What are your strengths and style?
I have had a real life before becoming a lawyer. I like and trust people to do the right thing when called upon.
I am informal, prompt, and I like to get it done and win.
Personal Interests:
I enjoy gardening, art, music and animals.
Office Manager/Assistant
Caroline
Fax
(760) 723-1488
Office Hours
Monday through Friday
8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Emergency After Hours
Yes
Foreign Languages
Moderate Spanish
Additional Offices
Fallbrook, CA
566 East Alvarado St.
Fallbrook, CA 92028
(760) 723-5513
Fixed-Price Services and Fees
Adoptions and Guardianship differ depending on complexity. They have run as little as $1,200 and as high as $12,000.
Personal injury cases are done on a contingency basis. This means the lawyer does not get paid for their time unless they recover money for you.
Hourly Rates
$200
Free Initial Consultation?
Free initial consultation for personal injury cases. For other types of matters, $150 an hour for most consultations.
Typical Retainer
$3,000
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.
