This review is long overdue, but I cannot recommend George Gigarjian and his services enough. I had…read morenever faced criminal charges before and was very nervous about seeking out a lawyer. However, from my very first meeting with George I felt at ease as I could tell that not only would he fight for me, but that he had the skill to do so successfully and I was right. George is extremely thorough, knowledgeable and prepared, and his awareness of a newly passed local law helped tremendously in my defense. My charges have been resolved and if it were not for George's proficiency in law and steadfastness in advocating for me I am not sure that would be the case. I was impressed to find an attorney who was not only tenacious in his approach to law but also easygoing, compassionate and reassuring. I was a wreck during my case but George's warm demeanor always made me feel at ease and able to voice my questions and concerns to him free of judgment. He is an excellent and reliable communicator, was straightforward about all the possible outcomes of my case, and always responded promptly whenever I needed to reach him. If you need a diligent and adept criminal defense lawyer in the Santa Cruz area who truly cares about making sure you receive a favorable outcome in your case and will do whatever it takes to make sure of that, look no further than George Gigarjian. I cannot thank him enough for all that he did for me.

Really rude over the phone call, not much help at all besides telling me what google AI told meread more

I reached out to Gary and his team during a stressful situation involving a friend, and even though…read moreI didn't end up retaining him, he went above and beyond -- looking up charges, pointing me toward the right public defender, and walking me through realistic next steps with patience and clarity. Gary and his associate were incredibly responsive, kind, and straightforward without any pressure whatsoever. If you're navigating something difficult in Santa Cruz County and need someone who treats people with genuine care and professionalism, Gary Thelander is the first call you should make. (Ps. I called two other other attorneys before Gary and they were nowhere near as helpful)

Gary Thelander and staff of Thelander Law are fantastic ! They saved me and my retirement years…read morefrom a bad mistake I made. The very hard and caring work they did on my case made me and my family very thankful . I can not Thank Gary and his staff enough. I highly recommend Thelander Law if you need help.

Hiring Stephanie Rickard was one of the best decisions I made during a very difficult time.Being…read morecharged in a domestic violence case was incredibly stressful, especially because I had never been through the criminal court system before. Stephanie brought a level of calm and perspective that I really needed. She has decades of experience, and that experience showed in the way she evaluated the case, dealt with the prosecution, and prepared for each stage of the process. What I appreciated most was that she did not simply tell me what I wanted to hear. She gave me realistic assessments, explained the possible outcomes, and focused on what would actually help my case. I always felt that there was a strategy behind what she was doing rather than simply reacting to whatever happened next. After a long and stressful process, the entire DV case was dismissed. That result meant an enormous amount to me. I am deeply thankful to Stephanie for her work, judgment, patience, and advocacy. If you are facing a serious criminal charge in Santa Clara County, I would absolutely recommend speaking with her.

Stephanie is very good, professional, friendly and supportive. She helped me with my case and got…read morethe best result for me (dismissal!), which went far beyond my expectation. Stephanie worked hard to dig into the case details and was being very thoughtful and responsive all the time, even during the free consultation session! I asked Stephanie to represent me when my previous lawyer lost my trust over time by laying back and being unsupportive and unresponsive. After I switched to Stephanie, the quality of service she provided is such a surprise. Now I wish I would reach out to Stephanie in the first place!

Scam artist. He'll lie for you, so maybe you want that. But most likely you'll end up with more…read morebills and court fines.

horrible. do not hire. trying to get my $3500. refund back and he keeps jerking me aound. he sent 1…read moreletter. complained to state bar. shyster for sure.

Outstanding attorney. Not only did he help me when my case was first tried, but the issue came up…read moreagain years later and he continued to assist. Highly recommend.

Long time using Yelp but first time posting. John was too awesome and I couldn't hold back ones the…read morekeys started flying. Wow, where do I begin! Outstanding experience working with Mr. Thornton from the very first complementary consultation regarding a very sensitive and potentially life altering Felony Strike Case, to consistent empathetic communication, expertise and extensive experience working Criminal/DUI defense in Santa Cruz County. Not only does he have an immense professional network of working relationships with the various local District Attorneys, Judges and Probation Department, John puts his clients best interest first at all costs. He isn't going to recommend any course of action that would not serve the utmost success of his diverse clientele. Even if it only comes down to coaching you on how to apply to see if you qualify for Public Defender representation, Mr. Thornton goes out of his way to ensure to the best of his abilities [and we're talking well over 30+ years of experience working exclusively in the Santa Cruz County Superior Court system] that his clients come out on top. If you or a loved one need representation from one of the most skilled Attorney's in 831, look no further, because with Mr. Thornton you are in the best of hands. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU, John, can't say it enough!!!

NOBODY likes being in court, it gives you a bad feeling like what am I going to do? Yeah, you get a…read morepublic defender but they leave you feeling like is that really the best you can do for me? If you ever feel like that I HIGHLY recommend calling them and talking/meeting with Roland Soltesz! I called their office for a consult and I was met with Mr. Soltesz, he was VERY nice and made me feel like I wasn't alone and kind of lifted this heavy burden off my shoulders. He talked to me about my situation and also gave me some advice to reassure my choices. Also, talked to me in ways it was relatable like a friend and gave me examples haha. He also gave me the best price in town compared to other offices. Don't take my word for it just go ahead and call around. I found this office by doing a google and yelp search of best attorneys around Monterey County and they were number 2. The number 1 person wanted to start 4k for misdemeanor cases... Mr. Soltesz even met me a second time after I got more files even for free as another consult. I can tell Mr. Soltesz was very genuine and wasn't all about the money only. He really does care for you and your situation and I really appreciate him for that. I even saw him at the courthouse and walked up to him to ask him one last time of all the questions I had and he took time to talk to me and reassure me of my options. Mr. Soltesz if you're reading this I REALLY appreciate all the time you took to talk to me out of your busy schedule and THANK YOU. Just know I've been referring people to you because I know they'll be in good hands with you.

I consider myself incredibly fortunate that I found William Pernik…read more In a world where it often feels impossible to find an attorney who is both exceptionally skilled and genuinely cares about his clients, Pernik is the rare exception. From day one, he treated my case with the seriousness, attention, and strategic insight that you hope for but rarely see. He didn't just take my case -- he understood it. He understood me. He asked the right questions, caught details other attorneys had overlooked, and moved with a level of precision and professionalism that immediately gave me confidence. What impressed me most was that he balances brilliant legal ability with real humanity. He is calm, patient, direct, and honest -- no ego, no drama, just sharp legal work and steady guidance. At a time when I felt overwhelmed, he gave me clarity. At a time when I felt vulnerable, he gave me a plan. And at a time when I needed someone truly in my corner, he showed up 100%. Pernik is the kind of attorney who earns trust because he deserves it. He listens. He prepares. He anticipates. He fights smart. And he genuinely cares about the people he represents. If you're looking for an attorney who combines elite legal skill with integrity and compassion, you will not find better than William Pernik. I'm grateful for everything he's done, and I would recommend him without hesitation to anyone who needs serious, competent, and committed legal representation.

Zach is an excellent lawyer. Very compassionate, great communicator, and knowledgeable. If you want…read moreto win your case contact Zach. He is the best!

The willingness this man has to go the extra mile for his clients, is honestly honorable. I was in…read morea tough spot and actually really nervous, before anything was paid. He checked on the case; and actually did work I didn't even know he could. Excellent service! Couldn't be more grateful for his time!

I strongly recommend Nan for your legal situation. I retained her 11 years ago for my first DUI…read more She was amazing and helped me understand all that I needed to do to take care of it and not stress out. I retained her services 4 more times over these years and the last case was very serious. Most people in that situation in California receive 1 year in prison. I did everything she told me to do and she did her job. Together, we both did our job and I did not have to spend time behind bars! 2 things I admire most about her many decades of experience. First, watching her at work in court it was amazing the great working relationships she had with all of the different judges, prosecutors, and even the DA. I feel that is a definite advantage for the best outcomes and leniency of sentencing. Second, anytime day or night she would always return my calls and texts. That is huge when you are stressed and worried about something to do with your case and you don't have to wait long for her to explain and reassure you to trust her process. I hope I never need her again for court, but I can always ask her for advice about anything because I consider her a friend.

Nan is an incredible attorney who truly cares about her clients. She is honest, compassionate, and…read moretakes the time to communicate clearly throughout the process. I always felt heard, respected, and supported. Her professionalism, dedication, and genuine concern for people really stand out. I highly recommend Nan to anyone looking for an attorney who is not only knowledgeable but also truly cares.

Finding Law Offices of William V. Pernik was one of the best decisions I've ever made…read more As a disabled Army veteran living with PTSD, I was facing one of the most stressful situations of my life. William Pernik didn't just represent me--he fought for me. He drove from Salinas to Palo Alto multiple times for my hearings, and every time he walked into the courtroom he projected confidence, preparation, and professionalism. What impressed me most was his ability to stand his ground. He was direct, persuasive, and never intimidated. Watching him advocate on my behalf gave me confidence when I needed it most. Thanks to his hard work, my case was successfully diverted into Military Veterans Court, giving me an opportunity that truly changed my life. His background as a longtime public defender and his extensive experience representing veterans and clients facing mental health challenges clearly showed throughout my case. Walking out of court after the successful outcome was a moment I'll never forget. It felt like a tremendous weight had finally been lifted. If you're looking for a criminal defense attorney who genuinely cares, fights relentlessly for his clients, and knows how to navigate the justice system, I cannot recommend William Pernik highly enough. If you're a veteran, you'll be in especially good hands. Thank you, William, for giving me a second chance. It was money well spent.

Phone consultation was helpful It's just too bad my…read moresituation was too risky to invest in Thanks anyway folks

Jenn did a fantastic job consulting with me on my divorce!…read more She helped validate what I wanted to do was fair and permanently legally binding, gave me the ammo to directly negotiate with my spouse (I did not want either attorney to do direct negotiations - my ex and I knew the parameters that needed to be negotiated and it took quite awhile - but we finally worked it out together). Jenn collaborated with me in a way that I wanted - and gave good advice every step of the process. She was extremely responsive and also very fair with her fees. Finally, she worked with me on a straightforward MSA that my ex and I used to document the agreed upon details to the court. I found Jen through a referral from my tax accountant. But anyone reading this review should know that Jenn is the real deal and will help you with your divorce in a straightforward, honorable, fair way! And now, happily as of last month - it is all over and approved by the court. I Highly Highly recommend Jenn!!

I had a very unpleasant experience working with Jennifer. she is definitely a "take your money and…read morerun" kind of attorney. I paid her $15,000-$20,000 to just... disappear. She did not advocate for me at all in court. She straight up left in the middle of my hearing because "She had another case." And never told me that she would have to leave, beforehand. If you are looking for a lawyer in the Santa Cruz area, I strongly urge you to choose someone else. And if you do go with Jenn, be aware that she either likes you as a client or doesn't. And when she doesn't, she will take your money and run. I have heard that she has done this to multiple other people, as well.