Our
Vernon C.
Goins II
Vernon Charles Goins II was born on November 11, 1968 in Oakland, California. He graduated from the French-American International High School in San Francisco and went on to complete his undergraduate studies at Georgetown University. Soon thereafter, Vernon, who is fluent in both Spanish and French, joined Teach for America and taught fourth grade bilingual classes in Compton, California. While teaching, he earned his Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Laverne.
After receiving his Juris Doctorate from Hastings College of the Law in 1997, Vernon went into private practice. Vernon is the Principal attorney of Goins Law Firm, PC, a boutique law firm that specializes in business, real estate litigation, probate, and estate planning law. He also holds an LLM in taxation from Golden Gate University.
An active participant in many community organizations, Vernon has served as the President of the California Association of Black Lawyers, President of the Charles Hamilton Houston Bar Association and Director of Region IX of the National Bar Association. He has previously served on the Board of Directors of the Alameda Contra Costa County Trial Lawyers Association and the California Association of Black Lawyers and a member of the Steering Committee Member for the California Minority Counsel Program. He has served on the boards of the Lawyers Club of San Francisco, Oakland Chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and the Alameda County Bar Association. He has also served on the Board of Trustees for the French American and International School. Vernon has also been a member of the Earl Warren Inn of Court and Oakland Rotary Club #3. He also a founding member of the Black Sports Agent Association.
Vernon served as President of the Easter Hill United Methodist Church Men’s Group. He is a current member of 100 Black Men of the Bay Area. He currently serves as the Chairman of on the the Social Engineering Project, Inc. Vernon has previously served as a member of the audit committees for Marin County Day School and French American International School. He has also served as chairman of the Oakland NAACP redress committee and General Counsel to the 100 Black Men of the Bay Area.
Vernon is the recipient of numerous awards and recognitions. On December 4, 1999, he received the Charles Houston Bar Association President’s Award. On October 18, 2001, he received an award from the Minority Bar Coalition for his outstanding service to the legal community. On June 23, 2005, Congresswoman Barbara Lee awarded Vernon a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition for outstanding and invaluable service to the community.
In both 2002 and 2006, he received the distinction of being honored by Hastings College of the Law as Alumnus of the Year. In 2011, he received the National Bar Association’s President Award for outstanding community service. Vernon received the California Association of Black Lawyers in 2013 and President’s Award In April 2018, Vernon received the Lauren D. Miller Lawyer of the Year Award from the California Association of Black Lawyers. On October 25, 2019, Vernon received the James Mann Award from the Easter Hill United Methodist Church for outstanding community service.
He has taught numerous legal, paralegal and training courses at Merritt College, University of San Francisco School of Law and Cal State University, East Bay. Vernon has also conducted over 100 estate planning seminars for local churches, non profit organizations and other charitable organizations.
Vernon and his wonderful wife, Darlene who are the proud parents of their son, Zachary, a freshman at Temple University.
Ania A.
SMITH
James P.
Giacchetti
James P. Giacchetti represents clients in complex high stakes actions in state and federal courts. Mr. Giacchetti possesses substantial experience in all phases of civil litigation, from prelawsuit investigation through jury verdict and post-trial proceedings. James has successfully prosecuted and defended actions on behalf of individuals, community groups, and business entities. He handles cases which involve breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, fraud, trade secrets, business torts, civil rights, personal injury, wrongful death, and related claims.
Mr. Giacchetti has served as lead trial counsel and been a member of various trial teams. James has practiced law at preeminent trial firms throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. He has been recognized as a Super Lawyers “Rising Star.”
Mr. Giacchetti graduated from Santa Clara University School of Law. While in law school, James clerked for Mary J. Greenwood, the Administrative Presiding Justice of the Sixth District Court of Appeal, while a Judge for the Superior Court of California. He excelled in Moot Court competitions and was selected to serve as a member of the Honors Moot Court Board. Mr. Giacchetti received his undergraduate degree in Art History, Magna Cum Laude, from Santa Clara University.
- Prosecuted and defended various actions on behalf of insurance companies.
- Lead trial counsel in criminal competency action.
- Lead trial counsel in action against prestigious San Francisco Bay Area university.
- Member of trial team that prevailed in action against the County of Santa Clara.
- Member of trial team that prevailed in action against the City of San Jose.
- Member of trial team in breach of contract and fraud action.
- Member of team that represented business entity in action against the United States.
- Represented a defendant in an action brought by international technology company.
- Prevailed on various procedural and substance motions in state and federal courts.
- California
- United States District Court for the Northern, Eastern, Central and Southern Districts of California
- Northern California Super Lawyers “Rising Star”
- Santa Clara University School of Law Moot Court and Honors Moot Court
- Recipient of Witkin Award issued by Santa Clara University School of Law