About Halavanau Law Office
A San Francisco Bay Area personal injury and tenant rights practice built on 15+ years of Bay Area advocacy — and the belief that every client deserves the same level of attention, regardless of background or language.
The Practice and the People Behind It
Halavanau Law Office is a San Francisco personal injury and tenant rights firm that has served individuals and families throughout the Bay Area for more than 15 years.
We represent people hurt in accidents, renters facing displacement or harassment, and homeowners whose insurance claims have been wrongfully denied.
Every case is handled on contingency. No upfront costs, no hourly billing, and no fee unless we recover on your behalf.
We handle personal injury, tenant rights, and
insurance litigation — three practice areas that most firms separate. When your situation crosses more than one, you won't need a second attorney.
Gene Halavanau
Founder and Principal Attorney
Gene founded Halavanau Law Office to serve clients that most Bay Area firms can't people who need help with both a personal injury claim and a housing situation under one roof. He's been doing that work in this community for more than 15 years, in English and Russian, with full attention on every case he takes on.
Michelle Patroni
Paralegal
Michelle graduated from the University of Pennsylvania cum laude with a B.A. in Social Science. She continued her education at Loyola University Chicago pursuing a Master’s in Social Justice and Pastoral Counseling. Michelle has over 20 years of experience as a personal injury paralegal and provides assistance to both the personal injury and general litigation sides of the practice.
Michelle is an avid animal lover and advocate interested in social justice issues.
Veronica GomeZ
Legal Assistant
A Record of Independent Recognition
Gene has been named a Northern California Super Lawyer every year since 2023. Super Lawyers recognition is peer-nominated and independently evaluated — it cannot be purchased or applied for. Sustaining that recognition for more than two decades in a market as competitive as San Francisco reflects consistent work over a long period of time, not a single strong year.
Trusted by Clients Across the Bay Area
We Work in the Language
That Works for You
Gene is fluent in Russian and English. For the Bay Area's Russian-speaking community, that means working directly with him — not through an interpreter — in the language you actually think in. He has represented Russian-speaking clients in personal injury and tenant rights matters throughout the Bay Area for more than 15 years, and understands the cultural context that shapes how many clients in that community experience the legal system.
Spanish-language service is available through our team.
If you or someone you know would be more comfortable communicating in Russian or Spanish, reach out. That's how we'll work together.
Говорим по-русски. Se habla español.
What People Want to Know Before They Call
How long has the Law Offices of Gene Halavanau been practicing in San Francisco?
The firm has served clients throughout the San Francisco Bay Area for more than 15 years. Gene has been recognized by Super Lawyers every year since 2023, putting him among a very small group of Bay Area attorneys with that length of sustained peer recognition in personal injury and tenant rights.
Does Gene handle cases personally, or does he pass them to associates?
Every case Gene accepts stays with him. Our team handles initial intake, Gene reviews the details, and he calls back the cases he believes he can help with. From that point forward, the case is his — not a paralegal's, not an associate's.
Does the firm work with clients from different backgrounds and communities?
Yes — and that's been true since the beginning. Gene has represented clients from virtually every background in the Bay Area for more than 15 years. He speaks Russian and English, Spanish-language service is available through our team, and no client is turned away because of language, income, or where they come from.
Where can I read reviews of the Law Offices of Gene Halavanau?
Client reviews are available on Google, and the widget on this page reflects the firm's current rating. We'd rather you read them before calling than take our word for it.
Ready to Talk? We're Easy to Reach.
If you're doing your research before deciding whether to call, that's the right instinct — and we're glad you're here. When you're ready, reach out for a free case review. No obligation, no pressure.
