Personal Injury and Tenant Rights Attorney Serving Berkeley, CA

Berkeley residents dealing with an accident injury or a landlord who won't follow the law deserve an attorney who knows both sides of the fight — and who will take the time to understand your specific situation before advising you on next steps.

Berkeley Clients Come to Us with Real, Complicated Problems

Some cases arrive as straightforward car accident claims. Others involve a tenant who was injured because their landlord ignored a hazardous condition and is now facing pressure to leave their unit. What makes Halavanau Law Office different is that we handle personal injury, tenant rights, and homeowner insurance bad faith under one roof — so if your situation touches more than one of those areas, you don't need to find a second attorney and start over.

 

We've served Bay Area clients for more than 15 years. Our case results include a $3,750,000 personal injury settlement, a $1,500,000 insurance arbitration award, and a $425,000 wrongful eviction settlement. We work on contingency — you pay nothing unless we recover for you.

 

We also serve clients in Russian and Spanish, in addition to English.

Stressed couple at a table with bills, phone, and mug, both covering their faces in a home kitchen

Personal Injury Cases We Handle for Berkeley Residents

If you were hurt in an accident that someone else caused, you have the right to pursue compensation for your medical expenses, lost income, pain, and the disruption to your life. We represent Berkeley clients in a wide range of personal injury matters, including:

 

 

Every case is handled personally — not processed by a team of paralegals chasing volume settlements. If Gene takes your case, you work with Gene.

Tenant Rights Representation for Berkeley Renters

Berkeley has some of the strongest tenant protections in California, but having rights on paper and enforcing them are two different things. Landlords and property management companies know this, and some count on tenants not knowing where to turn.

 

We represent Berkeley renters in:

 

 

If your landlord is pressuring you to leave, ignoring repair requests, or retaliating against you for asserting your rights, contact us before you respond or sign anything.

How We Approach Cases Differently

We are not a high-volume settlement mill. Gene personally reviews every inquiry and selects the cases he takes on — which means when we accept your case, we are genuinely committed to it. That selectivity also means we can give each client the attention their situation requires, rather than pushing toward the fastest resolution.

 

Our approach is straightforward: understand the facts, identify every avenue for recovery, and pursue the strongest possible outcome. We don't pressure clients into accepting early lowball offers, and we don't disappear after the intake call.

Serving Berkeley and the Broader East Bay

Our office is located in San Francisco at 1388 Sutter Street, Suite 1010, and we serve clients throughout the Bay Area. Berkeley residents can reach us by phone, text, or through our contact form. We offer a free case review for all new inquiries.

 

We also serve clients in San Francisco, San Jose, and San Rafael, as well as communities throughout Northern California.

Frequently Asked Questions — Berkeley Clients

  • Do I need to come to your San Francisco office to work with you?

    No. We work with clients throughout the Bay Area, including Berkeley, and handle most communication by phone, text, and email. In-person meetings can be arranged when needed, but geography is not a barrier to getting started.

  • What does a personal injury attorney in Berkeley CA charge for a free consultation?

    Nothing. We offer a free case review for all new inquiries, and we work on contingency — meaning we only collect a fee if we recover compensation on your behalf. There is no cost to speak with us about your situation.

  • My landlord is trying to evict me but I think the reason isn't legitimate. What should I do?

    Contact an attorney before you respond to any eviction notice or sign any agreement. Berkeley has specific tenant protections that govern when and how a landlord can terminate a tenancy. An attorney can review your situation and tell you quickly whether your landlord is following the law.

  • Can you handle a case where I was injured on my rental property due to a landlord's negligence?

    Yes. Cases that involve both a personal injury and a tenant rights issue are exactly the kind of matter we're well-positioned to handle, because we practice in both areas. You won't need to coordinate between two separate attorneys.

  • How long do I have to file a personal injury claim in California?

    In most cases, California's statute of limitations gives you two years from the date of injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. Some claims — particularly those involving government entities — have much shorter deadlines. The sooner you speak with an attorney, the better your options.
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Find Out If Your Eviction Was Legal — Before You Run Out of Time

Whether you're still in your unit or you've already moved out, the sooner you get a clear picture of your situation the more options you have. Our team takes your information, Gene reviews the details, and the firm follows up on the cases it can help with. No fee, no obligation.