Jonathan Heck

Education

J.D., Trinity Law School

B.A., Legal Studies, University of California, Santa Cruz

Assal Rezai

Associate

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Assal Rezai is a California attorney with a Juris Doctor from Trinity Law School. She furthered her legal expertise through advanced human rights training at the International Institute of Human Rights – René Cassin Foundation in Strasbourg, France, and pursued additional
international legal studies in France and the Netherlands.

Before her admission to the State Bar of California, Ms. Rezai gained extensive experience as a legal assistant, supporting attorneys across various practice areas. She brings a strong foundation in legal research, document preparation, case management, and client service.

Professional Organizations:

State Bar of California

Education

J.D., University of California College of the Law, San Francisco

University of California, Berkeley

Jason F. Schwarz

Partner

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(925) 934-6102

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Jason Schwarz’s practice spans across general and business litigation, real estate and business transactions, bankruptcy, and government contracting law. His experience includes personal injury, business disputes, and complex class action litigation

Jason is well-versed in real estate transactions, including purchase and sale, leasing, financing, and construction agreements. He advised a developer on all legal aspects of a San Francisco mixed-use project featuring a gourmet market and condominiums. He has also served as general counsel for a real estate investment firm, addressing issues of purchase and sale, leasing, employment law, OSHA and ADA compliance, and premises liability for resorts and multifamily properties.

Jason has worked on both sides of commercial and residential landlord-tenant matters, and brings over 10 years of federal government contracting experience. He has experience in pre-litigation, mediations, settlement negotiations, and trials, emphasizing client responsiveness and a strategic and diplomatic approach to expediting the resolution of legal matters.

Jason has served as Executive Director of Contra Costa Senior Legal Services in Concord, California, and as a board member for multiple nonprofits. He has consulted on commercial law and rule of law issues in countries such as Bulgaria, Egypt, Georgia, Haiti, Myanmar, Palestine and Serbia.

Professional Organizations:

State Bar of California
United States Bankruptcy Court – Eastern District of California

Van De Poel & Levy, LLP

Southern California Satellite Office

23801 Calabasas Road
Calabasas, CA 91302
Telephone: (844) 400-6585
Fax: (925) 934-6060

Education

J.D., Golden Gate University School of Law

B.A., Golden Gate University, Public Administration

Gary Berticevich

Of Counsel

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(510) 520-4167

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gberticevich@vanlevylaw.com

Gary Berticevich obtained his B.A. in Public Administration, cum laude, from Golden Gate University and his J.D. from Golden Gate University School of Law.

Mr. Berticevich has over 30 years of experience representing primarily defense entities in construction defect and general liability matters. Mr. Berticevich joined the firm in November 2021, and has represented individuals and businesses at all stages of civil litigation, from pre-suit investigation, through pre-trial procedures and trial, and appeal. Many of the construction matters involved alleged defects in design and construction of residential and commercial properties with amounts in issue in the tens of millions of dollars. General and vehicle liability cases have involved catastrophic injury and death. Mr. Berticevich has tried several jury cases to verdict on behalf of plaintiffs and defendants, and has taken and defended hundreds of depositions.

Professional Organizations:

State Bar of California
Voluntarily inactive member of The State Bar of Hawaii
United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
United States District Courts for the Northern and Eastern Districts of California and the District of Hawaii

Education

J.D., Santa Clara University, School of Law

University of California, Davis

Partner

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(925) 948-0596

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jheck@vanlevylaw.com

Jonathan Heck’s practice includes representing developers, general contractors, specialty subcontractors, and professionals of all trades in all aspects of construction-related litigation, including contract disputes, complex and high exposure construction defect claims, and the prosecution of indemnity and subrogation claims on behalf of contractors and their insurers. Mr. Heck’s experience with construction defect claims includes production and custom single-family homes, multi-unit residential projects such as condominiums and apartments, and public and commercial buildings.

Mr. Heck’s construction practice also includes representation of both contractors and property owners in general construction matters including mechanic’s liens, surety and bond claims, delay claims, contract disputes, administrative claims, and contract preparation.

Mr. Heck also handles general liability matters including personal injury and products liability claims.

Mr. Heck’s practice covers all phases of civil litigation from pre-litigation proceedings and negotiations to law and motion, discovery, alternative dispute resolution, arbitration, and trial.

Professional Organizations:

State Bar of California

Jenny Balestrieri

Director of Administration

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(925) 274-7650

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jbalestrieri@vanlevylaw.com

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VCard

Virginia (Jenny) Balestrieri, Director of Administration is a professional with 14 years of human resource experience. For the last eighteen years she has held a management and support role with VL. Prior to joining VL, she was with the law firm of Strickland & Haapala in Oakland, CA for eight years. She has notable experience in human resource planning, performance management, federal and state law compliance, employment contracts (offer letters, ICA’s, various designations of employment) compensation, employee benefits and office management.

She holds a Business & Management Degree from Salisbury University. She has been a member with the Association of Legal Administrators (ALA), previous member and served on the board for East Bay Legal Administrators Association (EALA), designation of certification from the Human Resources Certification Institute (HRC1), and has developed a network of contacts in various areas in relation to VL business and the community.

Jenny Balestrieri enjoys serving her community by coordinating donations to Children’s Hospital in Oakland, CA. She supports Toys for Tots and One Warm Coat with donations from various supporters including VL during the holidays.

Education

J.D., University of California, Los Angeles

LLB, Wuhan University

Hua Jiang

Senior Associate

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(925) 934-6102

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hjiang@vanlevylaw.com

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VCard

Attorney Hua Jiang joined the firm in 2018. Hua specializes in construction litigation, general liability cases, and employment matters. She is experienced in handling a variety of cases on a day-to-day basis, including but not limited to, taking and defending depositions, drafting motions, making court appearances, attending mediations and arbitrations, and preparing for trials.

Hua has represented multinational companies and domestic enterprises in a wide range of cross-border disputes, including disputes arising from equity acquisitions and construction projects. Hua has represented owners, contractors, and design professionals in the drafting, negotiating and revision of contracts. She is experienced with mechanic’s liens, stop payment notices, bond claims, payment disputes and bid protests.

Hua is a graduate of UCLA Law School and Wuhan University. She is admitted to practice in all California state courts and United States District Court Northern District of California. Hua can read, write and speak Mandarin fluently.

In her spare time, Hua enjoys hiking and playing the violin.

Professional Organizations:

State Bar of California
United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
United States District Courts for the Northern District

Education

J.D., University of California, Los Angeles

B.A., Antioch College

Victoria Townsend

Of Counsel

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(925) 934-6102

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vtownsend@vanlevylaw.com

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VCard

Victoria (Vicky) Townsend joined the firm in September of 2018. Vicky’s practice focuses on the defense of personal injury cases and other tort claims and litigation.

Over the course of her legal career, Vicky has worked in private law firms as well as working as staff counsel for two major insurance companies. She has also served as a designated Special Investigations Unit attorney investigating and defending against suspected fraudulent claims. She has tried a number of cases to verdict.

Vicky graduated from Antioch College in 1980 and from the University of California at Los Angeles School of Law in 1983. Vicky is also a long-time equestrian and has previously consulted in matters of equine safety and management.

Professional Organizations:

State Bar of California
United States District Courts for the Southern, Central and Northern Districts of California
United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit

Education

J.D., Santa Clara University School of Law

B.A., University of California, Davis

Natalie V. Glavinovich

Partner

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(925) 934-6102

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natalie@vanlevylaw.com

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VCard

Natalie Glavinovich represents clients in a variety of complex civil litigation matters including construction defect, land use, real estate and personal injury matters.

In addition to her litigation practice, Natalie advises solid waste refuse and recycling companies in risk management and general business interests.

Natalie’s combination of sector expertise and in-depth regional understanding provides a unique perspective to her practice.

During law school, Natalie worked as a law clerk for the California State Attorney General’s Office, Environmental Section, and gained valuable insight into California’s environmental regulatory system. She was a semi-finalist in the Environmental Moot Court competition, and was also awarded the Public Interest Law certificate for her extensive coursework in the environmental, water law, and land use areas.

Professional Organizations:

State Bar of California
United States District Court of the Northern District of California
United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
California Refuse and Recycling Counsel

Education

J.D., San Francisco Law School

B.A., University of California, Berkeley

David E. Beeby

Senior Associate

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(925) 934-6102

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dbeeby@vanlevylaw.com

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VCard

David Beeby is an experienced litigator with a reputation for aggressive representation and strong trial advocacy. He has successfully represented and defended many clients in the arenas of construction-defect litigation, general business litigation, and personal injury. He has tried many cases to jury verdict and participated in hundreds of mediations and arbitrations.

Professional Organizations:

State Bar of California
United States District Court (Northern District of California)
United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
Contra Costa County Bar Association

Education

LL.M., Golden Gate University School of Law

J.D., Golden Gate University School of Law

B.A., Mass Communication, University of Utah

Kelly A. Kilkenny

Partner

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(925) 934-6102

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kkilkenny@vanlevylaw.com

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VCard

Kelly A. Kilkenny practices in the area of trusts and estates, with an emphasis on estate planning and administration, including advanced estate and gift tax planning. She handles administration matters including probate estates and administration of trusts.

Kelly is also experienced in all phases of litigation through trial. She has represented numerous clients in civil litigation matters involving construction defect and personal injury defense.

Kelly is licensed to practice law in all courts within the State of California, and the United States District Court of the Northern District of California.

Professional Organizations:

State Bar of California
Former Member, Board of Directors – Ability Now Bay Area, Oakland, California
Former Member, Board of Directors – Mary Valle Foundation, Oakland, California

Education

J.D., University of San Francisco, School of Law

B.S., University of California, Berkeley

Jay Van De Poel, Jr.

Partner | Co-Founder

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(925) 274-7643

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jay@vanlevylaw.com

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VCard

John (Jay) Van De Poel, Jr. co-founded the firm in 2002 alongside David Levy, building upon their prior collaboration at the law office of Dale, Braden, and Hinchcliffe. Born into a legal family, Jay is the son of the late John Van De Poel, Sr., who was a litigator in the Bay Area, and a Superior Court judge.

Jay brings a wealth of litigation and practical experience to his cases. He has an AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell – an indication of the high level of skill, integrity and professional excellence he has attained during his years as an attorney.

Jay has tried numerous cases to verdict. He represents clients in a full range of litigation and civil matters, including catastrophic injuries, property, personal injury, construction defect, business litigation, professional liability and landlord/tenant cases. He has also acted as a private and court-appointed arbitrator and mediator.

Professional Organizations:

State Bar of California
Claims and Litigation Management Alliance
American Bar Association
Contra Costa County Bar Association
Defense Research Institute
Member of the Association of Defense Counsel – Northern California, former member of the Board of Directors
International Association of Defense Counsel

Education

J.D., Whittier College, School of Law

B.S., University of California, Santa Barbara

David M. Levy

Partner | Co-Founder

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(925) 934-6102

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dlevy@vanlevylaw.com

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VCard

David Levy co-founded the firm in 2002 alongside Jay Van De Poel, Jr., with whom he had previously collaborated with in the Walnut Creek office of Dale, Braden, and Hinchcliffe. David practices in both our Northern and Southern California offices.

David is experienced in all areas of litigation and trial work, including construction defect, insurance recovery, personal injury defense, professional liability, general liability, risk management and business torts.

David’s active professional liability practice involves defending real estate brokers/agents, loan originators, funds control companies, and property managers from claims brought against them by real estate purchasers or third parties, and through the Department of Real Estate. David’s practice also includes significant experience in the handling of architects and engineers, testing agents, attorneys, tax preparers and CPAs, and insurance brokers among other specialty groups.

David and his team have considerable trial experience, including over 120 trial days within a two year period. A notable case includes David and his team representing an architect in a $30 million claim involving a high-end single family home in an exclusive neighborhood of San Francisco. As a result, they obtained a net $-0- award for their client as well as compensation for half of their defense, totaling a $19+ million award against the general contractor.

Another notable trial involved the defense of an engineering firm which had claims of delay and elder abuse from a 90 year old high end property owner in San Jose, one of the most expensive property regions in the country. In this case, the jury sided with David’s defense team for a 12-0 defense verdict. The Court also awarded David’s client recovery of attorney fees and costs.

Professional Organizations:

State Bar of California
American Bar Association
Contra Costa County Bar Association

Education

Jonathan Heck

925-948-0596

jheck@vanlevylaw.com