Civil Rights Law Commercial Litigation Criminal Defense: General Practice Litigation - Labor and Employment Litigation - Trusts and Estates
Abimael Bastida
Recognized in Ones to Watch since 2023 Awarded Practice Areas
Biography
A rising star in the legal community, AJ represents both plaintiffs and defendants in business and employment related disputes and represents high-level executives in individual matters.
Fluent in Spanish and former mechanical engineer, AJ uses his intellect, unique perspective, and expertise to create incisive strategies on behalf of his clients - individuals as well as large corporate entities. He is a trusted advocate for business owners, assisting them with critical challenges from contract disputes to employee training. He also has experience with civil rights, probate and trust litigation, and white-collar matters.
AJ is a trial lawyer. He prepares every case as if it were going to trial. He learns the facts, gathers the evidence, interviews the witnesses, and briefs the legal issues. His detailed preparation puts him in position to discuss every aspect of the case, and if settlement is an option, he knows how to settle the case. The most effective settlements are made by attorneys who are fully prepared for trial.
Before joining McManis Faulkner, AJ served as a judicial extern for the Honorable Paul S. Grewal of the U.S. District for the Northern District of California and for the Honorable Socrates Manoukian in Santa Clara County Superior Court. At the Katharine & George Alexander Community Law Center, he served as a workers' rights clerk. AJ boxed on the amateur level during college. He is now a competitive runner and novice golfer.
Overview
- English
- Spanish
- Santa Clara University, J.D., High Tech Law Certificate
- Santa Clara University, B.S.
- California, The State Bar of California, 2015
- American Inns of Court, the Honorable William A. Ingram Inn - Member
- Life Moves (formerly INNvision Shelter) - Volunteer Cook
- Santa Clara County Bar Association - Member
- Santa Clara County La Raza Lawyers Association - Member
- SOMOS Mayfair - Former Board Member
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of California
- English
- Spanish
- California, The State Bar of California, 2015
- American Inns of Court, the Honorable William A. Ingram Inn - Member
- Life Moves (formerly INNvision Shelter) - Volunteer Cook
- Santa Clara County Bar Association - Member
- Santa Clara County La Raza Lawyers Association - Member
- SOMOS Mayfair - Former Board Member
- Santa Clara University, J.D., High Tech Law Certificate
- Santa Clara University, B.S.
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of California
Client Testimonials
Awards & Focus
Recognized in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America 2026 for work in:
- Civil Rights Law
- Commercial Litigation
- Litigation - Labor and Employment
- Criminal Defense: General Practice
- Litigation - Trusts and Estates
Additional Areas of Practice:
- Labor and Employment Law - Management
Awards:
- Best Lawyers in America®, Ones to Watch, in the areas of Commercial Litigation and Litigation – Labor and Employment, 2023, 2024
Northern California Super Lawyers Rising Star, 2017-2023
- Microsoft/HNBA IP Law Institute National Scholar
News & Media
Additional Information
Case History
Cases
- Successfully negotiated a favorable severance package on behalf of a senior-level tech executive involving claims of age discrimination.
Successfully negotiated a favorable severance package on behalf of a senior-level tech executive involving claims of age discrimination.
- Obtained a seven figure settlement for a family after the tragic loss of their family member.
Obtained a seven figure settlement for a family after the tragic loss of their family member. The litigation involved a motorist who hit the decedent's bicycle. Because AJ developed evidence that the motorist was doing company business at the time, he was able to trigger the employer's insurance coverage. The settlement represented not only the conclusion of contentious litigation with multiple insurance carriers but also brought much needed closure for the family after years of uncertainty.
- Secured the dismissal of all charges against a hard-working immigrant pulled out of vehicle at gunpoint by police, in front of her children, for committing a traffic violation.
Secured the dismissal of all charges against a hard-working immigrant pulled out of vehicle at gunpoint by police, in front of her children, for committing a traffic violation.
- Successfully represented a trustee in a multi-million dollar trust matter brought by beneficiaries alleging multiple wrongful acts on behalf of the trustee. The case settled without any finding of liability and before trial.
Successfully represented a trustee in a multi-million dollar trust matter brought by beneficiaries alleging multiple wrongful acts on behalf of the trustee. The case settled without any finding of liability and before trial.
- Achieved dismissal of a multi-million-dollar trust claim whereby two adult children sued to disinherit their stepmother after their father's passing.
Achieved dismissal of a multi-million-dollar trust claim whereby two adult children sued to disinherit their stepmother after their father's passing
- Secured a $100,000 judgement against a company for violation of workers' rights.
Secured a $100,000 judgement against a company for violation of workers' rights.
- Successfully negotiated an award of full medical (including future treatment), and loss of wages for an injured employee.
Successfully negotiated an award of full medical (including future treatment), and loss of wages for an injured employee.
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