The RegistryCounty Record · California
Landlord–Tenant Attorneys in Contra Costa County, California
Counsel for rentals on both sides of the lease — evictions, deposits, and habitability. In Contra Costa County, that work runs through the Superior Court of California, County of Contra Costa. This directory presents landlord–tenant records from official State Bar of California data in neutral order.
An East Bay county of more than a million residents stretching from the Carquinez Strait refineries to the Highway 4 and 680 suburbs; the Wakefield Taylor Courthouse in Martinez anchors its civil calendars. The court of record is the Superior Court of California, County of Contra Costa — counsel who appear there regularly read the local calendar better than any brochure.
Before comparing counsel, note the clock. Under Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 1161, the governing period is unlawful detainer deadlines run in days — a three-day notice starts most non-payment cases. A tenant served with an unlawful detainer summons has ten court days to respond (Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 1167). Security deposits must be accounted for within 21 days of move-out (Cal. Civ. Code § 1950.5).
This page is the Contra Costa County chapter of the registry's statewide record — Tenant Rights Attorneys in California collects all 58 counties.
The clock & the court
Unlawful detainer deadlines run in days — a three-day notice starts most non-payment cases.
Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 1161
A tenant served with an unlawful detainer summons has ten court days to respond (Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 1167). Security deposits must be accounted for within 21 days of move-out (Cal. Civ. Code § 1950.5).
Superior Court of California, County of Contra Costa.
County seat: Martinez
Official court information, locations, and filing rules: contracosta.courts.ca.gov
Landlord–Tenant · Contra Costa County roster
92 attorneys on the official State Bar of California roll list landlord–tenant among their practice areas with an address of record in Contra Costa County.
91 of them hold an active licence; the remainder are recorded as inactive and are not currently eligible to practise.
The roster concentrates in Walnut Creek (35), Concord (17), Richmond (7) and San Ramon (7).
2 hold a State Bar Certified Legal Specialist designation — a certification issued by the State Bar's Board of Legal Specialization, and not a rating or a ranking.
8 are recorded as taking client work in a language other than English.
Admission years on this roster run from 1969 to 2026.
The employers most represented here are Kimball, Tirey & St. John LLP (3), Bay Area Legal Aid (2) and Kimball, Tirey & St. John (2).
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Landlord–Tenant questions, cited
How much can my landlord raise rent in California?
For most residential property older than 15 years, the Tenant Protection Act caps annual increases at 5% plus regional CPI, never exceeding 10% (Cal. Civ. Code § 1947.12). Single-family homes owned by individuals are often exempt if proper notice is given. Local ordinances in cities such as Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Oakland impose stricter caps that control when they apply.
When must a security deposit be returned in California?
Within 21 calendar days after the tenant moves out, with an itemized statement of any deductions and receipts for repairs over $125 (Cal. Civ. Code § 1950.5). Since July 2024, deposits are generally capped at one month's rent (Civ. Code § 1950.5(c), as amended by AB 12). Bad-faith retention exposes the landlord to up to twice the deposit in statutory damages.
Can my landlord evict me without cause in California?
For most tenancies of 12 months or longer, no — the Tenant Protection Act requires "just cause" for termination (Cal. Civ. Code § 1946.2), either at-fault (non-payment, breach, nuisance) or no-fault (owner move-in, withdrawal from the market), with relocation assistance owed for no-fault terminations. Exempt properties and shorter tenancies follow ordinary notice rules (Civ. Code §§ 1946, 1946.1).
What can I do if my rental is uninhabitable?
California implies a warranty of habitability in every residential lease; Cal. Civ. Code § 1941.1 lists minimum standards (working plumbing, heat, weatherproofing, no vermin). After notice and a reasonable time, tenants may use the repair-and-deduct remedy up to one month's rent (Civ. Code § 1942), and retaliation for exercising these rights is prohibited for 180 days (Civ. Code § 1942.5).
How fast does an eviction case move in California?
Faster than almost any other civil case. After the notice period (often three days for non-payment, Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 1161), the landlord files an unlawful detainer; the tenant has ten court days to respond (§ 1167), and trial is set within about 20 days of a trial request (§ 1170.5). Tenants who wait to seek advice often lose by default before defenses are ever heard.
Legal information, not legal advice.
From the answer files
Related counsel in Contra Costa County
Landlord–Tenant in nearby counties
Source: Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 1161 · State Bar of California licensee records · Checked: · Maintained by the California Attorney Registry from official State Bar of California records. Legal information, not legal advice.
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