Darshan Patel
PrincipalDarshan Patel is an entrepreneur as well as an attorney. He has deep knowledge of the hospitality industry, gained through his work as an owner and manager of independent and franchised hotel properties.
Leading a team of hospitality attorneys at DPA Law Group, Darshan combines his operational insights with an understanding of federal and state law when resolving disputes involving hotels, restaurants, and other businesses across the state of California.
He understands the practical business need to minimize employment litigation through management training and other preventative measures. As a defense lawyer, he focuses on the efficient and timely resolution of employment and workers’ compensation claims in pre-suit, litigation, or settlement negotiations.
Alan Smith
Senior AssociateAlan Smith is a practicing attorney with more than four decades of experience in litigation and transactional law. He focuses on defending employers in the hospitality industry at DPA Law Group.
Over the course of his career, Alan has practiced in the areas of business law, real estate, and trusts and estates.
David Alaei
Senior AssociateDavid Alaei is a civil litigation attorney with a focus on real estate related matters, from contracts to landlord-tenant issues to torts and everything in between. He is experienced in a full range of residential and commercial real estate matters, both litigation and transactional, and has worked as a licensed real estate broker in California and Alabama.
As a trial attorney, Mr. Alaei has represented individuals and businesses in matters involving HOA law, breach of contract, class actions, construction defects, insurance law, toxic exposure injury, personal injury defense, and other civil areas of law.
Matthew Arnold
AssociateMatt Arnold concentrates his practice on defending disability access discrimination claims under both the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and California state accessibility standards. He works closely with many corporate clients in the hospitality industry, including hotels, restaurants, and entertainment venues.
He has also handled many real estate transactions, including purchase and sale contracts, leases, and franchise agreements.
Vanessa Negrete
AssociateVanessa Negrete is an experienced employment defense attorney. She works closely with businesses of all sizes to minimize disputes relating to workplace harassment, violence, wage and hour issues, social media policies, Facebook Firing, FMLA and ADA issues.
She has litigation experience in labor and employment matters involving wage and hour lawsuits and class actions, as well as claims of wrongful termination, harassment, discrimination, and breach of contract. She defends clients against investigations brought by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), the California Division of Labor Standards Enforcement (DLSE), the California of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH), and the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).
Anna Bustos
Legal SecretaryAnna Bustos provides administrative support to our lawyers. She communicates with witnesses, clients, and associates to ensure efficient case management.
Huy Doan
Legal AssistantHuy Doan assists our legal team compiling legal documents, gathering information, and improving administrative processes to maximize workflow.