Business Details
40 Years
experience
Civil Law Services in San Mateo, CA
The Law Office of Allen J. Capeloto has provided comprehensive legal solutions since 1986, specializing in civil law matters across the San Francisco Bay Area. Our practice focuses on business and corporate law, real estate and construction law, and Small Claims Court advocacy, offering both transactional and litigation services. With over three decades of experience, we prioritize cost-effective strategies while maintaining a commitment to personalized client representation. Our expertise extends to alternative dispute resolution methods like mediation, helping clients achieve favorable outcomes without protracted litigation. We offer flexible consultation options, including in-person, phone, and video conferencing, with competitive hourly rates and select flat-fee arrangements.As a solo practitioner, Allen J. Capeloto combines extensive courtroom experience with practical legal counsel tailored to individual client needs. Our services cater to both self-represented litigants and businesses seeking limited-scope representation in Superior Court matters. The firm maintains active involvement in California's legal community, including serving as Small Claims Court Advisor for San Mateo County Superior Court since 2001. Our approach balances legal rigor with economic practicality, ensuring clients receive strategic guidance aligned with their specific circumstances. This long-standing practice continues to build trust through consistent application of advocacy, integrity, and compassion in all client interactions.
Services
Business Law
Real Estate Law
Construction Law
Small Claims Court
Limited Scope Representation
Details
- Year established: 1986
Highlights and features
- We have over 35 years of experience in California civil law practice
- Our team offers alternative dispute resolution options including mediation
- Competitive hourly rates with select flat-fee service arrangements available
- We provide statewide Small Claims Court counseling and representation
- Principal attorney serves as San Mateo County's official Small Claims Court Advisor
Services
Business Law
Our business law practice provides comprehensive legal support for companies of all sizes. We handle entity formation, contract drafting, partnership agreements, and compliance matters while offering strategic counsel to prevent litigation. Services include business dissolution, lease negotiations, and intellectual property protection through non-disclosure agreements.
Real Estate Law
Real estate legal services cover residential and commercial transactions, boundary disputes, and title issues. We assist with purchase agreements, easements, landlord-tenant matters, and HOA conflict resolution. Our practice integrates construction law expertise for property development concerns.
Construction Law
Construction law services address contract disputes, mechanics liens, and project disagreements. We represent homeowners, contractors, and design professionals in both transactional and litigation matters. Our experience includes condominium owners' association disputes and construction defect claims.
Small Claims Court
Specialized Small Claims Court representation helps individuals and businesses navigate California's unique procedures. We provide consultation, document preparation, trial coaching, and judgment enforcement assistance for claims up to $12,500 across all California counties.
Limited Scope Representation
This service offers targeted legal assistance for self-represented litigants in Superior Court cases. We provide document preparation, motion drafting, discovery support, and trial strategy coaching while maintaining clear boundaries of representation as permitted by California law.
People
Allen J. Capeloto
Principal Attorney
Practicing civil law since 1986, Allen Capeloto graduated from UC Law San Francisco and clerked for renowned attorney Melvin Belli. He has litigated extensively in California courts and served as Small Claims Court Advisor since 2001. His practice combines transactional work with courtroom experience across multiple legal disciplines.
Questions
What areas of law do you specialize in?
We focus on business law, real estate law, construction law, and Small Claims Court representation. Our practice also includes limited scope services for self-represented litigants in Superior Court matters.
Do you offer consultation options outside regular office hours?
Consultations can be scheduled via phone, video conference, or in-person during regular business hours. We offer flexible scheduling to accommodate client needs within these parameters.
Can you help with Small Claims Court cases outside San Mateo County?
Yes, we provide Small Claims Court assistance to clients throughout California, including case preparation, document review, and trial strategy development for claims up to $12,500.
What payment arrangements are available?
We offer competitive hourly rates with select services available at flat fees. Consultation fees start at $225 for general legal matters and $125 for active Small Claims Court cases.
Do you handle appellate court cases?
With admission to multiple federal courts and the California Supreme Court, we can handle appellate matters, particularly those related to our core practice areas of civil litigation and business disputes.
How do you assist self-represented litigants?
We provide limited scope representation including document preparation, motion drafting, discovery assistance, and trial coaching while maintaining compliance with California's rules for partial legal representation.
