Denisse O. Gastélum

Denisse O. Gastélum

Denisse O. Gastélum is the founder and lead trial attorney at Gastélum Law, APC, where her practice focuses primarily on civil rights/police misconduct, sexual abuse and wrongful death.  

Ms. Gastélum is a Past President of the Mexican American Bar Association and the Latina Lawyers Bar Association. She is the current President of California La Raza Lawyers Association, and currently serves on the Board of Directors of the ACLU of Southern California, the National Police Accountability Project, the Los Angeles County Bar Association, the Consumers Attorneys Association of Los Angeles, and the Consumer Attorneys of California.  She received her B.A. at UCLA and her J.D. from Loyola Law School.

Articles written by this author:
Claims presentation requirements under the Government Claims Act

Claims presentation requirements under the Government Claims Act

What you do during the first six months from the date of injury may well determine whether you have a case

Denisse O. Gastélum

2018 November


So, you want to be a federal practitioner?

So, you want to be a federal practitioner?

Learning how to navigate the federal discovery process is the single most important part of handling a federal case

Denisse O. Gastélum

2020 March


Elder Abuse and Dependent Adult Civil Protection Act – Litigation 101

Elder Abuse and Dependent Adult Civil Protection Act – Litigation 101

Understanding the basics and avoiding the pitfalls in litigating claims of neglect and abuse for elderly and dependent adults

Denisse O. Gastélum

2020 April


Securing the universe of documents in civil-rights actions

You are only as good a civil-rights practitioner as the discovery you compel. Yes, compel.

Denisse O. Gastélum

2021 February


Demystifying ESI for plaintiffs’ lawyers

Demystifying ESI for plaintiffs’ lawyers

Electronically stored information (ESI) is a vital source of discovery and evidence when litigating against government agencies and corporations

Denisse O. Gastélum

2022 February


You are not your worst mistake

You are not your worst mistake

Vindicating the rights of those who die in police custody

Denisse O. Gastélum

2024 March


Discovery in federal court

Discovery in federal court

Federal practice promotes a spirit of discovery at the inception of the case. Embrace it

Denisse O. Gastélum

2024 April