John A. Messina Jr.

John A. Messina Jr.

Messina & Hankin LLP
  • Real Estate Law, Business Law, Native American Law ...
  • California
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Biography

John Messina maintains his reputation as one of Southern California’s top rated lawyers and has been lauded by his peers, earning Martindale-Hubbell's highest rating and its prestigious "Preeminent" distinction award. John heads the Firm’s Temecula Valley Office and is a litigation attorney with top executive-level, hands-on experience as a broker, real estate developer, and mortgage banker. Along with being a published author, John has a lengthy record litigating convoluted and difficult cases and is adept at constructing complex business and real estate transactions. John’s recent victory in the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals demonstrate the level at which he practices law. Besides John's Martindale-Hubbell® AV Preeminent® rating which is the highest possible rating for an attorney for both ethical standards and legal ability, John is AVVO rated as “Superb” with 10.0 ratings.

Education
Southwestern University School of Law
J.D. (1993)
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Honors: Graduate of the SCALE Program
Southwestern University School of Law Logo
University of Redlands
B.A. (1982) | Business Management
Honors: with Distinction
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Professional Experience
Founding Partner
Messina & Hankin LLP
- Current
Clients choose Messina & Hankin after exhaustive research and after confirmation from their most trusted sources that our lawyers will provide them with exceptional legal representation. Our Clients feel confident knowing when they retain Messina & Hankin they are getting, not one, but a team of legal professionals to tackle their most pressing and personal legal challenges. Our lawyers collaborate with one another routinely on every case; without charge to the client—this sets us apart from other firms. The Firm’s collaborative model garners effective, efficient, and scholarly work; resulting in excellent outcomes for our clients. Most of our new business derives from referrals from our existing clients and even from opposing counsel and their clients. We are respected by our peers and recognized as consummate professionals.
Founding Partner
Lytton Williams Messina & Hankin LLP
- Current
John focuses his practice on complex litigation and arbitration involving business, securities, and real estate. John also serves as an Associate Judge with the Intertribal Court of Southern California.
Associate Judge
Intertribal Court of Southern California ("ICSC")
- Current
John Messina, was sworn in and began hearing cases in 2009. Each tribe determines which kinds of cases it will authorize the court to hear. Currently the court hears a very wide variety of cases, including peace and security code violations, environmental issues, conservator issues, contracts, tort claims, family law including ICWA, evictions, enrollment, exclusions, and more. The court also has an in-house mediation and arbitration service and works with an outside agency when a tribe requires private mediation or arbitration services. The court hears all evictions for the All Mission Indian Housing Association (AMIHA) and handles cases for several tribes not formally part of the tribal court consortium on a case-by-case basis.
Reserve Captain
Orange County Sheriff's Department
- Current
Reserve Deputy Sheriff; Reserve Captain in command of the Professional Standards Reserve Unit which is responsible for providing support to the Regular Sworn Professional Services Division (PSD). The Regular PSD provides services to the other twenty divisions of the Department that include recruiting, pre-employment background investigations, and promotional functions; processing human resource referrals, job classification issues, and receiving discrimination complaints; investigating internal and citizen-generated complaints of alleged misconduct against employees; and providing a host of clerical support and functions that ensure the Department's 4,264 sworn, reserve, and professional staff members.
Publications
Articles & Publications
California Commercial Lease Option Purchase Agreements Line by Line: A Detailed Look at California Commercial Lease Option Purchase Agreements and How to Change Them to Meet Your Needs
Aspatore Books, a Thomson Reuters business
Some Tax Consequences for Homeowners Seeking Financial Relief
The Real Estate Professional, February 1996, at 74
Obligations and Responsibilities of Officers and Directors of Nonprofit Organizations
National Latino Peace Officer Association National Convention Las Vegas, Nevada 1999, 2000
Speaking Engagements
Attorney Disqualification Appellate Review: Disqualification of Family Law Attorneys, Online Webinar
California State Bar
Appellate Review: Disqualification of Family Law Attorneys. 1 Hour Ethics MCLE
Certifications
Licensed Real Estate Broker
California Bureau of Real Estate
Awards
Top Rated Lawyers
American Lawyer
Top Rated Lawyers
Corporate Counsel
AV Preeminent rating
Martindale-Hubbell
The Martindale-Hubbell® AV Preeminent® rating is the highest possible rating for an attorney for both ethical standards and legal ability. This rating represents the pinnacle of professional excellence. It is achieved only after an attorney has been reviewed and recommended by their peers - members of the bar and the judiciary.
10.0 Superb
Avvo
Highest Possible Avvo Rating. "The Avvo Rating is [Avvo's] effort to evaluate a professional's background. The rating is calculated using a mathematical model that considers the information shown in a professional's profile, including a professional's years in practice, disciplinary history, professional achievements and industry recognition — all factors that, in [Avvo's] opinion, are relevant to assessing a professional's qualifications."
Top Lawyers in San Diego
San Diego Magazine
Awarded to Lawyers who have reached the highest level of Ethical Standards and Professional Excellence.
Client's Choice Award
Avvo
Avvo award for receiving five or more 4- or 5-star client reviews on Avvo in 2013.
Inland Empire Top Lawyers
Inland Empire Magazine
All members of the Firm selected as Top Lawyers in the Inland Empire.
Southern California's Top Rated Lawyers
Los Angeles Times
Awarded to the Firm of Lytton Williams & Messina LLP
Professional Associations
Federal Bar Association
Active Member/Private Sector
- Current
Activities: The FBA represents the Federal legal profession. The FBA consists of more than 15,000 federal lawyers, including 1,200 federal judges, who work together to promote the sound administration of justice and integrity, quality and independence of the judiciary.
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Southwest Inn of Court
Master of the Bench
- Current
Activities: As part of the American Inn of Court, the Southwest Inn is designed to improve the skills, professionalism and ethics of the bench and bar. Members learn side-by-side with the most experienced judges and attorneys in their community. An American Inn of Court is not fraternal order, a social club, a course in continuing legal education, a lecture series, an apprenticeship system, or an adjunct of a law school’s program. While the Inn partakes of some of each of these concepts, it is quite different in aim, scope, and effect.
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Orange County Reserve Peace Officers Association (OCRPOA)
President
- Current
Activities: The Orange County Reserve Peace Officers Association (OCRPOA) was formed as a non-profit IRC 501(c)(4) organization for the primary purpose of providing our sworn reserve personnel with legal defense in the event civil or criminal action is brought against them for an incident occurring while acting as Reserve Deputy Sheriffs. http://ocrpoa.org/
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Coastal Family Therapy
Member, Board of Directors
- Current
Activities: Coastal Family Therapy is a non-profit counseling service in Orange County, California. Coastal provides group and individual court-approved programs in alcohol and drug intervention and prevention for adults and adolescents, anger management for adults and adolescents, and co-parenting. http://www.coastalfamilytherapyservices.com/index.html
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City of Industry Sheriff’s Station Youth Activities League (YAL)
Member, Board of Directors
- Current
Activities: The City of Industry Sheriff’s Station Youth Activities League (YAL) began in 1991. The concept and goal of the YAL is to be proactive in dealing with the youth of the community. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department provides leadership and mentoring for the youth through a variety of programs where the children learn to make life-enhancing decisions free of drugs and gangs. The program recognizes the importance of early intervention and the need to provide alternative activities to prevent negative behavior. The YAL strengthens the relationship between the deputies and the volunteers as they work together to benefit our youth. The YAL is a positive influence on thousands of children. It has united the community through the involvement of law enforcement, parents, businesses, education, government and community service groups. All programs provided by the YAL are free to the children.
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National Latino Peace Officers Association
General Counsel
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Activities: Served as General Counsel to the National Latino Peace Officers Association from 1994 to 2004
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Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice
California
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9th Circuit
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Federal Circuit
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Fees
  • Credit Cards Accepted
Practice Areas
Real Estate Law
Commercial Real Estate, Condominiums, Easements, Eminent Domain, Homeowners Association, Land Use & Zoning, Mortgages, Neighbor Disputes, Residential Real Estate, Water Law
Business Law
Business Contracts, Business Dissolution, Business Finance, Business Formation, Business Litigation, Franchising, Mergers & Acquisitions, Partnership & Shareholder Disputes
Native American Law
Employment Law
Employee Benefits, Employment Contracts, Employment Discrimination, ERISA, Overtime & Unpaid Wages, Sexual Harassment, Whistleblower, Wrongful Termination
Languages
  • English: Spoken, Written
Websites & Blogs
Website
Messina & Hankin LLP
Contact & Map
Temecula Valley Office.
24910 Las Brisas Rd.
Suite 102
Murrieta, CA 92562
Telephone: (951) 894-7332
Fax: (951) 346-3334
Newport Beach Office
1400 Quail Street
Suite 200
Newport beach, CA 92660
Telephone: (949) 383-4356