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Thomas Vogele & Associates, APC

Trial and Appellate Attorneys for Business and Civil Disputes

About TVA

The TVA legal team, led by principals Thomas Vogele and Timothy Kowal, serves clients in trial and on appeal throughout California, with offices in Orange and Monterey Counties. Our mission is to provide every client with creative and tenacious representation. We are proud to have won trial and appellate victories for business and individuals that rank among the largest and most significant in California.
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TVA Law - known for an intense commitment to client service

A passionate commitment 
to excellence 
and professionalism

Awards

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2019 Top 20 California2019 Number 1 Verdict Property Rights CaliforniaSuper LAwyers Badge - Thomas A Vogele Selected in 2017 Thomson Reuters
Expertise Award - Best Bankruptcy Lawyers in Irvine 2020Top 10 Jury Verdicts in California 2018 - Breach of ContractNumber 1 Jury Verdict in California 2018 - Fraudulent Transfer
AVVO Rating 10.0 SuperbSuper Lawyers 2023

Resources for Trial Attorneys

Each week, TVA appellate attorney Tim Kowal reviews several recent decisions out of the appellate courts in California, and elsewhere, and reports about the ones that might help you get an edge in your cases and appeals in our ARTICLES section.

Trial attorneys might also be interested in the California Appellate Law Podcast, co-hosted by Tim Kowal. To listen, click below, visit www.CALPodcast.com, or subscribe in your favorite podcast player.
NEWSLETTER
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PODCAST

The California Appellate Law Podcast, co-hosted by Tim Kowal

ARTICLES

View our published legal articles.

LEGAL NEWS

View summaries of recent cases and tips for trial attorneys.

VIDEO

Video Library

Case Studies

FEDERAL JURY AWARDS $40 MILLION TO TVA'S CLIENT AGAINST TRESPASSING PIPELINE OPERATORS

A jury returned a unanimous verdict requiring Shell Pipeline and Alon to pay TVA's clients $40.6 million in benefits-obtained trespass damages.

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FEDERAL COURT ORDERS SHELL COMPANY TO REMOVE PIPELINE FROM PROPERTY

TVA's clients bought a 138-acre parcel across the street from Meadows Field airport, a property hoped to be the "window to the city"...

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Testimonials

“Tom [Vogele] is one of the people I rely on to help me make decisions about the direction of my business. I consider him a key part of my management team.”

RVCA CORPORATION

Chairman
“I did not get justice at my trial after I was taken advantage of by a lender. I think the judge made up his mind whom he wanted to believe. When Tim took my case up on appeal, he focused the case on the contract. The appeal saved my retirement.”

SUSAN PETERSON

Client
"I would recommend Tom, Tim, and the entire TVA team without reservation. Having worked with law firms of all sizes, I would put the quality and effectiveness of TVA's advocacy up against anyone."

NATHAN MAZUREK

Chairman and CEO, Pioneer Power Solutions, Inc.
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Our Team

Intense commitment to client service

You know what they say about company you keep

Our attorneys are recognized for our in-house attentiveness and large-firm skill set.
Verdict Magazine LogoOrange County Lawyer Magazine LogoKFI AM 640 Radio LogoThe Bakersfield Californian LogoKSBW Channel 8 LogoLaw 360 LogoLA Times / Daily Pilot Logo

Published Articles

Appeal Filed One Minute Late—Literally One Minute—Dismissed As Untimely

CEB has published my article, “Appeal Filed One Minute Late—Literally One Minute—Dismissed As Untimely,” about an appeal challenge anti-SLAPP fees in McKenna v. Sony Pictures Entertainment, Inc. (D2d5 Feb. 15, 2023 No. B304256) 2023 WL 2007687 (nonpub. opn.). To file the notice of appeal, the attorney logged on to the e-filing system late in the evening of the appellate deadline. Like, really late—at 11:52 p.m.

Owing to a reportedly “slow connection,” the notice of appeal was not file-stamped until 12:00 a.m. That is, the day after the deadline. One minute late.

View Article
Ten Trial Tips from an Appellate Specialist

Last week I presented my talk “Ten Trial Tips from an Appellate Specialist” to the San Francisco Lawyers Network (Feb. 16, 2023).

Here are the tips:

Rule Zero: Make the Record

#1 Make sure your theories of the case are captured in your pleadings

#2 Was key evidence excluded? Preserve the issue by making a proffer.

#3 Keep objecting to evidence if the judge “defers” ruling on your MIL.

#4 Object to Jury Instructions

#5 Review the Verdict for Inconsistences

#6 Request and Object to the Statement of Decision

#7 File a motion for new trial to preserve challenges to the damages amount …and Watch out for JNOVs!

#8 Calculate Appellate Deadlines Correctly

#9 Avoid Common Appellate Briefing Mistakes

#10 Advise your client about important post-judgment issues (Attorney fees and costs; SLAPP fees; Bonds and Stays of Judgment-Enforcement; Post-judgment interest)

Evergreen Tip: Get a Court Reporter!

You may download a PDF of my slideshow by clicking through to the full article.

Thank you to my colleagues who sent me their top tips!

View Article
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Contacts

TVA’s attorneys come to the law from vastly different backgrounds but share a passionate commitment to excellence and professionalism in everything we do for our clients and the legal community.
Orange County
Monterey County
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PHONE

(714) 641-1232

E-MAIL

info@tvalaw.com
THOMAS VOGELE & ASSOCIATES, APC
129 W. Wilson St. 
Suite 200
Costa Mesa, California 92627
(714) 641-1232
TVA Law Logo - go to top of page

PHONE

(714) 641-1232

E-MAIL

info@tvalaw.com
THOMAS VOGELE & ASSOCIATES, APC
60 West Alisal, 
Suite 18
Salinas, California 93901
(831) 272-6676
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