Practice areas: Real Estate
Licensed in California since: 2000
Education: University of San Diego School of Law
Selected to Super Lawyers: 2026 Call today:
844-689-7015
Virtual Appointments 
Free Consultation Castaneda & Co., PC
200 East San Martin AveUnit 540
San Martin, CA 95046 Visit website
Details 
Damian Castaneda is a seasoned attorney at Castaneda & Co., PC, a boutique law firm based in San Martin, California. With more than 26 years of distinguished legal practice, he has established himself as a trusted advocate for property owners, businesses and individuals confronted with complex real estate and commercial leasing disputes. His practice encompasses a comprehensive array of matters, including purchase conflicts, deposit disagreements under the California Association of Realtors Form RPA-CA and broker-agent controversies.
Mr. Castaneda also regularly handles cases involving MLS misrepresentations, failures to disclose material conditions, partition and co-ownership disputes, resulting trusts and quiet title actions. Furthermore, he negotiates and reviews commercial lease agreements, guiding clients through every phase of their transactions and minimizing legal exposure. He advises clients on regulatory compliance and conducts due diligence throughout property acquisitions and dispositions.
Known for his skillful litigation style and strategic approach, Mr. Castaneda delivers practical, results-driven solutions tailored to each client’s unique situation. Since establishing his firm in 2000, he has earned a reputation for achieving favorable outcomes in high-stakes matters, whether resolving contentious agent disputes or defending property interests in the courtroom.
Mr. Castaneda’s ability to anticipate opposing strategies and articulate persuasive arguments has resulted in numerous settlements and judgments that protect client investments and preserve their rights. His collaborative approach ensures clear communication, empowering clients to make informed decisions at every step.
A native of Southern California, Mr. Castaneda is deeply committed to his community and maintains strong ties throughout the region. He earned his Juris Doctor from the University of San Diego School of Law and has continued to expand his skills through ongoing professional development.
Outside the office, Mr. Castaneda remains active in local bar associations and community organizations, dedicating his time to mentorship for emerging attorneys. With a steadfast focus on client advocacy, integrity and excellence, he continues to provide diligent, reliable representation in every matter he undertakes.
Practice areas
Real Estate: Consumer, Real Estate: Business- 60% Real Estate: Consumer
- 40% Real Estate: Business
First Admitted: 2000, California
Professional Webpage: https://castanedaco.com/attorneys
Videos
- Residential Real Estate Litigation We represent property buyers in residential real estate disputes against sellers, real estate agents, and real estate brokers and agents. We have an expertise in representing clients who face significant legal and financial risks due to misrepresentations and non-disclosures in real estate transactions. Typical Case Intentional Misrepresentation and Concealment: The sellers misrepresented that all work on the property had been permitted. After the purchase, our clients discovered that substantial work, including basement renovations, outdoor structures, and electrical systems, was unpermitted, leading to city citations. The sellers knowingly withheld this information, intending to make the property more appealing. Negligent Misrepresentation: Both the sellers and the real estate agents failed to disclose accurate information regarding the property’s permits. The agents did not verify the information provided by the sellers, leading our clients to believe the property was compliant with city regulations. Breach of Fiduciary Duty: Our clients’ real estate agents failed to exercise due diligence, including checking public records to verify permit status, advising on market value, and ensuring the property was a safe and legal investment. Their failure to meet these obligations resulted in our clients unknowingly overpaying for the property and facing extensive costs for necessary compliance repairs. Breach of Contract: The purchase agreement required the sellers to provide full and accurate disclosures, yet they failed to do so, leading to substantial financial harm for our clients. The sellers’ breach meant our clients inherited multiple costly issues that were concealed before purchase. Complexity and Impact: Our cases exemplify the multifaceted challenges in real estate litigation, including misrepresentation, fiduciary duty, compliance with local regulations, and breach of contract. The legal issues are further complicated by the interactions between the various parties involved: sellers, agents, brokers, and contractors. Due to these layers of liability, our clients are seeking damages for out-of-pocket costs, attorney’s fees, loss of property use, and emotional distress caused by the defendants’ actions. Damages and Remedies Sought: Our clients seek remedies including: Compensatory damages to cover the costs of mandatory city corrections. Attorney’s fees incurred while pursuing action against responsible parties, including contractors. Emotional distress damages due to the prolonged legal and financial strain. Punitive damages to penalize intentional and reckless misconduct by parties involved. Our cases demonstrate our firm’s commitment to advocating for clients in complex real estate disputes, especially those involving concealment, fiduciary duty breaches, and substantial financial impact. Through cases like this, we defend the rights of buyers and uphold integrity in the real estate industry , Real Estate Lawyers, Real Estate Litigation, 2024
Special Licenses / Certifications
- California Bar License, 1999
- California Real Estate Broker License, 2002
- California Real Estate Broker License, 2003
- California Real Estate Broker License, 2004
- California Real Estate Broker License, 2005
- California Real Estate Broker License, 2006
Educational Background
- California State University, Long Beach, Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Accounting, cum laude, 1992, 1989-1992
White Papers
- I am the host of Challenge Me, The Ultimate Student Challenge. I inspire students to better The number one lie that we tell ourselves is that you have to be smart to get A’s in school. But it’s not true. Did you ever have a sick feeling in your stomach because everybody else in class was getting it, but you didn’t? Is it like World War 3 every night to get your high school student to do their homework? Or if you are a student, are you suffering from depression, stress, or anxiety because you feel like you are defined by your grades, but you want so much more out of your life? Hi, my name is Damian Castaneda. I have been a litigation attorney in California for 21 years. I struggled in school. And I felt less than everybody else because I was in the slow group. I never understood what the heck the teacher was talking about. But one day all of that changed. And I want to show you how that can change for you. I am on a mission to create a worldwide movement to help students learn the secret skills to getting “A’s” in school and still have a social life. I am doing this because I am the student that nobody believed in. But I believe in you. I believe that you CAN excel in school. I believe you really CAN be the person you have dreamed of becoming. I believe that you are just one A away from self-confidence, one A away from getting your parents off your back, and one A away from getting into the college of your dreams. Stop listening to people who just tell you to get better grades, but don’t show you how. Join me on the ultimate student journey that I call Challenge Me. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/challenge-me/id1561514855, Challenge Me, The Ultimate Student Challenge, Education, 2024
Other Outstanding Achievements
- We have 170+ Google Reviews with a 5.0 Star Rating. https://www.google.com/search?aqs=chrome.0.69i59j69i60l3j69i65j69i59.3310j0j4&ie=UTF-8&oq=castaneda%20%26&q=castaneda%20%26%20co.%20san%20jose&sourceid=chrome#mpd=~8520868253855723062/customers/reviews, 2025
- I am the host of Challenge Me, The Ultimate Student Challenge. I inspire students to better The number one lie that we tell ourselves is that you have to be smart to get A’s in school. But it’s not true. Did you ever have a sick feeling in your stomach because everybody else in class was getting it, but you didn’t? Is it like World War 3 every night to get your high school student to do their homework? Or if you are a student, are you suffering from depression, stress, or anxiety because you feel like you are defined by your grades, but you want so much more out of your life? Hi, my name is Damian Castaneda. I have been a litigation attorney in California for 21 years. I struggled in school. And I felt less than everybody else because I was in the slow group. I never understood what the heck the teacher was talking about. But one day all of that changed. And I want to show you how that can change for you. I am on a mission to create a worldwide movement to help students learn the secret skills to getting “A’s” in school and still have a social life. I am doing this because I am the student that nobody believed in. But I believe in you. I believe that you CAN excel in school. I believe you really CAN be the person you have dreamed of becoming. I believe that you are just one A away from self-confidence, one A away from getting your parents off your back, and one A away from getting into the college of your dreams. Stop listening to people who just tell you to get better grades, but don’t show you how. Join me on the ultimate student journey that I call Challenge Me. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/challenge-me/id1561514855, 2024
- We have 160+ Yelp reviews with an average rating of 4.8 Stars. https://www.yelp.com/biz/castaneda-and-co-san-jose-2?sort_by=rating_desc and https://www.yelp.com/biz/castaneda-and-co-oakland, 2020
Honors
- I'm honored to have been recognized by ThreeBestRated.com as one of the top three real estate attorneys in the region, a distinction that speaks to our firm’s dedication to quality, client care, and integrity in legal practice. This recognition by ThreeBestRated is especially meaningful due to their comprehensive 50-Point Inspection, which scrutinizes each aspect of a business's operations, from professional expertise and client satisfaction to transparency, reputation, and overall excellence. ThreeBestRated’s review process examines our track record in real estate law, including our work in residential and commercial transactions, complex co-ownership disputes, commercial lease reviews, partition actions, and quiet title cases. They also consider our strong reputation for trustworthiness and positive client outcomes. Our firm, Castaneda & Co., has earned high marks for our consistent performance in complex real estate matters, addressing the specific needs of both individuals and small businesses across California. The 50-Point Inspection also reviewed our commitment to clear communication and client accessibility. Our firm prioritizes responsiveness to provide clients with practical, personalized guidance. This award reflects our daily efforts to provide knowledgeable, reliable legal representation and our dedication to making legal services accessible and effective for the communities we serve., 3 Best Real Estate Lawyers in San Jose, CA, https://threebestrated.com/real-estate-lawyers-in-san-jose-ca, 2024
- I'm truly honored to be recognized by ThreeBestRated.com as one of the top real estate attorneys in our region. This acknowledgment from ThreeBestRated reflects Castaneda & Co.’s commitment to exceptional client service and thorough expertise in real estate and business law. Their detailed 50-Point Inspection evaluates numerous aspects, including a firm’s reputation, client satisfaction, experience, and commitment to quality. Our firm was selected based on our dedication to guiding clients through complex legal issues such as residential and commercial real estate transactions, contract disputes, co-ownership challenges, commercial lease analysis, partition actions, and quiet title claims. This recognition underscores our approach of providing comprehensive, individualized representation that meets the needs of both individuals and businesses navigating real estate matters. Additionally, the award reflects our emphasis on client care and accessibility. This recognition from ThreeBestRated is a meaningful reminder of our mission to provide trusted, high-quality legal support to our community, 3 Best Real Estate Lawyers in San Jose, CA, https://threebestrated.com/real-estate-lawyers-in-san-jose-ca, 2020
- I’m honored to be recognized by ThreeBestRated.com as one of the top real estate attorneys locally. This distinction reflects Castaneda & Co.’s dedication to excellence and client-focused service in real estate and business law. Three Best Rated’s selection process is comprehensive, involving a 50-Point Inspection that assesses key factors such as experience, client satisfaction, reputation, and reliability. This award highlights our expertise in handling a range of complex real estate issues, from residential and commercial transactions to co-ownership disputes, lease negotiations, contract litigation, partition actions, and quiet title cases. Three Best Rated acknowledged our commitment to helping clients navigate challenging legal landscapes, emphasizing our attention to detail, in-depth knowledge, and tailored approach for both individuals and small businesses. The recognition also affirms our dedication to accessibility and responsiveness. We place a high value on client communication to ensure each client feels supported and informed. This honor from Three Best Rated serves as a meaningful reminder of our mission to deliver impactful, trustworthy, and client-centered legal services that make a difference in the lives of those we serve., 3 Best Real Estate Lawyers in San Jose, CA, https://threebestrated.com/real-estate-lawyers-in-san-jose-ca, 2021
- I am honored to have been recognized by ThreeBestRated.com as one of the top three real estate attorneys in the area. This distinction is a testament to Castaneda & Co.'s dedication to excellence in real estate and business law. Three Best Rated’s selection process involves an in-depth 50-Point Inspection, which rigorously evaluates key aspects such as client satisfaction, reputation, responsiveness, and service quality. At Castaneda & Co., we are proud to be acknowledged for our comprehensive expertise in handling complex real estate issues. Our work spans residential and commercial transactions, contract disputes, commercial lease reviews, co-ownership challenges, partition actions, and quiet title cases. Three Best Rated’s inspection highlighted our commitment to providing skilled representation for individuals and small businesses alike, and our client-first approach to tackling these multifaceted legal matters. This recognition also underscores our commitment to client care and accessibility. We prioritize clear communication and tailored guidance that meets each client’s unique needs. This award is a meaningful affirmation of our efforts to make reliable legal support accessible and impactful for the communities we serve, and it encourages us to keep delivering trusted, high-quality service in every case., 3 Best Real Estate Lawyers in San Jose, CA, https://threebestrated.com/real-estate-lawyers-in-san-jose-ca, 2022
- I’m deeply honored to be recognized by ThreeBestRated.com as one of the top real estate attorneys in the area. This recognition highlights our firm’s unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional service in real estate and business law. Three Best Rated’s rigorous 50-Point Inspection thoroughly evaluated Castaneda & Co. on criteria such as reputation, client feedback, service quality, and responsiveness—qualities that we continuously strive to uphold. Our firm was recognized for our work in complex areas of real estate law, such as residential and commercial transactions, lease reviews, contract disputes, co-ownership matters, partition actions, and quiet title cases. Three Best Rated’s inspection particularly emphasized our expertise in addressing a range of client needs and providing clear, dependable guidance through complicated real estate issues. This honor also reflects our commitment to building strong client relationships. We’re known for our accessibility, and fostering open, honest communication at every stage. Being acknowledged in this way inspires us to continue our dedication to quality and accessibility in legal services, ensuring that our clients have the confidence and support they need to navigate any real estate or business law challenge., 3 Best Real Estate Lawyers in San Jose, CA, https://threebestrated.com/real-estate-lawyers-in-san-jose-ca, 2023
Industry Groups
- Commercial Leasing And Property Management
- Construction
- Investment and Commercial Real Estate
- Real Estate
- Real Estate Brokerage and Agency
Office location for Damian Castaneda
200 East San Martin Ave
Unit 540
San Martin, CA 95046
Phone: 844-689-7015
Selections
1 Year Super Lawyers
- Super Lawyers: 2026
