Gary Stanley Gorczyca, Appellate Attorney in Newport Beach, California
Over 50 years of legal practice · focused on Appellate and Family Law · 5.0/5 rating from 1 verified client review
PartneratPhillips Whisnant Gazin Gorczyca Curtin Llp
Newport Beach, CA
Practicing appellate in Newport Beach since 1976.
- 50+
- Years practicing
- 5.0 ★
- 1 client review
- 1
- Bar admission
Practices in
Are you Gary Stanley Gorczyca?
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Quick answer
Gary Stanley Gorczyca is a partner based in Newport Beach, CA. The practice focuses on Appellate and Family Law. Gary has over 50 years of legal experience. Currently practicing at Phillips Whisnant Gazin Gorczyca Curtin Llp. Rated 5.0 out of 5 from 1 client review.
- Based in
- Newport Beach, CA
- Experience
- over 50 years
- Known for
- Appellate · Family Law
- Handles Appellate and Family Law matters from Newport Beach, CA.
- Over 50 years of practice as a licensed attorney.
- Recognized with AV Preeminent.
About Gary Stanley Gorczyca: Gary Stanley Gorczyca is a partner based in Newport Beach, CA. The practice focuses on Appellate and Family Law. Gary has over 50 years of legal experience. Currently practicing at Phillips Whisnant Gazin Gorczyca Curtin Llp. Rated 5.0 out of 5 from 1 client review.
Areas of practice
Legal matters Gary takes on
Gary concentrates on appellate and family law. Each area below outlines the kind of case Gary handles, typical outcomes to expect, and how the intake process starts.
Appellate cases in Newport Beach, California
Gary takes appellate matters in Newport Beach, California. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Gary agrees to represent you.
Family Law cases in Newport Beach, California
Gary takes family law matters in Newport Beach, California. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Gary agrees to represent you.
Biography
Meet Gary Stanley Gorczyca — appellate lawyer in Newport Beach
Gary Stanley Gorczyca is a partner based in Newport Beach, CA. The practice focuses on Appellate and Family Law. Gary has over 50 years of legal experience. Currently practicing at Phillips Whisnant Gazin Gorczyca Curtin Llp. Rated 5.0 out of 5 from 1 client review.
Gary S. Gorczyca was born in Cleveland, Ohio in 1951, and has been an Orange County resident since 1960. He and his wife, Patti, have two sons.
Mr. Gorczyca graduated from the University of California, Irvine (B.A., 1973) and Loyola University School of Law (J.D., 1976). He was admitted to the California State Bar in 1976 and has practiced law in Orange County ever since.
Mr. Gorczyca is rated “AV Preeminent” by Martindale-Hubbell, the highest rating available for legal ability and professional ethics. He is rated as a SuperLawyer and named one of the Best Lawyers in America – California© for his work in the practice area of Family Law. In 2002 he was named California Attorney of the Year, Family Law, in California Lawyer magazine. In 1996 Mr. Gorczyca received the Vice Chancellor’s Outstanding Service Award from University of California, Irvine, Extension.
Mr. Gorczyca has been an Adjunct Professor of Law at the Dale E. Fowler School of Law at Chapman University, where he taught classes in Community Property and Family Law continuously for 17 years. He continues to serve as a guest lecturer at the Law School. Additionally, he has served as an Advisory Board member for the Paralegal Certification Program offered through UCI Extension where he began as an Instructor in 1979. He is a former Director at Large for the UCI Alumni Association.
Mr. Gorczyca serves as Editor of the “Family Law Corner” column in the Orange County Lawyer magazine and has authored articles for that publication including,: “Hearsay in Ex Parte Applications” (December 1993) and “Extra Income” (November 2002). He has been an Education Committee member and presenter for the Orange County Bar Association Family Law Section and has also served as a Lecturer for Continuing Education of the Bar (CEB).
Mr. Gorczyca incorporates appellate work into his family law practice and has been Appellate Counsel in a number of published decisions: Lovato v. Sante Fe International Corp. (1984) 151 Cal.App.3rd 549; People v. Calderon (1991) 232 Cal.App.3rd 930; In Re Marriage of Serna (2000) 98 Cal.App.4th 482; and In Re Marriage of Manfer (2006) 144 Cal.App.4th 925.
Mr. Gorczyca served as President of the Orange County Bar Association Family Law Section in 2005. He has been a member of the California State and Orange County Bar Associations since 1977. He served as a Consultant to the Orange County Family Violence Counsel in 1999 and is a past Secretary of the Orange County Bar Association Committee on the Administration of Justice. Mr. Gorczyca has served as a Mentor in the Orange County Bar Association Mentor Program.
How Gary handles appellate matters
Gary S. Gorczyca was born in Cleveland, Ohio in 1951, and has been an Orange County resident since 1960. He and his wife, Patti, have two sons. Mr. Gorczyca graduated from the University of California, Irvine (B.A., 1973) and Loyola University School of Law (J.D., 1976). He was admitted to the California State Bar in 1976 and has practiced law in Orange County ever since. Mr. Gorczyca is rated…
The kind of cases Gary takes
Gary reviews new inquiries case-by-case for appellate and family law matters in Newport Beach and the surrounding California area.
Credentials
Education, bar admissions, and languages
Loyola University School of Law
J.D. · 1976
University of California at Irvine
B.A. · 1973
Jurisdictions
Gary's state bar admissions
California
1976 · ACTIVE
Gary studied at J.D. in Loyola University School of Law and B.A. in University of California at Irvine.
Law school and academic background
Gary completed J.D. in Loyola University School of Law and B.A. in University of California at Irvine. Formal legal training is one signal of substantive knowledge — the day-to-day practice Gary runs in California is where that training gets applied to real client questions.
Recognition
Recognition and thought leadership
Gary has received 1 formal recognition from bar associations, industry bodies, and peer-review services.
AV Preeminent
Legal awards and honors
AV Preeminent.
Affiliations
Gary's professional memberships and bar associations
Orange County Bar Association (President, Family Law Section, 2005) State Bar of California Warren J
membership
Ferguson American Inn of Court Orange County Bar Association
membership
Locations
Gary Stanley Gorczyca's office in Newport Beach
Gary's primary office is at 2 Park Plaza, Suite 700, Newport Beach, CA, 92660. In-person meetings are by appointment; a phone intake usually comes first.
Phillips Whisnant Gazin Gorczyca Curtin Llp
2 Park Plaza, Suite 700
Newport Beach, CA 92660
Open in Google MapsClient feedback
Client reviews of Gary Stanley Gorczyca — 5.0/5 rating from 1 verified client review
Every review below is from a verified client of Gary. Reviews cover communication, case outcome, and value — the three signals that matter most when comparing appellate attorneys in Newport Beach.
5.0
1 client review
Client ratings are sourced from public records and editorial research. Reviews on LawyersListed are accepted from verified clients once Gary Stanley Gorczyca claims this profile.
Read all reviewsHiring guide
How to hire Gary Stanley Gorczyca — what to expect in your first consultation
Working with a new appellate attorney should feel structured. Here's how the first two conversations with Gary usually go, from the moment you request a consult to the day representation begins.
Consultation formats and pricing
Gary charges for the initial consult. That fee is credited toward representation if you retain Gary's office.
What to bring to your first meeting
Bring any documents you already have — police reports, medical records, filed pleadings, correspondence from an insurer, a copy of the contract at issue. If you're not sure, err on the side of bringing everything; Gary will tell you what matters and what doesn't.
Questions to ask a appellate attorney in Newport Beach, California
A short list to run through before you commit: How many appellate matters have you handled in the last year? What's your fee structure? Who else in the office will work on this? What's your realistic estimate of timeline and range of outcomes? How do I reach you between meetings?
Fees & payment
Fees, payment methods, and consultation options for Gary
Gary discusses fees during intake so the arrangement fits the matter. Contingency, hourly, and flat-fee options are all common in appellate practice — ask which fits.
Hourly rates, contingency fees, and flat-fee options
Every appellate matter is priced differently. Simple document review might be a flat fee. Injury litigation is often contingency. Complex commercial disputes usually run hourly with a retainer. Gary confirms the model in the engagement letter before any work starts.
Payment methods and payment plans
Gary's office accepts standard payment methods. Ask about payment plans if the retainer is a stretch — many appellate practices work with clients on structured schedules.
Frequently asked
Frequently asked questions about Gary Stanley Gorczyca
How much does it cost to hire Gary for a appellate case?
Cost depends on the type of matter, the fee model (contingency, flat, hourly), and how contested the case becomes. Gary walks through the likely range during the consult so there are no surprises.
Does Gary offer a free consultation?
Gary charges for the initial consult; that fee is credited toward representation if you retain Gary's office. Some appellate attorneys offer free consults — check Gary's current terms during booking.
How long do appellate cases in California typically take?
Simple appellate matters can wrap in a few weeks; disputed cases can run 6–18 months from intake to resolution, longer if the matter goes to trial. Gary gives a realistic estimate for your facts at the consult — vague answers here are a red flag.
Can Gary take my case if I'm outside Newport Beach?
Gary is licensed in California. Matters governed by California law are the natural fit. Out-of-state matters are handled case-by-case, sometimes with local co-counsel. Ask during intake — Gary will tell you if the case is a fit or refer you to someone closer to your court.
What should I bring to my first meeting with Gary?
Bring every document that touches the dispute: contracts, correspondence, police or medical reports, filed pleadings, invoices, photographs, insurance letters. Also bring a written timeline of what happened, in your own words. Gary will filter what matters — over-preparing at intake is always cheaper than needing a second meeting.
Is Gary accepting new appellate clients right now?
Gary's intake status shifts week to week. Submit the form; the office will confirm availability or refer the matter out.
Areas served
Appellate attorneys serving Newport Beach, Los Angeles and San Francisco in California
Gary handles appellate matters throughout California. Each city below is a direct link into the search page for verified appellate attorneys in that community.
- Newport Beach3,106 attorneys
- Los Angeles39,975 attorneys
- San Francisco26,380 attorneys
- San Diego16,903 attorneys
- Sacramento10,561 attorneys
- Irvine6,831 attorneys
- Oakland5,709 attorneys
- San Jose5,009 attorneys
- Palo Alto4,084 attorneys
- Beverly Hills3,348 attorneys
- Pasadena2,894 attorneys
- Santa Monica2,756 attorneys
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