How much does it cost to hire John for a civil rights case?

Cost depends on the type of matter, the fee model (contingency, flat, hourly), and how contested the case becomes. John walks through the likely range during the consult so there are no surprises.

Does John offer a free consultation?

John charges for the initial consult; that fee is credited toward representation if you retain John's office. Some civil rights attorneys offer free consults — check John's current terms during booking.

How long do civil rights cases in California typically take?

Simple civil rights 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. John gives a realistic estimate for your facts at the consult — vague answers here are a red flag.

Can John take my case if I'm outside San Diego?

John 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 — John 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 John?

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. John will filter what matters — over-preparing at intake is always cheaper than needing a second meeting.

Is John accepting new civil rights clients right now?

John's intake status shifts week to week. Submit the form; the office will confirm availability or refer the matter out.

Unclaimed · Is this you?

John R. Goffar, Civil Rights Attorney in San Diego, California

Over 30 years of legal practice · focused on Civil Rights, Employment, and Personal Injury

PartneratAdvantage Law Group

San Diego, CA

Practicing civil rights in San Diego since 1996.

30+: Years practicing

Practices in

Civil Rights Employment Personal Injury Sexual Harassment Wrongful Termination

Are you John R. Goffar?

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Quick answer

John R. Goffar is a partner based in San Diego, CA. The practice focuses on Civil Rights, Employment, and Personal Injury. John has over 30 years of legal experience. Currently practicing at Advantage Law Group.

Based in: San Diego, CA
Experience: over 30 years
Known for: Civil Rights · Employment · Personal Injury

Handles Civil Rights, Employment, and Personal Injury matters from San Diego, CA.
Over 30 years of practice as a licensed attorney.

Areas of practice

Legal matters John takes on

John concentrates on civil rights, employment, personal injury, sexual harassment, and wrongful termination. Each area below outlines the kind of case John handles, typical outcomes to expect, and how the intake process starts.

Civil Rights cases in San Diego, California

John takes civil rights matters in San Diego, 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 John agrees to represent you.

Employment cases in San Diego, California

John takes employment matters in San Diego, 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 John agrees to represent you.

Personal Injury cases in San Diego, California

John takes personal injury matters in San Diego, 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 John agrees to represent you.

Sexual Harassment cases in San Diego, California

John takes sexual harassment matters in San Diego, 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 John agrees to represent you.

Wrongful Termination cases in San Diego, California

John takes wrongful termination matters in San Diego, 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 John agrees to represent you.

Biography

Meet John R. Goffar — civil rights lawyer in San Diego

Mr. Goffar has specialized in representing California employees for more than fifteen years. His practice consists of prosecuting claims on behalf of private and public sector employees, providing pre-termination advice and counsel to employees in crisis regarding a wide variety of employment related issues and litigating employment cases to jury verdict. Mr. Goffar also extensively utilizes mediation as a tool to resolve cases without the often unnecessary expense and emotional burden of going to Court.

Mr. Goffar’s litigation and mediation experience includes more than 500 employment cases including all forms of discrimination including Age, Race, Disability, National Origin, Religion, Gender, Sexual Harassment, Breach of Contract, Failure to Pay Overtime and Minimum Wage Violations. Mr. Goffar also reviews and drafts severance agreements on behalf of employees and provides counsel to separated employees regarding the signing and negotiation of severance packages.

Mr. Goffar is an experienced trial attorney, having tried to verdict cases involving wrongful termination/fraud, sexual harassment, numerous wage and hour claims, personal injury matters and even won a case – after a three week jury trial- for Breach of Implied Contract despite the employee having signed several “at will” agreements. Mr. Goffar has appeared before the California Court of Appeal, 4th District, and successfully argued his case resulting in a published decision: Stillwell v. The Salvation Army (2008) 167 Cal.App.4th 360.

Mr. Goffar also represents numerous employers in California in the defense of all facets of employment related matters. He applies his practical experience to counsel California employers in preventative maintenance regarding their employment policies and handbooks, provides pre-termination advice on employee related disputes, and when necessary provides litigation defense through trial.

While Mr. Goffar almost exclusively represents employees, he believes that it is an extreme benefit to his clients that he represents both employees and employers because it gives him particular insight into “what the other side is thinking.” This mindset and experience has been a hallmark of his success.

Mr. Goffar is licensed to practice before all State, Federal and Appellate Courts in the State of California. Mr. Goffar is an active member of the San Diego County Bar Association.

Professional Associations and Memberships

• San Diego County Bar Association, Member

John's approach to civil rights cases

Clients John works with

John reviews new inquiries case-by-case for civil rights, employment, and personal injury matters in San Diego and the surrounding California area.

Credentials

Education, bar admissions, and languages

Thomas Jefferson School of Law
J.D. · 1995
California State University
B.A. · 1992

John studied at J.D. in Thomas Jefferson School of Law and B.A. in California State University.

Law school and academic background

John completed J.D. in Thomas Jefferson School of Law and B.A. in California State University. Formal legal training is one signal of substantive knowledge — the day-to-day practice John runs in California is where that training gets applied to real client questions.

Affiliations

John's professional memberships and bar associations

San Diego County Bar Association
membership

Locations

John R. Goffar's office in San Diego

John's primary office is at 5820 Oberlin Drive, Suite 110, San Diego, CA, 92121. In-person meetings are by appointment; a phone intake usually comes first.

Main office

Advantage Law Group

5820 Oberlin Drive, Suite 110

San Diego, CA 92121

Open in Google Maps

Client feedback

Client reviews of John R. Goffar

John has not yet collected verified client reviews on LawyersListed. Reviews here are all from confirmed clients; anonymous ratings are moderated out.

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Hiring guide

How to hire John R. Goffar — what to expect in your first consultation

Working with a new civil rights attorney should feel structured. Here's how the first two conversations with John usually go, from the moment you request a consult to the day representation begins.

Consultation formats and pricing

John charges for the initial consult. That fee is credited toward representation if you retain John'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; John will tell you what matters and what doesn't.

Questions to ask a civil rights attorney in San Diego, California

A short list to run through before you commit: How many civil rights 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 John

John discusses fees during intake so the arrangement fits the matter. Contingency, hourly, and flat-fee options are all common in civil rights practice — ask which fits.

Hourly rates, contingency fees, and flat-fee options

Every civil rights 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. John confirms the model in the engagement letter before any work starts.

Payment methods and payment plans

John's office accepts standard payment methods. Ask about payment plans if the retainer is a stretch — many civil rights practices work with clients on structured schedules.

Frequently asked

Frequently asked questions about John R. Goffar

How much does it cost to hire John for a civil rights case?
Cost depends on the type of matter, the fee model (contingency, flat, hourly), and how contested the case becomes. John walks through the likely range during the consult so there are no surprises.
Does John offer a free consultation?
John charges for the initial consult; that fee is credited toward representation if you retain John's office. Some civil rights attorneys offer free consults — check John's current terms during booking.
How long do civil rights cases in California typically take?
Simple civil rights 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. John gives a realistic estimate for your facts at the consult — vague answers here are a red flag.
Can John take my case if I'm outside San Diego?
John 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 — John 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 John?
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. John will filter what matters — over-preparing at intake is always cheaper than needing a second meeting.
Is John accepting new civil rights clients right now?
John's intake status shifts week to week. Submit the form; the office will confirm availability or refer the matter out.

Community Q&A

Real questions asked by California residents in the last few months, answered by civil rights attorneys like John R. Goffar. Each link opens the full answer thread.

What can I do if a police officer used excessive force in California?
In Los Angeles, CA, I was recently arrested, and the police officer used excessive force during the encounter. I have visible bruises and witnesses who saw everything. I believe my
1 verified answer · Civil Rights · California
How can I challenge a discriminatory practice in a public school in Tennessee?
My son, who is Hispanic, is being treated unfairly in his public school in Memphis, TN. I believe this is due to discrimination. What legal steps can I take to challenge these prac
1 verified answer · Civil Rights · Tennessee
What steps can I take after being denied service due to my religion in Massachusetts?
I was recently denied service at a café in Boston, MA, because of my religious attire. I feel this is a clear violation of my civil rights. What steps can I take legally to address
1 verified answer · Civil Rights · Massachusetts
What can I do if a school discriminates against my child in Virginia?
My daughter was not allowed to participate in a school event in Richmond, VA, because of her disability. I feel this is discriminatory. What steps can I take to address this issue
1 verified answer · Civil Rights · Virginia
Can I sue for discrimination after being denied a loan in Alabama?
I applied for a small business loan in Birmingham, AL, and was denied despite meeting all qualifications. I suspect my denial was based on my ethnicity. Can I pursue legal action a
1 verified answer · Civil Rights · Alabama
How can I seek justice for discrimination in a government agency in Hawaii?
I faced discrimination while applying for services at a government agency in Honolulu, HI. They treated me unfairly due to my cultural background. What legal recourse do I have to
1 verified answer · Civil Rights · Hawaii

Areas served

Civil Rights attorneys serving San Diego, Los Angeles and San Francisco in California

John handles civil rights matters throughout California. Each city below is a direct link into the search page for verified civil rights attorneys in that community.

More counsel

If John's intake is full or the fit isn't right, these civil rights attorneys in San Diego handle similar matters. Every profile below is verified and open to consultations.