Personal Injury and Insurance Law

Michael Espinosa’s practice focuses on providing impactful legal representation unique to a diverse range of clients, including individuals and business entities, focusing on business relations and civil litigation, including, catastrophic personal injury, business litigation and advising, negotiations, commercial contract, and employment with an emphasis on workplace discrimination. As a trial attorney, Mr. Espinosa has litigated cases helping his clients achieve justice and fair compensation in California, including a recent seven figure elder abuse case resolution in 2020. As counsel for various small businesses, Mr. Espinosa has successfully evaluated risk, defended, and achieved dismissals with prejudice in a recent six figure breach of commercial contract suit in his client’s favor. Additionally, Mr. Espinosa has participated in phases of criminal and civil litigation including trial preparation, expert deposition, mandatory settlement conferences, memorandum, mediation, and negotiation and settlement. As a result of his passion and commitment to clients, Mr. Espinosa was selected as Lawyer of Distinction in 2020. Given Mr. Espinosa’s diverse background as a first generation Mexican-American, his ability to speak Spanish has enabled an understanding of the business and personal needs of diverse communities, which in turn has excelled Mr. Espinosa’s ability to advise and evaluate risk according to client-specific requirements. Having also led teams, hired, and on-boarded new employees, Mr. Espinosa’s sense for talent in legal and other professional fields is one-of-a-kind. Business-minded and results-oriented, Mr. Espinosa’s litigation and advising background allow delivery of insight as a trusted strategic advisor who drives outcomes at scale with a value-added legal perspective. Additionally, with a deeper understanding of minorities and marginalized communities, Mr. Espinosa is committed to promoting and achieving diversity and inclusion in the legal and other professional fields through innovation and a unique perspective of being a first-generation college and law school graduate.

Consumer Law Erik Espinosa received his undergraduate degree from the prestigious Johns Hopkins University with a major in psychology and two minors. He then received his law degree from Nova Southeastern University where he received a full scholarship and was a regular on the Dean\'s list. After being admitted to the Florida Bar in 2008 he worked for a large plaintiff\'s law firm. During that time he was also admitted to the US District Court for the Southern District of Florida, Bankruptcy Court in 2009. After working in a large firm he began to work for a small defense firm and eventually decided that many clients would be better served by his launching his own firm. Mr. Espinosa has managed several thousand Circuit Civil cases and has taken several to trial. During his free time Mr. Espinosa enjoys exercising and trying new places to eat.

Area of Practice: Media & Technology Esposito Partners' principal attorney, Frank M. Esposito, began his legal career as an Assistant Corporation Counsel for the City of New York. Representing Mayor Rudolph Giuliani and other high level officials in litigation centering on the policies and practices of New York City, Mr. Esposito functioned as lead counsel for several high profile litigations. Bringing a tremendously successful public sector litigation practice to conclusion, Mr. Esposito left the Corporation Counsel's Office for a preeminent private sector litigation firm. After that firm merged with a leading international law firm, Mr. Esposito continued his representation of Fortune 500 and other multi-national corporations on an international level. In 2010, he realized that the same quality legal representation provided to corporations with extensive legal budgets should be made available to small and mid-size companies unable to allocate millions of dollars to attorney fees. To that end, he formed Esposito Partners to provide large firm caliber services with billing intended to assist in the growth of his clients. Mr. Esposito has spent nearly two decades working in the legal profession representing a diverse array of clients from public officials to public corporations in nearly every business sector, including the financial services, transportation, banking, security and defense sectors. He has tried both federal and state cases, has appeared before judges, commissioners and arbitrators around the country and has argued innumerable matters before courts of varying jurisdictions. Likewise, he has counseled clients on highly capitalized transactions, joint ventures, distribution deals and business arrangements of all types. He has drafted contracts of nearly every form and successfully negotiated agreements covering a range of commercial and individual matters. During his legal career he has developed an extensive network of individuals in nearly every type of business. To them he is an advocate, attorney, counselor and friend. Mr. Esposito believes that law firms should add to the profitability of its clients, and not just draw down on net income. Consequently, Esposito Partners works closely with its clients to devise alternative billing arrangements designed to suit the specific needs of each client. Further, Mr. Esposito provides his clients with access to his other clients, business partners and corporations who may offer mutual benefits. His client list is extensive and impressive.

Yvette Essakhar is a co-founder of Hillstone Law Accident and Injury Attorneys, where she is dedicated to fiercely advocating for victims of personal injury throughout California. For nearly the past decade, Ms. Essakhar has specialized in personal injury law, passionately fighting for her clients and securing justice in even the most challenging cases. She brings a unique and invaluable perspective to her practice, having previously represented insurance companies on the defense side. This experience gives her an insider’s understanding of the strategies used in personal injury litigation, which she leverages to protect the rights and interests of injured victims. Ms. Essakhar is known for representing her clients aggressively while treating them like family. She is transparent, always prioritizing what is in her clients’ best interest. A strategic thinker who is not afraid to think outside of the box, she has achieved seven-figure results in cases that were previously rejected by other law firms. Her reputation is built on tireless advocacy, personalized attention, and a commitment to delivering real results. Before founding Hillstone Law, Ms. Essakhar sharpened her legal skills at The Kaufman Law Group, focusing on complex civil litigation—including business and real estate disputes—as well as white-collar criminal defense. Her experience spans both civil and criminal law in state and federal courts. In civil matters, she has successfully represented clients across industries such as corporate, employment law (including #MeToo and sexual harassment cases), intellectual property, and entertainment. In criminal law, she has worked on high-profile cases involving RICO allegations, public corruption, fraud, and money laundering. Ms. Essakhar also has extensive experience in pre-trial litigation, depositions, and trial preparation, particularly in handling hostile witnesses. Her international legal background includes work at a prestigious anti-terrorism law firm in Tel Aviv, Israel, where she developed a strong foundation in global legal matters. She has also taught legal courses, deepening her expertise and ability to explain complex legal concepts clearly. A proud graduate of the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Ms. Essakhar earned both her Juris Doctorate and B.A., Magna Cum Laude, from UCLA. She is admitted to practice in all California state courts, as well as the United States District Court for the Central District of California. Outside of her legal work, Ms. Essakhar enjoys traveling and scuba diving, reflecting her passion for adventure and exploration.