John Messina maintains his reputation as one of Southern California’s top rated lawyers and has been lauded by his peers, earning Martindale-Hubbell's highest rating and its prestigious "Preeminent" distinction award. John heads the Firm’s Temecula Valley Office and is a litigation attorney with top executive-level, hands-on experience as a broker, real estate developer, and mortgage banker. Along with being a published author, John has a lengthy record litigating convoluted and difficult cases and is adept at constructing complex business and real estate transactions. John’s recent victory in the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals demonstrate the level at which he practices law. Besides John's Martindale-Hubbell® AV Preeminent® rating which is the highest possible rating for an attorney for both ethical standards and legal ability, John is AVVO rated as “Superb” with 10.0 ratings.
Since 1994
Since 1994
Since 1994
2016 - Current
Messina & Hankin LLP
Clients choose Messina & Hankin after exhaustive research and after confirmation from their most trusted sources that our lawyers will provide them with exceptional legal representation. Our Clients feel confident knowing when they retain Messina & Hankin they are getting, not one, but a team of legal professionals to tackle their most pressing and personal legal challenges. Our lawyers collaborate with one another routinely on every case; without charge to the client—this sets us apart from other firms. The Firm’s collaborative model garners effective, efficient, and scholarly work; resulting in excellent outcomes for our clients. Most of our new business derives from referrals from our existing clients and even from opposing counsel and their clients. We are respected by our peers and recognized as consummate professionals.
2012 - Current
Lytton Williams Messina & Hankin LLP
John focuses his practice on complex litigation and arbitration involving business, securities, and real estate. John also serves as an Associate Judge with the Intertribal Court of Southern California.
2009 - Current
Intertribal Court of Southern California ("ICSC")
John Messina, was sworn in and began hearing cases in 2009. Each tribe determines which kinds of cases it will authorize the court to hear. Currently the court hears a very wide variety of cases, including peace and security code violations, environmental issues, conservator issues, contracts, tort claims, family law including ICWA, evictions, enrollment, exclusions, and more. The court also has an in-house mediation and arbitration service and works with an outside agency when a tribe requires private mediation or arbitration services. The court hears all evictions for the All Mission Indian Housing Association (AMIHA) and handles cases for several tribes not formally part of the tribal court consortium on a case-by-case basis.
2001 - Current
Orange County Sheriff's Department
Reserve Deputy Sheriff; Reserve Captain in command of the Professional Standards Reserve Unit which is responsible for providing support to the Regular Sworn Professional Services Division (PSD). The Regular PSD provides services to the other twenty divisions of the Department that include recruiting, pre-employment background investigations, and promotional functions; processing human resource referrals, job classification issues, and receiving discrimination complaints; investigating internal and citizen-generated complaints of alleged misconduct against employees; and providing a host of clerical support and functions that ensure the Department's 4,264 sworn, reserve, and professional staff members.
1991 - 1993
J.D. (1993)
Honors: Graduate of the SCALE Program
1982
B.A. (1982) | Business Management
Honors: with Distinction
American Lawyer
Corporate Counsel
Martindale-Hubbell
Avvo
San Diego Magazine
Avvo
Inland Empire Magazine
Los Angeles Times
Commercial Real Estate, Condominiums, Easements, Eminent Domain, Homeowners Association, Land Use & Zoning, Mortgages, Neighbor Disputes, Residential Real Estate, Water Law
Business Contracts, Business Dissolution, Business Finance, Business Formation, Business Litigation, Franchising, Mergers & Acquisitions, Partnership & Shareholder Disputes
Employee Benefits, Employment Contracts, Employment Discrimination, ERISA, Overtime & Unpaid Wages, Sexual Harassment, Whistleblower, Wrongful Termination
California Bureau of Real Estate
