John A. Messina is the head of the Firm's Temecula Valley Office. Prior to law school, Mr. Messina had extensive experience in the real estate field, both as a licensed real estate broker (which he still is) and as the head of a mortgage banking firm in the San Gabriel Valley. Mr. Messina received his undergraduate degree in management (with distinction) from the University of Redlands, and his J.D. from Southwestern University School of Law. Mr. Messina was admitted to the California Bar in 1994, and is admitted to practice before all Courts in the California.
In the Temecula Valley office, Mr. Messina represents business entities, government agencies and individuals in civil litigation; he has tried to verdict matters regarding corporate and real estate finance, contracts, land use, and business torts. He also represents clients in non-litigation matters, including business organization, and real estate leases and purchase contracts.
The Firm is deeply involved in the structure and placement of international investments in California, particularly investments made as part of US Government Immigrant Investor Program. The Firm represents a major U.S. Government approved Regional Center located in the Inland Empire, and through that Center, has extensive involvement in the development and structure of investment - including both immigration oriented (EB-5) and direct equity investment - made by investors resident in China, Vietnam, and Taiwan, among others, in California business and real estate. In connection with its international investment practice, the Firm advises principals and investors regarding the placement of investment funds, prepares the investment business plan and related materials, and handles all legal aspects of the investment itself.
In addition to his work as a practicing lawyer, Mr. Messina has been appointed a Judge of the Intertribal Court of Southern California (ICSC). The ICSC is the Judicial body that serves more than 12 sovereign Indian Tribes in Southern California; as a Judge of that Court, Mr. Messina presides over cases based on the laws, ordinances, customs and history of the participant tribes. Mr. Messina is also a sworn California Reserve Peace Officer. He served as a Special Deputy United States Marshall, assigned to the United States Environmental Protection Agency's Criminal Investigation Division. Mr. Messina has represented various police agencies in connection with matters involving California Peace Officer Standards & Training, Law Enforcement Agency Compliance and Formation, and Law Enforcement on Tribal Land. Mr. Messina served as General Counsel to the National Latino Peace Officers Association from 1994 to 2004.
A published author, Mr. Messina's new book, California Commercial Lease Purchase Agreement Line by Line, was published by Thomson Reuters/Aspatore in 2009.
Mr. Messina has written numerous articles and feasibility studies in the areas of real estate, contracts, law enforcement, and governmental fiscal responsibility including: "Some Tax Consequences for Homeowners Seeking Financial Relief," The Real Estate Professional, February 1996, at 74; "Obligations and Responsibilities of Officers and Directors of Nonprofit Organizations" paper for the National Latino Peace Officers Association, 2000; "What You Should Know About Off-Duty Incidents" paper for the Orange County Sheriff-Coroner Department, 2007; "Cost Effective Maintenance within Bracket Field Airport: County vs. Private Sector," paper in cooperation with the Facilities Director, Bracket Field Airport, County of Los Angeles; "Collection of Fines Imposed in Felony Cases" paper for Judges of the Los Angeles Superior Court, as directed by Honorable J. Stephen Czuleger under the authority of the California Superior Court, County of Los Angeles.
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