Gastélum Law, APC

Gastélum Law, APC Gastélum Law APC is a civil rights firm specializing in police shootings and in-custody death cases.

08/07/2026

Yeah, something like that.

Some days it’s depositions.
Some days it’s court.
Some days it’s sitting with families on the hardest day of their lives.

Being a civil rights lawyer isn’t about winning arguments. It’s about demanding accountability when power is abused and making sure every person’s story is heard.
Justice doesn’t happen on its own. Someone has to fight for it.

Check out my page to see one of those fights in action and the case behind it. If you or someone you love has been harmed by government misconduct, know your rights. The conversation starts here.

07/14/2026

This year, we secured a historic $4.5 million settlement on behalf of the family of Derrick Austin. But this case was never defined by the number.

Derrick Austin entered custody with a well-documented history of serious mental illness. His records reflected repeated psychiatric crises, prior su***de watches, self-harm, hallucinations, schizophrenia, autism, and intellectual disability. Those warning signs were known. They should have been enough.

Instead, Derrick was removed from su***de watch just 34 hours before he died.

No amount of money can replace a son, a family member, or a life that should have been protected.

When the government takes custody of a person, it also takes on the constitutional responsibility to provide reasonable care and protection. That duty does not disappear because someone has a mental illness or is incarcerated.

Accountability is about more than one case. It is about ensuring that policies designed to prevent tragedy are followed so that another family does not have to experience the same loss.

I am grateful to Derrick's family for allowing us to stand beside them in their pursuit of justice. His life mattered, and so does the fight to prevent these tragedies from happening again.

Some cases ask us to apply the law.Others ask us to confront who we are as a society.My latest article explores the cons...
07/06/2026

Some cases ask us to apply the law.

Others ask us to confront who we are as a society.

My latest article explores the constitutional framework behind in-custody death litigation, but more importantly, it examines the lives behind these cases. The people whose names too often become statistics. The systemic failures that make these tragedies preventable. And the responsibility we have, as advocates, is to demand accountability when government institutions fail those in their care.

Justice doesn't end at the jailhouse door.

Thank you to *Advocate Magazine* for the opportunity to contribute to this important conversation. I hope it serves as a practical resource for attorneys and a reminder that our work is ultimately about protecting human dignity.

Because every constitutional right is only as meaningful as our willingness to defend it.

Check it out now!: https://bit.ly/4eVVjTm

Every summer, I'm reminded that the future of civil rights work is already here. They just need an opportunity.This summ...
06/30/2026

Every summer, I'm reminded that the future of civil rights work is already here. They just need an opportunity.

This summer, our team is fortunate to welcome an incredible group of law students and future advocates who have chosen to spend their time learning what it means to fight for accountability, justice and the people who need it most.

Mentorship matters. The legal profession grows stronger when we invest in students before they have years of experience, giving them the chance to learn, ask questions, and discover where their passion can make the greatest impact.

The next generation of civil rights attorneys won't appear overnight. We have to help cultivate them.

They are amazing additions to our team:

• Mearah Mercado — Loyola Law School
• Natalie Moya — Loyola Law School
• Jaila Cruz — Chapman University
• Tiffany Hyunseo Suh — Loyola Law School

We’re growing.Gastélum Law is looking for an Associate Attorney to join our civil rights litigation team.We’re seeking s...
06/26/2026

We’re growing.

Gastélum Law is looking for an Associate Attorney to join our civil rights litigation team.

We’re seeking someone with at least three years of litigation experience who is ready to take on meaningful, impactful work. Our practice focuses on holding government entities accountable and representing individuals and families whose civil rights have been violated.

Qualifications:
• Minimum of 3 years experience as a litigator (civil litigation preferred; civil rights litigation is a plus)
• Knowledge of federal court practices and litigation
• Experience with depositions, motions for summary judgment and trials

If you’re looking for a place where your work truly matters and where you’ll have the opportunity to make a difference in people’s lives, we’d love to hear from you.

To apply, please email your resume and cover letter to:
[email protected]

Subject Line:
ADMIN | Associate Attorney Applicant

Learn more about our firm at gastelumfirm.com.

Please feel free to share this opportunity with attorneys who may be a great fit.

“If you can see it, you can be it.” ✨A simple phrase, but a powerful one.The people we see leading, speaking up, taking ...
06/05/2026

“If you can see it, you can be it.” ✨

A simple phrase, but a powerful one.
The people we see leading, speaking up, taking space, and standing confidently in who they are shape what feels possible for the next generation. That is why representation matters. That is why visibility matters.

This mantra continues to inspire not only the work Denisse Gastélum and her team do inside the courtroom, but the example they hope to leave for every young person, learning to believe they belong in rooms they once only dreamed about.

The right attorney does more than build a case. They help people carry the weight of what they are going through.We are ...
06/04/2026

The right attorney does more than build a case. They help people carry the weight of what they are going through.

We are incredibly grateful for the trust our clients place in us during life-changing moments. Reviews like this remind us why this work matters so deeply.

Thank you for allowing Gastélum Law to fight for you every step of the way.

There’s no one “right” path in law. Some attorneys build within a firm. Others build something entirely their own. Both ...
05/14/2026

There’s no one “right” path in law. Some attorneys build within a firm. Others build something entirely their own. Both require vision, resilience, and knowing what success truly looks like for you.

I’m honored to join the Latina Lawyers Bar Association for a conversation about the realities behind the partnership track versus going solo, and the lessons that come with both. ⚖️

If you’re navigating your next move in your legal career, this panel is for you.

📍 Tuesday, May 19
⏰ 6:00 PM
💻 Virtual via Zoom
🎟️ Free to attend

Grab your spot at the Latina Lawyers Bar Association

Closing arguments are where everything comes together!I am honored to be speaking at the Women in Trial Travel Summit in...
04/07/2026

Closing arguments are where everything comes together!

I am honored to be speaking at the Women in Trial Travel Summit in Punta Mita this April, sharing strategies on how to deliver clear, compelling, and impactful closing arguments.

It’s invigorating to be in a space with so many powerful women in trial law! Looking forward to connecting, learning, and pushing this work forward together. If you see me, say hi! ☺️💖

Justice doesn't happen in silence. On February 24, 2025, 18-year-old Elijah Brown was shot multiple times by San Bernard...
04/01/2026

Justice doesn't happen in silence. On February 24, 2025, 18-year-old Elijah Brown was shot multiple times by San Bernardino County Sheriff's Deputy Jose Guzman. Gastélum Law is standing with the Brown Family and demanding answers. Join us as we tell their story and fight for the justice the Brown Family deserves.

April 1, 2026 | 10:00 AM
George E. Brown, Jr. Federal Building & U.S. Courthouse Riverside, CA
3470 Twelfth Street, Riverside, CA 92501

Address

Los Angeles, CA

Telephone

+12133406112

Website

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