SmallBiz: Law Office Of 'Native Son' Moves Downtown

After 25 years across the street from the Bal Theater on East 14th Street, the Law Office of Matthew Gonsalves has moved to 438 Estudillo Avenue, close to San Leandro’s downtown business area.

Gonsalves moved to his former location at 14805 East 14th Street in 1986, both to start his own practice and to take over the practice of retiring Stanley Block.

Block, who hailed from the New York area, had settled in San Leandro during the last months of World War II and served as a both a prominent member of the San Leandro business community and enthusiastic patron of the arts for 40 years.

Gonsalves, a San Leandro native, grew up on Carmel Court in the Floresta Gardens neighborhood with his mom, dad and brother.

He graduated San Leandro High in 1973 and attended California State University Hayward (now Cal State East Bay), where he served in student government, worked with radio station KSUH and also used to perform volunteer work assisting with new student orientation.

After graduating college in 1977, Gonsalves attended the Western State School of Law, completing his law school studies in May of 1980 and passing the bar later that year in July.

For 28 years, Gonsalves has owned and maintained a family-oriented practice:  Family Law, Divorce, Parentage, Child Custody, Spousal Support, Child Support, Domestic Violence, Contract Law, Probate, Wills, Estate Law, Guardianship, Conservatorship, Auto Accidents and Civil Litigation.

Over the past several years, Gonsalves has developed another legal specialty known as “Marvin Cases,” assisting non-married partners to protect their resources and family concerns. He is also certified to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court.

Gonsalves has served for over 20 years on the board of directors for California Conservatory Theater in San Leandro.

“We are well connected with the community,” he said. 

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