Our attorneys are intelligent, highly skilled individuals who have spent their legal careers practicing business, employment and corporate law. Please click on the links below to learn more about the lawyers of Mayfield Bustarde, LLP.
Our office is conveniently located in Solana Beach, California. Please call 858.793.8090 or send us an e-mail for a free consultation or an appointment.
Melissa L. Bustarde Esq.
Partner
Location: Solana Beach, California
Phone: 858.793.8090
Fax: 858.793.8099
Email: E-mail Me
Melissa Bustarde is a transactional and litigation attorney serving small to medium-sized businesses and individuals in San Diego County for most of their legal needs. She has advised hundreds of clients concerning their business, job and/or protection of their personal assets. She is also an experienced litigator, representing both plaintiffs and defendants in cases related to wrongful termination, real estate, and business disputes.
Ms. Bustarde strongly believes in the concept of preventative law. If deals are structured and documents are prepared correctly the first time around, it will minimize and can even avoid disputes and litigation down the road. A deal done on a handshake is no longer enough in today’s litigious sociality. Ms. Bustarde incorporates that philosophy, in addition to looking at the bigger picture, in advising all of her clients.
Ms. Bustarde started with Mayfield Bustarde, LLP (formerly Mayfield & Associates) in 2004 as a Law Clerk while she attended California Western School of Law. While at Cal Western, she made the Dean’s List every semester and graduated Cum Laude and was the recipient of numerous scholarships and awards. After passing the California Bar Exam on her first attempt, Ms. Bustarde remained with the firm as an Associate Attorney. She was made a partner in 2012 and the firm was re-named Mayfield Bustarde, LLP.
Ms. Bustarde is very active in the legal community. She currently serves on the Board of Directors of the North County Bar Association, in addition to co-chairing the Business Law Section and Legislative Committee and serves on several other committees. She also performs extensive volunteer work, including serving on the Board of Directors for three other non-profits (Women in Business, San Elijo Elementary Parent Teacher Organization, and Vistancia Homeowners Associations), serving as co-leader of her daughter’s Girl Scout Troop and serving as Secretary of the San Marcos Girl Scout Service Unit.
When not at the office, Ms. Bustarde enjoys spending time with her family, going to Disneyland, shopping and running.
Bar Admissions
- California, 2005
- U.S. District Court Southern District of California, 2005
- U.S. District Court Central District of California, 2007
Education
- California Western School of Law, San Diego, California
- J.D. cum laude – May, 2005
- Honors: Trustee Scholarship
- Honors: Dean’s List
- University of California Riverside, Riverside, California, U.S.A
- Bachelor of Arts magna cum laude
- Major: Political Science
- Major: History
Professional Associations and Memberships
- State Bar of California, Business Law Section, December 1, 2005 – Present
- San Diego County Bar Association, December 1, 2005 – Present
- North County Bar Association, December 1, 2005 – Present
- North County Bar Association, Co-Chair, Business Section, March 1, 2011 – Present
- Business Networking International-Carlsbad, February 7, 2013 – Present
- Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce, June 1, 2014 – Present
- Lawyers Club, July 1, 2015 – Present
- North County Bar Association, Co-Chair, Legislative Committee, 2015 – Present
- North County Bar Association, Board of Directors, 2016 – Present
Darwin L. Bustarde Esq.
Partner
Location: Solana Beach, California
Phone: 858.793.8090
Fax: 858.793.8099
Email: E-mail Me
Darwin Bustarde is a transactional and litigation attorney focused on maximizing and protecting his clients’ personal property, real property, business, and employment. Some of the methods he accomplishes this include preparing estate plans/living trusts for individuals, forming an LLC or corporation for a business, drafting and reviewing human resource related documents for employers, etc. He helps his clients eliminate and reduce their liabilities. He successfully litigates on behalf of plaintiffs and defendants in matters ranging from unlawful detainer/eviction actions through more complex matters, including for example, employment, real property non-disclosure, and business/corporate disputes.
Mr. Bustarde’s focus is to achieve the client’s goal as efficiently as possible. In this day and age where online one-size-fits-all legal services are available, Mr. Bustarde helps his clients find the right solution for their unique circumstance. Disputes often arise or are made more complicated due to lack of planning, or inadequate document drafting. Mr. Bustarde enjoys helping his clients resolve disputes in a way that allows his clients to incorporate best practices on their own.
Mr. Bustarde began practicing law in 2005 after graduating from California Western School of Law in San Diego, California. His clients have included design and construction professionals in complex construction defect actions, commercial and residential landlords and property developers, entrepreneurs, small and medium-sized businesses, and people simply interested in protecting their assets and property. Mr. Bustarde’s experience includes business start-up legal services, business entity formations, transactional services (document drafting/review), dispute resolution through litigation and/or negotiation, and general risk management.
Mr. Bustarde enjoys serving his community as a member of the San Marcos Kiwanis Club. He is currently the President of the club. Some of his favorite regular service events that the club puts on are the annual City of San Marcos Christmas and Holiday Parade, hosting Thanksgiving dinner for homeless kids and helping the club distribute thousands of books a year to kids as part of the club’s literacy program. Mr. Bustarde also enjoys coaching his son’s AYSO soccer team and just spending time with his family and dogs.
Bar Admissions
- California, 2005
- U.S. District Court Southern District of California, 2005
Education
- California Western School of Law, San Diego, California
- J.D. – May, 2005
- Honors: Kennedy Scholarship and Ethnic & Cultural Diversity Scholarship
- University of California, Riverside, Riverside, California
- Bachelor of Arts – 2001
- Major: Political Science
- Minor: History
Professional Associations and Memberships
- State Bar of California, 2005 – Present
- San Diego County Bar Association, 2005 – 2014
- North County Bar Association, 2005 – Present
- San Diego Defense Lawyers, 2009 – 2010
- Network San Elijo, 2010 – 2014
- San Elijo Business Breakfast, 2014 – 2017
- Kiwanis Club of Greater San Marcos, 2014 – Present
- Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce, 2014 – Present
- Lopardo Inns of Court, 2015 – Present
- North County Network Alliance, 2017 – Present
Retired Partner – Gayle Mayfield-Venieris
Gayle Mayfield-Venieris, was a founding partner of Mayfield Bustarde, LLP and retired in late 2017. In creating the firm back in 1997, she set the foundation of the firm by offering the unique combination of extensive, practical business experience, coupled with solid legal experience. Her philosophy of offering practical business advice is the hallmark of the firm today.
Gayle Mayfield-Venieris’ early work career involved working with a variety of companies, including high-tech and chemical companies. After 20 years of working in business management positions, Ms. Mayfield-Venieris made the decision to attend law school. Following admission to the Bar, she co-founded DeHaan and Mayfield, and later founded Mayfield & Associates. She was the principal of Mayfield & Associates, the predecessor to the firm, from June 1997 until Mayfield Bustarde, LLP was formed.