ATTORNEYS
John Chakmak
Mr. Chakmak specializes in business, real estate, insurance law, and civil litigation. He has litigated "high profile" cases, including claims for health insurance benefits for AIDS, discrimination suits, and cancellations of master health insurance policies. He has represented clients in numerous appellate court decisions that have established legal precedent in California law.
He has served as a private mediator in cases involving business, insurance, and real estate related disputes. He has also served as a court appointed arbitrator.
Mr. Chakmak has extensive experience in business, real estate, and insurance transactions. He has been a licensed California real estate broker since 1978. He has been a media resource for issues relating to the insurance industry. He has been interviewed on ABC network television, Fox Television News, and the Cable News Network, and has participated on public television panels on legal issues. He has been quoted by such media sources as Newsweek, the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, the San Francisco Examiner, and numerous other newspapers and periodicals.
Education
UCLA SCHOOL OF LAW
Juris Doctor, 1970 - Honors Moot Court
STANFORD UNIVERSITY
Bachelor of Arts
Activities & Affiliations
• Orange County Bar Association, Member
• Los Angeles County Bar Association, Member
• California Consumer Attorneys Association
• Association of Southern California Defense Counsel
• Litigation and Law Office Management Sections of the State Bar of California
David A. Buxbaum
Mr. Buxbaum is a graduate of Occidental College where he received a Bachelor of Arts Degree. He receive his Juris Doctor Degree from the University of California, Los Angeles, School of Law. During law school Mr. Buxbaum worked with a faculty member on the research and writing of a legal reference book on urban planning. His contributions were acknowledged in the book. He was an editor of various publications at the law school. Mr. Buxbaum was also an editor of a local bar association journal for many years while in professional practice.
His professional affiliations include the American Bar Association, California Bar Association, the Los Angeles County Bar Association, and local bar associations.
Mr. Buxbaum has served in various local city government positions, including chairman of the City of Claremont Planning Commission. Mr. Buxbaum is active with numerous non-profit foundations and boards and is currently a trustee of many local educational and charitable organizations. He has founded and organized a regional national bank, in addition to establishing thousands of corporations in his capacity as a business attorney. Mr. Buxbaum has also been selected to serve as a hearing officer in disciplinary actions involving professionals. Mr. Buxbaum has extensive experience in representing the firm's clients before State of California and federal regulatory agencies, such as the California Department of Insurance, California Banking Department, California Commissioner of Corporations, and United States Comptroller of Currency.
Mr. Buxbaum's expertise is in the areas of business, banking, insurance, finance, taxes, estate planning, and real estate.
Education
UCLA SCHOOL OF LAW
Juris Doctor, 1970
OCCIDENTAL COLLEGE
Bachelor of Arts
Activities & Affiliations
• American Bar Association, Member
• California Bar Association, Member
• Los Angeles County Bar Association, Member
• Eastern Los Angeles County Bar Association, Member
Charlene J. Wynder
Charlene J. Wynder graduated cum laude from the University of Southern California with a Bachelor of Arts degree and double major in Communications and Political Science. Ms. Wynder worked full-time while attending law school part-time at Loyola Law School, Los Angeles. During law school, she served as a staff writer and production editor for the Loyola of Los Angeles Entertainment Law Review. She also participated in externships with the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office’s Appellate Services Division and the Disability Rights Legal Center’s Education Advocacy Project in Los Angeles.
Prior to starting her own firm, Ms. Wynder worked at both boutique and large law firms, specializing in corporate and business litigation, public entity law and practice, professional liability litigation, and real estate and land use litigation. In her early years, Ms. Wynder gained extensive trial experience and represented both private and public sector clients in state and federal civil, criminal, administrative, writ, and appellate actions. She has previously represented cities and police departments in six (6) different counties, including the cities of Ontario, Fontana, Colton, and Arcadia, along with the Claremont Police Department, Azusa Police Department, Colton Police Department, and the Ontario Police Department.
In representing both public and private sector clients in various counties, Ms. Wynder found that her passion was working with and serving people and organizations within their communities. Ms. Wynder has continued to pursue that passion by providing local legal services to nearby businesses, non-profits, community organizations and individuals. At the firm, she oversees the litigation, non-profit, probate and trust administration departments.
Ms. Wynder lives locally with her husband, 3 children, and 2 dogs. In her free time, Charlene and her husband run a local non-profit organization that serves youth in the community. She also loves food, travel, sports, and reading.
Education
Bar Admissions
California, 2008
LOYOLA SCHOOL OF LAW
Juris Doctor, 2008
UNIVERITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Bachelor of Arts, Communication
Bachelor of Arts, Political Science
Marina A. Saad
Marina A. Saad is an associate at Buxbaum Chakmak & Wynder where she primarily practices in estate planning, trust administration and civil litigation. She joined the firm in 2021 and has excelled in assisting clients. She is a graduate of the University of La Verne’s College of Law and earned a dean’s list award during her time there. While in law school, Marina completed a judicial externship with the Orange County Superior Court, an internship at the Los Angeles Public Defender’s office and served as President of Society of Legal Studies and Business and Women’s Legal Society.
Marina attended John Jay College of Criminal Justice, graduating with a major in Forensic Psychology. She is a New York native who is fluent in Arabic and has a passion for travel and pets.
Activities & Affiliations
• Claremont Rotary Club
Bar Admissions
California, 2021
New York, 2023
Education
University of La Verne, College of Law
Juris Doctor, 2020
JOHN JAY COLLEGE, NEW YORK
Bachelor of Arts, Forensic Psychology
Bill Sembel
Bill Sembel is an associate at Buxbaum Chakmak & Wynder PC, where he primarily practices in civil litigation. He joined the firm in 2022. He is a graduate of Seattle University School of Law. Before law school, he attended Chaffey College and transferred to University of California, Riverside. He is a proud Inland Empire native and spends his free time with friends and family.
Bar Admissions
California, 2021
Education
Seattle university school OF LAW
Juris Doctor
university of CALIFORNIA, riverside
Bachelor of Science, Sociology
Dan Hanoum
Mr. Hanoum received his undergraduate degree from California State University Long Beach graduating with Bachelor of Arts Degree in Philosophy in 1987. He received his Juris Doctorate Degree from the University of Washington School of Law in 1991. While at law school he was appointed as an Administrative Law Judge for the University of Washington Traffic Court.
Mr. Hanoum was admitted to the State Bar of Washington in 1991 and the State Bar of California in 1993. He has also been admitted to practice law in United States Federal Court.
Mr. Hanoum's professional involvement has included memberships with the Orange County Bar Association and the Los Angeles County Bar Association.
Mr. Hanoum has extensive experience in criminal law, family law, and general civil litigation. He currently practices in the areas of family law, domestic violence, civil litigation, real estate, real property, and probate and trust litigation.
Bar Admissions
California, 1993
Education
UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON, SCHOOL OF LAW
Juris Doctor
CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, LONG BEACH
Bachelor of Arts
Jonathan “Jay” Smith
Based in the heart of Los Angeles, Jay isn't just any attorney. He is an upper-echelon contracts attorney and an expert navigator in the dynamic realms of business & entertainment law. Jay doesn't just know his field - he masters it. His unparalleled knack for sculpting outside-the-box strategies ensures that his clients aren't just satisfied—they get the best deals in the business.
Jay's credentials span a dazzling array of services: from entertainment and sports transactions to art deals, mergers & acquisitions, business services agreements, and commercial ventures. But what truly sets him apart? His ingenuity in the room. Jay's rich background, including roles in film, music, TV, publishing, art, new media, and business law realms, coupled with his fierce negotiation acumen, empowers him to craft solutions that are not just effective, but also ingenious.
Jay's stellar track record boasts a collaboration with a wide range of industry professionals: from small businesses and corporations, studios to streaming companies, artists, and new-age content creators. Every client benefits from Jay’s ability to create unique, tailored strategies, underpinned by his commitment to keeping them informed and educated throughout their journey.
Jay's path to law began with a foundation built at Western State College of Law, securing honors in Legal Writing and Research. His dedication saw him clinch honors at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, in Business Marketing and at Mount San Antonio College in Business Administration.
Jay's blend of experiences is the secret sauce behind his unique approach. From the world of entertainment as an actor and talent manager to niches in insurance and finance, Jay possesses a panoramic view of the sectors he serves. His journey saw him crafting business agreements as a law clerk, followed by roles in civil litigation, defending national giants, and orchestrating pivotal settlements.
Outside of crafting contracts, Jay’s world orbits around family. An avid sports enthusiast, his passions encompass basketball, football, golf, boxing, and tennis. Furthermore, Jay's commitment to giving back sees him imparting wisdom to youth, adults, and businesses about the art of priming for success.
Bar Admissions
California, 2022
Education
western state college OF LAW
Juris Doctor
CALIFORNIA STATE Polytechnic university, pomona
Bachelor of Arts, Business Marketing