Vahishta is an experienced real estate attorney with nearly two decades of practice, initially focused on litigation but now thriving in the transactional side of her work. Drawing on her extensive background in litigating complex contract disputes, Vahishta handles a full spectrum of commercial real estate transactions, including office, retail, and industrial leasing, as well as commercial property purchase and sale agreements. Her practice spans both small-scale, individualized deals and large-scale, multi-site commercial transactions.
In addition to her commercial real estate practice, Vahishta is well-versed in other aspects of real estate law, including residential sales, easement and boundary disputes, tenants-in-common disputes, and property partitions.
Vahishta also offers specialized knowledge in construction law, including reviewing, drafting, and advising on construction contracts, ensuring that her clients’ interests are protected in navigating the complexities of the industry. Her work in this area helps clients mitigate risks, negotiate favorable terms, and avoid potential pitfalls in complex agreements.
Vahishta represents a diverse range of clients, including individuals, corporate entities, and fiduciaries, in both real estate, construction, and corporate matters. Her corporate practice includes advising on general corporate governance, formation of general corporations and limited liability companies (LLCs), and structuring business entities.
Known for her commonsense approach, Vahishta is committed to providing high-quality, cost- effective legal services that deliver successful outcomes for her clients. Over the course of her career, she has also represented both individual and institutional clients in matters involving real estate, toxic tort liability, premises liability, construction defects, and insurance defense.
Since 2018, Vahishta has served as one of the update authors to the CEB – University of California Education of the Bar publication titled “Office Leasing: Drafting and Negotiating the Lease”, a resource used by attorneys throughout California.
Outside of her legal practice, Vahishta is committed to education and mentorship. She serves as a Faculty Lecturer at California State University, East Bay, where she teaches Construction Law, and as an Adjunct Professor at Chabot College where she teaches Contract Law and Computer Application and E-Discovery. Her students appreciate her straightforward teaching style, which incorporates real-world examples from her extensive experience in the legal field.
A long-time advocate for community service, Vahishta has volunteered her time teaching at the Contra Costa County Bar Association’s Pro Per Clinic, and currently serves on the Board of the Congress of Neutrals, a non-profit organization that offers free mediation services in Contra Costa County Superior Court.
Vahishta earned her B.A. in Philosophy and Politics from Saint Mary’s College of California, and her law degree from the University of San Francisco, School of Law. She is licensed to practice law in the State of California and is admitted to the Northern District of California and the Eastern District of California. Additionally, she has been a licensed real estate broker since 2005.
Outside of her professional work, Vahishta enjoys skiing with her husband and two children at Heavenly in South Lake Tahoe, mountain biking, and hiking the trails of the Tahoe region. An avid traveler, she has visited over 30 countries and lived in Zanzibar, Tanzania, where she gained a unique international perspective.
Update Author, “Office Leasing: Drafting and Negotiating the Lease” (CEB – University of California Education of the Bar), 2018 – Present
Author, “How to Avoid Discovery Sanctions” (Contra Costa Lawyer, March 2016.)
Author, “Commercial Tenants Who File Bankruptcy” (Contra Costa Lawyer, October 2014.)
Author, “Balancing the Cost of an Expert with Obtaining the Necessary Information,” (Contra Costa Lawyer, July 2008.)
Why are you so emotional? How to Respond to Gender Bias and High Conflict Situations, Contra Costa Bar Association’s MCLE Spectacular, 2021
Discovery, East Bay Trusts and Estates Lawyers “EBTEL” Probate Boot Camp, 2018
Board Member, Congress of Neutrals
Member, American Bar Association, Real Estate Section
Member, Contra Costa County Bar Association
Recognized as a Northern California Super Lawyer
Recognized as a Northern California Rising Star by Super Lawyers
Robert W. Richardson’s practice emphasizes real estate, construction and business law, and litigation. He represents commercial property owners and managers in a broad range of transactions involving shopping centers and commercial and industrial buildings. He handles commercial lease matters, including lease negotiation and dispute resolution for both landlords and tenants. He also represents parties in litigation and arbitration of commercial and residential real estate matters, including environmental and toxic litigation.Mr. Richardson has served on the Real Estate Advisory Committee of the American Arbitration Association and has served on the Board of Directors of the Real Estate Section of the Contra Costa County Bar Association and is a past President. He is also a member of the Real Property Sections of the California and American Bar Associations and past Chair of the Subcommittee on Arbitrator Qualifications, Standards and Ethics.
Mr. Richardson obtained his law degree in 1980 from Golden Gate University School of Law. He has been an Update author for the two-volume California Commercial Leasing series, Office Leasing: Drafting and Negotiating the Lease, and a consultant on the two-volume California Commercial Leasing series, “Retail Leasing: Drafting and Negotiating the Lease“, publications of the University of California Continuing Education of the Bar.
