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San Clemente, CA · Serving All of California
Clients First.
No Excuses.

A full-service law firm built by attorneys who left prominent Southern California firms to do things differently — accessible, personalized, results-driven representation for clients across the state.

Contact Us Meet the Founders
3Founding Partners
1Firm, Full-Service
CAStatewide Coverage
Business & Corporations Construction & Surety Employment Hospitality Insurance Professional Liability Real Estate Tort & Personal Injury Sports & Recreation/Off-Road Business & Corporations Construction & Surety Employment Hospitality Insurance Professional Liability Real Estate Tort & Personal Injury Sports & Recreation/Off-Road
The Firm

Built on a common vision.

"Wilcox Dunakin Chrisopoulos LLP was founded on the idea that clients deserve accessible, personalized, and responsive service — with the utmost integrity, no excuses."

Wilcox Dunakin Chrisopoulos, LLP is a full-service law firm located in San Clemente, serving the entire state of California. Our founders — Chad Wilcox, Christopher Dunakin, and Stelios Chrisopoulos — each emerged from their partnerships at prominent Southern California law firms with a common vision: to build an innovative, results-driven firm around the client, not the file.

Our attorneys are dedicated to the principle of placing clients first with no excuses. Every matter is handled in the most cost-effective manner possible, drawing on our comprehensive experience and expertise to achieve positive results in today's competitive legal environment.

Wilcox Dunakin Chrisopoulos LLP founding partners
3Founding Partners
CAStatewide Practice
1Point of Contact
∞No Excuses
01 · The Founders

Three partners, one standard.

Chad Wilcox
Founding Partner

Chad Wilcox

Chad has spent 30 years litigating complex real estate disputes, building a reputation as trial counsel that clients call when the stakes — and the exposure — are highest. His practice spans title and boundary disputes, broker and agency claims, landlord-tenant and lease enforcement litigation, construction and development disputes, lender liability, and partnership and joint venture breakdowns.

He also defends professionals whose careers, licenses, and reputations are on the line — attorneys, brokers, property managers, and corporate officers facing malpractice claims and licensing board actions — along with healthcare providers in wrongful death and other catastrophic-exposure litigation.

Prior to founding the firm, Chad was a partner at Booth, Mitchel & Strange, LLP. A University of Southern California graduate, his trial strategy and rapport with jurors give clients real leverage long before a case ever reaches verdict.

Real EstateProfessional LiabilityInsuranceTort & Personal InjuryBusiness & Corporations
Christopher Dunakin
Founding Partner

Christopher Dunakin

Practicing law since 1997, Christopher has counseled clients through every phase of litigation, handling insurance, subrogation, and coverage matters for major insurers across homeowner liability, business disputes, general commercial liability, and workers' compensation, alongside a broad civil practice spanning tort and personal injury, construction defect, real estate, employment, and sports and off-roading injuries.

A double graduate of UC Davis (Economics and Communication, Phi Beta Kappa) and The Ohio State University College of Law, Christopher clerked at Reminger & Reminger and externed for Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice Thomas Moyer before beginning his career as an Extern and General Counsel under Governor Pete Wilson's administration.

He later became a partner at Grant, Genovese & Baratta, LLP before co-founding the firm, where his practice now serves individuals, families, professional athletes, and businesses ranging from local companies to major California, national, and international corporations.

InsuranceBusiness & CorporationsSports & Recreation/Off-RoadTort & Personal Injury
Stelios Chrisopoulos
Founding Partner

Stelios Chrisopoulos

Stelios is an innovative, tenacious, and hardworking advocate who has handled every phase of litigation in state, federal, and appellate courts, including numerous multi-million dollar and high-profile matters spanning business disputes, construction defect, real estate transactions, landlord-tenant, premises liability, and insurance defense.

He also has extensive experience representing both plaintiffs and defendants in personal injury and tort actions, including catastrophic injuries and wrongful deaths. A UCLA political science graduate and Sigma Chi chapter president, he interned in Governor Pete Wilson's Executive Branch before earning his J.D. from the University of San Diego in 2001.

Prior to co-founding the firm, Stelios was a partner at Grant, Genovese & Baratta, LLP.

Construction & SuretyReal EstateTort & Personal InjuryInsurance
02 · Practice Areas

Full-service, by design.

Our attorneys' backgrounds at prominent Southern California firms give the practice real range — from the negotiating table to the courtroom — so clients get one firm for the full lifecycle of their legal needs.

We Cover California Map of California
Formation, governance, contracts, and commercial disputes — full-service counsel for businesses and their owners at every stage, handled efficiently and resolved with the client's bottom line in mind. View More
Wide-ranging civil litigation in state, federal, and appeals courts, arbitration, mediation, and administrative proceedings — every case led by a senior partner. View More
Counsel for owners, contractors, and sureties on construction disputes, bond claims, and project-related litigation across California. View More
Advising employers and employees on workplace disputes, compliance, and litigation — practical guidance grounded in real courtroom experience. View More
Representing hotels, restaurants, and hospitality operators on the transactional and liability matters unique to the industry. View More
Coverage disputes, bad faith claims, and defense work for insurers and policyholders navigating complex claims. View More
Defending licensed professionals against malpractice claims and licensing board actions, protecting careers and reputations along with the bottom line. View More
Acquisitions, leasing, and disputes — counsel for property owners, investors, landlords, and tenants across California. View More
Representing clients in personal injury and general tort matters with the preparation and directness that comes from decades at prominent SoCal firms. View More
Counsel for the sports, recreation, and off-road industries on the transactional and liability issues specific to these fast-moving fields. View More
03 · Client Success

What "Clients First" actually means.

Every matter, regardless of size, gets the same standard: accessible communication, personalized strategy, and a relentless focus on the most cost-effective path to a positive result.

100%Client-First

No matter is too small for direct partner attention.

DirectCommunication

Accessible, personalized, and responsive — every time.

EfficientBy Design

Cost-effective strategy from the first conversation.

StatewideCoverage

Serving clients across the entire state of California.

04 · Contact

Tell us what's going on.

Reach out and a member of our team will follow up promptly. Please keep inquiry general and avoid confidential specifics until we've confirmed we're clear to speak.

Offices180 Avenida La Pata, Suite 102
San Clemente, CA 9267330900 Rancho Viejo Road, Suite 200
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
Phone(949) 272-0800
Fax(949) 272-0789
Emailchad@wdc-law.com

Inquire

No obligation — takes about 30 seconds.