At a Glance
About Me
I’m Estefan M. Encarnación, Esq.—a California attorney admitted to practice in the U.S. District Court, Central District of California. Since founding what is now Defiant Law, I’ve represented 1,000+ clients in matters spanning Personal Injury, Real Estate, Business, and Estate Planning. Clients come to me for clear guidance, strategic advocacy, and straight answers—especially when they’re up against insurance companies, contractors, lenders, or corporate defendants.
Before becoming a lawyer, I served as an Infantry Machine Gunner in the United States Marine Corps (2001–2005), 2/7 Marines, Weapons Co., CAAT Plt., including a 2004 deployment to Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom. I was honorably discharged and awarded the Purple Heart after sustaining severe combat injuries. That experience informs how I practice law: disciplined preparation, mission focus, and refusing to back down when my client’s rights are on the line.
Estefan M. Encarnacion is an attorney licensed in California and in the Federal U.S District Court, Central District of California since 2014. He has significant experience in the areas of Family Law, Real Estate, Civil Litigation, Estate Planning and Small Business Law. Since 2023 he has shifted his focus to resolving disputes between homeowners, contractors and lenders that fund home improvement projects.
Prior to becoming an attorney, Estefan was an Infantry Machine gunner in the United States Marine Corps from 2001-2005, stationed in 29 Palms with 2/7 Marines, Weapons Company, CAAT Plt. In 2004 he was deployed to Iraq as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom and received a Purple Heart after being severely wounded in combat from an explosion. He suffered multiple facial fractures, a fractured vertebrae, was in ICU for two weeks and hospitalized for three months and was honorably discharged as a Corporal.
Having survived his military experience, he used his GI Bill to enroll in college and in 2008 he received a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology along with a minor in Pre-Med Biology from Cal State San Bernardino. In 2009 he received an academic merit scholarship to law school at the University of La Verne College of Law and graduated in 2012. In 2014, Estefan began his own law firm as a solo attorney and has since then been able to grow his practice to what is today Defiant Law.
Prior to becoming an attorney, Estefan enlisted in the US Marine Corps right after high school. As an Infantry Machine gunner, Estefan was deployed to Iraq to serve in Operation Iraqi Freedom and survived a major traumatic event, earning a Purple Heart. From that tragedy, he was inspired to continue the legacy and honor of the Corps and to continue to fight on a different battle ground. Honorably discharged as a Corporal he earned his bachelor's degree and earned a scholarship to go to law school. Since 2014, Estefan has been meeting the legal needs of not only his clients but also the community by offering pro bono legal services and being involved with Veterans. His approach is to leverage his vast experience and knowledge of the law along with technology against injustice to achieve a favorable result.
Estefan and his law group are excited to handle your case with the necessary knowledge, care and confidence to achieve the best outcome for you. The attorney and staff are fluent in Spanish and up to date with the latest legal developments and technology. As a full service law firm, we can take your case at any point of litigation. From initial consultation to judgment, our desire is to provide you with an excellent service so that you can have as much of a pleasurable experience no matter how troubling or worrisome the case may be. We are proud to serve the Inland Empire and surrounding counties.
How I Approach Your Case
- Every case starts with listening. I map out the facts, identify leverage points, and execute a plan that fits your goals—whether that’s a swift resolution or trial.
- You’ll always know where things stand and why we’re taking the next step.
- Experience that matters: 1,000+ clients served across injury, real estate, business, and estates.
- Veteran-led values: Discipline, integrity, and accountability in every matter.
- Trial-ready from day one: Investigation, expert alignment, and evidence built to win—settlement or verdict.
- Direct communication: Clear timelines, realistic expectations, and fast responses.
Focus Areas
- Personal Injury (auto, premises, catastrophic injury)
- Real Estate & Home Improvement disputes
- Business formation & transactions
- Business litigation
- Estate planning (wills & trusts)
- Consumer protection and lending issues
Education & Admissions
- University of La Verne College of Law (J.D., academic merit scholarship)
- California State University, San Bernardino (B.A. Anthropology; minor in Pre-Med Biology)
- State Bar of California
- U.S. District Court, Central District of California