Rafael Castellanos

Rafael Castellanos is an experienced attorney specializing in business and commercial real estate law practice in the state of California since 2003. He serves as a Partner with the law firm Solomon Minton Cardinal Doyle & Smith LLP based in San Diego. He represents companies as well as individuals in a wide range of business transactions while also providing general business counsel.

His practice includes but is not limited to areas such as secured & unsecured financing; purchases & sales of commercial real estate, business entities, & other commercial assets; real estate development; issues concerning environmental & natural resources; land use & zoning; structured venture capital transactions; real property & equipment leasing; and risk management planning.

He speaks in English and Spanish languages. San Diego Daily Transcript named him in the Top Young Attorneys list in both 2007 and 2008. He frequently speaks at several conferences and provides insight into business and commercial real estate law.

Before joining his current law firm in 2010, he worked as an associate attorney with the law firm Solomon Ward Seidenwurm & Smith LLP in San Diego for three years. He practiced with the law firm Loeb & Loeb LLP in Los Angeles from the year 2002 to 2006.

Rafael Castellanos serves as the Commissioner of Unified Port of San Diego and Advisor at the San Diego Foundation’s Center for Civic Engagement Climate Initiative since the year 2013.

He was the Chairman of the Port of San Diego from January 2018 to January 2019. He held the position of the President San Diego La Raza Lawyers Association and the General Counsel at the MANA De San Diego during the periods 2012-2013 and 2009-2012 respectively.

He has obtained the membership of professional associations such as the State Bar of California, the Mexican American Business and Professional Association, and the San Diego County Bar Association. He serves on the Board of Directors of the San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation, and Teach for America.

Rafael Castellanos attended the University of Chicago Law School and graduated as a Cornerstone Scholar in 2002 while earning his Juris Doctorate. Previously, he obtained his Bachelor’s of Arts degree in History from Arizona State University in the year 1999.