Jason Santana

Of-Counsel

Your Real Estate Attorney in Southern California

Jason Santana is a Of-Counsel at Hoffman & Forde. His practice areas include business and real estate litigation.

Education and Experience

Jason Santana is Of-Counsel at Hoffman & Forde, joining the firm in Summer 2025. With over twenty years of experience primarily in real estate and business litigation, Jason has built a reputation as a trial-focused attorney. Throughout his career, law firms across San Diego have frequently brought him in as trial counsel to help navigate complex cases through the final stages of litigation.

As an experienced trial attorney, Jason understands the expense, time demands, and emotional toll that litigation can place on businesses and individuals. He takes seriously the responsibility of educating clients about the legal process, ensuring they are informed, prepared, and confident—whether the matter proceeds to trial or resolves through a settlement opportunity the client finds acceptable.

Jason graduated cum laude from Western Washington University with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Political Science. He went on to earn his Juris Doctor, with honors, from the University of Washington School of Law in June 2004.

Later that year, Jason moved to San Diego and joined Seltzer Caplan McMahon Vitek, one of the region’s most respected law firms. As a litigation associate, he had the privilege of learning from a dynamic team of accomplished trial attorneys, working extensively on business and real estate litigation matters.

After nearly a decade at SCMV, Jason founded the Law Office of Jason M. Santana in 2014. Since then, he has continued to focus his practice on business and real estate litigation, maintaining his commitment to strong advocacy and client-centered representation.

Additional Information

As the father to three active boys, Jason spends the vast majority of “free” time volunteering with his children’s school and sports teams. For several years, Jason has also served on the Board of Directors for a local little league. Jason is an avid fan of his alma mater, the University of Washington, and he and his family travel to Seattle several times a year to visit family and friends (and catch a Husky sporting event).

Jason’s Top Verdicts & Settlements

Cross-Border Breach of Contract Verdict

Case: Breach of Contract (Cross-Border Commerce)

Role: Co-Trial Counsel for Plaintiff

Settlement/Judgment: Jury verdict of over $2,000,000

Real Estate Fraud & Contract Defense

Case: Real Estate Transaction – Fraud & Breach of Contract

Role: Sole Trial Counsel

Settlement/Judgment: Complete defense verdict (jury trial)

Constructive Trust Real Estate Defense

Case: Constructive Trust / Real Estate Dispute

Role: Sole Trial Counsel

Settlement/Judgment: Complete defense verdict (bench trial)

Real Estate Development Bench Trial

Case: Real Estate Development Dispute

Role: Co-Trial Counsel

Settlement/Judgment: Judgment of over $900,000; all defamation counterclaims defeated

Bankruptcy Fraud Adversary Proceeding

Case: Bankruptcy Adversary Proceeding – Fraud Claim

Role: Sole Trial Counsel

Settlement/Judgment: Damages exceeding $200,000; successful appeals through Ninth Circuit

HOA / View Dispute Defense

Case: HOA / View Dispute

Role: Co-Trial Counsel for Homeowner

Settlement/Judgment: Complete defense verdict (jury trial)

Fraud & Contract Dispute Pre-Trial Settlement

Case: Fraud & Breach of Contract

Role: Trial Counsel (substituted in shortly before trial)

Settlement/Judgment: Settled on highly favorable terms after motions-in-limine