
Mr. Cardona-Loya has been at the forefront of litigation against solar panel and home improvement contractors and financial institutions, resulting in appellate court and arbitration rulings in favor of consumers. He also brings experience in a range of consumer protection matters including debt collection defense, identity theft, unlawful car repossessions, wrongful credit reporting, data breach law, and Lemon Law matters to name a few, and has appeared on local news broadcasts providing legal insights in English and Spanish.
Previously, following the 2007-2008 financial crisis and economic collapse, Mr. Cardona-Loya began practicing emphasizing in litigation against mortgage servicers, stopping numerous foreclosures, obtaining loan modifications with principal reductions, and obtaining favorable and well-known court rulings under the Home Affordable Modification Program.
Mr. Cardona-Loya is currently the Vice President of the South Bay Bar Association, serving San Diego's South Bay legal community with useful networking and continuing education events.
Appellate Court Opinions
Fabian v. Renovate America, Inc. (2019) 42 Cal.App.5th 1062 (published)
Cardenas v. Big Star Builders, Inc. (5th App. Dist. Aug. 2, 2023) App. No. F084745 (unpublished)
Hernandez v. Sunnova Energy Corp. (4th App. Dist. Nov. 21, 2024) App. No. D083558 (unpublished)
Notable Jury Trial Verdicts
Barron vs JKC Palm Springs Automotive Inc. San Diego No. 37-2016-00020113-CU-NP-CTL - $108,000 jury verdict, exclusive of attorneys' fees and costs
Awards
Wiley W. Manuel Certificate for Pro Bono Legal Services
California Western School of Law
Dean's Scholarship for Ethnic and Cultural Diversity
Academic Achievement Award for Counter-Terrorism in the Post-9/11 World
Academic Achievement Award for Advanced Legal Research and Writing
State Bar of California Wiley W. Manuel Award for Pro Bono Services, 2007
Dean's Honor List, Spring 2006
University of San Diego
Phi Beta Kappa, 2004
Publications
Medicare to Cut Physician Reimbursements. The Journal of Biolaw and Business, Vol. 10, No. 1, 2007.
Speaking Engagements
PACE (Property Assessed Clean Energy) Advocacy Training – 2021
Defending Collection Lawsuits – 2010
Defending Foreclosures – 2008
Admissions
State Bar of California
United States District Court, District of California – Southern District
United States District Court, District of California – Central District
United States District Court, District of California – Eastern District
United States District Court, District of California – Northern District
Education
California Western School of Law, J. D., cum laude, 2007
University of San Diego, B. A., magna cum laude, 2004
Recommendations
- Nothing but good things to say about Octavio "Vito" Cardona, fair, honest and one good negotiator! Finally an honest law firm!