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About Us


Our Team

Image of Paul Van Der Walde

Paul Van Der Walde

Founding Partner, Senior Trial Attorney

For over 20 years, Paul has tried cases in Santa Clara County courtrooms, where he has become a known face to judges, attorneys and legal professionals. At Caputo & Van Der Walde – Injury and Accident Attorneys, Paul gives his clients the full attention they need and uses the significant resources he has to fight when they cannot.

Image of Paul Caputo

Paul Caputo

Founding Partner, Senior Trial Attorney

Paul Caputo has a long and successful history in courtrooms throughout Northern and Central California of fighting for injured victims against insurance companies and their clients in car accidents, wrongful death, and a wide variety of other personal injury cases.

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Shawn Smith

Case Manager

Shawn Smith is the firm’s Case Manager. He is a dedicated and motivated professional with over thirty years of extensive experience in all aspects of insurance claims handling and investigative procedures, including litigation and resolving complex personal liability claims. He is highly versed in liability claims for autos, homes, commercial, and property damage.

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Evangelina Trujeque

Paralegal

Evangelina is the litigation paralegal for founding partner Paul Caputo and works closely with clients through all phases of the case from intake through litigation, discovery and trial. One of her biggest assets is the relationship she naturally develops with each and every client. She is also known for her good nature and friendly demeanor.

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Don Peeler

Legal Administrator & Intake Coordinator

With his detail-oriented style and keen eye for details, Don conducts the intake process in a way that benefits both our legal team and, of course, our clients. In many cases, he is the first team member to interact with our clients, and we rely on his excellent communication skills to make certain each potential new client is treated with respect and that the nuances of their cases are fully understood.

Image of Corene Abrego

Corene Abrego

Paralegal

At Caputo & Van Der Walde, Corene uses her impeccable multitasking skills and customer service experience to help our clients through the litigation process from beginning to end. She truly cares for our clients and is always there to answer their calls, respond to their emails, and address their questions and concerns.