Experience and Qualifications:

Specialty Certifications:
Legal Specialist - Criminal Law (State Bar of California)

Other Court Admissions:
All California State Courts, U.S. 9th District Court of Appeals, Federal District Court Eastern District, U.S. Supreme Court

Association/Professional Organization Memberships:
Fresno County Bar Association, California State Bar
California Attorney's for Criminal Justice, California State Public Defender's Association

Continuing Education:
Over 140 hours in criminal law seminars in the past 4 years, including annual capital case seminar given by state public defenders and California attorney's for criminal justice.

Papers and Publications:
Co-author/editor of Practical Real Estate Law, 2nd and 4th Edition

Example Cases:
People v. Josefina Saldana (Superior Court-Murder Trial)

People v. Timothy Lobretto (Appellate Court-Gang Case)

Firm Focus and History:
The firm focus is criminal defense at the trial and appellate levels. The firm began in 1988 as a sole practice.

Previous Employment Summary:
1985-87: Staff Attorney for Presiding Justice at 5th District Appeals Court

1987-88: Associate attorney for firm of Nuttal, Berman & Magill

Activities and Awards:
1995-Present: I teach law related course at Fresno Pacific University and San Joaquin College of Law
Supervisor of Law Clerks/Paralegals from Fresno Pacific University, Fresno State University and San Joaquin College of Law.

1985-1995: Adjunct Professor of Paralegal Program at Fresno City College

What is your opinion regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues?
I think that the more the client knows about the law, the more he or she can help assist in his or her own defense.

Are you willing to review documents prepared by clients?
I am always willing to look at documents and/or ideas clients want to provide.

Are you willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves?
I am more than willing to work with clients who want to represent themselves if they are made aware of the dangers of self-representation.

Why did you decide to be a lawyer?
I believed that it offered a greater challenge to me professionally and an opportunity to help people and give me greater independence at the same time.

What work experience and education helps you be a better lawyer?
My Spanish language ability helps not only with clients but also with potential witnesses. My experience at appellate court has helped in my ability to handle writ and appeals. My experience as a death penalty defense attorney has helped me sharpen my skills in non-death cases and provide top quality representation to all my clients. My appellate experience also helps me stay on top of the changing laws and use it to my client's advantage at the trial court level.

Why did you decide on your primary area of practice?
I chose criminal defense as a specialty, because I see the greater need for quality attorneys in this field. The power of the state is enormous, and it is critical for justice in America that we have aggressive and honest defense counsel protecting those accused of crimes.

What do you like best about your career?
What I like best about the practice of law is that it allows me to use all my talents to achieve a goal of helping those in need. I get to work with top-notch professionals.

Tell us about your law firm:
I have a practice of using law clerks and paralegals in my office to help keep down the price to clients. I look for people who are multi-lingual and show empathy for those in trouble.

What are your strengths and style?
The ability to get the most out of a situation and those I work with. My language skills consistently help in and out of trial. My specific expertise is in dealing with homicide cases and putting together a top quality team defense.

I prefer old school charm with new age techniques. I like juries to see the personal side of me because that helps humanize my client. My preference is to be simple and direct both with my clients as well as my legal opponents.

Personal Interests:
Outside of my practice, I am dedicated to my family. We love to fish and travel.