Top best W Lawyers in Santa Rosa | 74 available

With over three decades of legal experience, Ann Gallagher White has built a distinguished career as both a prosecutor and public defender in Sonoma County. She has handled a wide range of cases, including felony and misdemeanor trials, juvenile matters, and DUI cases. During her tenure as a prosecutor, Ann focused on environmental, consumer, and worker safety issues, earning accolades from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the California District Attorneys’ Association for her contributions to environmental law. Ann has also worked with the Sixth District Appellate Project, showcasing her skill in appellate advocacy. Beyond her legal practice, she has shared her knowledge by teaching criminal law at Empire Law School in Santa Rosa and has served as in-house counsel for a family-owned construction firm, adding a unique perspective to her extensive legal background.

While I practice in many areas of law, I focus mainly on Driving Under the Influence Defense. DUIs are different from most criminal cases: they are often people’s first and only experience with the criminal justice system; they involve complicated defenses that sometimes require expert scientific opinion; the DMV is involved, so there is an additional government body to fight; and there are added collateral consequences that losing the ability to drive can have on someone’s livelihood or ability to function in the modern world–and this is only aggravated when a commercial driver’s license is at stake.. It is important when hiring an attorney that you find an attorney who has the experience to guide you through the myriad of consequences that a DUI conviction poses, including keeping you on the road. I have worked on hundreds of cases, motions, and have brought many DUI cases to jury trial. As a former Deputy District Attorney, I understand strengths and weaknesses of cases from both sides. Whether or not your case should go to motion, jury trial, or DMV hearing will ultimately depend on the facts of your case and the defenses available. I will guide you and make recommendations, but ultimately you, as the client, are in control. My job is to assure that you make informed decisions every step of the way and are never caught off guard by the process.. When analyzing a DUI case, it is important to take into consideration that each county has its own culture and approach to DUIs–it is important to work with an attorney who knows each courthouse. The judges, the elected district attorney, and the assigned deputy or assistant district attorneys all view cases differently. This is why I have limited my counties of practice and have developed relationships and built trust with all of the important players.. My representation does not end after I get paid. With many attorneys, after the initial consult and hiring, your case will fall by the wayside and you may feel like you have to harass your attorney to get a response, or even simple guidance. In order to make sure every client is given the attention they need and is not left guessing at next steps, I keep my practice small. You should never feel like you are just another client. I know your case is important to you–it may even be the most important event in your life at this time. I understand that and treat you and your case accordingly. I am in this practice to help people through difficult times, and to help them move on with their lives. Whether this is your first or fourth DUI, involving alcohol, drugs or injury, I can help you get through this as painlessly as possible.

We provide our clients with agressive, excellent, effective and skilled representation.  We make ourselves available to correspond with you, even afterhours.  We are experienced trial attorneys and will never shy away from the opportunity to fight your case in the courtroom. Our successes speak for themseleves and are a driving force for the success of our practice. We are equally versed in negotiating both before and after charges are filed. There is never a case too complex or tough for our firm and our network of resoruces provides us with tools other firms don't have access to.. We handle all types of criminal cases, from felonies to misdemeanors.  We also represent clients in post conviction proceedings such as probation violations, expungements, and motions to terminate probation early.  We handle DUIs and have a firm grasp on the science behind them, which most often times weekens the governments seemingly "slam dunk" case against you. We also handle drug crimes, violent crime, domestic violence cases, property crime, and all other types of criminal offenses.. Where the media is involved, we have handled many of such cases, sometimes make your nightmare "old news" and quickly forgotten. We are firm that is easily trusted and great at our passion, representing you with vigor!

The 1st photo is a presentation to me of the President's Award of the CA DUI Lawyers Association (CDLA) for my service to the organization and my dedication to the defense of liberty. Other photos shown are from my recent training in Chicago IL at Axion Labs for Forensic Chromatography and in Harrisburg PA where I was presented with recognition for attending and successfully passing the proficiency based testing for the Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) Advanced Course. The instructor, Tony Palacios is congratulating me at the presentation ceramony and the other photo shows me with Steve Oberman, president of the National Assoc. of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and Bruce Kapsack, author of Innovative DUI Trial Tools and co-author of California Drunk Driving Defense. I place these here to show you the lengths I will go to in order to be at the top of my game when it comes to defending my clients.. Practicing DUI Law in Sonoma County and surrounding areas for the last 10 years has given me a great appreciation for the problems that these arrests can cause to citizens accused and often over-charged. I've also been fortunate to meet many people in the wine and food industry, the hospitality industry and the building trades. My dedication is never ending when it comes to helping all of these folks and those visitors to our area who had the misfortune to meet up with the local police in a moment miscalculation.. You'll not find a more dedicated, enthusiastic and zealous lawyer and protector of the U.S. Constitution. My commitment to my clients is neverending and never gives in to those who would have an accused simply throw in the towel.

Since 2005, I have practiced law primarily in the fields of Employment Law, Administrative Law, Contract Law, and Healthcare Law. I represent a variety of professionals and businesses ranging from doctors, veterinarians, accountants, and brokers, to breweries, wine importers, private schools, trucking companies, and automotive repair shops.. This included representation before the State Personnel Board, Office of Administrative Hearings, all boards and bureaus within Department of Consumer Affairs (e.g. Medical Board of California, etc.), Labor Commissioner, and various County, City, and Municipal Civil Service Commissions. Services range from obtaining and defending licenses, participation in government benefit programs, and resolving business disputes.. I also helped form dozens of healthcare professional practices, serving as general counsel to them. And I oversaw my most recent employer’s marketing, public relations, and served as its In-house General Counsel, advising its Board of Directors, and Officers, as it continued to grow as a business.. Prior to that, I oversaw the business operations of a 25-member law firm that employed a staff of over 150. My management areas included Client Service, Marketing, Public Relations, Human Resources, and Information Technology. In this role, I also represented thousands of the firm’s individual and business clients before the Internal Revenue Service.. I am a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison and received his law degree at the University of Wisconsin Law School in 2005. While in law school, I served as a judicial extern for the Honorable James A. Richman of the Superior Court of California, Alameda County and as a research project assistant for Assistant Dean Carolyn Butler and Professors D. Gordon Smith and John Ohnesorge.. I am licensed to practice law in the State of Wisconsin and the State of California. I am also admitted to practice law before the U.S. Tax Court and U.S. District Court, Central, Eastern, and Northern Districts of California. I am a member of the Federalist Society, California Academy of Attorneys for Healthcare Practitioners, Schwartz-Levi American Inn of Courts, and Sonoma County Bar Associations. I was named a Top Employment Attorney by Sacramento Magazine in 2015-2016, a Rising Star in Northern California by Super Lawyers in 2017-2020, a Top Attorney of Northern California by San Francisco Magazine in 2017-2020, a Top Employment Attorney by San Diego Magazine in 2018-2019, and a Top Administrative Law Attorney by Sonoma Magazine in 2021-2022.. My primary practice area is presently Litigation. Within that broad field, I primarily handle matters arising from Workplace and Employment Regulation, Contract Law, Professional Licensing and Regulation, Business Formation Law, Government and Administrative Law, Healthcare Law, Real Estate and Land Use, Intellectual Property, and Public Agency Law. I have years of experience handling Litigation, Appeals, Writs of Mandate (Traditional and Administrative), Administrative Hearings (before Federal, State, and Local Agencies), and Wage Claim matters.

Mr. Schondel was born and raised in San Diego. He graduated California State University Sacramento, and spent the next 8 years as a San Diego Police Officer. Mr. Schondel graduated Western State University College of Law and now practices law in the areas of Workers' Compensation and Social Security Disability.. Mr. Schondel has been a Certified Specialist in Workers' Compensations Law, by The California State Bar Board of Legal Speicalization, since 1998.

Mr. Meechan has 30 years of experience in dealing with industrially injured workers and is invaluable in bringing cases to a reasonable solution. He works hard to guard the rights of injured workers within Sonoma, Mendocino, Marin, Napa, and Lake Counties in California.. Mr. Meechan is recognized by the California Bar Association as a Certified Workers’ Compensation Specialist. He is an active member of the California Applicants’ Attorneys Association and is a member of their Board of Governors.. Mr. Meechan was honored by peers as a California Super Lawyer in 2004, 2005, 2008, and 2009 in recognition of his commitment to and tireless efforts on behalf of Injured Workers. In 2014, he was named as one of the top 100 Workers’ Compensation Attorneys in the nation by the Workers’ Injury Law & Advocacy Group (WILG).. Mr. Meechan has served in the military. While young, he was a U.S. Navy Diver with Explosive Ordinance Disposal. He later joined the National Guard and served as an officer with the Combat Engineers.. Mr. Meechan is an active member of California Applicant Attorneys (CAAA) and participates in more than 8 days a year of education. Sometimes as the lecturer.. As a concerned citizen, he has worked to preserve the ecology, quality of life, and natural resources of Sonoma County. He helped found and was a Co-Chair of the Coalition for a Better Sonoma County. As a naturalist, Mr. Meechan donates knowledge, time and energy on behalf of Sonoma County’s open spaces and the Russian River.. Richard Meechan is a trained Mediator. He understands the needs of workers with disabilities and the financial goals of the insurance industry. His training has helped close many difficult cases through negotiation. Mr. Meechan often takes cases to trial, if a fair resolution cannot be reached.

Mr. Chalk has been practicing since 1997. He is a Certified Specialist by the State Bar of California.  Mr. Chalk is active not only in California but on a national scale as well.  Mr. Chalk is Past-President of the California Applicants' Attorneys Association (CAAA) and sits on the Board of Directors for Workers' Injury Law and Advocacy (WILG) a national organization on behalf of injured workers.  If Mr. Chalk is unable to assist you, his vast network of attorneys allows him to refer you to someone who can take your case.

Michael Henderson has been honored as a member of the National Trial Lawyers Top 100 Injury Trial Lawyers from 2016 through 2020.. Michael served as President of the Consumer Attorneys of Sonoma County, the local chapter of the statewide trial lawyers association.. Michael has been inducted into the Order of the Coif, a national honor society recognizing those lawyers who attain high distinction and excellence in legal education.. Michael graduated in the top 2% of his class, receiving his Juris Doctoral degree from the prestigious McGeorge School of Law in Sacramento, CA in 1994.. Michael devotes his legal skills to representing people whose lives have been changed by personal injuries, disabilities and the deaths of loved ones. He is known for his compassionate care of his clients, fierce devotion to justice in their cases, and skillful representation in the settlement and trial of their claims.. Michael lives in Santa Rosa California with his wife and three children.

I came to California to study law at the University of Santa Clara, not realizing I would stay.  After law school, I practiced in San Jose at a medium sized, commercial litigation firm for 3 years, and then moved to Santa Rosa, where I have lived and practiced law since 1990.  I love the wine country, with all of its beauty and culture.  The food and wine are unbeatable.  I feel privileged to practice law and raise a family in an area that is so beautiful.. When I went to law school, I thought I would become a prosecutor of crimes, a District Attorney.  Instead, I fell in love with personal injury work while working as a law clerk for Joe Carcione on the Peninsula.  So now I prosecute personal injury claims.  I love my work!. I have taken many cases to trial, when I've had no choice; but of course more than 95% of my cases do settle without trial.   I believe strongly that potential clients should hire only personal injury attorneys who are willing to try cases, and who have tried cases, preferably to verdict.  My two cents, as they say.

I am a partner in the law firm of Freeman and Freeman.  My expertise is in elder abuse and medical malpractice cases.  I accept only those cases that I feel passionate about and when I agree to represent a client, I am relentless.  I keep my caseload small so that I can provide thorough and excellant representation.

Devina Douglas has worked hard to build a reputation within the northern Bay Area as an attorney who is as easy to work with as she is knowledgeable. She has experience in all facets of criminal practice from pre-filing investigations through jury trial, including investigation, arraignments, motions, discovery, pre-trial negotiations and plea bargaining, probation violations, and post-conviction remedies. She handles various felony and misdemeanor cases involving DUI, homicides, marijuana crimes, fish and game violations, drug offenses, sex crimes, and domestic violence.  Devina attended the California Polytechnic State University at San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly SLO), where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology before attending law school at the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law, where she earned her Juris Doctorate with great distinction. There, she was inducted into the Order of the Coif (recognizing academic excellence in the law). During her studies at McGeorge she was editor of the McGeorge Law Review, and a founding member of the McGeorge Chapters of both the Criminal Law Society and Federal Bar Association. Her experience includes time at the San Joaquin County Public Defender’s Office, the California District Attorneys Association’s Environmental Crime Prosecution Unit, and the Li & Lozada Law Group.

After exiting the U.S. Marine Corps in 1992, John Henrdrickson became employed by a new car dealership in the sales department.  Working through college and then law school, Mr. Hendrickson graduated law school in 2001 from University of California Hastings College of the Law.  While at U.C. Hastings, Mr. Hendrickson was active in the student newspaper, becoming the editor-in-chief and student government.  During his final year, Mr. Hendrickson was elected as the President of the Associated Students of University of California Hastings.. Upon graduation, Mr. Hendrickson was offered a top-level managment position in a California auto dealership group.  After 8 years, Mr. Hendrickson elected to "switch sides," and now represents consumers and assists people with lemon law claims and those with disputes against car dealerships.. "Sometimes the fastest way to get a resolution is to not file a lawsuit.  Sometimes you need to.  Auto Industry experience will help you decide which best suits your situation.". John Hendrickson knows that people do not want lawsuits.  They want a vehicle that works as its meant to and a fair deal - and when there is a problem, they want resolution.  Call for a free consultation and see how he can help you.