Top Best Criminal Appeals Lawyers | 33501 Available

I am a Santa Cruz native and upon completion of law school, I returned to serve my community by working for the Santa Cruz Public Defender’s Office (formally known as Biggam, Christensen, and Minsloff). As a Deputy Public Defender, I have handled all types of misdemeanor cases, and serious felony cases including, but not limited to possession for sale of controlled substances, petitions for sexually violent predator cases, child molestation, and allegations of murder. During my time at the Public Defender's Office, I spent over six years in the courtrooms, almost daily, allowing me to become well-versed with the Santa Cruz criminal system, and develop relationships with the Judges and prosecutors.. Prior to becoming a lawyer, I received my Bachelor’s degree from Western Michigan University (WMU) where I double majored in Political Science and Criminal Justice. At WMU, I was selected to be the vice president of the pre-law society, and Phi Kappa Phi honor society (founded in 1897 at the University of Maine, Phi Kappa Phi is the nation's oldest, largest, and most selective honor society for all academic disciplines. After graduating, I attended Michigan State College of Law where I graduated with honors.. During my time at Michigan State College of Law, I participated in the Civil Rights Clinic, where I received the Jurisprudence Achievement Award, twice. While participating in the Civil Rights Clinic, I completed my first jury trial, a federal jury trial, regarding a prisoner’s claim of retaliation. The Civil Rights clinic focused on prisoners’ rights. This position allowed me to gain a better understanding of the prison system – in particular how the legal system deals with violations of prison rules – and the issues faced by those who are incarcerated.. Additionally while at Michigan State College of Law, I interned with the Michigan Innocence Clinic, the Santa Cruz Public Defender’s Office (Biggam, Christensen, and Minsloff), and the Ionia Prosecutor’s Office.. While at the Michigan Innocence Clinic (MIC), I further investigated or litigated cases assigned to me depending on their current status. During my time at the MIC, I enhanced my investigation skills including tracking witnesses and creating a rapport that made witnesses comfortable to openly communicate crucial information. MIC helped me develop a strong understanding of the causes of wrongful convictions and the best practices to avoid such injustices from occurring.. Working at the Ionia Prosecutor’s Office allowed me to gain insight into how prosecutors view cases, and because I understand how the prosecution works, I am better equipped to develop the necessary strategies to effectively defend those criminally charged.. Prior to working for the Santa Cruz Public Defender’s Office, I worked at the Riverside Public Defender’s Office. During my time at the Riverside Public Defender’s Office, I worked exclusively for the domestic violence team and assisted those accused of crimes of domestic violence.. I have expanded my criminal practice and I am now accepting cases involving family law where many issues overlap. I provide compassionate, honest, and dedicated advice regarding issues involving divorce, child custody, domestic violence, child support, and spousal support.

Phillip had a passion for arguing ever since he was 9 years old, when he argued politics with his 4th Grade teacher. He qualified as a nationally ranked debater in both high school and college. His talents took him into law school, where he realized he can use his skills to help his community.. He graduated cum laude with a Juris Doctorate from American University, Washington College of Law, in 2011. After graduating, he moved from Washington D.C. back to the Bay Area, where he got his start in the San Francisco District Attorney's Office. He then worked as a prosecutor for San Joaquin County. During this time, he concurrently taught Forensics as an adjunct professor at St. Mary's College in Moraga, California.. In 2016, Phillip became Deputy District Attorney for Calaveras County, where he successfully prosecuted criminal cases before going into private practice again, this time focusing on criminal defense. Since then, he has counseled clients on criminal defense strategies across the greater San Francisco Bay area. After a decade of legal experience, Phillip is someone who knows how to fight - and will fight tirelessly and aggressively for you!. As an active member of the community, Phil loves coaching youth baseball, volunteering with the Boy Scouts, and supporting the non-profit New Genesis Housing Development as a Legal Advisor. He is most at home when engaging with a diverse range of cultures, backgrounds, and ages, and enjoys listening to and learning other people's perspectives. Phil will treat you and those affected by your current situation with respect, transparency, and honesty, just as he would his own family.

I care about my clients as people.  Besides aiming to win them an acquittal or the best possible settlement , I work with each client to help minimize the stress one feels when facing criminal charges or having had one's property seized and held by the government.  I hugely respect our Bill of Rights, whose wise principles are reinforced every time I can convince a judge that law enforcement violated the Fourth or Fifth Amendment by unlawfully searching or improperly questioning my clients.. Besides practicing law, I love tennis, hiking and backpacking (preferably in the company of dogs).  Protecting the world's remaining wild places and creatures is a long-standing passion, which has led me to pro bono legal defense of people arrested during environmental protests in Humboldt and Mendocino counties and to serve six years as a Mendocino County planning commissioner.

I was born and bred to defend! Both of my parents were criminal defense attorneys and taught me how important a proper defense is!  From a very young age I knew that my passion was to serve my community as a criminal defense attorney. My Bachelor of Science degree is in Criminology: Forensics Behavioral Science, which taught me the history of crime and how social and biological factors contribute to an individual committing a crime. I take that knowledge and apply it to the courtroom, fighting for my clients to get the proper treatment so that they never come back to court- as opposed to a system set on incarceration and punishment.. While in law school I spent two and a half years working for a prominent criminal defense law firm so that upon becoming an attorney I could hit the ground running. At that firm I worked closely with the two partners that had a combined 80+ years of experience and involved me in every step of very complicated and high profile cases. I worked at that firm for another three years as a lawyer before taking a leap and starting my own firm, Proper Defense Law Corporation where the lawyer you hire is the lawyer that handles your case. Where your lawyer talks to you on the phone when you have a concern- not two days later. I set out to provide the defense that clients want and need! At Proper Defense Law we do defense different, we do it right!. I have committed my legal practice to focusing on criminal and juvenile defense, all persons accused of violating the law. I especially enjoy the opportunity to work with juveniles that get caught up in the justice system. I feel that youth are vital to our society and to have the chance to help a juvenile get their life back on track is invaluable to me.. I handle cases that cover the vast spectrum of criminal law in both federal and state courts all over California including: domestic violence; theft, robberies, and burglaries; felon gun use and possession allegations; domestic violence; batteries and assaults; assault with a deadly weapon/firearm; white collar crimes such as real estate, bank, medical, and welfare fraud; sex crimes (except for child molestation); solicitation and prostitution; arson; criminal threats; battery on an officer/resisting arrest; drive by shootings; kidnapping and false imprisonment; manufacturing and distribution of drugs; conspiracy and bribery; child abuse and child endangerment; cyber crimes; DUIs and BUIs; vehicular homicide; manslaughter; murder; rape; and gang allegations.. I am a passionate attorney and I am eager to represent clients at all stages of criminal proceedings whether wrongly accused, overcharged, or unjustly convicted.

Born and raised in the San Joaquin Valley, I graduated from California State University of Fresno and the University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law. After law school, I returned home to practice law and began my career at the Fresno County Public Defender’s Office in order to gain valuable trial experience. When I left the Public Defender’s Office and decided to open my own practice, I was on the “Major Crimes Team” which consisted of attorneys that handled the most difficult criminal cases like homicides, Three Strikes cases, cases with high prison exposures, cases involving complex legal issues, cases with a voluminous amount of discovery and cases receiving media attention.. I am recognized by the California State Bar as a Certified Legal Specialist in the area of Criminal Law and certified to handle death penalty cases.. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my family and working on the family farm growing almonds, pistachios, cherries, and raisin grapes.