Work Experience:

My career began with the Law Offices of Serra, Perelson, Lichter, Daar, and Bustamante in September, 1992, in San Francisco, California. For the next seven years, I worked with legendary criminal defense attorney J. Tony Serra. My apprenticeship with Mr. Serra gave me the opportunity to try my first case, a first-degree murder charge, with Serra in 1994. I formally joined the office in 1996, giving it the name of Serra, Lichter, Daar, Bustamante, Michael and Wilson. These early years of practice brought me to all of the Bay Area County Courts as well as the Federal District Courts. After relocating to my native San Diego in 2000, I continued to practice criminal defense and personal injury.

Case/Work History:

Over the past 16 years, practicing primarily in the State and Federal trial courts of both Northern and Southern California, I have represented approximately 1,000 clients at every level of the criminal justice system, including persons accused of all forms of violent crime (including first degree murder and sex crimes), First Amendment issues (such as speech and pornography cases), narcotics, immigration, and weapons possession. I have also represented both plaintiffs and defendants in civil, family, and real estate matters.

I have written and argued appeals before the California First District Court of Appeals and the Arizona Federal District Court, and researched, composed, and argued hundreds of motions in the Law and Motion and Trial courts. I have conducted over 300 evidentiary hearings (including preliminary hearings, hearings on motions to dismiss for Fourth Amendment violations, sentencings, and others) and approximately 20 jury trials.

As a student Research and Writing Intern with the California State Attorney General, I personally researched and authored 10 respondents’ briefs during the summer between my second and third year of law school.

As a sole proprietor and law office manager, I supervised secretarial, investigative, and clerical staff. As a busy litigator, I interacted with a wide spectrum of people, including opposing counsel, judges, courtroom clerks, bailiffs, clients and their families, juries, and the public. I consider myself a conscientious and enthusiastic advocate, and look forward to a variety of tasks and challenges.