Why do we practice criminal defense?

The people.

Every day, our sole job is to help people — people in crisis, facing consequences that affect their futures, their reputations, their families, their lives. For our clients, we face off with prosecutors, police, judges, probation officers, hostile witnesses, even unsupportive family members. We are the ER doctors of the legal business; the work can be high stakes and high stress, but incredibly, amazingly rewarding in its potential to make a difference in someone's life.

As one of our legal assistants put it:

"I have learned from my own experience, as well as from working here, that 'criminals' can be people you love, admire, even idolize. Criminal defense is not about drug dealers, drug addicts, murderers, and child molesters, but about people, all of whom are infinitely complicated and can make poor decisions and terrible mistakes. It is not all about dismissals, pleas and money; instead, it can be about rehabilitation, reconnection and redemption."

Advocacy is our art; trial skills, our medium. We approach every case as trial lawyers, devoting the time and resources necessary for investigation, research, and preparation as if every case would result in trial. We never assume a case will result in a guilty plea or advise a client without knowing everything we can about the case.

Creativity is what sets us apart, and problem solving is often our primary job. Every case is different, every client is different, every circumstance is different. Once we have examined a case from a trial perspective, we are freed to think creatively about the problems that led to arrest and the solutions — both legal and extra-legal — that could resolve a case. Being prepared for trial makes us better advocates in negotiations with witnesses, prosecutors and judges. Thinking outside "the system" helps achieve outstanding results for our clients.

Integrity is paramount. Our advice to clients is developed through our experience as lawyers as well as our own independent assessment of the client and the case. Just as we seek to protect the integrity of our clients, as lawyers we strive to demonstrate the qualities integrity embodies: honor, honesty, sincerity, trustworthiness, ethics, justice, kindness, dedication, and respect.