Education

Law School/Year: USD, 1986

College/Year: Tulane, 1980

Bar Admissions

California, 1986; New Mexico, 1991; U.S. Supreme Court, 1990; Ninth Circuit Court of Appeal, 1988

Practice Areas

Criminal Law, Drunk Driving

Major Cases

David Chance (with John Cotsirilos) in “the largest death penalty case in U.S. history.” After four years of litigation, the government dismissed the case after jury selection.

Joy Medley, a murder case filed in federal court. A full acquittal after the presentation of the prosecution’s case.

Arturo Paez, following the first extradition of a high-ranking member of the Arellano-Felix drug organization.

United States v. Dickey, 924 F.2d 836 (9th Cir.) cert. denied, 112 S. Ct. 383 1991. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals held for the first time that a district court has the discretion to depart downward from based on “aberrant behavior.”

Professional Background

I have defended criminal cases at trial and on appeal, from complex white collar and regulatory offenses to violent crimes to simple misdemeanors. In addition, I have been an adjunct professor at USD and California Western. I have been on the faculty of the Institute for Criminal Defense Advocacy and the National Institute of Trial Advocacy. I lecture about criminal justice issues to groups of lawyers, including the American Bar Association, local bar associations, and ABA-CEELI in Central Asian countries of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Georgia. I have also authored many articles on topics related to criminal justice.

Professional Affiliations

American Bar Association, chairman, Solo & Small Firm Committee, Criminal Justice Section (2000-2003); San Diego Criminal Defense Bar Association, board of directors, president (2001-2002); San Diego Criminal Defense Lawyers Club, member; Criminal Justice Act Panel, district court representative; representative to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals for the U.S. District Court, Southern District, California. I am on the USD Law Alumni board of directors.

Personal Background

I was born in Chicago, raised in New Mexico and went to college in New Orleans. I played in my college tennis and rugby teams, and after college I was a geologist with Gulf Oil for three years. I moved to San Diego in 1983, and I am married with three children.