LICENSED FOR 27 YEARS.

12/11/1996 Admitted to the State Bar of California
ACTIVE

Work Experience:

Attorney
Law Offices of William C. Makler
2004 - Present
Faculty Member
Santa Barbara College of Law
2006 - 2008
Deputy Public Defender
Santa Barbara County Public Defender's Office
2001 - 2003
Deputy Public Defender
Santa Cruz Public Defender
1997 - 2000
Staff Attorney
Federal Public Defender
1996 - 1997

Education:

McGeorge School of Law, University of the Pacific
JD - Juris Doctor
1996
University of California - San Diego
BA - Bachelor of Arts
1991
Sample of Legal Cases
People vs. Stephen K.
Not guilty
People vs. Carol R.
License reinstated.
People vs. Joshua T.
Public Intox./Driver’s license reinstated

Associations:

Santa Barbara Defenders
President
2017 - Present
Santa Barbara Defenders
Board Member, Officer
2017 - Present
Better Business Bureau
Admitted
2006 - Present
National College of DUI Defense
Member
2001 - Present
California DUI Lawyers Association
Member
2001 - Present
Santa Barbara County Bar Association
Member
2000 - Present
California Public Defenders Association
Member
1996 - Present
State Bar of California
Member
1996 - Present
California Attorneys for Criminal Justice
Member
N/A
National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
Member
2001 - 2007

Languages Spoken
Spanish
English

Honors and Awards:

AV Preeminent Rated
Martindale-Hubbell®
2021
AV Preeminent Rated
Martindale-Hubbell®
2020
AV Preeminent Rated
Martindale-Hubbell®
2019
AV Preeminent Rated
Martindale-Hubbell
2018
AV Preeminent Rated
Martindale-Hubbell
2017
AV Preeminent Rated
Martindale-Hubbell
2016
AV Preeminent Rated
Martindale-Hubbell
2015
Top One Percent
National Association of Distinguished Counsel
2015
AV Preeminent Rated
Martindale-Hubbell
2014
AV Preeminent Rated
Martindale-Hubbell
2013
Peer Review Rated
Martindale-Hubbell
2012
Peer Review Rated
Martindale-Hubbell
2011
Peer Review Rating
Martindale-Hubbell
2010
Peer Review Rating
Martindale-Hubbell
2009
Honors in Trial Advocacy
McGeorge School of Law
1996

Publications:

Santa Barbara Lawyer (blog)
So What's the Big Deal?
2009
Santa Barbara Lawyer (Blog)
Does Parental Notification Violate Privacy?
2008
Santa Barbara Lawyer (Blog)
Pleading Not Guilty
2008
Santa Barbara Lawyer Blog
Criminal Convictions Reduce Longterm Earnings.
2007
Santa Barbara Lawyer (Blog)
NO Canada!
2007

Speaking Engagements:

The Basics
Criminal Law Practice Management
2017
DUI Training
DUI
2017
Defending DUI
DUI
2016
DUI Defense
DUI
2015
DUI
DUI
2014
Know Your Rights
Constitutional Rights
2012
Know Your Rights
Constitutional Rights
2009
Know Your Rights
Constitutional Rights
2008
CPDA Basic Trial Skills Institute
Trial Skills
2008
DUI Defense
DUI Defense
2007
Crash Course in Legal Rights
Legal Rights
2007
Scientific Evidence in DUI Cases
Scientific Evidence in DUI Cases
2005
DUI Defense
DUI Defense
2005
Bench & Bar Conference
DUI Defense Practice tips
2005
Know Your Rights!
Know Your Rights
2004