For nearly 30 years, I have been a lawyer, law instructor, continuing legal education provider, and community volunteer. Here is why I feel qualified to represent you and your interests in the Alameda County courts.

Since graduating from Hastings College of the Law, at University of California in San Francisco in 1980, I have worked in the courts of Alameda County. While still in law school, I started my career as clerk in the Alameda County District Attorney's Office in 1979. The Office honored me by hiring me as Deputy District Attorney in 1981.

Since 1987, for more than twenty years, I have also enjoyed success in private practice, representing individuals, and protecting their Constitutional rights. I have handled thousands of cases on every level and tried over fifty jury trials to verdict. As a practicing attorney, I am also a businessperson. I know what it means to meet a payroll, sign the front of the checks, and pay taxes. My ties to Oakland and Alameda County run deep, and I have spent much of my life trying to improve our community and representing the rights of those accused of crimes. Law has fascinated me, since my youth. As early as my junior high school years, I participated in and judged speaking and debate contests. In college I participated in the University's student discipline court. In law school I was active in moot court competition and in the Hastings College of Advocacy, a continuing legal education program for practicing litigators. As an attorney, I have judged moot court competitions at UC Hastings College of Law, and coached moot court teams at Logan High School in Union City.

My experience as a prosecutor and as a private practitioner will enable me to understand both the problems of the prosecution in your case and your needs in court. I understand the importance of fair and effective law enforcement; I also know that constitutional rights are critical, and believe these rights must be protected for your benefit.

I have lived and worked in Alameda County for nearly thirty years. I am a citizen, and a business owner. My wife is a physician at Kaiser Hospital, in Oakland. My sister and her husband live in Piedmont and are both attorneys, each practicing in Alameda County. My uncle, a retired college professor and my aunt live in Berkeley. My uncle served on the Alameda County grand jury. In short, I have strong family ties to the Alameda County community as well. These ties establish a high level of credibility when dealing with the Court and the District Attorney on your behalf.

Community service plays an important part in my life. In addition to regularly giving advice to indigent clients on a pro bono basis, I have served breakfast to underprivileged children, been a member and president of the Rotary club, volunteered at beach clean-up days, volunteered as an adviser for Moreau Catholic High School, volunteered at the YMCA, participated in my neighborhood crime watch program, and numerous other community events and services. I also volunteer my professional time as the continuing legal education chair of our local South Alameda County attorney's association.

I encourage you to find out more about the attorneys that you may consider hiring. I respectfully ask for your serious consideration. Please contact me with any questions or concerns. Member, California District Attorney's Association, 1981-1987.