Pelta Law is a San Francisco criminal defense firm led by former prosecutor Marc Pelta. He spent three years in the district attorney's office before switching to defense work in 2008. This background gives him insight into how prosecutors build their cases.
The firm handles DUI charges, drug crimes, restraining orders, and serious felonies throughout California. Mr. Pelta is admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court and federal courts in the Northern, Eastern, and Central Districts. He takes a hands-on approach with each client and prepares every case for trial. The firm offers initial consultations at no cost.
Summit Defense is the Bay Area's largest criminal defense firm with offices in San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose, and Redwood City. The legal team includes three former district attorneys and a former police officer. Together, they bring over 120 years of courtroom experience.
The firm handles only criminal cases. This focus allows them to stay current with California defense law. Their attorneys have secured dismissals in murder cases, 3-strikes prosecutions, and complex federal matters. Senior trial attorney James T. Reilly was named one of the top criminal defense lawyers nationwide by Newsweek. Summit Defense holds an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and provides case reviews at no charge around the clock.
Christopher Morales is a San Francisco criminal defense attorney and California State Bar Certified Criminal Law Specialist. Fewer than 1% of California lawyers hold this certification. He has defended clients accused of crimes since 1991.
A native San Franciscan, Mr. Morales graduated from UC Berkeley and Santa Clara University Law School. He served as an expert commentator for Fox News during the Scott Peterson murder trial. His high-profile cases include the Bilitnikoff murder case and the largest gang-rape case in San Francisco history. The firm handles murder, DUI, drug crimes, white-collar offenses, and three-strikes cases throughout California. Initial case reviews are available at no cost.
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Jonah Chew has over 20 years of criminal defense experience in the Bay Area. He spent five years as a San Francisco Public Defender before opening his private practice in 2006. Named to the Super Lawyers list from 2019 to 2025, he is known for strong trial results.
The firm defends clients facing DUI, fraud, sex crimes, domestic violence, and major felonies in state and federal courts. Mr. Chew earned his law degree from the University of San Francisco School of Law. His firm serves San Francisco, Alameda, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Contra Costa, and Marin counties.
Sergio Benavides is a California State Bar Certified Criminal Law Specialist based in San Leandro. He was named one of America's Top 100 Criminal Defense Attorneys. A former Fresno County Public Defender, he has tried over 30 cases to verdict.
The firm handles DUI, domestic violence, drug charges, and serious felonies. Mr. Benavides also assists clients with immigration matters, including U Visas and deportation defense. He speaks fluent Spanish and serves the East Bay, San Francisco, and surrounding counties.
Valery Nechay defends clients facing state and federal criminal charges throughout the nine Bay Area counties. Her practice covers drug crimes, domestic violence, sex offenses, white-collar matters, and juvenile cases. She also handles civil rights claims involving police misconduct.
A San Francisco native, Ms. Nechay brings local court knowledge and strong relationships with prosecutors. She was named to the Super Lawyers list and focuses on getting charges dismissed whenever possible. The firm provides no-cost case evaluations.
Adam Gasner is a San Francisco criminal defense lawyer and California State Bar Certified Criminal Law Specialist. Fewer than 400 attorneys statewide hold this certification. He founded his firm in 2002 after working as a prosecutor and at a top San Francisco defense firm.
The firm handles serious felonies, federal charges, white-collar crimes, and DUI cases. Mr. Gasner holds an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell and serves as past president of the Criminal Trial Lawyers Association of Northern California. He offers 60-minute consultations at no cost.
Former Deputy District Attorney Pezhman Pakneshan leads this Bay Area criminal defense firm. He prosecuted thousands of cases, including over 1,000 DUI matters, before switching to defense. The firm serves nine Bay Area counties and ranks among California's top authorities on criminal record expungement.
Mr. Pakneshan received extensive forensic training from the California Department of Justice. He handles DUI, domestic violence, drug charges, and felonies. Clients work directly with him rather than paralegals.
Jayne Law Group is a boutique San Francisco criminal defense law firm founded by former prosecutors in 2006. Julia Mezhinsky Jayne leads the practice with over 25 years of trial experience. She is ranked by Chambers USA for white-collar crime and government investigations.
The Daily Journal named Jayne Law Group one of the Top 20 Boutique Law Firms in California. Ms. Jayne has tried more than 40 jury cases and teaches trial advocacy at UC Law San Francisco. The firm handles complex federal matters, white-collar crimes, drug offenses, and violent felonies.
Ginny Walia Law Offices provides criminal defense and family law services from offices in Fremont and San Jose. Attorney Ginny Walia has over 20 years of trial experience and has appeared as a legal analyst on NBC, CBS, and MSNBC.
The firm handles DUI, domestic violence, drug charges, and serious felonies throughout Alameda, Santa Clara, Contra Costa, and San Francisco counties. Staff members speak several Indian regional languages in addition to English.
Hickey & Chung are San Francisco criminal attorneys handling federal and state cases. Brendan Hickey is a Harvard Law School graduate and former federal defender. Naomi Chung was named a 2023 Super Lawyers Rising Star for white-collar criminal defense.
The firm defends clients facing health care fraud, securities violations, money laundering, and RICO charges. They keep a limited caseload to give each client personal attention.
Matt Sullivan is a San Francisco criminal lawyer named to the Northern California Super Lawyers list from 2018 to 2024. A former Marin County Deputy Public Defender, he handles DUI, domestic violence, sex crimes, and white-collar matters.
The firm defends police officers, firefighters, nurses, and medical professionals facing criminal and licensing issues. Mr. Sullivan also handles post-conviction matters, including expungements and resentencing motions.
Neil Hallinan is a third-generation Bay Area trial attorney with offices in San Francisco and Oakland. He spent a decade as a public defender and has tried over 45 cases to verdict. The firm is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
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Naomi Chung defends clients in federal white-collar cases, securities fraud, and complex criminal matters in San Francisco. Named a 2023 Super Lawyers Rising Star, she partners with Brendan Hickey at Hickey & Chung, LLP.