Love thy Lawyer

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lovethylawyer.com

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I was born in Livermore and moved to Pleasanton when I was three.  I have lived in Pleasanton for about 50 of my 60 years.  My dad's family moved to Pleasanton in 1931.  My dad, myself, and my three kids all graduated from Amador Valley High School.

I was very active in sports growing up.

After high school I went to Chabot Community College primarily to play baseball.  After 2 years at Chabot I transferred to Cal State Sacramento and played baseball there.  I did not play my final year after realizing I did not have a future in baseball and needed to concentrate more on my studies.

I went to UOP McGeorge School of Law, graduating in 1987.  I was selected to participate in the Los Angeles County District Attorney Senior Law Clerk program.  After passing the bar I was hired a Deputy DA.  I stayed with LADA for a total of about 10 years, save a brief move to Alameda County DA in 1989 for about 5 months.

I returned to Pleasanton in 1995 and started my own practice.  I shared office space with Jim McGrail.

My practice has consisted of primarily of criminal defense, with an emphasis on Juvenile cases.

I am married to my wife Debbie for 35 years, we have three kids ages 31, 27, and 25.

Dean Shotwell

Attorney at Law

6754 Bernal Ave. Suite 740-142

Pleasanton, CA

925-462-5906

 Louis Goodman
 www.louisgoodman.com
[email protected]
510.582.9090
 
Musical theme by Joel Katz, Seaside Recording, Maui
Technical support: Bryan Matheson, Skyline Studios, Oakland
 
We'd love to hear from you.  Send us an email at [email protected]. 

Please subscribe and listen. Then tell us who you want to hear and what areas of interest you’d like us to cover.
 
 Please rate us and review us on Apple Podcasts.  

 Louis Goodman
 www.louisgoodman.com
https://www.lovethylawyer.com/
510.582.9090
Music: Joel Katz, Seaside Recording, Maui
Tech: Bryan Matheson, Skyline Studios, Oakland
Audiograms: Paul Robert 

 [email protected]

Send us Fan Mail

lovethylawyer.com

A transcript of this podcast is easily available at lovethylawyer.com.

Go to https://www.lovethylawyer.com/blog for transcripts.

This episode is supported by Premier Bail Bonds. Contact Ryan Leary at [email protected], 408-482-7822

In collaboration with the Alameda County Bar Association, Love Thy Lawyer presents an interview with: Jo-Anna Nieves.
https://thenieveslawfirm.com/our-firm/jo-anna-nieves-esq/

Jo-Anna Nieves graduated from The Florida State University in 2005 with two Bachelor of Science degrees in Multinational Business and Finance. Thereafter, she attended Florida State University College of Law where she earned her Juris Doctorate in May 2009. 

Ms. Nieves passed the California Bar in 2009 and went to work at the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office, where she prepared misdemeanor cases for trial, negotiated plea offers, argued suppression motions, built a rapport with members of the legal community, and further developed her trial advocacy skills. Two years later, she accepted a position as a trial attorney at Mandarich Law Group, LLP, a creditor’s rights law practice, where she effectively litigated over 400 cases by reaching favorable resolutions for her client by way of settlement prior to trial and maintaining a success rate of 95% for over 100 cases that were decided at trial. She then formed The Nieves Law Firm.

 Ms. Nieves has successfully represented defendants charged with crimes such as assault and battery, DUI, contempt, drug offenses, sexual assault, theft, and domestic violence. She also has an impressive track record in civil litigation matters such as civil harassment, domestic violence, and elder abuse restraining orders.

She volunteers as a mock trial coach for El Centro Legal de la Raza’s Youth Law Academy and is a member of the Earl Warren Inns of Court. She is admitted to practice before all courts of the State of California and the United States District Courts for the Northern and Central Districts of California as well as the State of Florida and the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida.

Alameda County Bar Association

The Alameda County Bar Association (ACBA) is a professional membership association for lawyers and other members of the legal profession. The ACBA provides access to ongoing legal education; and promotes diversity and civil rights in the Alameda County legal community. Our mission is to promote excellence in the legal profession and to facilitate equal access to justice.

 Louis Goodman
 www.louisgoodman.com
[email protected]
510.582.9090
 
 

Special thanks to ACBA staff and members: Cailin Dahlin, Saeed Randle, Hadassah Hayashi, Vincent Tong and Jason Leong. (https://www.acbanet.org/)

 Musical theme by Joel Katz, Seaside Recording, Maui
 Technical support: Bryan Matheson, Skyline Studios, Oakland
 
 We'd love to hear from you.  Send us an email at [email protected]. 

Please subscribe and listen. Then tell us who you want to hear and what areas of interest you’d like us to cover.
 
 Please rate us and review us on Apple Podcasts.  

 Louis Goodman
 www.louisgoodman.com
https://www.lovethylawyer.com/
510.582.9090
Music: Joel Katz, Seaside Recording, Maui
Tech: Bryan Matheson, Skyline Studios, Oakland
Audiograms: Paul Robert 

 [email protected]

Send us Fan Mail

lovethylawyer.com

A transcript of this podcast is easily available at lovethylawyer.com.

Go to https://www.lovethylawyer.com/blog for transcripts.

Dionne E. Choyce has acquired a great reputation for being a passionate and hardworking trial attorney. His courtroom development began at the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law, where he helped lead the McGeorge trial competition team to a Regional Championship in the American Trial Lawyers Association Competition (ATLA).

After graduating from law school, Mr. Choyce went to work for the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office (Oakland, CA), where he gained extensive courtroom experience prosecuting all phases of criminal cases, including jury trials, felony preliminary hearings, juvenile felony trials, as well as misdemeanor and felony law and motion hearings.

Mr. Choyce has handled hundreds of traffic and DUI cases, and has mastered the art of skillful negotiation and plea-bargaining in this area, which allow his clients to receive the best possible outcome. As a former prosecutor in one of California’s toughest jurisdictions, Mr. Choyce understands how to evaluate a criminal trial case, and will vigorously represent his clients to possibly get criminal charges reduced or dismissed. With respect to personal injury clients, because Mr. Choyce has tried dozens of trials before judges and juries, he will not hesitate to seek justice by way of a jury trial when insurance companies fail to adequately compensate those injured in serious accidents.

Mr. Choyce received his undergraduate degree in English (with honors) from Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia. He then went on to receive his graduate degree from Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He earned his law degree from the University of Pacific, McGeorge School of Law in Sacramento, California. Mr. Choyce is a member of the Charles Houston Bar Association, the Wiley E. Manuel Bar Association, the Sacramento Consumer Attorneys, and the Sacramento County Bar Association.

In his free time, Mr.Choyce enjoys reading, going to church, and spending quality time with his family.

https://choycelawfirm.com/

 Louis Goodman
www.louisgoodman.com
[email protected]
510.582.9090
 
Musical theme by Joel Katz, Seaside Recording, Maui
Technical support: Bryan Matheson, Skyline Studios, Oakland
 
We'd love to hear from you.  Send us an email at [email protected]. 

Please subscribe and listen. Then tell us who you want to hear and what areas of interest you’d like us to cover.
 
 Please rate us and review us on Apple Podcasts.  

 Louis Goodman
 www.louisgoodman.com
https://www.lovethylawyer.com/
510.582.9090
Music: Joel Katz, Seaside Recording, Maui
Tech: Bryan Matheson, Skyline Studios, Oakland
Audiograms: Paul Robert 

 [email protected]

Send us Fan Mail

lovethylawyer.com

A transcript of this podcast is easily available at lovethylawyer.com.

Go to https://www.lovethylawyer.com/blog for transcripts.

https://www.walravenlawoffices.com/

 William Walraven is the managing attorney of the Law Offices of William Walraven, a criminal defense law firm located in Oakland and San Francisco. William is committed to providing his clients with compassionate and effective representation.

Since launching his firm, William has successfully defended clients facing misdemeanor and felony charges throughout the greater Bay Area.

A native San Franciscan, William attended public schools growing up in the City. William received his undergraduate degree from UCLA and earned his JD from Golden Gate University School of Law.

EXPERIENCE

Law Offices of William Walraven
Owner

PAST EXPERIENCE

·       McGrane LLP (Associate Attorney)

·       Trepel, Greenfield, Sullivan and Draa LLP (Associate Attorney)

·       Office of the San Francisco Public Defender (Legal Intern)

EDUCATION

·       Golden Gate University School of Law
San Francisco, CA; Juris Doctor, 2008

·       University of California at Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA; B.A. Psychology, 2000

MEMBERSHIPS

·       National College for DUI Defense (NCDD)

·       California DUI Lawyers Association (CDLA)

·       Asian American Criminal Trial Lawyers Association (AACTLA)

·       Asian American Bar Association of the Greater Bay Area (AABA)

·       Alameda County Bar Association – Barristers Committee Member (ACBA)

·       Filipino Bar Association of Northern California – Social Co-Chair (FBANC)

 Louis Goodman
 www.louisgoodman.com
[email protected]
510.582.9090
 
Musical theme by Joel Katz, Seaside Recording, Maui
Technical support: Bryan Matheson, Skyline Studios, Oakland
 
We'd love to hear from you.  Send us an email at [email protected]. 

Please subscribe and listen. Then tell us who you want to hear and what areas of interest you’d like us to cover.
 
 Please rate us and review us on Apple Podcasts.  

 Louis Goodman
 www.louisgoodman.com
https://www.lovethylawyer.com/
510.582.9090
Music: Joel Katz, Seaside Recording, Maui
Tech: Bryan Matheson, Skyline Studios, Oakland
Audiograms: Paul Robert 

 [email protected]

Send us Fan Mail

lovethylawyer.com

A transcript of this podcast is easily available at lovethylawyer.com.

Go to https://www.lovethylawyer.com/blog for transcripts.

Now heading up the Alameda County Narcotics Task Force, Deputy District Attorney George Wood has served Alameda County as a criminal prosecutor for more than 30 years.  Originally from Orinda, he attended law school in Southern California, but returned to the Bay Area to start his career and family.

Here's a link to the Alameda County District Attorney's Office.
https://www.alcoda.org/

 Louis Goodman
 www.louisgoodman.com
[email protected]
510.582.9090
 
Musical theme by Joel Katz, Seaside Recording, Maui
Technical support: Bryan Matheson, Skyline Studios, Oakland
 
We'd love to hear from you.  Send us an email at [email protected]. 

Please subscribe and listen. Then tell us who you want to hear and what areas of interest you’d like us to cover.
 
 Please rate us and review us on Apple Podcasts.  

 Louis Goodman
 www.louisgoodman.com
https://www.lovethylawyer.com/
510.582.9090
Music: Joel Katz, Seaside Recording, Maui
Tech: Bryan Matheson, Skyline Studios, Oakland
Audiograms: Paul Robert 

 [email protected]

Send us Fan Mail

lovethylawyer.com

A transcript of this podcast is easily available at lovethylawyer.com.

Go to https://www.lovethylawyer.com/blog for transcripts.

In collaboration with the Alameda County Bar Association, Love Thy Lawyer presents an interview with:

Manjula Martin

https://www.lamanolaw.com/attorneys/manjula-martin/

MANJULA MARTIN is a criminal defense attorney at Lamano Law Office. She is licensed in both state and federal courts and serves on the Executive Committee of the Alameda County Bar Association where she helps influence the way law is practiced in our community through collaborations with the court, judges, and other leaders. Her knowledge, education, and expertise are what her reputation in the legal community is built on along with her beliefs that that diversity, compassion, and empathy are among our greatest strengths. She applies these values with our clients and believes that they not only deserve the best defense, but also the best treatment when going through a difficult and often traumatizing time in their life.

Ms. Martin received the Cali Excellence Award for Criminal Litigation in 2008 and was nominated as a Lawyer of Distinction in 2018. She is a member of the National College for DUI Defense (NCDD) and the California DUI Lawyers Association. She has represented women seeking to leave abusive situations in family law court with the San Francisco Bar Association Legal Services Program and worked on a Habeas Corpus Petition for a man wrongfully convicted of murder and the case was ultimately heard by the California Supreme Court. She clerked for the San Francisco District Attorney’s office where she worked on domestic violence cases, sexual assault crimes, and felony preliminary hearings. Ms. Martin is an avid traveler and spends time outside of the office with her wife and family, and depending on the season, catching waves, surfing or playing soccer.

If you need to get in touch with Ms. Martin, please email her at at [email protected].

Alameda County Bar Association

The Alameda County Bar Association (ACBA) is a professional membership association for lawyers and other members of the legal profession. The ACBA provides access to ongoing legal education; and promotes diversity and civil rights in the Alameda County legal community. Our mission is to promote excellence in the legal profession and to facilitate equal access to justice.

 Louis Goodman
 www.louisgoodman.com
[email protected]
510.582.9090
 
 

Special thanks to ACBA staff and members: Cailin Dahlin, Saeed Randle, Hadassah Hayashi, Vincent Tong and Jason Leong. (https://www.acbanet.org/)

 Musical theme by Joel Katz, Seaside Recording, Maui
 Technical support: Bryan Matheson, Skyline Studios, Oakland
 
 We'd love to hear from you.  Send us an email at [email protected]. 

Please subscribe and listen. Then tell us who you want to hear and what areas of interest you’d like us to cover.
 
 Please rate us and review us on Apple Podcasts.  

 Louis Goodman
 www.louisgoodman.com
https://www.lovethylawyer.com/
510.582.9090
Music: Joel Katz, Seaside Recording, Maui
Tech: Bryan Matheson, Skyline Studios, Oakland
Audiograms: Paul Robert 

 [email protected]

Send us Fan Mail

lovethylawyer.com

A transcript of this podcast is easily available at lovethylawyer.com.

Go to https://www.lovethylawyer.com/blog for transcripts.

You can contact Kevin at:
https://www.kevintaguchi.com/

 Louis Goodman
 www.louisgoodman.com
[email protected]
510.582.9090
 
Musical theme by Joel Katz, Seaside Recording, Maui
Technical support: Bryan Matheson, Skyline Studios, Oakland
 
We'd love to hear from you.  Send us an email at [email protected]. 

Please subscribe and listen. Then tell us who you want to hear and what areas of interest you’d like us to cover.
 
 Please rate us and review us on Apple Podcasts.  

 Louis Goodman
 www.louisgoodman.com
https://www.lovethylawyer.com/
510.582.9090
Music: Joel Katz, Seaside Recording, Maui
Tech: Bryan Matheson, Skyline Studios, Oakland
Audiograms: Paul Robert 

 [email protected]

Send us Fan Mail

lovethylawyer.com

A transcript of this podcast is easily available at lovethylawyer.com.

Go to https://www.lovethylawyer.com/blog for transcripts.

GHAZAL SHARIF
413 Donner Way, San Ramon, 94582 
925.768.7718 
[email protected] 

From Ghazal's Website:

Ghazal Sharif is the CEO and Founding Partner of The G Law Firm. Her law practice focuses on DUI defense, with the goal of providing quality defense at affordable prices. Her experience as a prosecutor and passion as a defense attorney has resulted in reduced and even dismissed charges on thousands of cases. Call 925–768–7718 for a free case review or visit DUIOnDemand.com for more information. You have nothing to lose by calling to speak with her about how to defend against criminal charges.

 Louis Goodman
 www.louisgoodman.com
[email protected]
510.582.9090
 
Musical theme by Joel Katz, Seaside Recording, Maui
Technical support: Bryan Matheson, Skyline Studios, Oakland
 
We'd love to hear from you.  Send us an email at [email protected]. 

Please subscribe and listen. Then tell us who you want to hear and what areas of interest you’d like us to cover.
 
 Please rate us and review us on Apple Podcasts.  

 Louis Goodman
 www.louisgoodman.com
https://www.lovethylawyer.com/
510.582.9090
Music: Joel Katz, Seaside Recording, Maui
Tech: Bryan Matheson, Skyline Studios, Oakland
Audiograms: Paul Robert 

 [email protected]

Send us Fan Mail

lovethylawyer.com

A transcript of this podcast is easily available at lovethylawyer.com.

Go to https://www.lovethylawyer.com/blog for transcripts.

Ben's website:
https://bayareadefenselaw.com/

Ben Zicherman was born and raised in Berkeley, California. Ben attended Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana, where he earned degrees in Communications and Sociology. Ben graduated with Deans List honors.

Ben earned his J.D. with Cum Laude honors from Pace Law School in New York. Even While in law school, Ben pursued criminal law by clerking for the Queens County District Attorney. Ben’s special training and oral advocacy skills were developed as a clerk for the District Attorney. Ben learned how the government oversees criminal prosecutions and he participated in all aspect of criminal cases ranging from the complaint to trial to verdicts. Ben was involved with cases ranging from petty theft to murder.

After graduating from Law School, Ben returned to California. He was employed by a prestigious Beverly Hills law firm, Kesluk & Silverstein, where he specialized in defending people’s civil rights. Most notably, Ben defended a person’s right to be free from discrimination, harassment and unfair treatment in the work place. As a civil litigation attorney, Ben developed expertise in motion practice, complex litigation tactics, advanced discovery procedures, oral argument, settlement and negotiation tactics, as well as trial preparation and strategy. Along with developing Ben’s trial litigation skills, this experience allowed Ben to aggressively and successfully represent his clients.

Ben expanded beyond protecting his clients civil rights to protecting peoples constitutional rights by working with acclaimed criminal defense attorney, Bruce Margolin, who is a well-known figure in the California criminal defense community and an outspoken medical marijuana activist. Working with Mr. Margolin, Ben strengthened his skill and poise in trial advocacy. While at the Law Offices of Bruce Margolin, Ben was responsible for all aspects of written and oral motion practice, oral argument, discovery, witness preparation and trial preparation. Ben utilized his skill and experience to formulate case strategy to effectively defend his client’s rights. He was successful in resolving a number of cases that superseded his client’s expectations.

Not only has Ben mastered the trial advocacy skills necessary to obtain the best possible outcomes, but he has also developed a client centered view of his practice. Ben understands that each case and client is unique and accordingly, he ensures that all of his clients are involved and informed at every step of the proceedings. With his passionate and zealous view of the justice system, Ben will vindicate and defend your constitutional rights with sensitivity, devotion and vigor.

Ben can be reached at (510) 542-6227, through the contact form, or by email at [email protected]. 

 Louis Goodman
 www.louisgoodman.com
[email protected]
510.582.9090
 
Musical theme by Joel Katz, Seaside Recording, Maui
Technical support: Bryan Matheson, Skyline Studios, Oakland
 
We'd love to hear from you.  Send us an email at [email protected]. 

Please subscribe and listen. Then tell us who you want to hear and what areas of interest you’d like us to cover.
 
 Please rate us and review us on Apple Podcasts.  

 Louis Goodman
 www.louisgoodman.com
https://www.lovethylawyer.com/
510.582.9090
Music: Joel Katz, Seaside Recording, Maui
Tech: Bryan Matheson, Skyline Studios, Oakland
Audiograms: Paul Robert 

 [email protected]

Send us Fan Mail

lovethylawyer.com

A transcript of this podcast is easily available at lovethylawyer.com.

Go to https://www.lovethylawyer.com/blog for transcripts.

David Nico is co-founder and President of Lifesafer, a company that provides Ignition Interlock Devices (IID) for individuals who have a DMV requirement for such device because of DUI difficulties.  He is an excellent resource person for attorneys who represent clients with DUI cases.

https://www.lifesafer.com/

You can phone David at: 831.250-6017

You can contact David for a copy of the 44 page SB46 Handout in PowerPoint or PDF form:
[email protected]

 Louis Goodman
 www.louisgoodman.com
[email protected]
510.582.9090
 
Musical theme by Joel Katz, Seaside Recording, Maui
Technical support: Bryan Matheson, Skyline Studios, Oakland
 
We'd love to hear from you.  Send us an email at [email protected]. 

Please subscribe and listen. Then tell us who you want to hear and what areas of interest you’d like us to cover.
 
 Please rate us and review us on Apple Podcasts.  

 Louis Goodman
 www.louisgoodman.com
https://www.lovethylawyer.com/
510.582.9090
Music: Joel Katz, Seaside Recording, Maui
Tech: Bryan Matheson, Skyline Studios, Oakland
Audiograms: Paul Robert 

 [email protected]