Summit Defense is proud to be a highly accomplished team of experienced advocates who are also caring members of the community. Our lawyers consistently achieve exceptional results because we care about our clients and defending their legal rights.
James Reilly's accomplishments in the courtroom are well known in the Northern California legal community. A former supervising prosecutor and current defense attorney with over 20 years of criminal law experience under his belt, Jim is one of those rare individuals who is a success at everything he does. As a former supervising DA, James Reilly knows when prosecutors are bluffing and always pushes for a better outcome—including winning at trial.
Criminal Defense attorney with a winning track record who has successfully handled over 100 jury trials and 40 District Court Appeals.
Supervising District Attorney
Cum Laude honors graduate and President of Student Body at Pepperdine Law School
UC Hastings Law School Instructor
Honors graduate of the US Military Academy, West Point
Award winning Lieutenant in the United States Navy, Served in Vietnam
There is no question that the skill and reputation of your attorney influences how the prosecution will treat you and your case. Therefore it is a fortunate defendant that has Michelle Spaulding standing beside him or her in a criminal courtroom.
Ms. Spaulding ranks among the very top echelon of Northern California defense attorneys, having graduated from the nation’s top law school, Harvard, and having worked at some of the most prestigious law firms in the country while mentoring under the best and the brightest in the profession.
She is also one of the few who can claim a victory in one of the most difficult types of cases to win – a Federal Court Death Penalty Appeal.
Summit Defense clients will benefit greatly from Mario Andrews' background. Before becoming a defense attorney, Mr. Andrews was a prosecutor and a police officer. This experience has given him an excellent understanding of how the other side works.
With this advantage on your side, Mario can anticipate how the police will conduct their investigation and can advise you appropriately. If preparing for trial, Mr. Andrews has the insight to poke holes in a prosecutor's case until it crumbles. Mr. Andrews recently won a double murder trial.
Mr. Rabin Nabizadeh is a staunch, single minded advocate with years of experience and a proven track record in both Federal and State courts. He has successfully helped clients beat the odds in cases ranging from Misdemeanor DUI, Theft and Domestic Violence cases to serious felonies including Grand Theft, Burglary, Sex Crimes and even Murder.
Mr. Nabizadeh began his track record of excellence when he won his law school's moot court competition. This success extended to his legal career as he has won at trial and has negotiated solutions for his clients allowing them to avoid jail and avoid criminal records. His clients tell us that they appreciate his enthusiasm, upbeat attitude and willingness to try whatever it takes to get the best possible results for his clients.
Marie Ferreboeuf has successfully defended hundreds of clients facing serious criminal charges as a former San Francisco Public Defender. Now, as a private attorney at Summit Defense, clients benefit from her depth of experience and intimate understanding of the local system, but without the time limitations that a public defender’s case load imposes.
Ms. Ferreboeuf is dedicated to the community as is demonstrated by her long term commitment to the Legal Services for Prisoners with Children and the National Network for Women in Prison — organizations that advocate for the civil rights and empowerment of incarcerated parents, children, family members and people at risk for incarceration.
For nearly twenty years Mr. Holohan has guided hundreds of criminal defendants through the complex maze of a criminal prosecution. Like many of our attorneys, Mr. Holohan comes to Summit Defense armed with a prosecutor’s perspective. After working with the Federal Government and the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office, Mr. Holohan went directly into private practice where he has repeatedly achieved favorable results for his clients including dismissals and acquittals at trial.
Mr. Holohan stresses thorough pre-trial preparation but, equally if not more important, is his lightning fast action at the very critical first stages of a criminal prosecution that often results in a reduction or complete dismissal of all charges.
Steve Davidson's approach to criminal defense is proactive. He has built his reputation in the past 10 years of Bay Area practice as an attorney who is particularly effective in allowing clients to avoid prosecution.
"Nothing is more frustrating than when a person comes to us facing a serious charge that could have been avoided had they contacted us earlier. I believe strongly in early intervention and I never let my clients put their heads in the sand and hope for the best. We don't hope for the best outcome—we take steps together to ensure the best outcome."
It is possible that Mr. Davidson's hands-on style is a product of his Philadelphia upbringing. When it benefits his client, Steve relishes a legal fight and can never be accused of being a laid back California attorney. Mr. Davidson's approach has influenced the culture of Summit Defense. Summit Defense clients consistently get outstanding outcomes whether through trial or negotiation.
Richard Weese joined the Summit Defense legal team after working for ten years at one of the largest criminal defense firms in the country. He is known by his colleagues and clients as being a master negotiator. Mr. Weese goes to great lengths to learn every detail about his client's background and case. Then he uses his negotiating skills to consistently achieve outstanding results. Satisfied clients have had their charges dismissed or reduced to probation allowing them to avoid jail sentences in cases that even included serious felonies.
Mr. Weese has a firm desire to protect the reputation and freedom of each and every client and will use his skills in research, negotiating, advocating and litigating to achieve the best outcome for every client.
In the Sacramento Region, Summit Defense is perhaps the most respected criminal defense law firm. This reputation is largely a consequence of Patricia Campi's leadership.
Ms.Campi was born, raised and educated in the Sacramento area. She knows the judges, she knows the DAs and they respect and admire her tenacity in defending her clients. Every day, Summit Defense clients benefit from Ms. Campi's strong connections. She always says that she hates to lose. This stubborn work ethic results in wins at trial, dismissals and set-asides for her happy clients.
Every year in the Bay Area there are a few aggressive, young defense attorneys who are heavily recruited by the large firms. Ms. Cazinha is one of those outstanding attorneys who came to the attention of Summit Defense through her hard work on behalf of her clients, her winning track record at trial and her outstanding references from prominent judges.
Ms. Cazinha was awarded a degree in Criminal Science at Northeastern University, where she graduated with Magna Cum Laude Honors. In Law School, Ms. Cazinha was an honor student who received the CALI Award as the most outstanding student in evidence. In advanced mock trial, she was selected as the 2006 Judge Lee D. Baxter Fellow - an award given to the best aspiring trial lawyer in the class.
She began her legal career by interning at the San Francisco District Attorneys Office in order to learn how the other side works. Then she transferred to the office of the public defender to hone her trial skill. While there, she quickly rose through the ranks and wonevery case she tried. These experiences along with her aggressive style gives her a tremendous edge in court. Routinely, she gets serious charges in cases including domestic violence, DUI, theft or drug possession reduced or even dropped.
Since joining Summit Defense, Ms. Cazinha has won every Domestic Violence Trial that she's conducted. In very little time, Kimberly Cazinha has become a recognized and respected name in Bay Aea legal circles. She was recently featured in an article in the East Bay Express.
When Summit Defense clients need an attorney with proven trial experience and Sacramento area expertise, attorney Bruce Nelson will likely be part of the defense team. Mr. Nelson has practiced law for over 25 years in every major courthouse in Northern California including the greater Sacramento area, the Central Valley and the Bay Area. He brings a superb track record to the Summit Defense team, having won 14 out of 15 trials.
Mr. Nelson was a Military Police Officer before he became an attorney. This unusual background gives Summit Defense clients an advantage when Mr. Nelson uses his knowledge of law enforcement tactics to anticipate how the police will conduct their investigation and advise his clients how to respond. Bruce handles cases ranging from misdemeanor DUIs, Petty Theft and Domestic Violence to more serious felony accusations such as Sex Crimes, Fraud, Embezzlement and Violent Offenses.
Scott's 15 years of experience supporting the legal profession includes work at some of the world's largest law firms. This big firm experience gives him a level of administrative excellence that is unusual in the criminal defense world. His background includes work in computer-based litigation support, accounting, and managing complex technical systems.
Mr. Harris understands that clients accused of crimes need every advantage on their side. Therefore he makes sure that Summit Defense clients have access to the best private investigators, medical experts and immigration experts to bolster their cases. Likewise, he ensures that Summit Defense attorneys have the best technology tools available. This includes access to comprehensive legal research databases, Blackberry e-mail devices, laptop computers and trial presentation equipment. In short - Scott makes certain that Summit clients and attorneys have every possibleadvantage on their side.
Vickie Stanfill has dedicated the past 30 years to working in the criminal justice system.She began her career as a law enforcement officer and then switched to criminal defense client services. Ms. Stanfill's strong communication and organizational skills allow her to assist the firm's clients by working with municipal and county courts, district attorneys, probation and parole departments, private investigators and other individuals associated in this profession. She knows how to get things done for Summit Defense clients...quickly and efficiently.
Ms. Stanfill's primary concern is the satisfaction of our clients. She assists our clients in coping with and understanding the judicial process, and gives them a sense of hope during some of the most stressful times of their lives.
When Vickie is not helping our clients, she is very busy being a wife, mother and grandmother and is involved in her church as a licensed Pastor which includes leading the Women's Ministry and counseling those in need.
