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Cindy Castillo

Criminal defense Attorney at Phoenix, AZ

4.8   66 reviews

also known as Castillo Law, PLLC, Board Certified Criminal Defense Attorney

  • Licensed for 19 years
    State AZ
    Acquired 2004
    Status
    Active No misconduct found

We have not found any instances of professional misconduct for this lawyer.

About Cindy

Learn Cindy’s areas of practice.

4
Practice areas
  1. Criminal defense
    30%
    All other criminal misdemeanor and felony offenses.

    19 years

  2. Sex crime
    30%

    16 years

  3. DUI and DWI
    20%

    19 years

  4. Violent crime
    20%

    17 years

Cindy Castillo is a board certified criminal law specialist by the State Bar of Arizona. She has litigated criminal matters ranging from misdemeanors to felonies including first degree murder, manslaughter and complex designated cases, throughout Arizona.  She has represented clients in juvenile court, misdemeanor and superior courts, federal court, forfeiture proceedings, administrative board hearings, MVD hearings, Rule 11 competency hearings, Simpson hearings and appellate courts.  She has successfully represented numerous professionals governed by licensing authorities that include board members of publicly traded entities, doctors, dentists, psychologists, chiropractors, nurses, realtors, appraisers, airline pilots, commercial truck drivers, actors as well as professional athletes in criminal matters.   

She has handled well over 1000 criminal cases, of which over 100 were tried to a jury.  Of those cases, she has had numerous trial victories including driving under the influence (DUI); extreme DUI; DUI Drugs, minor driving under the influence; reckless driving; assaults; aggravated assaults; resisting arrest, shoplifting; trespass; false reporting to law enforcement; possession, sale, and transportation of dangerous drugs, marijuana, and narcotics; drive by shooting; assisting a criminal syndicate; misconduct involving weaons; and vehicular manslaughter.  She has successfully negotiated hundreds of lesser included offenses on behalf of her clients and obtained mitigated sentences through the use of mitigation experts, mitigation videos, and psychological and medical experts.  She has also argued motions and obtained dismissals on behalf of her clients for a wide range of constitutional violations that include the Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Amendments.  Finally, she has had a wide range of appellate success including dismissals of lower court rulings and a remand for a new hearing in a Special Action with the Court of Appeals.  

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Castillo Law, PLLC
2025 N. 3rd Street, Suite B150
Phoenix, AZ, 85004

Reviews

4.8 / 5.0
  66 customer reviews
Posted by Sai Shailendranath Reddy | August 15, 2023
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Cindy
Cindy, the attorney, was instrumental in helping me navigate my case successfully. Her expertise and dedication were evident throughout the process, resulting in a positive outcome. I am truly grateful for her assistance and highly recommend her services. I highly recommend attorney Cindy! She skillfully navigated my case, resulting in a favorable outcome. Her expertise and dedication were invaluable.
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Posted by anonymous | April 16, 2023
This review is from a potential client who consulted with this attorney.
| Consulted Attorney
Best Lawyer to Call!
I was in an early morning car accident with a Sheriff and didn't know what to do. I called Cindy at about 2:30am and she immediately answered the phone. She provided me comfort in my moment of severe stress and confusion along with clear guidance on how to handle my situation with the police. I don't know what I would have done if I hadn't spoken to Cindy that morning. I can't begin to thank her enough. I recommend Cindy to anyone needing legal advice. Thank you so much Cindy!
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Posted by JAVIER TORRES | August 29, 2022
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
CINDY CASTILLO LA MEJOR ABOGADA DE ARIZONA
Cindy me represento en mi Caso trabajando de lo mejor peliando a conseguir lo mejor y consiguiendolo una ABOGADA con Mucha experiensia,dedicasion,empeno y amabilidad la recomiendo 100%
Posted by Katherine | September 14, 2021
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Nothing but positive reviews!
I have a good family friend who is an attorney in the PHX area, when I asked him to recommend a firm for my particular case, he immediately gave me Cindy Castillo’s information. I had never dealt with any legal issues before and had overwhelming anxiety and fear of what was to come next. I called her up and immediately felt better after our first few conversations. That being said, several months and court dates later, I would 100% recommend Castillo Law to anyone else in need of an attorney. Cindy Castillo and William Cronin represented me through a very long process (due to COVID), helped me understand each step along the way, and gave me the information I needed to make difficult decisions. They took the time to have phone and zoom meetings with my family and I to discuss our questions as frequently as needed. Thanks to the firm’s hard work and dedication to my individual needs I was able to attain the end results I was hoping for. Cindy is very educated, trustworthy, and responsive through phone, email, and text. I am grateful to have worked with a firm that treated me with respect and prioritized my needs every step of the way! Thank you Castillo Law!!
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Posted by Marie | July 8, 2021
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Completely satisfied with this Lawyer
I'm happy with choosing Cindy Castillo for her help with my grandson. Always professional and always there at court early, never running late. They were understanding, not judging. Knowing some kids take longer to understand what goals in life are most important for a brighter future. That kids and grandkids make poor decisions early in life. I was relived to have her support my grandson in his case.
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Posted by anonymous | February 22, 2021
This review is from a potential client who consulted with this attorney.
| Consulted Attorney
Great Person
Cindy Castillo is a great defense lawyer. She is not just in it for the money, she genuinely cares for her clients and does her absolute best throughout the entire process. Very insightful and helpful towards me and my case. She is always on time, reliable, and will pick up a phone call from her clients at any hour of the day. She is willing to go the extra mile for any clients and will not accept anything but the best for them. Cindy is a very level-headed, sharp-minded individual who knows how to work hard for her clients. Cindy Castillo is overall a great person and one of the best lawyers I have worked with and would recommend her to anyone who needs an attorney.
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Posted by Lauren | November 25, 2020
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Very pleased with the outcome
I was cited for a DUI after being pulled over for not entirely moving into the secondhand lane yielding to a police officer who had his emergency lights activated. I was not aware of the move over law in Arizona and when they pulled me over they went through the field sobriety test where I was found to be over the legal alcohol limit of 0.08. I immediately sought out a lawyer to help me navigate the intricacies of this citation and to see if there was anything that could be done to have it reduced. Cindy worked very diligently to comb through all of the evidence and interview all of those involved to assess if there were any discrepancies in the case that could be identified. I was very pleased with the overall outcome as it the citation was reduced from a DUI to a reckless driving citation. I would highly recommend Cindy for this type of case as she is knowledgeable, well informed and detail oriented
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Posted by Dalton | November 13, 2020
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Drug case
Although the situation didn’t go picture perfect the way I wanted it I believe Cindy did the best she could to alleviate my situation. I was able to reduce my probation to a reasonable time period compared to what I was initially facing. The prices that she offered were reasonable and she even took it one step further to accommodate me given I was just a recent graduate who couldn’t afford to pay a large sum amount of money. All in all, I had a great overall experience with her services
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Posted by Salvador | November 6, 2020
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Excellent lawyer!!!
Cindy castillo is the best lawyer in arizona!! She has helped me in several occasions and I couldn’t be any happier with her help.. she is very good at what she does and not only she is professional at her job but she is also very understanding, and caring. All i can say is that am beyond grateful for meeting her and her team!!
Posted by anonymous | October 17, 2020
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Best lawyer ever ...!!!!!!
Cindy got me the best possible out come possible she and her staff are fantastic exceeded my expectations highly recommend!!!
Posted by anonymous | February 9, 2020
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Excellent!
Cindy and her staff had a very short time frame to get up to speed on our case before a hearing. She understood exactly what was going on and handled our case expertly!
Posted by Kade | January 3, 2020
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Best in Arizona
Cindy Castillo is absolutely amazing at her job! She helped me out when I was in a rough situation over 6 years ago. Wow is all I can say! And the best part is I lived 2 hours away and she still managed to make everything happen. She's very great at what she does. When I thought there was no possible way at a great outcome she made it happen. Not only is she a professional at what she does but she is also very understanding, attentive and very personable. She was easy to talk to she and her staff did an amazing job. Always kept me in the loop and never lead me in the wrong direction . Now fast forward to today she is now helping me set aside my charges to better my future and put all this behind me. If there was an option for 100 star rating she would get it in a heart beat. I highly recommend her and her staff to anybody in the arizona area not only will she do a great job but she will make things happen for you !
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Posted by anonymous | May 30, 2019
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Best Layer in Arizona
Cindy and her staff are the best in Arizona! I contacted Cindy’s office by mistake and let me say, this was the best mistake I have ever made. Cindy took on my sons case and fought hard. I cannot describe how amazing Cindy is. She won my sons case and he can now continue with his life. I would 100% recommend Cindy and her staff! Cindy made us feel like family and not just an attorney.
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Posted by Margarita | May 23, 2019
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Review
In my case, the lawyer Castillo did an excellent job of defending and demonstrating the truth despite several charges against me, where Cindy Castillo with her experience took me free of these charges and the case was in our favor. Thank you again Attorney Castillo for your dedication in my case, it was a pleasure to count with you in my stressful moment of my life.
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Posted by Nick | July 18, 2018
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Castillo Law saved my life!
Cindy and her team are beyond amazing. They are very professional, punctual, sincere, and most importantly they saved me from what could have been a severe punishment from the State of Arizona. Cindy personally went above and beyond her scope of our agreement to ensure that other circumstances were taken care of first -- which helped tremendously with the overall outcome of my case. She is a phenomenal attorney, aggressive negotiator, extremely diligent and a wonderful human being. Cindy is surrounded by an equally talented and caring staff. Thank you Castillo Law for everything!!!
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Posted by Tori | April 9, 2018
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Cindy Castillo
Hiring Cindy definitely made my experience much less stressful and more comfortable than I thought it was going to be. Cindy and her staff are very knowledgeable, and always make sure you know whats going on with your case. She not only provided the services and results she said she would provide, but exceeded my expectations to another level. I was very happy with her firm and would not hesitate to refer her to anyone in need.
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Posted by Sonia | March 30, 2017
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Off to an Excellent Start and Very Optimistic!
Writing on behalf of a client of Cindy's because he is restricted from internet use. This client is a close family friend who has experienced many challenges with a prior attorney. The communication with Cindy has been excellent to date, and we have every expectation that the gameplan she has outlined for the future will happen and that our friend will continue to benefit from the excellent representation he has received to date.
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Posted by anonymous | March 29, 2017
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
My brother has hope!!
By brother has hired cindy castillo after he has been struggling with his former lawyer to help him on his case there was no help or hope at all, now cindy has giving my brother so much hope different ways to fight his case and helping him out as much as she can. She makes the time for him and answer all his questions .. Can not be so happy for my brother finnly he see's hope . Hope that we all our family been waiting for years . I sure recommend her to any friend and family any time !!
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Posted by Rudy | March 27, 2017
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Excellence
Cindy Castillo is an excellent attorney. Our experience with her and her firm have been great! She has exceeded our expectations in many ways. Cindy is a very professional, knowledgeable and experience in the law. Cindy and her team have handled our case with diligence, exploring all options and coming up with the best strategies. She has always been available to discuss any questions or concerns. As an individual Cindy has been truly caring, taking her time to explain things in detail, and very passionate about helping. She has been awesome! Our family is very grateful to her. We highly recommend her services.
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Posted by Olicia | March 11, 2017
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Newbie
I just retained cindy today 3-10-17 i hope i get the help you all has got my name is olicia bennett will keep everyone updated on my progress she seems very knowledgeable, very understanding,
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Cost

Rates
  • Free Consultation 45 minutes
Payment methods
Cash, Check, Credit Card

Resume

AVVO RATING 10.0 (Superb)

Work Experience

  • Attorney
  • Law Offices Of David Michael Cantor
  • 2010 - 2013
  • Attorney
  • Hock Law Group (a/k/a Phillips & Associates)
  • 2005 - 2010
  • Attorney
  • The Slepian Law Office
  • 2004 - 2005
  • Law Clerk
  • The Slepian Law Office
  • 2003 - 2004
  • Law Clerk
  • Alex Harris PC
  • 2002 - 2003
  • Rule 38 Attorney
  • Public Defender's Office
  • 2002 - 2003
  • Legal Extern
  • Arizona Attorney General's Office
  • 2002 - 2002
  • Law Clerk
  • Koudelka & Richardson
  • 2001 - 2002
  • Legal Assistant
  • Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice
  • 1997 - 1999
View all work experience

Education

  • APDA
  • Certificate
  • 2023
  • The Power of One More
  • 2023
  • NACDL Zealous Advocacy in Sexual Assault & Child Victim Cases
  • Certificate
  • 2022
  • Never Split the Difference
  • 2022
  • NACDL: 2021 Defending Sex Cases Conference
  • Certificate
  • 2021
  • NACDL: Mental Illness & The Law: Addressing and Litigating Behavioral Health Disorders in Criminal Cases
  • Certificate
  • 2021
  • State Bar of Arizona: Psychosexual Evaluations: What Every Attorney Should Know
  • Certificate
  • 2021
  • State Bar of Arizona: Online Sex Offense: What Every Attorney Should Know
  • Certificate
  • 2021
  • NACDL 11th Annual Defending Sex Cases Seminar
  • Certificate
  • 2020
  • Nacdl: Defending Sexual Assaults and Child Victims Cases
  • Certificate
  • 2019
  • On The Jury Trial by Thomas M. Melsheimer and Judge Craig Smith
  • 2019
  • Scalia Speaks, Reflections on Law, Faith, and Life Well Lived
  • 2018
  • Win Your Case — Gerry Spence
  • 2018
  • The Art of Trial Warfare — Michael S. Waddington
  • 2018
  • The Essential Little Book of Great Lawyering — James A Durham
  • 2018
  • NACDL Zealous Advocacy in Sexual Assault & Child Victims Cases
  • Certificate
  • 2018
  • NACDL
  • Zealous Advocacy in Sexual Assault & Child Victim Cases
  • 2017
  • The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People — Stephen R. Covey
  • 2017
  • NACDL
  • Certificate
  • 2017
  • NACDL
  • Certificate
  • 2016
  • State Bar of Arizona
  • Legal Certificate
  • 2015
  • NACDL
  • Legal Certificate
  • 2015
  • 2014 Arizona College of Trial Advocacy
  • Certificate
  • 2014
  • APDA 12th Annual Statewide Conference
  • Certificate
  • 2014
  • NACDL - 17th Annual DWI Means Defend with Ingenuity
  • Certificate
  • 2013
  • APDA: 11th Annual Statewide Conference
  • Certificate
  • 2013
  • NACDL - Getting the Not Guilty Vote
  • Certificate
  • 2012
  • NACDL - Defending with Ingenuity - Winning at Every Level
  • Certificate
  • 2011
  • Eighth Annual APDA Statewide Conference
  • Certificate
  • 2010
  • NACDL - Communicating your way to an Acquittal
  • Certificate
  • 2010
  • Seventh Annual APDA Statewide Conference
  • Certificate
  • 2009
  • Sixth Annual APDA Statewide Conference
  • Certificate
  • 2008
  • Understanding the Inner Workings of the MVD
  • Certificate
  • 2008
  • Fifth Annual APDA Statewide Conference
  • Certificate
  • 2007
  • Arizona State University
  • JD - Juris Doctor
  • 2003
  • University of North Carolina, Greensboro
  • Bachelor of Arts
  • 1999
  • University of North Carolina, Greensboro
  • Bachelor of Arts
  • 1999
View all education

Legal Cases

  • In Re G
  • Severance denied and case plan changed to reunification
  • State v. RF
  • RF was acquitted of the aggravated assault and the lesser included offense of disorderly conduct with a deadly weapon. RF was only found guilty of the least serious assault, a class 1 misdemeanor.
  • State v. FM, http://www.superiorcourt.maricopa.gov/docket/CriminalCourtCases/caseInfo.asp?caseNumber=CR2013-422200
  • Not Guilty on Resist Arrest and Dismissal of ID Charge
View all legal cases

Associations

  • The National Trial Lawyers Top 100
  • Member
  • 2021 - Present
  • Horace Rumpole American Inn of Court
  • Member
  • 2016 - Present
  • Better Business Bureau
  • Member
  • 2015 - Present
  • Maricopa County Bar Association
  • Member
  • 2014 - Present
  • National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
  • Member
  • 2010 - Present
  • Federal District Court (Arizona)
  • Member
  • 2005 - Present
  • State Bar of Arizona
  • Member
  • 2004 - Present
  • Order of Barristers
  • Member
  • 2003 - Present
  • Sertoma Club
  • Member
  • 2005 - 2006
  • Sandra Day O'Connor Inn of Court
  • Member
  • 2004 - 2006
  • Los Abogados Hispanic Bar Association
  • Member
  • 2003 - 2005
  • ASU Executive Moot Court Board
  • Chair
  • 2002 - 2003
  • ASU Executive Moot Court Board
  • Member
  • 2001 - 2002
View all associations

Languages Spoken

  • English
  • Spanish

Honors and Awards

  • The National Trial Lawyers Top 100
  • The National Trial Lawyers
  • 2021
  • AV Preeminent Rated
  • Martindale-Hubbell
  • 2020
  • Board Certified Criminal Law Specialist
  • State Bar of Arizona
  • 2016
  • A Plus Rating
  • Better Business Bureau
  • 2015
  • Client's Choice Award
  • AVVO
  • 2014
  • Top Contributor
  • AVVO
  • 2014
  • Clients Choice Award
  • AVVO
  • 2013
  • Clients Choice Award
  • AVVO
  • 2012
  • Certificate of Appreciation
  • CPLC
  • 2005
  • Order of Barristers
  • National Order of Barristers
  • 2003
  • Pro Bono Distinction
  • Arizona State University College of Law
  • 2003
  • Armstrong Award
  • ASU
  • 2001
  • Finalist
  • Berch Appellate Argument Competition
  • 2001
  • Scholarship
  • Fennemore Craig Minority Scholarship
  • 2001
  • Interview Champion
  • ASU Moot Court
  • 2001
  • Alumni Scholarship
  • UNCG
  • 1999
  • Honorable Discharge
  • United States Air Force Reserve
  • 1995
View all awards

Speaking Engagements

  • 11th Annual APDA Statewide Conference
  • Communicating Effectively and Accurately with Spanish Speaking Clients for Attorneys and Support Staff
  • 2013

Attorney endorsements

Received (29)
Given (25)
Endorse Cindy
Criminal defense Attorney | Dec 02
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer. Cindy is an excellent criminal defense lawyer. She is skilled prepared and takes the time to investigate her cases. She is professional and cares about her clients."
Criminal defense Attorney | Mar 16
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter
"I endorse this lawyer. Cindy is a dedicated attorney who strives to get the best outcome for her clients."
Criminal defense Attorney | Mar 15
Relationship: Co-worker
"I had the pleasure of working alongside Cindy for several years at a private law firm. She is professional, hard-working, and always determined to achieve the best possible outcome for her clients."
Criminal defense Attorney | Mar 11
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer."
DUI and DWI Attorney | Feb 23
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer."
Criminal defense Attorney | Jul 15
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter
"Cindy is an impressive criminal and DWI attorney, and has an excellent online reputation. If you think you can use her service give her a call and see what she can do for you."
DUI and DWI Attorney | May 21
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer. Cindy is by far the one of the most knowledgable DUI and criminal defense lawyers in Arizona. She is the only person you need to talk to."
Criminal defense Attorney | Jan 27
Relationship: Worked together on matter
"I have worked with Ms. Castillo on multiple criminal trials. She is an excellent attorney and advocate. Cindy has the experience and horsepower to make positive things happen in criminal cases and I fully endorse her."
Criminal defense Attorney | Jun 20
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer."
Criminal defense Attorney | Jan 22
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer."
Criminal defense Attorney | Jan 09
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer."
Criminal defense Attorney | Dec 28
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter
"Ms. Castillo and I often litigated on opposite sides of the courtroom. Not only is she ethical and hard-working for her client, she gained my respect by being both easy to work with and formidable with both winning and losing battles. As a former prosecutor and currently an Immigration Attorney in California (licensed to practice law in Arizona, but not in California), I have dealt with a range of defense attorneys, prosecutors, judges and pro per Defendants. I believe Ms. Castillo would be a fine choice for any type of criminal or immigration issues."
Criminal defense Attorney | Oct 14
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer. Cindy is a great attorney and fights vigorously for the rights of her clients, I have seen her in action and she is awesome!"
DUI and DWI Attorney | Sep 02
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer."
Criminal defense Attorney | Aug 06
Relationship: Supervised lawyer
"Cindy Castillo is an excellent attorney. She has great litigation skills. I strongly endorse Cindy, any client would be fortunate to have her on their side."
DUI and DWI Attorney | Jun 21
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"Ms. Castillo is an excellent trial attorney who delivers high quality representation for her clients. She has years of experience defending clients in both felony and misdemeanor cases. Ms. Castillo is a highly ethical attorney and can be trusted to fight for her client's rights."
DUI and DWI Attorney | Jun 18
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer. Cindy is extremely knowledgeable and always puts her clients first."
Criminal defense Attorney | Jun 15
Relationship: Co-worker
"Ms. Castillo has statewide experience in representing clients in criminal matters. She is knowledgeable and very effective. She is fluent in Spanish and English. She is a strong and effective advocate."
DUI and DWI Attorney | Jun 11
Relationship: Co-worker
"Cindy has a quality that is sorely lacking with many attorneys. She takes excellent care of her clients. She really listens and takes the time to explain everything clearly. She always responds quickly when her clients have questions. She just always goes above and beyond and her clients love her for it."
DUI and DWI Attorney | Jun 10
Relationship: Co-worker
"I have known Cindy for years and can say without reservation that she is as sharp as she comes, and if I were in a jam, she's who I would call."
View more endorsements
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Social Security & Disability
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