Lynda Joy Westlund

I began my career in criminal defense by being my Criminal Procedure professor's teaching assistant in law school.  After graduating in 1997, I worked at an appellate firm in San Francisco while awaiting Bar results.  At this firm, I worked on several appeals of clients facing the death penalty, and worked on the appeal for one of the Mendendez brothers.  It was here I learned all about the appellate process, and loved it.

After passing the Bar (1st time), I went to the San Francisco Public Defender's Office as a certified/licensed intern, and started handling cases of my own.  Before long I went to Humboldt County to work as a Deputy Public Defender, where I handled all manner of misdemeanors and felonies, in addition to juvenile and dependency  cases.  I then transferred to the Los Angeles County Public Defender's Office, where I had a near-100% acquittal rate.  I loved this position, and thoroughly learned the process and procedure in Los Angeles County Courts (as an aside, I would advise hiring a lawyer who has been either a District Attorney or a Public Defender, without question.  Lawyers who go straight into private practice, in my experience, do not sufficiently know "the ropes," if you will).

I went into private practice after a number of years, and worked for the firm of Trutanich-Michel, where I specialized in firearm-related matters in both state and federal court.  I also wrote several writs and appeals, and was a panel member for an MCLE educational seminar.  My section was "Firearms: possession, use and the law."  

Since then, I have ran my own law firm, and handled all manner of cases in Los Angeles, Orange, Santa Barbara, San Bernadino and Riverside counties.  I take cases to trial more than any other private lawyer I know.  This is because I charge very reasonable and fair rates and, most importantly, begin preparing a case a case for trial right from the outset.  It is by preparing a case for trial that you are able to get the most beneficial plea agreements for your client, as you are then able to systematically point out the weaknesses in the case to the prosecutor or, as often happens, get positive results by trying the case before a jury.

I handle all manner of criminal cases, everything from a DUI and DMV proceedings to Murder.  I also have had the opportunity to take many family law matters in recent years, and am proficient in that area as well.  I give free consultations to all clients, so give us a call whenever you or a loved one need assistance.  We are here to help!