Gary helped me with a consult. I wanted to check my gut sense on a patient with a person who actively practices law, and he answered faster than Zeus throws a lightning bolt. The manner in which he delivered his counsel was brilliant. He was concise, completely free of powdered sugar coating, and del...ivered the answer I needed to smack me out of "save the world mode" and into a "I hate the color orange, so let's NOT do that" mode in a way indicative of his keen mind and razor wit. Thanks for making me laugh, and giving me valuable information! I needed confirmation that it was the wrong thing to do and why, and I appreciated your follow-up.

Atty. Gary Ilmanen answered a question expeditiously for me one Sunday afternoon, and it may make a big difference in the lives of about 1,100 inmates each day in Santa Barbara County Jail as well as their families, friends, legal counsel and public entities. My question had to do with Department o...f Correction food standards for inmates, and due to Atty. Ilmanen's thorough assistance, I was able to inform the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors that a Santa Barbara County Grand Jury report was inaccurate and bogus because inmate meals served by ARAMARK did not comply with Department of Corrections standards as the Grand Jury had stated in their very biased "Healthy Jail Food" report issued Jan. 27, 2014. Under the Penal Code in California, a Grand Jury is supposed to be an "unbiased" entity "keeping an eye on local government," so for the Santa Barbara County Grand Jury to issue a biased report clearly written with a favoritism towards the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Department impairs the ability of all citizens to be represented in a fair way. In this instance 1,100 inmates are not being treated in compliance with California state law, and now the Santa Barbara Board of Supervisors knows that. Sadly, when inmates are mistreated or deprived of their rights, injustice can affect the entire community. The good side of the story is that because of expert attorneys like Atty. Gary Ilmanen, at least a Grand Jury report can be legally challenged, and I will challenged it repeatedly until the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors acts appropriately on the issue. Thanks to the expertise, kindness, compassion and generosity of Atty. Ilmanen, hopefully inmates will be treated like humans instead of animals soon. If you want an attorney to make a difference, call Atty. Ilmanen. Hurray for AVVO.com weekend lawyers!!!