Tracey Rangel Cruz

Tracey Rangel Cruz

also known as Tracey Rangel

4.8
Rating: 9.0

Licensed for 26 years

Divorce and separation Lawyer at Santa Barbara, CA
Practice Areas: Divorce & Separation, Child Custody, Family ... +2 more

1035 Santa Barbara St., Second Floor, Santa Barbara, CA

About Tracey

Practice Areas

5

Practice Areas

Divorce and Separation 35%

Handle all types of family law matters, including divorce, legal separation, child custody, paternity, child support, spousal support, premarital agreements, restraining orders, modification of orders, and all issues relating to family law. Caring, thorough and compassionate representation for individuals facing difficult family law cases.

22 years | 500 cases

35%
Family 20%

Handle all types of family law matters, including divorce, legal separation, child custody, paternity, child support, spousal support, premarital agreements, restraining orders, modification of orders, and all issues relating to family law. Caring, thorough and compassionate representation for individuals facing difficult family law cases.

22 years

20%
Criminal Defense 10%

Former prosecutor in New Orleans Violent Offender Strike Force Unit and the Ventura County Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Unit. Have handled all types of criminal matters, including murder, attempted murder, armed robbery, carjacking, drug and alcohol offenses, domestic violence and DUI'S. Defense of clients charged with criminal acts in Santa Barbara, Santa Maria and Ventura Counties.

31 years | 1,000 cases

10%
DUI and DWI 10%

Handle DUI offenses, including all phases of criminal prosecution and DMV hearings.

27 years

10%

Fees and Rates

We have not found any cost information for this lawyer


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Licenses

Licensed in California for 26 years

State: California

Acquired: 1999

Active

No misconduct found

Location

Tracey Rangel Cruz Attorney at Law

1035 Santa Barbara St., Second Floor, Santa Barbara, CA, 93101

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Tracey Rangel Cruz's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

4.8 /5.0

17 Client Reviews

Filter Avvo Reviews (17) Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.

Showing 1 - 5 of 5 reviews | General Knowledge

Posted by Maya | January 19, 2022 | Hired Attorney | Family

Absolutely Wonderful

Tracey and her team are extremely dedicated, compassionate and professional! I feel like a struck the jackpot when I hired her! She and her assistant, Channy, took on my case when I was in a dire and desperate situation and showed so much understanding, patience and competence. Through a long process... with many hearings, they navigated through a complex family law case and a restraining order with multiple witnesses and evidence. Tracey’s demeanor, professionalism and expertise in court were phenomenal and she instantly earned credibility in front of the judge. She knows her job so well and is incredibly in tune with the intricacies and nuances of the laws and the California judicial system. She was always honest with me and laid our realistic expectations without sugar coating anything. She and her team often worked late nights and weekends to prepare for my case and were there for me professionally and personally. We won the case and through her commitment and hard work I was able to keep my children safe. I couldn’t recommend her enough!!!

Posted by Anna | July 16, 2019 | Hired Attorney | Family

Could not be happier with my lawyer!

I was dreading the legal process and fighting my husband over our money and our children. He had threatened to take custody away and leave me in the worst place he possibly could, financially. I didn’t care about our material things but I did care about our children. Tracey sat down with me and ex...plained the court process, the laws, and the realities of what to expect. She worked to get my case ready for court and she knew just what I needed to do. She advised me about a fair settlement and not to give up more than I wanted to simply out of fear. Looking back, I’m glad I didn’t because I deserved my fair share of our assets and I am glad that I stood firm. Tracey writes beautifully and expressed my points in court perfectly. When we were in court, she was confident and polished. She is definitely the epitome of a professional and experienced lady lawyer. She’s a fighter dressed up in a suit and pearls and all, but she will fight for you. I could not be happier with how she handled my case — give her a try you won’t be sorry!

Posted by shawn | October 15, 2014 | Divorce & Separation

The BEST lawyer in Santa Barbara

I first et Tracy in 2010, needing a lawyer to help me out with my divorce. At the time I was looking for legal advice and she told me everything I needed to do. Shortly after that my ex-wife continued to accuse me of some pretty awful things that had to do with my children so I asked her what my opti...ons were. She didn't hesitate to help me. During that time I was only seeking advice. It wasn't until 2011 that I called Tracy back to let her know that my was dragging her feet with the divorce and I just needed it over as soon as possible. Tracy didn't waste anytime. When I said "as soon as possible" she took that to heart and less than a month later my divorce was final. Over a year and a half later while on my second deployment I found out my ex-wife had been doing some pretty unimaginable things and putting my children in the middle of it. We talked about the case on a weekly basis for about 2 months. One day Tracy called me and said "Shawn I want more than anything for you to win this case, but because I'm based out of Santa Barbara and the judge you it will be hard because he doesn't really care for Santa Barbara lawyers". Let's stop there for a second. (1)Tracy thought enough of me and my kids that she would refer to a local lawyer. (2) That took money out of her pocket and put it in someone elses. (That's pretty SELFLESS if you ask me). Tracy then asked me if I would be ok with her drafting all the paperwork up for my new lawyer, of course I told her yes. The hours she spent working on my case by herself aswell as assisting my new lawyer was awesome. Because of the paperwork she drafted up and the countless hours she put in I now a single FATHER have 100% custody of my children. Tracy was there for me anytime I needed anything and when I hadn't spoken to her in over a year and a half she remembered everything about me my children and my case. When you hire Tracy you aren't just getting a lawyer you are getting someone who truly loves their job and someone who take every case personally and to heart. I would 100% recommend her to anyone.

Posted by Ben | February 25, 2014 | Child Custody

Tracey to the rescue!

I was down and out. I felt hopeless and helpless at a time when my infant son needed me the most. New to the area and no friends, I turned to Tracey Rangel Cruz for help and she was there to rescue us. She is highly knowledgeable, strategic and effective. Against all odds, I was successful in my case... and my son's safety was the result. Our lives are forever changed for the better and I owe it all to Tracey. Words on a website can't express my gratitude.

Posted by Bruce | January 27, 2013 | Lawsuits & Disputes

Satisfied client

I met with four lawyers and none of them were a good match until I met with Tracey. She put me at ease and made me feel really comfortable. She answered all my questions clearly and concisely. She gave me several different strategies for handling my case, and possible outcomes and costs. I was ve...ry happy with the service and subsequently referred several friends and family members who also reported good results. I give her my highest recommendation.

See All Client Reviews

Tracey Rangel Cruz's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Tracey
Stephen Ernest Penner headshot
Stephen Penner

Family lawyer | Oct 27

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Tracey is very knowledgeable and a wonderful advocate for her clients. Tracey is reasonable, kind, professional, and a pleasure to work with on family law matters."

Luis Esparza headshot
Luis Esparza

Unknown lawyer | Mar 21

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse Tracey Rangel Cruz, an attorney with great experience in several areas of law devoted to her clients while diligently representing with intellect and compassion."

Natalie Ann Spilborghs headshot
Natalie Spilborghs

Family lawyer | Mar 03

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Tracey is extremely hardworking and devoted to her clients's needs. She understands the complexity of each individual situation and brings a warm and caring presence. She will work around the clock to be an advocate for her clients. She is a very experienced attorney and I would recommend her for any family law matter."

Stephen Peter Anderson headshot
Stephen Anderson

Family lawyer | Mar 02

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Juan Jose Huerta headshot
Juan Huerta

Family lawyer | Feb 28

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Mrs. Cruz is a hardworking, dedicated and extremely knowledgeable attorney. She is highly regarded by her colleagues and is known for getting the best possible outcomes for her clients."

View All Endorsements
Dylan Franklin Pollard headshot
Dylan Pollard

Personal injury lawyer

Stephen Ernest Penner headshot
Stephen Penner

Family lawyer

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Steven Andrade

Criminal defense lawyer

Luis Esparza headshot
Luis Esparza

General practice lawyer

Stephen Peter Anderson headshot
Stephen Anderson

Divorce and separation lawyer

Natalie Ann Spilborghs headshot
Natalie Spilborghs

Bankruptcy and debt lawyer

Juan Jose Huerta headshot
Juan Huerta

Criminal defense lawyer

Monica M. Robles headshot
Monica Robles

Estate planning lawyer

Experience

Rating:  9.0 (Superb)

Honors

2017

Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

Work Experience

2004 - Present

Attorney, Criminal Defense & Family Law Practice

2000 - 2003

Attorney, Snyder, Maho & Prentice

1999 - 2000

Deputy Prosecuting Attorney, Ventura County District Attorney's Office

1995 - 1998

Deputy Prosecuting Attorney, New Orleans District Atorney's Office

Associations

Santa Barbara County Bar Association

Member

Santa Barbara Women Lawyers Association

Member

American Bar Association

Member

Sample of Legal Cases

People v. R. A.

Case Dismissed.

See More Legal Cases

Education

1991

UCLA

BA - Bachelor of Arts

N/A

University of California at Los Angeles School of Law

JD - Juris Doctor

Speaking Engagements

2013

Civil Rights

Invited Speaker

2012

UCSB

Invited Speaker

2011

UCSB Law and Civil Rights

Invited Speaker

Avvo Rating

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Avvo Rating Levels
10.0 - 9.0 Superb8.9 - 8.0 Excellent7.9 - 7.0 Very Good6.9 - 6.0 Good5.9 - 5.0 Average4.9 - 4.0 Concern3.9 - 3.0 Caution2.9 - 2.0 Strong Caution1.9 - 1.0 Extreme Caution