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also known as Kara Beth Stein (maiden name)
I am a criminal defense attorney and my practice focuses exclusively on criminal defense representation. With deep knowledge of local criminal law practices in San Luis Obispo County and Santa Maria, I offer strategic advantages that can make the difference in achieving the results you need and in protecting your future. I devote my time to understanding your concerns, your insights about the case, and to developing a personalized, creative, and tailored solution to optimize acheiving a best-case outcome.
In 2017, I was honored by being selected as an attorney “Rising Star” by the Women Lawyers Association of San Luis Obispo County. In 2019, I was selected and served as the President of the Women Lawyers Association of San Luis Obispo County. In 2020, I was honored with the Pentangelo Award for the quality of my article contributions to the San Luis Obispo County Bar Bulletin. In 2022, I was selected and served as the President of the San Luis Obispo County Bar Association. Presently, I am the Community Service Chair for both the Women Lawyers Association of San Luis Obispo County and the San Luis Obispo County Bar Association.
At the Stein-Conaway Law Firm, P.C., we will use our 85+ total firm-wide years of battle-tested criminal defense experience to provide our clients with strong, committed, and compassionate legal representation. We believe criminal defense representation can be a pathway to growth and transformation. We are the central coast’s premier criminal defense law firm with over 250+ five-star Google reviews. When our firm represents someone facing criminal charges, they receive more than just a lawyer who shows up in court; they have a team of dedicated advocates standing beside them.
To deal successfully with the challenges you face, we connect, one-on-one, exploring the details and gaining insights to those approaches that fit you and benefit your individual situation. We aim to provide the strongest defense possible, reviewing every avenue for your defense, and educating you to understand your situation and your options.
The Stein-Conaway Law Firm, P.C. defends clients in cases involving:
- Driving Under the Influence of alcohol, medication, or drugs
- Driver’s license suspensions
- Domestic Violence
- Violent Crimes
- Sex Cases
- Termination of Sex Registration
- Criminal Post-Conviction Relief (expungements, reducing felony convictions to misdemeanors when legally possible, ending probation early, sealing records of arrest, withdrawing guilty pleas related to immigration situations to avoid immigration law consequences)
- Theft and Embezzlement
- Drug Charges
- Other Crimes
ACT BEFORE YOU GET CHARGED - PRE-FILING REPRESENTATION
- When an investigation or arrest creates risk of criminal charges being filed by the District Attorney's Office, you have an important opportunity to avoid being charged by thoughtful and timely pre-filing representation. With some cases, this early intervention can avoid having to go to court or be charged with a crime, even if you were arrested.
Stein-Conaway Law Firm, P.C. represents many people from outside the San Luis Obispo and Santa Maria areas who run into legal difficulty while vacationing at the many recreational spots the Central Coast offers. In most misdemeanor cases, we can represent you without you ever needing to appear in court in San Luis Obispo or Santa Maria.
We practice law with heart, courage, and impact.
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$0 first 30 minutes
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Chat withState: California
Acquired: 2008
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1119 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, CA, 93401
8575 Morro Road, Suit A, Atascadero, CA, 93422
48 Client Reviews
Showing 1 - 5 of 11 reviews | Compassion
Posted by Crystal | March 18, 2025 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense
Best attorney on the Central Coast
I started working with Kara Stein-Conaway in 2012. I was referred to her through my grandma whom had worked successfully with her father Jeff. Kara took on a very serious case for me. I had professional license, so this complicated matters even more. She worked hard and tirelessly to fight for me. I...
Posted by Frederic P | February 18, 2025 | Hired Attorney | DUI & DWI
The strong Law firm you deserve.
Greetings to all, In the month of July of 2024, I found myself at the behest of the Highway Patrol entangled in my second DUI in just shy of the ten year period from my first DUI. I knew at the time that this wasn't going to end well for me. I was scared, I felt defeated and knew that I had devel...
Posted by Catherine | January 08, 2025 | Hired Attorney | Lawsuits & Disputes
Personable and Stress Free
I cannot express enough gratitude for the exceptional service I received from Carrie during a very challenging time in my life. I was falsely accused of stalking and harassment by someone who was trying to manipulate the situation against me. The thought of a restraining order hanging over my head wa...
Posted by Nallely | August 22, 2022 | Hired Attorney | DUI & DWI
Very professional team
Kara Stain-Conaway represented me for a complicated DUI case. She did a fantastic job, going above and beyond to ensure the best possible outcome, which was reducing my DUI charge down to a Wet and Reckless. Being a first time offender, I was scared as anyone in a legal situation is, but Kara handled...
Posted by Natalie | July 19, 2022 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense
Incredible Personalized Legal Care
I am so thankful I found Kara. The entire legal team at her firm quite possibly saved my career. They continued to fight relentlessly for me for nearly two years. Somehow as my case was to be resolved, my charges were lowered. I had telephone consultations with quite a few attorneys prior to hiring K...
"Kara is calm, courteous and decisive. She is a dynamite criminal defense attorney and will stop at nothing to achieve the best result. Retain her while you still can."
"I strongly recommend Kara. I practice immigration law in San Luis Obispo County. Kara is always aware when a case might have negative immigration consequences and takes that into account when advising her clients. She has also been successful expunging cases or withdrawing plea agreements that were prevented my clients from receiving residency and citizenship. She presents clients with realistic options and probabilities for success and is diligent at communicating with clients."
"Kara is extremely knowledgeable and is dedicated to helping her clients achieve the best possible results. She is caring and smart, and I recommend her for any criminal defense matter."
"I highly recommend Kara. She is knowledgeable in her field of practice and works diligently to protect her clients. Kara is extremely intelligent, kind, ethical and is a true asset to our legal community."
"Kara is smart, works hard and cares about her clients. She is committed to get the best outcome possible for each client. I would highly recommend her for any criminal case."
"I am pleased to endorse Kara as a DUI-Criminal Law lawyer in San Luis Obispo. During the time that I have known her we have worked on cases together and I have found her to be a very dedicated and knowledgeable attorney."
"I highly endorse Kara for criminal defense. I am a local immigration attorney and she has gotten great results for several of my clients. She is one of the few attorneys in the area who understands the intersection between criminal and immigration law. She is also fluent in Spanish. I highly recommend her."
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2018
Rising Star Award, Women Lawyers Association of San Luis Obispo County
2008
Order of the Coif, McGeorge School of Law
2008
Traynor Honor Society, McGeorge School of Law
2008
Dean's Honor List, McGeorge School of Law
2008
Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges, McGeorge School of Law
2007
Summer Corps Award Recipient, Equal Justice Works
2003
President's Honor List, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
2003
Dean's Honor List, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
2017 - Present
Attorney, Stein-Conaway Law Firm
2013 - 2016
Attorney, Stein, Casciola & Galambos, LLP
2008 - 2013
Deputy Public Defender, Los Angeles County Public Defender's Office
2007 - 2007
Judicial Extern, Justice Kathleen M. Butz, CA Court of Appeal, Third District
2007 - 2008
Chief Comment Editor of McGeorge Law Review (Law Review Board), McGeorge School of Law
2007 - 2007
Law Clerk, Van Der Hout, Brigagliano & Nightingale, LLP
2006 - 2006
Law Clerk, Public Counsel Law Center
2006 - 2007
Staff Writer for McGeorge Law Review, McGeorge School Of Law
2003 - 2003
Legal Intern, California Rural Legal Assistance (CRLA)
2015 - Present
Women Lawyers Association of San Luis ObispoMember
2013 - Present
San Luis County Bar Association, Criminal Defense SectionMember
2008 - Present
California Attorneys for Criminal JusticeMember
2018 - 2018
Women Lawyers Association of San Luis ObispoVice President
2017 - 2017
Women Lawyers Association of San Luis ObispoSecretary
2016 - 2016
Women Lawyers Association of San Luis ObispoBoard Member - Publicity Chair
2007 - 2008
McGeorge Public Legal Services Society (PLSS)Fundraiser Co-Chair
2006 - 2007
McGeorge Public Legal Services Society (PLSS)President
2008
JD - Juris Doctor with Distinction
2003
BA - Bachelor of Arts - Magna Cum Laude
2017
Law School & Practicing Law
2016
2016
Law School and Becoming a Lawyer
2014
What Family Law Lawyers Should Know About Criminal Law
2014
What College Students Should Know About Criminal Law
2018
2016
2013
2007
2007
Spanish
English
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