Kara Beth Stein-Conaway

Kara Beth Stein-Conaway

also known as Kara Beth Stein (maiden name)

5.0
Rating: 10.0

Licensed for 17 years

DUI and DWI Lawyer at San Luis Obispo, CA
Practice Areas: DUI & DWI, Domestic Violence, Violent Crime, White Collar Crime

1119 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, CA

About Kara

Biography

Fees and Rates

Cost

Free Consultation

$0 first 30 minutes


Payment Methods

  • Check
  • Credit Card

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Licenses

Licensed in California for 17 years

State: California

Acquired: 2008

Active

No misconduct found

Location

Stein-Conaway Law Firm

1119 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, CA, 93401

Law Offices of Kara Beth Stein-Conaway

8575 Morro Road, Suit A, Atascadero, CA, 93422

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Kara Beth Stein-Conaway's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

5.0 /5.0

48 Client Reviews

Filter Avvo Reviews (48) Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.

Showing 1 - 3 of 3 reviews | General Knowledge

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...n the end, I was free and clear of any conviction whatsoever and I kept my professional license. I utilized her services again in 2020 . I was facing serious charges again. In that case, there was someone else who was facing the same charges as me, and he was not represented by Kara. I was able to see the representation he received compared to the representation I received. With Kara and her exceptional abilities as an attorney, I received a very reduced charge and minimal consequences. The other person who was not represented by Kara did not get the great outcome I received. I am again now, in 2025, using Kara’s services again. Every time Kara has represented me in the past, in addition to being incredibly smart and hardworking, she has always been kind, caring, and has encouraged me to focus on my health and well-being. I am now again facing some very serious charges that could drastically affect my future again, but I have the utmost confidence in her ability and determination to do everything in her legal power to get me the best outcome in both of these cases too. There is no other law firm I could possibly recommend than the Stein-Conaway Law Firm. They, by all means, go above and beyond for their clients. I hope this review reaches as many people as possible and helps you to make the best legal decision you could make for your future. Good luck!

Posted by katie | October 02, 2019 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense

great attorney

I never thought I would find myself needing the assistance of a criminal attorney. When I did, Kara Stein-Conaway came highly recommended. From the first call she was attentive and was able to to explain things in a way that I could understand. She went to work immediately working in my defense. I do... believe that it was due to her knowledge, organization, efficiency and experience that I was saved from months of court dates and waiting. Every time I called her she either took my call or called me back very quickly. She went above and beyond in even helping me to find other experts to help with my situation. Not only did she help to get the best outcome but she did so with grace and kindness which was such a blessing at such a stressful time. I will be forever grateful for what she did for me.

Posted by K | October 06, 2016 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense

Excellent attorney, very knowledgeable, highly recommend

I was arrested for a Drunk In Public (DIP), and was not hopeful that I had other options beyond pleading guilty. I contacted Kara for a brief consultation to discuss some of the details of my arrest with her. She immediately pointed out that DIPs can often be fought to have charges either lessened ...or dropped, and offered up a range possibilities that a more positive outcome might be achieved for me. Her foresight gave me hope, and I asked that she represent me for the remainder of my case. Kara was willing to appear in court on my behalf and did so on all occasions, making my life a lot easier by not having to deal with the stress and hassle of traveling. Before each court appearance, she gave me a breakdown of what she would be discussing with the DA and what sorts of paperwork (if any) she would bring in / fill out / receive. After each court appearance, she immediately contacted me to give me an update of what had transpired. Because of her proactiveness and knowledge of the field, she was able to have all charges against me dropped, all within a very short amount of time. I could not have asked for either a better outcome or better legal representation. I was afraid that having any sort of involvement with police or criminal history would change how people saw me. Kara, however, was supportive and empathetic during the entire process, all while remaining diligent in fighting my case. I would highly, highly recommend Kara to anyone.

See All Client Reviews

Kara Beth Stein-Conaway's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Kara
Louis Justin Shapiro headshot
Louis Shapiro

Criminal defense lawyer | Nov 04

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"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."

Kevin Callaway Gregg headshot
Kevin Gregg

Criminal defense lawyer | Oct 30

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"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."

Meghann Ahern Triplett headshot
Meghann Triplett

Criminal defense lawyer | Jul 12

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"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."

April Rashel Curtze headshot
April Curtze

Criminal defense lawyer | Dec 02

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"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."

Guy Christopher Galambos headshot
Guy Galambos

Criminal defense lawyer | Nov 11

Relationship: Co-worker

"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."

George B. O'Neill headshot
George O'Neill

Criminal defense lawyer | Nov 09

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"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."

Amber Heffner headshot
Amber Heffner

Criminal defense lawyer | Nov 07

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"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."

View All Endorsements
Rodolfo Marquez headshot
Rodolfo Marquez

Immigration lawyer

Mackenzie Wilker Mackins headshot
Mackenzie Mackins

Immigration lawyer

Sarah Goss Overacker headshot
Sarah Overacker

Immigration lawyer

Meghann Ahern Triplett headshot
Meghann Triplett

Bankruptcy and debt lawyer

Katherine Schwinghammer headshot
Katherine Schwinghammer

Criminal defense lawyer

George B. O'Neill headshot
George O'Neill

DUI and DWI lawyer

Guy Christopher Galambos headshot
Guy Galambos

Criminal defense lawyer

Amber Heffner headshot
Amber Heffner

Immigration lawyer

Louis Justin Shapiro headshot
Louis Shapiro

Criminal defense lawyer

Kevin Callaway Gregg headshot
Kevin Gregg

Immigration lawyer

April Rashel Curtze headshot
April Curtze

Family lawyer

Experience

Rating:  10.0 (Superb)

Honors

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

Work Experience

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)

Associations

2015 - Present

Women Lawyers Association of San Luis Obispo

Member

2013 - Present

San Luis County Bar Association, Criminal Defense Section

Member

2008 - Present

California Attorneys for Criminal Justice

Member

2018 - 2018

Women Lawyers Association of San Luis Obispo

Vice President

2017 - 2017

Women Lawyers Association of San Luis Obispo

Secretary

2016 - 2016

Women Lawyers Association of San Luis Obispo

Board Member - Publicity Chair

2007 - 2008

McGeorge Public Legal Services Society (PLSS)

Fundraiser Co-Chair

2006 - 2007

McGeorge Public Legal Services Society (PLSS)

President

Education

2008

McGeorge School of Law, University of the Pacific

JD - Juris Doctor with Distinction

2003

California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo

BA - Bachelor of Arts - Magna Cum Laude

Speaking Engagements

2017

Women in the Law Panel

Law School & Practicing Law

2016

Cal Poly Law School Panel

Law School and Becoming a Lawyer

2014

Presentation by Kara Stein-Conaway and Jeff Stein

What Family Law Lawyers Should Know About Criminal Law

2014

Presentation by Kara Stein-Conaway & Jeff Stein

What College Students Should Know About Criminal Law

Publications

2018

San Luis Obispo County Bar Association's Bar Bulletin The Gold Standard - WLA Honors Two Who Help Empower Women

2013

Selected for publication as part of Terrorism and Human Rights Book Edited by Martin Scheinin Female Refugees: Re-Victimized by the Material Support to Terrorism Bar

Languages

Spanish

English

Activity

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