Mary E Tatum

PRO

Mary E Tatum

5.0
Rating: 7.5

Licensed for 37 years

Criminal defense Lawyer at San Luis Obispo, CA
Practice Areas: Criminal Defense, Employment & Labor, Litigation, State, Local And Municipal Law

1119 Palm St, Suite C, San Luis Obispo, CA

Virtual Consultation Available

Free Consultation

About Mary

Biography

Compassionate, Knowledgeable, and Experienced Legal Representation Advocating for Justice in Criminal Defense, Employment Law, and Personal Injury Cases.

Facing criminal charges can be one of the most challenging experiences you’ll ever face. We deliver rigorous and strategic defense backed by decades of experience. Mary Tatum’s experience as a Deputy District Attorney provides her with unmatched insight into the prosecution process.

Mary Tatum has successfully represented individuals in cases against some of the county’s largest employers, tackling wrongful termination, discrimination, and wage disputes. Her unwavering commitment to justice and her ability to navigate "David and Goliath" scenarios make her a formidable advocate

Mary Tatum’s experience includes successfully pursuing claims with merit and defending against unfounded ones, giving her a balanced perspective to handle your case effectively. Our goal is to secure the compensation you deserve, allowing you to focus on healing.

Practice Areas

4

Practice Areas

Criminal Defense 49%

Facing criminal charges? Tatum Law Group offers strategic defense with decades of experience. Her Deputy DA background provides unique insight, crafting robust defenses and negotiating for better outcomes. Your rights, fiercely pr

49%
Employment and Labor 25%

Mary Tatum fiercely represents employees against major employers in wrongful termination, discrimination, and wage disputes. Her dedication to justice shines in "David vs. Goliath" battles, ensuring fair treatment and accountability.

25%
Litigation 25%

Injured? Tatum Law Group, led by Mary Tatum, guides you through the legal process. With experience in meritorious claims and defending unfounded ones, we secure your deserved compensation, letting you focus on healing.

25%
State, Local, and Municipal Law 1%

Mary Tatum’s 33 years as a former Deputy DA give her deep insight into criminal defense. Her proven courtroom skills and ability to negotiate with prosecutors lead to better outcomes. Tatum Law Group fiercely protects your rights and freedom.

1%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Free Consultation

$0 first 30 minutes


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check
  • Credit Card

Awards

Client's Choice
Client's Choice
2026 2025 2024
...
+ 1

Licenses

Licensed in California for 37 years

State: California

Acquired: 1988

Active

No misconduct found

Location

Tatum Law Group, APC

1119 Palm St, Suite C, San Luis Obispo, CA, 93401

tatumlawapc.com/

Mary E Tatum's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

5.0 /5.0

27 Client Reviews

Filter Avvo Reviews (27) Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.

Showing 1 - 5 of 27 reviews

Posted by Earl | February 28, 2026 | Hired Attorney | DUI & DWI

Incredible Results - Both Felonies Dropped

I cannot recommend Mary Tatum highly enough. I was facing two life-altering charges - a felony DUI and a felony domestic violence charge - and the stakes for my future could not have been higher. From our very first meeting, Mary was a powerhouse. What impressed me most was her courtroom p...resence; she handled the prosecuting attorney brilliantly, dismantling his arguments with precision and sharp legal strategy. Because of her expertise and tenacity, the judge dropped both felony charges entirely. If you are facing serious allegations and need an attorney who is respected, fearless, and gets results, Mary Tatum is the one you want in your corner. She saved my future and I am incredibly grateful for her hard work.

Posted by Mike | February 22, 2026 | Criminal Defense

Great representation with compassion.

Mary’s guidance and help with my son’s case was absolutely great. From the first consultation to the actual court appearance, Mary made my son feel at ease. Mary’s communication with the DA resulted in a program for my son to enroll in, leaving nothing on his record after completion. Mary went above ...a beyond my expectations.

Posted by Suzanne | February 11, 2026 | Hired Attorney

Excellent, professional attorney!

Mary is an absolute pleasure to work with - she has a tremendous amount of experience, is very kind and is very professional. We got the exact outcome we were hoping for thanks to Mary! We highly recommend working with her!!!

Posted by Jenny | January 30, 2026 | Hired Attorney

Awesome

Mary worked really hard at all times. This is someone that you can trust all you have to do is just be honest with her.

Posted by Brent | January 03, 2026 | Criminal Defense

A true professional

is a true caring, and knowledgeable professional. Her 30 years experience as a prosecutor serve her clients well. She knows the law, how the system works, and how prosecutors think and work The professional contacts she's made over her care can be a blessing and lifesaver for her clients. This prove...d true for me. I appreciated her pro-active, no nonsense attitude that blends nicely with her caring and supportive demeanor. I highly recommend Mary Tatum.

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Mary E Tatum's Lawyer Endorsements

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Eva Ulz headshot
Eva Ulz

Employment and labor lawyer | Jul 27

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"Mary Tatum is a fierce advocate and compassionate advisor. She takes the time to thoroughly investigate and learn the facts of each case to ensure that she provides the best possible representation for each of her clients. Her legal experience is matched by her keen perception of people and their problems."

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Experience

Rating:  7.5 (Very Good)

Honors

2021

Resolution Recognizing Mary Tatum for her 23 of Service, Monterey County Board of Supervisors

Work Experience

1998 - 2021

Deputy District Attorney, Deputy District Attorney Monterey County

1988 - 1997

Deputy District Attorney, Deputy District Attorney Ventura County

Associations

2024 - Present

The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo County

Grantmaking Committee Member

2022 - Present

Women's Lawyer's Association of San Luis Obispo County

Member

2022 - Present

San Luis Obispo County Bar Association, Criminal Defense Section

Member

2022 - Present

San Luis Obispo County Bar Association, Labor and Employment Law Section

Member

Education

1987

Santa Barbara & Ventura Colleges of Law

JD - Juris Doctor

1979

California Lutheran University

BS - Bachelor of Science

Speaking Engagements

Languages

English

Spanish

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