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 11 - 15 of 27 reviews

Posted by Christofer | July 03, 2025 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense

The best in town

She's very thorough patient caring and understanding. And she saved my family thank you Mary. Mainly she's no pushover she doesn't let the da dictate the proceeding like other attorneys will. Shes a fighter highly recommend. She got my wife out of doing a 8 year prison term with no time served.

Posted by Ashleigh | June 25, 2025 | Hired Attorney | DUI & DWI

DUI in Morro Bay

I live in Clovis, Ca. We took a quick trip to Morro Bay for the weekend to celebrate a Birthday and Valentines Day. What should have been a happy trip with lots of good memories turned into a nightmare. I was arrested for a DUI. I contacted another lawyer who was not taking any new cases at the time,... and they recommended Mary Tatum. Mary took my case and worked very hard to get me the best deal out of a horrible situation. I never had to travel to San Luis Obispo for my hearings which made it so much easier for me. Mary kept me in the loop, and I felt supported and informed along the way. She has very fair pricing. She is easy to work with and very supportive. I recommend her highly for your legal needs! She is awesome!

Posted by anonymous | May 27, 2025 | Hired Attorney | DUI & DWI

I can't thank Mary enough

I am forever grateful for the work that Mary Tatum executed on my behalf. As a first time offender I was looking at serious implications for a DUI with a high BAC. I strongly believe that the outcome of my conviction would have been much more damning if Mary was not the person working on my case. She... made all court appearances for me, she negotiated with multiple DA's, she went above and beyond with strategizing, the list goes on and on. Both Mary and her assistant Jeremy always made themselves readily available to assist me through the process, they were a powerhouse team. All emails/phone calls/ texts were answered promptly. Seeing as how this was the first time being charged with anything unlawful I had a lot of questions and concerns. When I approached conversations with anxiety and stress, Mary always had the right answers to assure me and bring peace to the situation. She treated me like a friend, she never made me feel guilty or less than. My family and I are forever grateful for finding Mary Tatum. I strongly suggest using her services, you will not be let down.

Posted by Nicole Gatto | May 07, 2025 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense

#1 in California defense attorney

I put my life and my freedom in her hands and I can now sleep at night knowing everything is going to be okay. If you hire this woman she will do wonders for you and get your case to disappear.

Posted by Zachery | April 14, 2025

Insightful, Professional, Legal expertise

Mary has been nothing short of a blessing. After hearing my story she asked all the right questions and produced top notch insights for me to ponder. This showcased the depth in her understanding of both people and the law. Together Mary and her team made quick work in finding a fair and... equitable solution for my case, to which I am forever grateful.

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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