Mary E Tatum

PRO

Mary E Tatum

5.0
Rating: 7.5

Licensed for 38 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 38 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

33 Client Reviews

Filter Avvo Reviews (33) Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.

Showing 1 - 5 of 18 reviews | Criminal Defense

Posted by Patrick | August 30, 2026 | Hired Attorney

Truth with compassion.

I do not normally write reviews of attorneys, or anyone for that matter, but based on my experience with Mary Tatum i am making an exception.. I am currently a church pastor and before this calling, I spent 30 years in Policing. The daughter of a woman who goes to our church needed help with a drug... related case. What the daughter really needed was a way to get the help with her addiction. Mary Tatum was her lawyer. Mary gave her excellent advice and worked to secure her release from custody. She went way beyond the call of duty by helping connect the woman with a substance abuse program and actually drove her to meet a counselor and support person. She spoke plainly and truthfully to the woman about her need to get help. She defended her case well but also used the opportunity to give the woman life saving advice. Two months later the woman is doing very well and is enrolled in a one year faith based rehabilitation program. Mary continues to follow up on the the woman to make sure her case is on track and more importantly that the woman is doing well in recovery. I would highly recommend Mary to anyone looking for competent legal support, with a compassionate heart as well. Thank you Mary.

Posted by Travis | August 11, 2026 | Hired Attorney

Great work!

I had a great experience working with Mary Tatum. She was extremely helpful, professional, and made the entire process much less stressful. She took the time to answer my questions, clearly explained everything I needed to know, and ultimately got my MIP dismissed. I’m very grateful for her help and ...would highly recommend Mary to anyone looking for a knowledgeable, reliable, and caring lawyer!

Posted by Liam | May 05, 2026 | Hired Attorney

Excellent Lawyer with a kind heart

I can’t recommend Mary Tatum enough. She represented me in a very serious case involving felony charges. From the beginning, she treated me with respect and never made me feel judged, just like a normal person going through a difficult situation. Throughout the entire process, she was attentive, c...ompassionate, and clearly experienced. She took the time to explain everything, kept me informed, and genuinely cared about getting the best possible outcome for me. Thanks to her skill and dedication, she was able to significantly reduce my consequences to just 60 days in county jail and two years of probation—with no prison time. I’m incredibly grateful for her hard work. If you’re looking for a criminal defense attorney who truly cares and will fight for you, she’s the one you want on your side.

Posted by Steve | April 27, 2026 | Hired Attorney

Great lawyer that really cares!

Excellent Representation, Mary really went to bat for me in my case! Caring and working out a Excellent plea deal in a very difficult and complicated felony case. She's a straight shooter that was able to navigate a positive outcome. Very thankful and grateful for her counsel.

Posted by Earl | February 28, 2026 | Hired Attorney

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.

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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
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