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 5 reviews | General Knowledge

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.

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.

Posted by Jayne | November 04, 2024 | Hired Attorney | Elder Law

Mary Tatum is the BEST !!!

I hired Mary Tatum to help me in a very horrible case started by my oldest sister. She accused my youngest sister and I for Elder abuse and domestic abuse against my 92 year old Father. Mary took my case and started it out with a powerful Prayer, which I knew She was the perfect one to represent me.... Mary is very thorough and very professional. This Wonderful Woman worked through the night many nights and up with the sun to make sure everything was in order. The attorney my sister hired was Disgraceful and took in my oldest sisters lies and went full force. They had NOT one shred of evidence and made my youngest sister and my life absolutely miserable. We were in fear for our lives knowing well that we never did any of these horrible accusations my older sister put against us. Mary was on top of everything thrown at her by the other nasty attorney. Mary Really knows her business and her responses were on time and perfectly stated. Mary fought for me and handled it with pure professionalism, exact evidence with proof behind every answer. She spent many long long nights preparing my case to be heard for the truth! Mary is a Very Caring Attorney and did her utmost to prove my case, DISMISSED !! The other attorney was a disgrace to the attorney world. My case was finally Dismissed after delay after delay from the other side. Mary handled it with facts, evidence and her court responses were documented perfectly and accurate! I HIGHLY RECOMMEND Mary Tatum for the Best at fighting for what is right and true!! She is Absolutely Wonderful!!! I give her a 100% rating! She also has a man named Jeremy working for her. (I don’t know his title ) Which he spent many many countless hours at night writing court documents in perfect form. THANK YOU Jeremy for ALL You did for me. Mary… THANK YOU for ALL You did to prove me innocent!! YOU ARE TRULY THE BEST !!! I HIGHLY RECOMMEND MARY TATUM !!!

Posted by William | August 12, 2024 | Hired Attorney | Lawsuits & Disputes

Exceptional Legal Services

I highly recommend Mary Tatum for her exceptional legal services. Throughout my case, Mary demonstrated an impressive level of expertise and professionalism. Her in-depth knowledge of the law and strategic approach to my defense were outstanding. What sets Mary apart is not just her legal insight bu...t also her genuine care for her clients. She was consistently considerate of my situation and took the time to explain complex legal matters in a way I could easily understand. I greatly appreciated her patience and willingness to address all my concerns. Mary's dedication to my case was evident in her thorough preparation and attention to detail. She was always well-prepared for every meeting and court appearance, which gave me confidence throughout the legal process. In addition to her professional skills, Mary's empathetic nature made a difficult time much more manageable for me. She was always responsive and supportive, going above and beyond to ensure I felt informed and comfortable with the progress of my case. If you're looking for a knowledgeable, competent, and caring attorney, I wholeheartedly recommend Mary Tatum. Her exceptional service and positive results speak for themselves.

Posted by Curt | April 08, 2024 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense

Mary is an excellent Attorney!!!

Well I got into a little trouble and my business attorney recommended her firm, when I called she was with a client and when she finished she called me right back. She was on top of everything from the first minute on. Mary is very pleasant and personable to talk with, she made me feel very comfor...table and relaxed. Being an ex DA she knows the law and how things work, she actually walked over to the DA's office and was able to get my case rejected, nothing was ever filled. I would highly recommend Mary.

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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