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 11 reviews | Recommendation

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 Colette | October 11, 2025 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense

Totally Indebt to Mary

I live in Southern California and discovered I had a serious charge in San Luis Obispo. After calling several lawyers, I found Mary Tatum’s profile and left her a message. She called me back the same day, spoke with me for over an hour, and took my case. Mary kept me informed every step of the way an...d, by the grace of God, got my charge reduced with no jail time. She’s compassionate, straightforward, and truly fights for her clients. Thank you, Mary! If you need a lawyer, she’s the one to call.

Posted by Charlotte | October 02, 2025 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense

Thank You Mary

There are not enough words to express my thanks to Mary for the help she gave my daughter with her case. This was a challenging case for Mary because my daughter does not have a criminal history and this was a very serious charge. We live six hours away from San Luis Obisbo and finding an attorney ...that would take my daughters case was a challenge to begin with. Mary was the third one we called and she took the case immediately. I was impressed with her professionalism; not only in how she handled the case but her interactions with the DA and the judge. On a personal level, Mary was warm, compassionate and invested, not only in my daughter's well being, but also mine. I would highly recommend Mary Tatum to anyone and everyone. Thank You Mary Tatum

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

Best Lawyer Ever

Mary was amazing she handled my case like a pro ... She kept me out of jail and with my family, she truly believed in me and sought justice In my case and we won ... against all odds she made sure in the interst of justice that I stayed out of custody and with my family. She truly was a blessing and ...I wouldn't have wanted any other lawyer defending me.

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!

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Mary E Tatum's Lawyer Endorsements

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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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