John Michael Runfola

John Michael Runfola

5.0
Rating: 9.4

Licensed for 45 years

Federal crime Lawyer at San Francisco, CA
Practice Areas: Federal Crime, Criminal Defense, Violent Crime ... +3 more

Pier 9 Suite 100, San Francisco, CA

About John

Biography

Practice Areas

6

Practice Areas

Criminal Defense 25%

Experienced representation in all areas of criminal defense.

46 years | 1,000 cases

25%
Federal Crime 25%

We have a track record in dealing with virtually every agency, including the FBI, the Drug Enforcement Administration, ATF, Secret Service, Customs, and Immigration. We have worked nationally on behalf of our clients, in California, Florida, New York, Texas, Oklahoma, Arizona, Nevada and Hawaii, as well as internationally in Canada, Peru, Jamaica, Australia and Thailand.

46 years | 500 cases

25%
Violent Crime 15%

We have an extensive and successful track record in representing clients accused of violent crimes, including the following: Homicide Attempted Murder Assault with a deadly weapon or great bodily injury and battery Aggravated Assault Carjacking Domestic violence and domestic assault Kidnapping Weapons charges Armed robbery Violent Sex Crimes

46 years | 500 cases

15%
White Collar Crime 15%

Experienced defense for an array of white-collar crimes, including: Mortgage fraud Mail and wire fraud Embezzlement Conspiracy Corporate Accounting Fraud Stock Fraud Securities Fraud Computer Fraud / Internet Fraud Corporate Fraud Mail Fraud Wire Fraud Money Laundering

46 years | 300 cases

15%
Domestic Violence 10%

46 years | 300 cases

10%
Juvenile Law 10%

We marshal all resources and arguments to keep a child from being prosecuted and punished as an adult, a trend that has taken hold in recent years. Given the stakes, we apply the same aggressiveness to a juvenile case as our other cases, seeking to reduce or dismiss charges, suppress illegally obtained evidence, and attempt to negotiate a fair settlement or win at trial.

46 years | 125 cases

10%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Free Consultation

$0 first 60 minutes


Payment Methods

  • Check
  • Credit Card

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Licenses

Licensed in California for 45 years

State: California

Acquired: 1980

Inactive

No misconduct found

Location

John M. Runfola

Pier 9 Suite 100, San Francisco, CA, 94111

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John Michael Runfola's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

5.0 /5.0

8 Client Reviews

Filter Avvo Reviews (8) Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.

Showing 1 - 1 of 1 review | Trustworthiness

Posted by anonymous | May 15, 2009 | Criminal Defense

Saved me from years in prison and remains a friend and mentor to me.

I was facing multiple years in prison for something that I did while having a mental breakdown. No one was hurt. I had no criminal record before, not even a parking ticket. John got me released from jail with time served and now I consider him a mentor. When we are out in public, he introduces him...self as my uncle. He is passionate about what he does, during my trial he went without sleep at times working on my case. Brilliantly, he brought in a jury consultant to pick a fair jury. After the trial, members of the jury came to the sentencing and even wrote to me stating their sympathy and hope for a better future for me. I help John out from time to time at his office with various projects he has in mind. Just today a former client John got released from jail years ago after facing life in prison for an act of self defense called in just to speak with him. The team John Runfola has put together to support him is stellar. They are more like a family to me. Stephany, his paralegal, was extremely knowledgable when I would make phone calls from jail asking what was going on. His associates are also incredible. After my trial, one law student working for the prosecution switched sides, moved by my story and John's passionate, prepared defense. Now she works for John, and is now a defense attorney. John has a unique sense of humor that helped me get through hard times, especially when he came to see me in jail. One time he looked at me and said, "You need a tan." Seeing him always brightened up my whole day, he promised me he would "get me through this" and he did. He spoke to my family on the weekends, always returning their calls and reassuring them. He is an amazing lawyer, he will fight for you as if you were his own family member.

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John Michael Runfola's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse John
Michael S. Waddington headshot
Michael Waddington

Criminal defense lawyer | May 25

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse John. He is a highly skilled attorney that is well respected in the legal community."

David Alan Wilton headshot
David Wilton

Criminal defense lawyer | Jan 10

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"John's a lawyer with a heart. He genuinely cares about his clients and works hard to help them. He'll go the extra mile to ensure that his clients are treated fairly. I'd recommend him to anyone considering hiring him."

Daniel Aaron Horowitz headshot
Daniel Horowitz

Criminal defense lawyer | Oct 19

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"You will not find a more honest and dedicated professional. John is highly experienced and highly skilled but he is also down to earth. There are two types of lawyers. Those who make believe they are good at all costs and those, like John who are really that good and let their performance do the talking for them. Dan Horowitz"

View All Endorsements
Naomi Chung headshot
Naomi Chung

Criminal defense lawyer

Experience

Rating:  9.4 (Superb)

Honors

2019

Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

2010

AV Rated Preeminent Attorney, Martindale-Hubbell

2009

Bar Register of Pre-Eminent Lawyers, Martindale-Hubbell

2008

Bar Register of Pre-Eminent Lawyers, Martindale-Hubbell

2008

Spellbound Free Speech Award, The Office of the Federal Public Defender

2007

Bar Register of Pre-Eminent Lawyers, Martindale-Hubbell

2007

AV Rating - (Highest Level of Legal Ability, Very High Ethics), Martindale-Hubbell

2006

AV Rating, Martindale-Hubbell

2006

Bar Register of Pre-Eminent Lawyers, Martindale-Hubbell

2005

AV Rating, Martindale-Hubbell

2005

Bar Register of Pre-Eminent Lawyers, Martindale-Hubbell

2004

AV Rating, Martindale-Hubbell

2004

Bar Register of Pre-Eminent Lawyers, Martindale-Hubbell

2003

Bar Register of Pre-Eminent Lawyers, Martindale-Hubbell

2003

AV Rating, Martindale-Hubbell

2002

AV Rating, Martindale-Hubbell

2002

Bar Register of Pre-Eminent Lawyers, Martindale-Hubbell

2001

AV Rating, Martindale-Hubbell

2001

Bar Register of Pre-Eminent Lawyers, Martindale-Hubbell

2000

Bar Register of Pre-Eminent Lawyers, Martindale-Hubbell

2000

AV Rating, Martindale-Hubbell

1999

Bar Register of Pre-Eminent Lawyers, Martindale-Hubbell

1999

AV Rating, Martindale-Hubbell

1998

Bar Register of Pre-Eminent Lawyers, Martindale-Hubbell

1998

AV Rating, Martindale-Hubbell

1997

AV Rating, Martindale-Hubbell

1997

Bar Register of Pre-Eminent Lawyers, Martindale-Hubbell

Work Experience

1984 - Present

Attorney, Law Offices of John Runfola

1981 - 1984

Public Defender, San Francisco Public Defender's Office

1981 - 1981

Public Defender, Marin County Public Defender's Office

Associations

2001 - Present

Bar Association of San Francisco

Conference Attendant

1990 - Present

National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

Member

1980 - Present

State Bar of California

Member

1980 - Present

California Attorneys for Criminal Justice

Member

1980 - Present

Lawyers Club of San Francisco

Member

1980 - Present

California Public Defenders Association

Member

1979 - Present

Phi Beta Kappa

Member

1980 - 2000

Bar Association of San Francisco

Member

Education

1980

University of San Francisco School of Law

JD - Juris Doctor

1980

San Francisco State University

MA - Masters

1973

State University of New York College at Buffalo

BA - Bachelor of Arts

1973

State University of New York, College at Buffalo

BA - Bachelor of Arts

Languages

English

Spanish

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