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Howard Lawrence Williams

Howard Lawrence Williams

also known as Howard L. Williams

5.0
Rating: 10.0

Licensed for 25 years

Criminal defense Lawyer at Martinez, CA
Practice Areas: Criminal Defense, Violent Crime, White Collar Crime, DUI & DWI

910 Court Street, Martinez, CA

About Howard

Biography

Practice Areas

4

Practice Areas

Criminal Defense 50%

26 years | 4,000 cases

50%
Violent Crime 25%

26 years | 1,000 cases

25%
White Collar Crime 15%

26 years | 1,000 cases

15%
DUI and DWI 10%

26 years | 2,000 cases

10%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Free Consultation

$0 first 20 minutes


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check
  • Credit Card

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Licenses

Licensed in California for 25 years

State: California

Acquired: 2000

Active

No misconduct found

Location

Williams Law

910 Court Street, Martinez, CA, 94553

Williams Law

1520 H Street, Modesto, CA, 95354

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Howard Lawrence Williams's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

5.0 /5.0

15 Client Reviews

Filter Avvo Reviews (15) Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.

Showing 1 - 5 of 8 reviews | Recommendation

Posted by Daniel | January 21, 2021

A Review by an Attorney

Howard is an excellent attorney. I would hire him for myself or family. He is an excellent theoretical lawyer in that his level of scholarship is very high. He has a wonderful courtroom presence. He is personable and caring but strong as well. He is a great choice.

Posted by Andrew | January 16, 2020 | Hired Attorney | Lawsuits & Disputes

Very happy with the assistance I received from Howard Williams

Howard recently assisted me in the resolution of a legal matter. His dedication to ensuring an optimal outcome in this particular situation was clearly evident. He was generous with his time and helped put my family at ease during an extremely burdensome and challenging time for us. I greatly wish th...at I had been able to receive his counsel for the entirety of my case instead of solely for the latter components. If anyone that I truly cared about found themselves in an unfortunate dilemma and required aggressive, honest, dedicated legal representation, I would not hesitate in any way to recommend Howard to them knowing they were in good hands. Howard Williams will get you through whatever legal bind you find yourself in. Thank you for your help Howard.

Posted by Rich | November 17, 2015 | Hired Attorney | DUI & DWI

Howard Williams knows what he is doing!

I was involved in a DUI/DWI related accident in March of 2015. After my initial hearing and meeting with the Public Defender, it was clear I needed a REAL lawyer and someone who was willing to give my case a thorough review. After searching AVVO, I submitted my case for a free review and was contacte...d by 3 lawyers. The first two had very similar pitches as to why they should be my lawyer, but didn't give the feeling that they had my best interests at heart. I received a phone call from Howard Williams, and knew within the first 5 minutes that this guy knew what he is talking about, and that he already had several ideas on how to approach my case. As of 11/4/2015, my entire case has been completed from start to finish. I could not have asked for better results, as Howard not only saved me from losing my license, but also saved me thousands of dollars by finding flaws in my case and getting my charges reduced to a "wet reckless" and some other charges dropped. Instead of the court appointed 18 days of work alternative program (instead of jail time), Howard negotiated down to only 5 days needed to be served. Without Howard I feel that things would have been much different, and that I would still be dealing with the headache of this whole ordeal from a poor judgement on my part of driving a vehicle while under the influence. I would recommend Howard to anyone in a similar situation as he is genuine and more than fairly priced for the services he provides. Personally, I feel that I owe him much more than he charged me. And I say this in the best way possible, I hope I never have to use Howard again for his legal services, as I have learned my lesson and never want to be in the situation again!

Posted by Tom | December 11, 2013 | DUI & DWI

One of the two best decisions I ever made was hiring this firm

I'm not proud of this, even though it was more than a year ago now, but I was charged earlier this year with a third-time DUI that had happened 9 months before. The case had never gotten filed by the D.A., and even though I had gone to court when I was told to, the cops came to my house 9 months lat...er and arrested me in the middle of the night. I was told by the cops that I would have to spend 120 days in jail at least because that is the standard 3rd DUI sentence under law. At that point, got a lawyer to handle this case for me, and then checked into rehab. Howard Williams was the lawyer, and I honestly didn't know lawyers like this existed. He had to persuade me to fight the case even when I just wanted to do the jail time and get it over with. He didn't strong-arm me into fighting, but he did get me to trust him and I chose to follow his advice and fight rather than pleading out. Bottom line: NO JAIL TIME! He was able to get me the ankle monitor and a much shorter sentence instead, and I was allowed to still go to work every day. I had served 10 days jail on my SECOND DUI, but NONE on my third! The other more important bottom line: he also recommended I check into rehab because he said it would make his job easier, and I'm happy to report that I'm clean and sober, coming up on a year now.

Posted by anonymous | May 20, 2013

Great lawyer

All the lawyers at Lieber Williams were gerat. Howard and Gary did a great job with my case and Jason kept me informed. Howard was the one with the plan and it was carried out perfect. They aren't the absolute cheapest out there but the results were worth the cash. I'd go with Howard again without a ...doubt

See All Client Reviews

Howard Lawrence Williams's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Howard
Anna Reese Yum headshot
Anna Yum

Criminal defense lawyer | Jan 08

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"Howard Williams is an excellent trial attorney. When I was a DA, we would regularly work on cases together. Howard was always known as a trustworthy defense attorney who worked diligently for his clients; he also obtained great results for his clients whether it be through negotiations or trial. He's a fantastic lawyer and I highly recommend Howard!"

Mary Williams Kaplan headshot
Mary Kaplan

Criminal defense lawyer | Dec 16

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"Howard is a consummate professional. He is thorough with high attention to detail, and produces top quality work. Highly recommend Howard."

Jared Michael Hartman headshot
Jared Hartman

Criminal defense lawyer | Dec 13

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Mr. Williams is an excellent lawyer who will stop at nothing to ensure the best possible result for every one of his clients. As a young lawyer, I often looked up to Mr. Williams for guidance and advice and it paid off every time. I highly recommend Mr. Williams to anyone for any legal issue!"

Robert T Senh headshot
Robert Senh

Criminal defense lawyer | Dec 12

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse Howard Williams because he is a smart, conscientious, and hardworking attorney. He'll go the extra mile to make sure you get the defense you need."

Kathy Lerner headshot
Kathy Lerner

Criminal defense lawyer | May 23

Relationship: Co-worker

"I endorse this lawyer."

Jaye Lyn Ryan-Maas headshot
Jaye Ryan-Maas

Criminal defense lawyer | Jan 26

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Nicolaie Cocis headshot
Nicolaie Cocis

Criminal defense lawyer | Jan 23

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Richard Samuel Price headshot
Richard Price

Criminal defense lawyer | Aug 19

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Experience, dedication, and hard work does not begin to describe the numerous attributes that Howard Williams brings to the legal profession. Through rigorous and zealous advocacy of his clients, he offers a beacon of hope to criminal defendants who are always innocent in the eyes of the law until proven guilty. I unwaveringly endorse Howard Williams as an outstanding lawyer."

Stanley Lieber headshot
Stanley Lieber

Criminal defense lawyer | Aug 17

Relationship: Co-worker

"Howard is one of the best legal minds out there. I'm grateful he's a member of my firm."

Gary Darrel Labin headshot
Gary Labin

Criminal defense lawyer | Aug 03

Relationship: Co-worker

"Howard is truly an amazing trial lawyer, not only because he has an astonishing mastery of the law, but because he has an equally amazing yet perhaps more important ability--the ability to connect with jurors on a human level and to convince them in terms that make sense that his client is NOT guilty, or at least that there is reasonable doubt as to his client's guilt. Many of Howard's clients are direct beneficiaries of this talent, and any case, regardless of the evidence, is far better off with Howard Williams fighting for the defendant. The Bay Area is lucky to have such a diligent, caring, and effective trial attorney!"

Alexander Andryuschenko headshot
Alexander Andryuschenko

Criminal defense lawyer | Aug 03

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. He is truly an amazing trial attorney whose knowledge of evidence, expertise, trial skills and wit puts him above and beyond any opponents."

Jason Andrew Lieber headshot
Jason Lieber

Criminal defense lawyer | Aug 03

Relationship: Co-worker

"Howard is a great attorney, possibly the best cross-examiner alive today. He has the unique ability to get a witness to say what he wants without making it seem that way. I've personally seen him demolish witnesses and have them leave smiling and thinking they did great."

James Robert Fox headshot
James Fox

Criminal defense lawyer | Aug 02

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Howard is the consummate professional. His abilities in the courtroom are unmatched. He is a tireless advocate and is always ready to fight the fight. His dedication to our profession and his commitment to his craft is second to none."

View All Endorsements
Mary Williams Kaplan headshot
Mary Kaplan

Probate lawyer

Robert T Senh headshot
Robert Senh

Family lawyer

Karen Elizabeth Lockhart headshot
Karen Lockhart

Criminal defense lawyer

Celine Imelda Samaniego headshot
Celine Samaniego

Criminal defense lawyer

Parwana Anwar headshot
Parwana Anwar

Criminal defense lawyer

Yury Galperin headshot
Yury Galperin

Debt settlement lawyer

Jared Michael Hartman headshot
Jared Hartman

Criminal defense lawyer

Jeffrey George Moore headshot
Jeffrey Moore

Criminal defense lawyer

Anna Reese Yum headshot
Anna Yum

Criminal defense lawyer

Daniel Aaron Horowitz headshot
Daniel Horowitz

Criminal defense lawyer

Christopher J Whelton headshot
Christopher Whelton

Criminal defense lawyer

Nicolaie Cocis headshot
Nicolaie Cocis

Criminal defense lawyer

Jaye Lyn Ryan-Maas headshot
Jaye Ryan-Maas

Criminal defense lawyer

Tara M Gallogly headshot
Tara Gallogly

Criminal defense lawyer

Stanley Lieber headshot
Stanley Lieber

Unknown lawyer

Jason Andrew Lieber headshot
Jason Lieber

Unknown lawyer

Gary Darrel Labin headshot
Gary Labin

Criminal defense lawyer

Alexander Andryuschenko headshot
Alexander Andryuschenko

Criminal defense lawyer

James Robert Fox headshot
James Fox

Criminal defense lawyer

Lisa Bloom headshot
Lisa Bloom

Civil rights lawyer

Experience

Rating:  10.0 (Superb)

Honors

2023

Certified Specialist - Criminal Law, State Bar of California

2022

Certified Specialist - Criminal Law, State Bar of California

2021

Certified Specialist - Criminal Law, State Bar of California

2020

Certified Specialist - Criminal Law, State Bar of California

2019

Certified Specialist - Criminal Law, State Bar of California

2018

Certified Specialist - Criminal Law, State Bar of California

2017

Certified Specialist - Criminal Law, State Bar of California

2016

Certified Specialist - Criminal Law, State Bar of California

2015

Certified Specialist - Criminal Law, State Bar of California

2014

Victory Corner, Contra Costa County Criminal Conflict Program

Work Experience

2008 - Present

Partner, Lieber Williams & Labin

2013 - 2014

Judge Pro Tempore, Superior Court of California, County of Contra Costa

2005 - 2008

Deputy Public Defender, Riverside County Public Defender's Office

Associations

2011 - Present

Contra Costa County Criminal Conflict Panel

Senior Attorney

Sample of Legal Cases

People v. J.Z.

Jury verdict: NOT GUILTY

People v. B.C.

CHARGES DROPPED through negotiations

People v. M.A.

jury verdict: NOT GUILTY on all charges

People v. J.L.

jury verdict: NOT GUILTY

People v. A.G.

Charges Reduced through negotiation with D.A. and DMV defeated in Court by Writ of Mandate. LICENSE SAVED

See More Legal Cases

Education

1999

University of San Diego School of Law

LL.M - Master of Laws

1998

Ohio State University Moritz College of Law

JD - Juris Doctor

1995

Kent State University

BBA

Publications

Languages

English

Activity

Avvo Rating

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  • Experience & background Years licensed, work experience, education
  • Legal community recognition Peer endorsements, associations, awards
  • Legal thought leadership Publications, speaking engagements
  • Discipline Disciplinary information may not be comprehensive, or updated. We recommend that you always check a lawyer's disciplinary status with their respective state bar association before hiring them.
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