Overall Rating
This is an aggregated review score of Avvo and Lawyers.com reviews.

5.0 /5.0

197 Client Reviews

Avvo

5.0

(190)

Lawyers.com

5.0

(7 )

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Star rating
5 stars 189
4 stars 0
3 stars 0
2 stars 0
1 star 1
Practice Areas
Criminal Defense (92) Lawsuits & Disputes (41) DUI & DWI (32) Domestic Violence (11) Car Accidents (5) Family (4) Immigration (4) Speeding & Traffic Ticket (4) Expungement (3) Litigation (3) Divorce & Separation (2) Juvenile (2) Alimony (1) Arbitration (1) Child Custody (1) Construction & Development (1) Contracts & Agreements (1) Guardianship (1) Gun Law (1) Sex Crime (1) State, Local And Municipal Law (1) Violent Crime (1) White Collar Crime (1)
What Clients Mention
Case Results (129) Advocacy (100) Recommendation (79) Professionalism (54) Responsiveness (50) Communication Style (48) Compassion (43) Practice Area Knowledge (41) Character & Conduct (39) General Knowledge (38) Trustworthiness (28) Cost of Services (21) Staff & Support (9) Punctuality (3) Free Consultations (1)

Showing 1 - 5 of 100 reviews | Advocacy

Posted by Daniel | October 08, 2026 | Hired Attorney

Excellent criminal defense attorney — my DV case was dismissed

Stephanie Rickard represented me in a serious domestic violence criminal case, and I am extremely grateful for both her representation and the final result: the case was dismissed. What stood out to me was Stephanie's combination of courtroom experience, knowledge of the Santa Clara County crimina...l justice system, and practical judgment. She understood that a criminal case is not just about one hearing or one piece of evidence—it is about developing the right strategy over the entire course of the case. She was straightforward with me about both the strengths and risks of the case and did not make unrealistic guarantees. As the case progressed, I came to appreciate how important it is to have an attorney who knows when to negotiate, when to challenge the prosecution, and when patience is strategically important. The criminal process can be extremely stressful for a defendant, but having Stephanie as my attorney gave me confidence that my case was being handled by someone with substantial experience. I am very thankful that the matter ultimately ended in a dismissal and would highly recommend Stephanie Rickard to anyone facing criminal charges, especially in Santa Clara County.

Posted by Patricia | July 28, 2026 | Hired Attorney

Contact Stephanie, you won’t regret this professional!

After I got arrested I was down and out, I couldn’t stop crying and all I could think of is me being away from my children in jail. She helped me with my 4th DUI. She’s the reason I’m sober. Because of Stephanie’s encouraging words, help and guidance, I’m 6 months sober and I’m going to keep adding a...nd adding months until they turn to years. She really empowered me and understood. She told me things I needed to hear, you know? Things that I can’t hear from my parents because my parents are dead. She defended me and I really love, respect and appreciate you Stephanie! I’m so serious, thank you for understanding, empowering and comforting me when I was down and and at my lowest. This professional is a powerhouse! Thank you! Thank you!

Posted by Patrick | April 25, 2026 | Hired Attorney

Excellent

We hired Stephanie to represent our son in a DUI accident. The case became incredibly complex and she navigated us through it all using her deep knowledge of the law, and experience. We are nearing the end of an arduous 3-year journey, and Stephanie has been by our side throughout.

Posted by Harlen | February 25, 2026 | Hired Attorney

Stephanie saved me!

In August I had a family argument that unfortunately developed into an arrest and felony charge against me. Being an asian with almost 0 knowledge to US justice system, I panicked and didn't know what to do. After 1 day in county jail and then the bail release, I started to search for attorney becau...se I know it's the key. I searched for many attorneys online, but none gave me the peace of mind I was looking for. By a stroke of luck, while I was struggling to file a document at the Palo Alto Courthouse, I noticed Stephanie sitting near the clerk’s window. She was on a call regarding a case, and her clarity of thought and sheer confidence immediately struck me. At the time, I was having trouble because the court hadn’t assigned a case number yet. Stephanie, having finished her call, proactively approached me to help. After learning about my situation, she offered to handle the filing for me since she is frequently at the courthouse and could track the case ID. Later, I found her profile on Avvo and was deeply impressed: her background as a former DA combined with her extensive experience in criminal defense gave her a 360-degree understanding of the legal process. Meeting her felt like a divine intervention, and hiring her was the best decision I could have made. Fast forward six months: my case has been reduced from a felony charge to a minor infraction/misdemeanor of "Disturbing the Peace" (PC 415) with no bail required. This "dream result" is entirely thanks to Stephanie. Her excellence stands out in several ways: Empathy and Support: In the early stages, I was under immense emotional and financial stress, fearing re-arrest and family collapse. Stephanie provided invaluable comfort, explaining that the DA’s strategy is often to "overcharge" with the heaviest codes to create leverage for plea bargains. Moreover, Stephanie was incredibly mindful of my background. Coming from Asia, I had a very different cultural perspective and understanding of the judicial system. She took the time to patiently explain how the U.S. legal system operates and why certain strategies were more effective than others in this specific context." Strategic Communication: As a former prosecutor, she knows exactly how DAs think. She shifted my perspective: it’s not just about "what happened," but rather "what the DA can prove" vs. "what we can prove." Clarity and Evidence: Under her guidance, we built a compelling chain of evidence. She used this as her strongest leverage to secure the plea deal. Courtroom Presence: Stephanie is unparalleled in the courtroom—articulate, confident, and always in control of the narrative. I've observed several other attorneys' defense in the court room. And Stephanie is definitely the BEST! As she predicted from the start, the DA eventually agreed to a PC 415 (Disturbing the Peace) plea bargain—one of the best possible outcomes for such a case. Today, as I breathe the air of freedom again, I hope I never need her services again. However, I know there are others facing similar hardships due to unfortunate events. I highly recommend Stephanie; you can trust her completely to fight for the best possible conclusion to your case. Again, I highly recommend Stephanie should you have need of DV defense service. 强烈推荐！

Stephanie Rickard

Replied last March 13, 2026

Thank you for the lovely review. I am happy I could help! Stephanie Rickard

Posted by Ryan | February 23, 2026 | Hired Attorney

Review of my experience

I cannot overstate my appreciation for the exemplary legal representation she provided. Throughout the entirety of my case, she demonstrated unwavering professionalism, exceptional legal knowledge, and admirable composure. Her courtroom presence was authoritative and commanding, and her strategic adv...ocacy was instrumental in achieving a favorable outcome. She is, without question, an outstanding attorney whose dedication and expertise set her apart in her field. I offer my highest recommendation.

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