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

5.0 /5.0

194 Client Reviews

Avvo

5.0

(188)

Lawyers.com

5.0

(6 )

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Criminal Defense (90) Lawsuits & Disputes (41) DUI & DWI (31) Domestic Violence (10) 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 (128) Advocacy (98) Recommendation (78) Professionalism (54) Responsiveness (50) Communication Style (48) Compassion (42) Practice Area Knowledge (41) Character & Conduct (38) General Knowledge (37) Trustworthiness (28) Cost of Services (21) Staff & Support (9) Punctuality (3) Free Consultations (1)

Showing 1 - 5 of 128 reviews | Case Results

Posted by anonymous | June 26, 2026 | Hired Attorney

Stephanie M. Rickard - 5 plus Stars

I highly recommend Stephanie M. Rickard. I retained Stephanie during an unexpected and sensitive legal matter—my first experience navigating the legal system. After consulting with several attorneys, Stephanie stood apart immediately. It was clear from our first conversation that Stephanie brou...ght exceptional legal expertise, deep experience, and confidence to my case. She communicated with clarity, precision, and authority, which gave me confidence that I was in the right hands. From our initial consultation, Stephanie demonstrated a strong command of the legal process and case strategy. She clearly explained the process, timeline, and potential paths forward, bringing much-needed clarity to a difficult situation. Stephanie handled the first court hearing on my behalf and achieved the best possible outcome: my case was dismissed. In addition to her exceptional legal expertise, Stephanie brought a steady and confident presence throughout the process. She handled every aspect of my case with professionalism, discretion, and sound judgment. Stephanie is clearly highly respected within the Santa Clara County court system, and after working with her, it is easy to understand why. I will always be deeply grateful for Stephanie’s guidance and representation during one of the most difficult periods of my life. Her expertise, advocacy, and support gave me the opportunity to move forward and truly gave me my life back. If you are seeking a criminal defense attorney who is intelligent, strategic, highly respected, and exceptionally effective, I unequivocally recommend Stephanie without hesitation.

Posted by anonymous | May 15, 2026 | Hired Attorney

She won my case

Stephanie Rickard, she won my case always answer my questions quickly, dedicated to her work very nice lady I would definitely recommend her.

Posted by Paul Grewal | May 05, 2026 | Hired Attorney

Exceptional Attorney-Professional and Compassionate

Attorney: – Stephanie M. Ricardo Stephanie M. Ricardo is an exceptional attorney who combines strong legal expertise with genuine care for her clients. From the beginning, she approached my case with professionalism, attention to detail, and a clear understanding of the legal process. She took ...the time to explain each step thoroughly, ensuring I felt informed and supported throughout. What truly sets her apart is her compassion and ability to make a stressful situation feel manageable. Her dedication and commitment led to a very positive outcome, and I am extremely grateful for her guidance. I highly recommend Stephanie to anyone seeking a knowledgeable, trustworthy, and dedicated attorney.

Posted by Andrea | March 10, 2026 | Hired Attorney

The lawyer I trust

I hired Stephanie for my daughter's Domestic Violence case. It was the first time I needed a lawyer and had no idea who I should select. Then I went thru lawyers' profiles and ratings and called about 3 offices. 2 out of 3 asked me to make an appointment the next day or so. Stephanie herself c...alled me right on that evening, asking me about the case, talking to my daughter and gave us very clear instructions what we needed to do. She also called to follow up with us on the next day. I felt I got the right lawyer and trusted her. As the result, the DA's office has declined to file charges against my daughter. Thanks so much for your help, Stephanie. You're a very talented and dedicated lawyer.

Stephanie Rickard

Replied last March 13, 2026

Thank you so much for your beautiful review. I truly appreciate it. Stephanie Rickard

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

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