Experienced, Thoughtful, Aggressive Criminal Defense
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I am an experienced criminal defense lawyer who is passionate about fighting for the underdog, and I bring multiple years of experience representing adults and juveniles facing serious crimes.
Over the past ten years, I have spent my career working within the criminal justice system to make it more equitable through litigation as well as through policy and law reform. I have practiced in multiple counties throughout the state, and I have significant experience representing people in court.
In addition to fighting for people's rights in the courtroom, I spent three sessions as a policy advocate at the Oregon legislature pushing for criminal justice reforms including amending the constitution to make all jury verdicts unanimous, requiring prosecutors to finally record grand jury proceedings, limiting the imposition of the death penalty in Oregon, and significantly revising the punitive and outdated Measure 11 laws unfairly impacting Oregon's youth.
I believe in a just criminal justice system, and that is why I do this work.
Practice areas
Assault DUII Drug Crimes (Delivery, Possession, Manufacture) Domestic Violence Probation Violations & Warrants Theft & Property Crimes Expungement Sex Crimes Unlawful Use of a Weapon Unlawful Possession of Firearms Reckless Endangerment
Languages spoken
English
State | Status | Acquired | Updated |
---|---|---|---|
OR | Active | 2011 | 06/12/2022 |
Legal answers | 0 |
Legal guides | 0 |
Title | Company name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Owner and Attorney at Law | Sofia Law LLC | 2019 - Present |
Legislative Director | Oregon Criminal Defense Lawyers Association | 2017 - 2019 |
Attorney | Metropolitan Public Defenders, Inc. | 2016 - 2017 |
Associate Attorney | Hillsboro Law Group, PC (Formerly Known As Garland, Burton, McCaffery, PC) | 2015 - 2016 |
Associate Attorney | The Arneson Group | 2012 - 2015 |
Associate Attorney | Aaby Family Law | 2011 - 2011 |
Law Clerk | The Washington County District Attorney's Office | 2008 - 2010 |
Association name | Position name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Multnomah County Bar Association | Member | 2020 - Present |
National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers | Member | 2017 - Present |
Oregon Criminal Defense Lawyers Association | Member | 2012 - Present |
Oregon Criminal Defense Lawyers Association | Publication Committee Member | 2016 - 2019 |
Douglas County Bar Association | Vice President | 2014 - 2015 |
Oregon Women Lawyers (Roseburg Chapter) | President | 2013 - 2014 |
Oregon Women Lawyers (Roseburg Chapter) | Founding Member | 2013 - 2015 |
Douglas County Bar Association | Member | 2012 - 2015 |
Douglas County Criminal Defense Bar Association | Member | 2012 - 2015 |
Oregon Bar Family Law Section | Member | 2011 - 2015 |
Publication name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
The Oregon Defense Attorney Journal | From the Desk of Mary Sofia: An Update on HB 3145: Legislation to Fix the Broken Public Defense System | 2019 |
The Oregon Defense Attorney Journal | From the Desk of Mary Sofia: Short Session Success! | 2018 |
The Oregon Defense Attorney Journal | From the Desk of Mary Sofia: Budget Update | 2017 |
School name | Degree | Graduated |
---|---|---|
Lewis & Clark Law School | JD - Juris Doctor | 2010 |
University of Nevada-Reno | BA - Bachelor of Arts | 2006 |
Conference name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
OCDLA's Annual Summer Conference 2019 | Legislative Update on Passing Juvenile Justice Reform & Fixing the Broken Public Defense System in Oregon | 2019 |
Lewis & Clark Law School's Criminal Justice Reform Clinic | Legislative Advocacy in the Criminal Justice World | 2019 |
Juvenile Law Training Academy | Juvenile Justice Sentencing Reform: Requiring the Government to Treat Youths like Youths | 2019 |
Annual Juvenile Law Conference | Limiting the State's Power to Remove Children & Requiring the Recording of Juvenile Interrogations | 2019 |
OCDLA's Annual Summer Conference 2018 | Changing the Law to Allow the Reinstatement of Parental Rights after Termination | 2018 |
OCDLA's Annual Summer Conference 2017 | Grand Jury Recording in Oregon and the Safety & Savings Act | 2017 |
Lewis & Clark Law School's Criminal Justice Reform Clinic | Legislative Advocacy in the Criminal Justice World | 2017 |
Clackamas County Criminal Defense Bar Association Meeting | 2017 Legislative Update for the Clackamas Indigent Defense Consortium | 2017 |
Douglas County Criminal Defense Bar Association | Representing Clients with Diminished Capacity | 2014 |
Douglas County Bar Association | How to comply with Rule 7: Information about Legal Services | 2012 |
Case name | Outcome |
---|---|
Criminal Case | Motion to Supress Illegally Obtained Evidence Granted; All charges dismissed |
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Benjamin Scissors, Criminal defense Attorney on Oct 13, 2021
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Mary brings with her a high degree of emotional intelligence that, when combined with her passion and technical expertise, makes her a force to be reckoned with. I would recommend her strongly to anyone seeking a top-notch criminal defense attorney.
Richard McBreen, Criminal defense Attorney on May 19, 2020
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Mary is a highly talented and passionate criminal defense attorney. Her experience and skill make her an excellent advocate, and I would not hesitate to recommend her services to anyone in need of a great criminal defense attorney.
Benjamin Scissors, Criminal defense Attorney on Oct 13, 2021
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Mary brings with her a high degree of emotional intelligence that, when combined with her passion and technical expertise, makes her a force to be reckoned with. I would recommend her strongly to anyone seeking a top-notch criminal defense attorney.
Richard McBreen, Criminal defense Attorney on May 19, 2020
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Mary is a highly talented and passionate criminal defense attorney. Her experience and skill make her an excellent advocate, and I would not hesitate to recommend her services to anyone in need of a great criminal defense attorney.
Ashley Vaughn, Criminal defense Attorney on Apr 27, 2020
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I have known Mary for over ten years as a colleague, and she is a force. Mary is everything a client could want in a criminal defense attorney. She is a fierce advocate and adversary, and has a deep understanding of the complexities of the criminal justice system through her varied work experience. She brings a personal flair to her work that shines through seeking justice for her clients. I highly and wholeheartedly endorse Mary and her firm.
Westbrook Johnson, Criminal defense Attorney on Apr 22, 2020
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
As a colleague, Mary has impressed me with her attention to detail and her commitment to her clients inside and outside of the courtroom. Mary is skilled at helping other, clients and colleagues alike, understand what may otherwise be incomprehensible to some. When she served as the Legislative Director for the Oregon Criminal Defense Lawyers’ Association she was able to explain the procedure, the importance and the outcome of legislative process to the organization in a way that not only was clear but also concise. I’d recommend Mary in any field of law as she has knowledge in many fields that she can bring to her clients to help them navigate the treacherous battlefield that is the court system and a legal environment that too often is overwhelming for those unfamiliar with it (and some that are).
John Schlosser, Criminal defense Attorney on Apr 8, 2020
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
Richard Oberdorfer, Criminal defense Attorney on Apr 7, 2020
Relationship: Worked together on matter
Mary works hard. She cares deeply for her clients, and for justice writ large.
Jeffrey Siefman, Criminal defense Attorney on Apr 6, 2020
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Mary is a knowledgable and passionate attorney who fights tirelessly for her clients.
Brook Reinhard, Criminal defense Attorney on Apr 6, 2020
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Mary has been a fearless advocate since I first met her 9 years ago in Douglas County. She's always been able to see the best side of any situation, and find the weak points in an opponent's case and advocate for a client's best interest. I've known her as both a lawyer and as the former lobbyist for the Oregon Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, and in both of those roles, she's been a strong advocate. I have no doubt she'll continue that work as a private lawyer in Portland.
Emily Oberdorfer, Criminal defense Attorney on Apr 6, 2020
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Mary is a smart and dedicated attorney. She is always well prepared and ready to fight for her clients. I believe you'd be in good hands with Mary.
Ryan Scott, Criminal defense Attorney on Apr 6, 2020
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Mary is a highly skilled, exceptionally talented attorney.
Thomas Freedman, Criminal defense Attorney on Apr 6, 2020
Relationship: Worked together on matter
I highly endorse this lawyer for criminal defense. She is creative, passionate and intelligent. Most of all, she cares deeply about her clients and standing up for the underdog. A truly exceptional defense attorney.
Risa Davis, Criminal defense Attorney on Jun 3, 2016
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Mary is an excellent trial lawyer who really cares about her clients. When I refer people to her I am confident she will get the best result possible for them, no matter what their situation. Mary's intellect and sharp wit make her a force to be reckoned with inside and outside the courtroom. She’s as fierce as they come and I highly recommend her.
Grant Burton, Criminal defense Attorney on Mar 18, 2016
Relationship: Supervised lawyer
Mary is a dynamic, highly-motivated criminal defense and family law attorney.
Chris Burnett, Criminal defense Attorney on Feb 15, 2016
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. I have known Mary for many years. She is very professional and does great work for her clients.
Peter Castleberry, Criminal defense Attorney on Sep 11, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Mary Sell is a smart and fearless lawyer. I endorse her without hesitation.
Rachel Buker, Criminal defense Attorney on Sep 8, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Mary is an extremely smart and dedicated attorney. Her clients are lucky to have her.
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