I grew up in South Texas in a migrant farm worker family. My family didn't have much. In fact, we were often at hunger's door. However, my auntie, who was the first in my family to graduate from high school and college, stressed the importance of education and pushed, cajoled, kept me on track. I graduated from high school and was fortunate to attend Yale and later the University of California Boalt Hall School of Law.
My career has been devoted to fighting for the underdog, from migrant farm workers, to the dispossessed, to the criminally accused, to those abused as children by priests, nuns, and those in power. I believe in the equalizing power of the jury. I believe that justice is a moral imperative in modern society. I also believe that those that violate the safety rules must be held accountable. I have been fortunate to rise above the confines of poverty and devote my career to helping others.
3
Practice Areas
41 years
41 years
41 years
33%-45%
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Chat withState: Montana
Acquired: 2012
No misconduct found
State: Oregon
Acquired: 2012
No misconduct found
State: Washington
Acquired: 1991
No misconduct found
State: California
Acquired: 1986
No misconduct found
2200 112th Avenue, NE, Suite 200, Bellevue, WA, 98004
1340 N.16th Ave., Suite C, Yakima, WA, 98902
8900 W Tucannon Ave., Kennewick, WA, 99336
Showing 1 - 5 of 11 client reviews from Avvo
Posted by anonymous | October 14, 2016 | Hired Attorney
Mr. De la Cruz treated me very fair and was direct with his questions. I felt confident having my case in his hands. He was direct in providing my status at all times and provided some much needed encouragement. I felt very satisfied with the outcome of my case. In fact, I feel he played a major ...
Posted by Latosha | May 6, 2016 | Hired Attorney
During the duration of my case, Vito was kind, and compassionate, but also very driven and he fought for me more than some of the people closest to me. Vito was my voice when I felt like I didn't have one. I would want to Vito represent me if ever I needed to someone to again.
Posted by Jackie | January 1, 2013
Vito De La Cruz has been my attorney in two separate cases and settled one case favorably while the other is still in mediation. When I first met Mr. De La Cruz, I was impressed with his attentiveness, listening skills and ability to make me feel totally at ease. He's a man of integrity and the le...
Posted by Lisa | December 7, 2012
Vito De La Cruz is an excellent lawyer and awesome person. I met Vito during the worst time in my life when a mistake from the past gave me no hope for the future. He took the time to treat me as a person and represented me with great success. Vito treated me with compassion and represented me wit...
Posted by Moni | June 12, 2012
Vito's passion for justice is revealed in every step he takes as a hard-hitting litigator. He is thorough and attentive to every detail. He consulted on cases and assisted in preparing one of my cases in a mock trial. He conducted one of the most remarkable cross-examinations that I've ever seen. He...
"Vito is a talented attorney who works hard for his clients. We worked together on a trial in which we obtained a substantial jury verdict. I highly endorse this lawyer."
"Vito De La Cruz is a compassionate, dedicated attorney who trul fights for his client's rights. He is one of the most respected litigators in the state of Washington. He is brilliant in his analysis of a case and an aggressive advocate for his clients."
"Vito is top notch. He is an exceptional trial lawyer and advocate for his clients. For federal and state litigation, he is outstanding."
"I endorse this lawyer, without reservation. I have known Vito for over 25 years, since we were in law school togehter. I know him to be a careful and thorough attorney, and an excellent strategist. Within the limits of what is legally and ethically permissible, Vito is a forceful advocate, dedicated to obtaining the best results for his clients."
"Vito is a brilliant and aggresstve criminal defense advocate. We worked together on a federal white collar criminal case, in which he obtained a dismissal for his client. I look forward to working with him again."
"I endorse this lawyer. He is a dogged advocate, and he employs scholarship, erudition, and compassion to achieve incredible results for his clients."
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1993
Outstanding Defender, Federal Defenders of Eastern Washington and Idaho
2011 - Present
Attorney, Tamaki Law Offices
1998 - 2011
Assistant Federal Defender, Federal Public Defender District of Nevada
1995 - 1998
Owner, Law Office of Vito De la Cruz
1991 - 1995
Assistant Federal Public Defender, Federal Public Defender
1989 - 1991
Assistant Federal Public Defender, Federal Public Defender District of Nevada
1987 - 1989
Assistant Public Defender, Monterrey County Public Defender
1985 - 1987
Staff Attorney, California Rural Legal Assistance
2012 - Present
Oregon State Bar
2012 - Present
Montana State Bar
2011 - Present
Washington State Association for Justice
2008 - Present
Hispanic National Bar Association
2003 - Present
National Institute for Trial AdvocacyInstructor
1999 - Present
National Judicial CollegeAdjunct Professor
1993 - Present
National Criminal Defense CollegeInstructor
1991 - Present
Washington State Bar Association
1991 - Present
Washington State Bar Association, Indian Law Section
1985 - Present
State Bar of California
Settled.
Settled before trial. $310,000
Setted - $1,135,000
Total settlement 1.4 million.
Settled pre-litigation for combined total of insurance maximums of 2.3 million.
Settled pre-litigation for a total of 1.1million.
Settled pre-litigation
2.25 million dollar total settlement from four defendants.
500,000 settlement.
100,000 settlement.
Settled for $1,150,000.
350,000 settlement.
Settled for almost $500,000.
Settled for $100,000.
Not guilty jury verdict.
Indictment dismissed against client.
Won at trial and won at the Ninth circuit Court of Appeals when government appealed.
Jury verdict in favor of my client.
Won on appeal.
Won on appeal.
Won.
5 million dollar judgment.
Settled before trial for $300,000.
Won at trial; filed habeas corpus petition in immigration court.
Not guilty verdict on the gun charge. Client conceded the marijuana charge.
1985
JD - Juris Doctor
1981
BA - Bachelor of Arts
2012
Aggressive Motions in Limine
2011
Tribal Court Trial Advocacy
2011
Trial Advocacy
2010
Evidence: Practice and Procedure
2009
Effective Cross-Examination
2009
Trial Advocacy
2009
The Cost of Education Failure, Keynote Speaker
2008
Trial Advocacy
2008
Keynote Speaker
2007
Trial Advocacy
2007
Native American Educational Achievement
2007
Keynote Speaker
2007
Indian Country Cases
2005
Trial Advocacy
2004
Trial Advocacy
2004
Defenses That Work
2003
The Patriot Act
2003
Indian Country Jurisdiction
2000
Trial Advocacy
2000
Investigating Illegal Reentry Cases
2000
Creative Sentencing Solutions
2000
Trial Advocacy
1999
Constitutional and Procedural Issues in Tribal Court
1999
Effective Investigation in Indian Country Cases
1999
Trial Advocacy
1998
Trial Advocacy
1997
Advocacy
1996
Trial Advocacy
1995
Trial Advocacy
2011
2011
2010
Spanish
Portuguese
English
Legal Answers
Can a gun charge get dissmissed if DNA does not match?
06 Dec 2012
Can i sue an Indian Casino for harassment without them using their sovereign immunity to protect them if i am a tribal member?
15 Jun 2012
Constructive possession" of a firearm.
11 Jun 2012