Vito R. De La Cruz
About Vito
Biography
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.
Practice Areas
3
Practice Areas
Fees and Rates
Cost
33%-45%
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in Montana for 13 years
State: Montana
Acquired: 2012
No misconduct found
Licensed in Oregon for 14 years
State: Oregon
Acquired: 2012
No misconduct found
Licensed in Washington for 34 years
State: Washington
Acquired: 1991
No misconduct found
Licensed in California for 39 years
State: California
Acquired: 1986
No misconduct found
Location
Tamaki Law
2200 112th Avenue, NE, Suite 200, Bellevue, WA, 98004
Tamaki Law
1340 N.16th Ave., Suite C, Yakima, WA, 98902
Tamaki Law
8900 W Tucannon Ave., Kennewick, WA, 99336
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Vito R. De La Cruz's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
11 Client Reviews
Showing 1 - 2 of 2 reviews | General Knowledge
Posted by Ronald | June 03, 2012 | Estate Planning
An Outstanding Attorney
I’m happy to praise the legal skills of Vito de la Cruz. It’s been my privilege to follow his progress as a successful federal public defender in Reno, Nevada and as a practicing attorney in private practice in the states of Washington, Oregon, California and Montana. Vito has also been my personal ...
Posted by Cornelia | June 03, 2012 | Lawsuits & Disputes
Dedicated Lawyer on my behalf was intensively needed, and he came through.
Vito de la Cruz represented me in an crucial matter, his knowledge, guidance, and expertise were handled professionally in my case. His top qualities were communication, problem solving, investigation, court proceeding arguments, and negotiating in every technicality legally. I found him to be co...
Vito R. De La Cruz's Lawyer Endorsements
"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."
"I endorse Vito. He is a highly skilled attorney that is well respected in the legal community."
"I endorse this lawyer. Vito is an outstanding advocate for his clients."
"Top-notch attorney. Highly respected in the legal community."
"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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Experience
Honors
1993
Outstanding Defender, Federal Defenders of Eastern Washington and Idaho
Work Experience
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
Associations
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
Sample of Legal Cases
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.
Education
1985
JD - Juris Doctor
1981
BA - Bachelor of Arts
Speaking Engagements
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
Publications
2011
2011
2010
Languages
Spanish
Portuguese
English
Activity
Legal Answers
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