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Michael A. Fiumara
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Michael A. Fiumara
The Law Offices of Michael A. Fiumara
182 Farmers Lane
Suite 100A
Santa Rosa, CA 95405
Phone: (707) 571-8600 | Fax: (707) 568-7240
http://www.fiumara.com
We Fight For You
Legal Topic
Criminal Defense
Preferred New Clients
A client who is a first-time offender or one who has relatively little criminal convictions and is eligible for rehabilitation and/or jail alternative programs.
Sub-Categories
Criminal Defense
- Aiding, Abetting, Accessory, Conspiracy
- Environmental Violations
- Felonies
- False Identification
- Truancy
- Misdemeanors
- Parole
- Probation
- Plea Negotiation
- Search & Seizure
- Victims' Rights
- Animal Abuse
- Child Abuse
- Domestic Violence
- Elder Abuse
- DUI
- Felony Auto Accidents
- Parking Tickets & Towing
- Traffic - Moving Violations
- Driving with a Suspended License
- Driving without a License
- Hacking
- Malicious Code
- Unauthorized Access
- Expungement or Expunction
- Drug Cultivation & Manufacturing
- Drug Possession
- Intent to Distribute Drugs
- Intent to Sell Drugs
- Medical Marijuana
- Constitutional Rights Defense
- Illegal Possession or Transportation
- Other Weapons & Devices
- Bank Fraud
- Checks & Credit Cards
- Embezzlement
- Forgery
- Identity Theft
- Insurance Claims
- Arson
- Burglary
- Embezzlement
- Larceny
- Shoplifting
- Theft
- Trespass
- Vandalism
- Abduction
- Child Abuse
- Child Pornography
- Indecent Exposure
- Prostitution, Solicitation, & Pandering
- Rape
- Sexual Assault
- Stalking
- Trafficking in Women
- Assault & Battery
- Domestic Violence
- Extortion
- Kidnapping
- Manslaughter
- Robbery
Bar Admissions
CA, Dec 1992
Bar Number: 160997
Other Court Admissions
All California State and Federal Courts, Northern District of California Court
Association Memberships
Criminal Defense Section of the Sonoma County Bar
Continuing Education
I usually exceed the required MCLE hours by 60-80 hours. In addition, I attend continuing education courses with the California Teacher's Association. I only attend live seminars so I can interact with other prominent attorneys in the field. I value continuing education because it provides me with current procedure and new case law that enables me to better serve my clients in litigation.
Papers and Publications
Co-authored with Professor Michael Hawkins in 1979, Spatial-Market Analysis for Davidson Food-Town Supermarket.
Example Cases
One case involved a young man who was involved in a home robbery invasion. He was also in possession of drugs and drug paraphernalia at the time. He had a minor criminal record and was facing nine years in San Quentin Prison. After almost a year of negotiating with the District Attorney, we persuaded the Judge to have the defendant sent to San Quentin for a 90-day diagnostic review. In agreement with my analysis, and the findings of our experts, the defendant was found not suitable for prison. We were able to get defendant into a suitable drug treatment program. A nine year prison term was converted into a felony probation sentence with the idea that the defendant would be rehabilitated. This case is significant to me, because we were able to give this young man a new lease on life, and we saved taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars in incarceration costs. A win-win situation!
In a land-use related case, a Sonoma County city refused to grant a water connection to a disabled and widow minority group member who was the caretaker for four of her minor grandchildren. I brought the press in, did extensive research, worked to persuade the city utilities, organized people in the community, and made a public appeal to the City Council, which was televised. A major outpouring of sympathy went out and the City Council bent to public pressure and approved the citizen's connection to the City sewer - breaking with long established precedence. We saved her from possible homelessness and about $175,000 in associated costs.
Education
Degree:
B.A.
School:
Rutgers University
City:
New Brunswick
State:
NJ
Year:
1980
Honors:
Phi Beta Kappa, Graduated with High Honors
Focus and Accomplishments:
Major: Political Science and Geography
Minor: Spanish Ralph Bunche Fellowship, Henry Rutgers Scholar, Paul Robeson Scholarship
Degree:
J.D.
School:
Rutgers University School of Law
City:
Camden
State:
NJ
Year:
1988
Honors:
Graduated in top 20% of class
Focus and Accomplishments:
Focus: Land-Use Law, Member Voorhees Township, Planning Commission CLEO Fellow and Scholarship
Degree:
Master of City Planning
School:
University of Pennsylvania
City:
Philadelphia
State:
PA
Year:
1982
Honors:
American Planning Association (APA) Merit Award
Focus and Accomplishments:
Focus: City Planning Recipient of HUD Fellowship, Honor's Thesis in Housing Rehabilitation on the Waterfront
Number of Attorneys
1
State Licensed In
California
Firm Focus and History
I started the Firm in 1992 after moving to Sonoma County. The Law Offices of Michael A. Fiumara primarily handles criminal defense, family law, personal injury, land use, and education law and student advocacy matters including expulsion/suspension hearings. This limited practice allows each attorney to focus only on a few select areas of the law. This limited practice permits the attorneys to keep abreast with the latest developments in the law to benefit our clients.
My goal is to seek practical and cost effective alternatives to litigation through negotiation, mediation and arbitration which will be a cost savings to the client. When mediation or arbitration is not possible, or is unsuccessful, the firm aggressively litigates cases to their conclusion.
I have been practicing primarily in the areas of criminal defense, personal injury and land use and zoning law for the past fourteen years in Sonoma County. As a result, I am very familiar with the local Sonoma County Judges, court procedures and the way to get things done on your behalf.
Previous Employment Summary
Vice President and Member of the Consumer Attorneys of Sonoma County;
Board Member, Sonoma County Ombudsman Program (name changed to the Senior Advocacy Services);
Member, Santa Rosa Downtown Business Association;
President, Santa Rosa Democratic Club;
Volunteer and later hired/Employee at the Santa Rosa Junior High School, liaison and outreach leader in the Latino Community, employed by Santa Rosa City Board of Education;
Former co-chair of the Scholarship Committee of the Sonoma County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Activities and Awards
Board Member, Friends Outside, an organization that assists inmates and their families;
Advisory Board Member, The Friends of the Sonoma County Library;
Member and Volunteer for the Sonoma County Council on Aging and a Panelist on their Lawyer, Referral Service;
Advisory Board Member, Fountaingrove Lodge;
Advisor and Board Member of GLSEN;
Member, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce;
Board Member, Santa Rosa Democratic Club.
What is your opinion regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues?
It is very desirable; "knowledge is power." A small caveat is that sometimes a client may receive bad advice on the internet or from other unreliable sources. At times, a little bit of bad information can be harmful. As a counselor of law, I make it my priority to educate clients on the law and what they can expect. I always ask my clients what is your objective/goal - I want to fulfill it.
Are you willing to review documents prepared by clients?
Yes.
Are you willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves?
Absolutely.
Why did you decide to be a lawyer?
To advance the "justice for all" agenda - to help the underdog. I have always felt compelled to go to bat for those who I identified most with and since I started off my life as an underdog I relate, so I fight hard for my clients. I have always been interested in bettering the lives of people, even when I worked in City Planning. I thought legal training would give me a powerful tool for helping people.
What work experience and education helps you be a better lawyer?
Growing up, I had a lot of different work experience within my community. I poured asphalt for the Road Department; I worked for the Comprehensive Education and Training Act, a federal program that administered financial aid to local entities to hire youth to do public works projects; I worked under Mayor Edward Koch in a big-city atmosphere; I have worked for different municipal (city), county, and state governmental agencies. I have worked with a very diverse group of people and this has tremendously improved my people and communication skills.
Why did you decide on your primary area of practice?
I decided on land use law because of my previous background and experience in city planning and a genuine interest in land-use and zoning issues. I have always been interested in how cities and towns should be planned for the best possible use to make them liveable and beautiful.
I also chose the specialty of criminal law because I am challenged by representing individuals who are poor and disadvantaged who come against the all-powerful State Prosecutor. Again, I like serving the underdog and those people who are usually the most vulnerable in society that are accused of crimes. I pride myself by getting the accused out of the criminal system and into the justice system and into alternatives to jail so that they can avoid disrupting their lives so they can continue to work and support their family. I support rehabilitation and restorative justice.
What do you like best about your career?
What I like best about my career is the independence, the ability to think analytically, and using that power of persuasion to assist clients to get the best possible results in their cases.
Tell us about your law firm:
I have a great team. I have a very good paralegal who is very thorough and has a lot of worldly experience. She is very informative and education. I also work closely with Mary who works in the capacity as Office Manager and Program Coordinator for the programs we utilize for first-time offenders. Our receptionist is a bilingual translator and Notary and without her we would not be able to serve the large Latino community. Our Legal Secretary, Tricia, is extremely detailed-oriented and keeps all the billing and record keeping up to date and accurate. She transcribes all of our dictation.
We have a very good relationship with well-respected law firms in the Bar Area and San Francisco. I have a history of working together with other law firms to get the very best results for the client.
What are your strengths and style?
My unique strength and expertise is getting things done effectively and the right way the first time. I do that by focusing on the problem and finding a solution. I will also work collaborating through mediation, arbitration or litigating a case. Additionally, I can communicate extraordinarily well with all kinds of people from all walks of life because of my own unique life time experience.
My style is very forthright, honest, and straight to the point. I also think that having a bit of flair and sense of humor really helps the process along and lubricates the dry and almost archaic judicial process that can sometimes stop dead in its tracks.
Personal Interests:
I have been actively interested in health and fitness. I formerly participated in about 15 competitive body building competitions and earned the title Mr. California Natural. I taught fitness and weight training at local high schools to help keep at risk teens off the streets. I also enjoy reading, history, and learning. I have studied the Soviet Legal System and have traveled extensively in Russia, Africa, and throughout Europe and lived in Madrid in 1977.
My personal interests include volunteering on community boards and organizations. I find being involved in the Community gives me better awareness of the issues. I also enjoy community politics and working on various political and judicial political campaigns.
Office Manager/Assistant
Mary Fiumara
Fax
(707) 568-7240
Office Hours
Monday through Friday
8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Additional hours by appointment.
Emergency After Hours
Yes
Foreign Languages
Se habla Espanol
Fixed-Price Services and Fees
It depends. Sometimes we offer a fixed fee for a DUI or misdemeanor.
Misdemeanor: Starting at $1,500.
DUI: Starting at $1,500.
Hourly Rates
$250
Free Initial Consultation?
Yes, in certain circumstances. We always offer a free consultation for all personal injury clients. All seniors get a half hour free consultation.
Typical Retainer
The retainer will vary from case to case.
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Attorneys have passed a licensing check. Nolo has confirmed that every member attorney has a valid license and is in good standing with the applicable bar associations upon joining the directory.
Directory lawyers are required to notify Nolo immediately if they become the subject of any disciplinary action by any bar association.
