Mr. Rubenstein has practiced criminal law for thirty years, with over fifty trials to jury verdict. He received his law degree from Empire Law school and his Ph.D. in philosophy from New York University. Mr. Rubenstein published an article in Nature and System on “A Neuro – Electromagnetic Model of Observational Consciousness,” taught Bioethics, and formed a bioethics committee for the state of California. Mr. Rubenstein is the criminal law section representative for the Sonoma County Bar Association (SCBA) and serves on the SCBA education committee. He is a former member of the SCBA Judicial Evaluation Committee..
Our Philosophy It is critical to choose an attorney who will vigorously protect your rights and who will honestly assess your case to determine the best possible resolution. Walter not only listens to the facts of the case but also takes into account the specific needs of each client. Your situation is unique and your personality, temperament, and desires are taken into account when determining the best course of action. Thorough preparation is vital to a successful criminal defense and we prepare each case as if it will go to trial. Being fully prepared early in the process strengthens our position in negotiations and often leads to a proper disposition of the case without going to trial. In those times when a trial is necessary, Mr. Rubenstein relies on a network of professionals that includes investigators, expert witnesses, and legal research specialists to establish a defense team specifically tailored to your case to mount the most vigorous and aggressive defense possible.
Quote from Mr. Rubenstein “I feel truly fortunate for what I do . . . I’m able to help people get through a difficult time . . . when necessary I get to fight for my client at trial. I embrace the opportunity to go to trial. I don’t walk away from that fight.”
Education J.D., Empire College of the Law, Santa Rosa, CA ________________________________________ PhD, Philosophy, New York University, New York, NY ________________________________________ B.A, Philosophy, Queens College, New York, NY
Elsa
SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS
Extensive experience in human services
Ability to interact with diverse groups of people
Bilingual and bicultural (Spanish/English)
Organized worker committed to problem resolution
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Arts in Spanish Literature and Culture, Sonoma State University, Rohnert Park, CA. 1995.
Certificate of Completion in Legal Court Interpretation (Spanish/English), San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA. 2001.
Certificate of Completion in Advanced Court Interpreting, Monterey Institute of International Studies, Monterey, CA. 2002
EXPERIENCE
Qualified Court Interpreter, Sonoma County Hall of Justice, Santa Rosa, CA. 2000 – 2012.
Interpret testimony, instructions, and conversations for Spanish-speaking plaintiffs and defendants in County, Family and Juvenile Courts
Interpret in conferences between client and attorney prior to court hearings
Advise Spanish-speaking parties in court hearings of their rights
Provide sight and written translation of legal documents
Perform jail interviews supervised by defense attorneys
Legal Assistant, Law Office of Walter Rubenstein, Santa Rosa, CA. 2005 – Present.
Meet and interview Spanish-speaking clientele for intake procedure
Inform Spanish-speaking clients of their rights under the supervision of attorney
Complete written translations for legal documents
Draft correspondence and other documents, such as statements that may be used as evidence in court
Skilled in meeting deadlines and preparing legal documents
Proficient in Word and Outlook/Competent in Excel
Qualified Court Interpreter, Napa County Hall of Justice, Napa, CA. 2002 – 2004.
Provided similar duties as at Sonoma County Hall of Justice
Medical Assistant Planned Parenthood, Rohnert Park, CA. 1995 – 1999.
Assisted doctors and nurses in performing intakes, patient’s vital signs, and minor medical procedures
Functioned as HIV Counselor through Sutter Hospital
Acted as Teen Counselor in Teen Clinic
Possess certification and expertise as a Phlebotomist
Bianca Vanesa Garcia
SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS
Bianca Garcia is a third-year law student at Empire College School of Law who graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from UCLA in 2019 and recently obtained a Master of Legal Studies in 2021 from Empire College School of Law.
Bianca Garcia is currently working on her Juris Doctorate and recently earned a scholarship from the Sonoma County Women in Law Association for her work giving back to the community.
Bianca Garcia comes from a diverse bilingual and bicultural background that allows her to give back to the community and work with clients to solve their legal issues with accurate and fair representation as a Certified Law Clerk under the supervision of Walter Rubenstein.
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Arts, Chicano Studies UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 09/2015-06/2019 Minors: Spanish and American Indian Studies
J.D. Empire College School of Law, Santa Rosa, CA 10/2019-present
EXPERIENCE
Law Office of Walter Rubenstein, Santa Rosa, CA. June 2021 – Present.
Bilingual Case Worker ISOCARE, Santa Rosa, CA 08/2020- 03/2021
Support clients through period of isolation/quarantine while dealing with COVID
Assist clients in learning how to keep their family and community safe
Help ensure client doesn’t contribute to COVID-19 spread
Help clients with problem solving as well as emotional support and assistance in accessing community resources when struggling
Support team members in problem solving with difficult situations and providing emotional support as a group
Assistant Client’s Right Advocate Office of Client’s Rights Advocacy, Santa Rosa, CA 07/2019-12/2019
Provided the initial response to requests for assistance
Processed intakes and discussed cases with attorney
Determined appropriateness of advocacy
Provided information and referrals to those that did not qualify for representation or service by Client’s Right Advocate
Drafted and assembled legal documents as well as letters
Translated Spanish legal documents, emails and closed letters that were in English
HR Front Desk Receptionist UCLA Anderson School of Management, Los Angeles, CA 10/2017-06/2019
Account maintenance
Confidential human resource document processing
Completed and responded to employment verifications
Registered new hires
Scheduled employment applicants
Maintained up to date records of new hires and past hires
Intern Department of Protection Mexican Consulate, Sacramento, CA 01/2019-03/2019
Dealt with confidential cases
Assisted migrants who needed aid
Helped prepare in Spanish court summons from Mexico
Aided migrants in obtaining proper documentation
Assisted in the transfer of remains from US to Mexico
Kept files up to date of unaccompanied minors navigating through the legal system
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Map & Location
Address
Walter Rubenstein Criminal Defense Law Firm 525 College Avenue, Suite 221 Santa Rosa, CA95404 Get Directions »
Phone
707-544-5662
Español
707-494-2059
Fax
707-595-5951
Walter Rubenstein Criminal Defense Law Firm Proudly Serves: Santa Rosa • Sonoma County • Marin County